--- title: "Best Practices for Assessments" slug: "best-practices-for-assessments" updated: 2026-06-09T07:18:34Z published: 2026-06-09T07:18:34Z canonical: "support.whatfix.com/best-practices-for-assessments" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.whatfix.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Best Practices for Assessments Assessments in Whatfix Mirror transform interactive simulations into evaluation experiences that measure user proficiency in completing workflows. These best practices help you create effective evaluations that support onboarding, certification, and learner readiness. Expand the following accordions for more details: ****Choose the Right Landing Workflow**** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/Mirror_Db_Select_landing_workflow_Click.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T11%3A56%3A54Z&se=2026-10-29T12%3A56%3A54Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=FlisbCjNSuizrPp6bmrT459UCsfjxUK7CeSc0thOXiM%3D) Choose the Workflow where the Assessment begins. The first screen of the selected Workflow appears as the starting point of the Assessment and serves as the landing screen for users. Ensure that the starting Workflow begins from a Mirror Screen where users can consistently access it and move to other screens. Avoid choosing a Workflow whose first screen is static, restricted, or does not navigate to another screen, as this can prevent learners from completing the remaining Workflows. **Example:** If the selected Workflow starts from a confirmation or summary screen with no onward navigation, your learners may reach a dead end and be unable to proceed with the Assessment. ****Set Clear Pass Criteria**** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/Mirror_Db_Configure_Assessment.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T11%3A56%3A54Z&se=2026-10-29T12%3A56%3A54Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=FlisbCjNSuizrPp6bmrT459UCsfjxUK7CeSc0thOXiM%3D) Define the Pass criteria by specifying how many Workflows learners must complete to pass the Assessment. A clearly defined Pass criteria ensures consistent evaluation across learners and provides measurable results for performance comparisons. It also supports organizational and compliance requirements that specify minimum or full completion thresholds for certification-based Assessments. **Example:** If you want your learners to pass an Assessment with a score of 80% or higher, set the Pass criteria so that learners must complete 4 of 5 Workflows. Learners who complete four Workflows meet the required score and pass the Assessment. ****Configure Assessment Experience with Start and End Screen Pop-ups**** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/Mirror_Assessment_Pop-up.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T11%3A56%3A54Z&se=2026-10-29T12%3A56%3A54Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=FlisbCjNSuizrPp6bmrT459UCsfjxUK7CeSc0thOXiM%3D) Configure start and end screen Pop-ups to help your learners clearly understand when an Assessment begins and ends. This creates a defined start and finish and prevents confusion during transitions between Workflows. Adding clear start and completion messages is especially useful for longer or certification-based Assessments that require a defined beginning and end. **Example:** You can add short, direct messages to indicate when the Assessment starts and ends. A start message such as “Your assessment is about to begin” informs users that the Assessment has started, while an end message like “You’ve completed all required tasks” confirms that they have reached the end. ****Evaluate Playground Mode Configuration**** Playground Mode controls how users can navigate between Workflows within a Simulation and directly impacts the overall Assessment experience. Evaluate whether you want to introduce complexity in your Assessments or keep them straightforward before deciding if Playground Mode is required. > [!WARNING] > Note: > > - By default, Mirror enables Playground Mode when you create a Simulation and add an Assessment to it. For more information, see [Understand Playground Mode](/mirror/docs/understand-playground-mode). > - Playground Mode does not create connections for any elements you did not interact with during capture, so those elements remain unlinked in the Assessment. **Assessments with Playground Mode Enabled** Enable Playground Mode when you want to add complexity, simulate real-world challenges, or evaluate adaptability in an Assessment. This is suitable when users are expected to complete interconnected workflows or respond to variable task outcomes. This is suitable when users are expected to complete interconnected Workflows or respond to variable task outcomes that test adaptability. When capturing Mirror Screens, include all relevant paths such as alternate routes, validation messages, and error states so users can complete every possible path without interruptions or navigation issues. **Example:** In a troubleshooting Assessment, capture both “Connection Successful” and “Error Detected” paths so users can experience multiple outcomes in the same Assessment. **When Playground Mode Is Disabled** Disable Playground Mode for structured, certification, or compliance-based Assessments. This enforces a fixed workflow sequence and ensures all users follow the same path. Without Playground Mode, users cannot skip ahead or return to previous workflows, creating a more controlled and comparable evaluation environment. This setup is ideal when accuracy, consistency, and fairness in evaluation are the priority. **Example:** In a certification Assessment that measures accuracy in completing a defined task, disable Playground Mode so users follow the same sequence from start to finish without deviations. ****Preview the Assessment Before Sharing**** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a268766e-d74d-4619-9613-e2472f809ffb/Images/Documentation/Mirror_Db_Preview_assessment.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-29T11%3A56%3A54Z&se=2026-10-29T12%3A56%3A54Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=FlisbCjNSuizrPp6bmrT459UCsfjxUK7CeSc0thOXiM%3D) Preview the Assessment to verify that the navigation and captured Mirror Screens appear as intended across the Assessment. During the preview, ensure that Guidance content such as Smart Tips or Flows does not appear, as these are automatically disabled in Assessment Mode. Previewing also helps you confirm that navigation between Mirror Screens occurs correctly before users attempt the Assessment. For more information, see [Preview an Assessment](/mirror/docs/preview-an-assessment). ****Avoid Editing Task Lists**** Mirror creates a Task List for each Assessment to help users track progress while completing the required Workflows. Do not rename, edit, or move this Task List across stages. Editing the Task List, including adding or removing tasks, can result in inconsistent Assessment behavior. ****Create User Actions for Targeted Tracking**** Create User Actions within the Assessment to track interactions on both required and optional elements within a Workflow. Tracking these interactions helps validate how users complete key actions and highlight interaction patterns that may indicate where additional guidance is needed. For example, you can create User Actions on buttons or input fields that are essential for Workflow completion, as well as on UI elements not required for Workflow completion to observe repeated interactions that may suggest uncertainty during task completion. For more information, see [User Actions](/product-analytics/docs/user-action-1). ****Review Assessment Analytics Regularly**** Review Assessment Analytics at regular intervals to identify where your users struggle or drop off. Monitoring performance trends helps you understand how your users interact with each Workflow and where they may require additional guidance. Track key metrics such as **Attempted**, **Passed**, **Failed** and **Assessment Completion Rate** to identify areas that may require review. If one Workflow consistently takes longer to complete, check whether the captured sequence or screen flow could be causing confusion. For example, if users take longer to complete a Workflow, review the Mirror Screens to identify potential friction in the screen flow. For more information, see [Assessment Analytics](/mirror/docs/assessment-analytics). An interactive evaluation created by using existing Simulations to measure how proficiently end users complete tasks without assistance. Whatfix Mirror is an application simulation software that provides an immersive and interactive simulation of any web application. A sequence of captured mirror screens representing a specific user journey or process (e.g., "How to create a Lead in Salesforce?"). A replica of an application screen captured based on a UI element. Defines how many Workflows a user must complete to pass an Assessment. Based on your requirement, you can set it to include all Workflows or a specific number needed to demonstrate proficiency. A mode within Simulation that facilitates the connection and interaction of workflows within the simulated environment. Playground mode is enabled by default. A feature that enables you to connect and link multiple Mirror Workflows to represent a complex user journey across an application or ecosystem. Workflows added to a simulation are automatically linked. Guidance content refers to in-app content types such as Flows, Smart Tips, Beacons, and Pop-ups that guide users through tasks. A feature in Whatfix Mirror that evaluates user proficiency by disabling all Guidance content, such as Smart Tips and Flows, in a training Simulation. It enables users to complete Workflows independently and tracks assessment performance, including completion rates and pass or fail outcomes. The Task List is a widget that gives you the ability to assign a list of topics/tasks users must complete as part of a training program. Whatfix User Actions enable you to track your end users' actions and behavior on your application