If a customer invites you to take a mobile test that includes a card sort, you can use this article to understand how this task works and learn some best practices for providing helpful feedback.
Learn more:
An introduction to card sorting
A card sort is a tool customers use to understand how people make sense of different concepts. Companies and organizations can learn how to improve their product experiences with this insight. For example, card sort results can help customers find out how to organize product categories on their retail website.
Traditional card sorts take place in person and require the participant to sort items or topics labeled on index cards into groups or categories. On the UserTesting platform, you can complete this same exercise online using a computer or the UserTesting mobile app.
Sometimes, customers will ask you to create your own categories. Other times, they'll provide the categories for you or give you the option to add some of your own. Your task is to sort the available cards into the categories that make the most sense to you and to explain your choices out loud.
When you complete a card sort activity, customers want to know the "why" behind your choices. Focus on explaining your reasoning as you organize the cards. Share why you think some cards or categories are confusing or if you don't think some of the cards fit well in any category. If you feel unsure about your choices, share this experience with the customer. Remember, there's no such thing as a right or wrong answer.
How card sorting works on the UserTesting mobile app
Learn how to:
- Start the card sort task
- Sort your cards
- Create your own categories
- Finish your card sort
- Go back and make changes to your card sort
Start the card sort task
In your task instructions, the customer should tell you when you're about to start the card sort. Usually, these instructions will include an overview of how to complete the activity.
To begin, tap Start task. The cards and categories will appear on the Sort cards screen.
You may need to collapse the task instructions first if you don't see the card sort when you tap the Start task button.
To collapse the task instructions:
- Tap Done on the Sort cards screen.
- Then tap the Task.
- You should now be able to view the card sort screen.
Sort your cards
Take some time to review the available categories, and think about how you might organize the cards into different groups.
Drag and drop your cards under the Categories column to begin sorting them.
Remember to speak your thoughts out loud as you sort your cards. The customer would like to know how you understand each category and card and why you think certain cards should be grouped together.
Create your own categories
Sometimes, the customer may want you to create your own categories. To do this, review the list of cards available to you.
When you're ready to create a new category, tap the plus icon 
How to create your categories using a different card sort tool
If there isn't a plus sign on your screen, you just need to drag and drop your cards to create new categories.
Give the category a name that makes sense based on the type of cards you plan to place under it. Explain out loud why you've decided to give the category its name.
In some tools, you may need to tap on the category to add a name manually. For example, in the tool below, you'd need to tap on the Tap to rename field to add the category name.
Finish your card sort
Once you've sorted each card and are satisfied with your choices, tap Done.
In other tools, you may need to tap a Finished button, or your cards and categories may be autosaved.
Go back and make changes to your card sort
If you'd like to return to the card sort to make any changes, just tap Resume task. Otherwise, tap Next to move on to the next part of your test.
We'll let you know if you tap Next before your card sort is complete. Tap Cancel and then tap Resume task to finish sorting your cards.
