The Best Course Evaluation Questions and How to Write Them

Thriving education programs don’t happen by accident. They’re built through constant listening to students, parents, instructors, and the broader community. Gathering consistent input supports everything from a more connected catalog to a stronger student experience, better program decisions, and more sustainable growth. 

Community feedback shows up in many forms. Conversations at pickup, instructor debriefs, attendance trends, and enrollment data all tell part of the story. Course evaluations add another layer. They provide a structured, repeatable way to understand how classes are landing with students.

Well-written course evaluation questions invite specific, honest feedback about the student experience and surface actionable insights. This guide outlines the best course evaluation questions and how to write them, so your surveys give your team clearer direction after each session.

How to Write Better Course Evaluation Questions

If your program has been around for a while, it can be easy to keep using the same course evaluation survey questions year after year. New programs may just grab the first course evaluation form template they see online and assume it’s good enough. Both approaches make it easier to move quickly, but they also tend to produce similar results: broad feedback that’s hard to interpret and act on.

If you want quality feedback, you need quality questions. That means you need to write specific questions targeted to your students and your classes. Here are five ways to write better course evaluation questions. Each step is explained in more detail below the graphic.

1. Make Sure Every Question Has a Purpose

Every question on your course evaluation survey should tie back to something you want to understand or improve. Before you start writing, outline the decisions this feedback will inform. That clarity will help you collect more meaningful responses and avoid repeating questions.

Depending on your goals, you might want feedback on areas like:

• the instructor’s teaching approach
• course content
• the quality of assignments and assessments
• the overall learning experience
• whether the course met student expectations
• tools or technologies used in the class

As Nielsen Norman Group advises: “Ask only about the things that are essential for answering your research questions. If you don’t absolutely need the information, leave it out.”

2. Keep Your Language Simple

Use simple, straightforward language and avoid jargon wherever possible. Students and parents are more likely to give accurate feedback when questions reflect how they naturally think and speak.

For example, instead of, "How would you rate the instructor's use of differentiated instruction?" you could ask, “How well did the instructor adjust the material to meet your learning needs?” and pair it with a rating scale. 

Nielsen Norman Group recommends using plain language in surveys to reduce confusion and cognitive effort. This leads to more reliable responses, especially when surveys are completed quickly or on mobile devices.

3. Ask Neutral, Honest Questions

Design questions that invite thoughtful, constructive feedback, not just praise. Avoid wording that nudges students toward a positive response or implies there’s a “right” answer. Nielsen Norman Group notes that leading course or workshop evaluation questions can skew results and limit the usefulness of survey feedback.

For example, a question like “How helpful were the course materials?” assumes they were helpful. A more neutral option would be, “How helpful, if at all, were the course materials?”

If you include questions about what worked well, balance them with prompts like, “What’s one thing we could improve?” This pairing helps reduce positivity bias and encourages more candid responses.

4. Use a Consistent Scale Throughout

If you use a rating scale, keep it consistent across the entire survey. Switching between a five-point scale and a seven-point scale can confuse respondents and lead to less reliable results. 

Also, make sure each number means the same thing from start to finish. If five equals "strongly disagree" on one question, it should represent the same response everywhere else. SurveyMonkey's survey design guidance shows that consistent scales reduce cognitive effort for respondents and make your data easier to interpret and compare.

5. Include a Few Open-Ended Questions

Multiple-choice class evaluation questions are often the easiest to analyze. They make it simple to spot patterns, compare results, and summarize feedback in reports. On their own, however, they can limit what students can share. 

Including a small number of open-ended questions gives students space to add context and explain their ratings. Prompts like, "What is one thing you wish the instructor would do differently?" can elicit specific suggestions you wouldn’t capture with a scale alone.

Nielsen Norman Group also recommends ending with a catch-all question, such as, "Is there anything this evaluation didn't cover that you would like to share?" This question can highlight issues or positive experiences you might otherwise have missed.

Test and Refine Your Class Evaluation

Before rolling out your evaluation widely, test it with a small group of students. Look for signs that a question isn’t working, such as skipped responses, inconsistent answers, or comments that don’t quite match what you asked.

These are signs that a question’s wording is unclear or is trying to do do too much at once. A test helps you spot problems early and refine your questions before they affect the quality of your feedback.

Sample Course Evaluation Questions

We've provided examples below to help you get started on writing course feedback questions. The questions are organized based on the part of the course they assess. To make it even easier, use our course evaluation template in Google Forms. Simply make a copy of the form and edit the questions to meet your needs.

Use our customizable course evaluation template to start gathering feedback to improve your classes.

Course Content/Structure

• The course was well-organized and logically structured. (scale of 1-5)
• The course covered the topics described in the course description. (scale)
• This course helped me improve my skills/understanding in [subject]. (scale)

‍‍Instructor Evaluation

• The instructor demonstrated strong subject-matter expertise. (scale)
• The instructor clearly communicated expectations, deadlines, and grading criteria. (scale)
• The instructor provided timely feedback on assignments and assessments. (scale)

Teaching Methods

• ‍‍The instructor used a variety of teaching methods (lectures, discussions, activities, group projects, etc.) to engage students. (scale)
• What method of teaching most helped you understand the material? (multiple choice)
• How effective were the teaching methods in helping you understand the course material? (long-form answer or scale + comment)

Assessments/Assignments

• ‍‍The assignments improved my understanding of the material. (scale)
• The assignments and assessments fit with the material we covered in class. (scale)
• What assignment did you feel was least helpful? (short-form answer)
• What would have made this assignment more useful? (short-form answer)

Resources

• ‍‍The learning resources were easy to access. (scale)
• The learning resources were relevant to the course. (scale)
• What additional resources would have been helpful for you? (long-form answer)
• The course website [or learning management system] was up-to-date and helpful. (scale)

Class Experience

• ‍‍Class sessions supported my learning. (scale)
• Class sessions were interesting and engaging. (scale)
• I was able to get help when I needed it. (scale)
• How could we improve the class experience for future students? (long-form answer)

Overall Experience

• ‍‍I would recommend this course to other students. (scale)
• What aspects of the course were most beneficial to your learning experience? (long-form answer)
• How could we improve this course overall? (long-form answer)

How to Get Students to Complete Course Evaluations

When you’ve put a lot of effort into writing strong course evaluation questions, low response rates can feel especially frustrating. In most cases, the issue isn’t the questions themselves. It’s how, when, and why you’re asking them.

Here are four common reasons students skip course evaluations, along with practical ways to address each one.

‍
Problem: The evaluation takes too long to complete.
Solution: Keep your evaluation short and focused, and be upfront about the time commitment. Give students in-class time to answer the questions. For online evaluations, include a time estimate so students know what to expect.

Problem: Students are worried about upsetting or offending the instructor.
Solution: Assure students that their feedback is anonymous and confidential. If you're teaching an in-person class, leave the room while students complete the evaluation.

Problem: Students do not believe that their feedback matters.
Solution: Explain that their feedback will be used to improve teaching and learning for future classes. If possible, give an example of how student feedback has been used in the past. Thank students for their insight and participation.

Problem: Students are busy and unmotivated.

Solution: Consider a light incentive to reward participation for anyone who completes the evaluation. Keep the incentive small (e.g., entry into a small draw, a modest discount, early access to future registration) and frame it as a thank-you for students’ time, not positive endorsements, so they feel comfortable sharing honest feedback.

How to Deliver Course Evaluations to Students

Many learning management systems include built-in tools for collecting course evaluations. Platforms like Moodle, Blackboard, and Canvas allow you to customize student feedback forms directly within the learning environment. 

If you’re not using an LMS, online survey tools can also work well. Options such as Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, SurveyPlanet, and Zoho offer simple ways to collect responses online.

How to Take Action on Student Feedback

Course evaluations work best when they lead to clear next steps. Over time, patterns show up across classes and sessions. Grouping feedback into a few common areas can help you decide what to address first and who needs to be involved.

Instructor feedback

• If students raise concerns with pacing, clarity, or slow feedback, summarize the themes and share them with the instructor. Use the feedback to guide check-ins, set clearer expectations, or adjust how you offer support during the course.

Course content and structure

• Comments about lessons feeling rushed, confusing, or repetitive usually indicate issues with the course design. Addressing these problems might mean reordering topics, spending more time on key concepts, or updating the course description to clarify expectations before enrollment.

Physical space or technology

• Notes on sound, seating, room setup, or online tools often relate to logistics rather than teaching. Flag these comments early and escalate them to the appropriate person to resolve before the next session.

Overall student experience

• When students report feeling unprepared or unsure about schedules, materials, or next steps, the issue often starts before the first class. Use this feedback to improve registration details, confirmation emails, and pre-class communication.

Finally, close the loop. Let students know when feedback has led to changes, even small ones. Seeing that you take their input seriously makes people more likely to respond in the future.

Making Course Evaluation Questions Count

Collecting student feedback is one of the most reliable ways to strengthen your education program over time. Clear course evaluation questions help you understand what’s working, what needs adjustment, and where small changes can make a real difference for students and instructors alike.

It’s also worth remembering that the student experience starts well before the first class. Registration, communication, and expectations shape how students show up and evaluate their experience.

CourseStorm helps art and community ed programs support that whole journey, from registration and payment to smoother behind-the-scenes program operations. Schedule a free CourseStorm demo to see how it works in practice.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2023 but has been thoroughly updated to reflect current best practices.