Cracking the Whiteboard UX Test: What Works and What Fails
Don't fear the whiteboard—embrace it
Whiteboard interviews can feel like a design sprint, a problem-solving test, and a live performance all rolled into one. If you’ve ever left one feeling like you bombed it, you’re not alone.
The good news? Whiteboard interviews follow patterns. If you understand what hiring managers look for—and what makes them reject candidates—you can approach your next one with a solid game plan.
This guide breaks down the key mistakes that sink candidates and how to avoid them, using real feedback from a failed whiteboard test.
What Makes a Whiteboard Test Hard?
Before jumping into what works and what doesn’t, let’s be real—whiteboard challenges are tough because they compress a huge part of the UX process into a short time window.
