> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/recruit-participants/dscout-scout-panel/knockout-questions.md).
# Knockout questions
Study type
Availability
Screeners
true
Usability tests (auto-recruit)
true
Media surveys (auto-recruit)
true
Intercept studies
true
AI moderated studies (auto-recruit)
true
Recruiting for missions, you want to find people who fit your research needs as closely as possible. To help, you can use knockout questions to eliminate applicants if their answers don’t line up with what you’re looking for. For example, let’s say you’re looking for participants who exercise at least three times a week. You can use a knockout question to disqualify applicants who indicate they exercise less frequently.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** We recommend always starting a screener or mission with a knockout question or two. This will save applicants time by letting them know right away if they aren’t qualified, but it will also help weed out those who won’t be helpful to your study.
{% endhint %}
## How do knockout questions work?
When building a screener or mission, you’ll add knockout questions and select which answers are acceptable (**May select**) and which are not (**Knockout**). These questions are then presented to applicants first so they can find out as quickly as possible if they do not qualify. When an applicant selects an answer you’ve marked **Knockout**, they are sent to the end of the screener or mission and don’t count toward your total participants.
**Note:** If **Multi-select** is enabled for a question, you’ll also see an option to mark answer choices as **Must select**. Participants must select these answers to qualify for your mission. Those who don’t are disqualified, regardless of their other selections.
Applicants disqualified by knockout questions won’t show in your final results, but you can view how many people were disqualified by each question from within your screener or mission. For more information, see [Programming insight](/recruit-participants/dscout-scout-panel/programming-insight.md).
## Knockout questions in screeners
When building a screener, you’ll add knockout questions on the **Screener** tab.
**To add a knockout question to a screener:**
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Screener** tab of your screener.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **+ Add knockout question** in the builder or in the left sidebar.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select **Multiple choice**. (Or, select **Add from question bank** to add a question you have saved. For more information on saved questions, see [Question banks](/study-basics/question-types/question-banks.md).)
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Enter a **Prompt**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Enter your answer **Choices**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select **Knockout** beside the answers you want to disqualify applicants.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Done**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, once you launch your screener, applicants who select answers you’ve marked **Knockout** will be disqualified and sent to the end of your screener.
## Knockout questions in usability tests and media surveys
When building a usability test or media survey, you’ll add knockout questions on the **Screener** tab.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Knockout questions are only available in missions that auto-recruit from Dscout’s pool of participants. When using other recruitment methods, it’s expected that you have already in some way screened the participants you invite.
{% endhint %}
**To add a knockout question to a usability test or media survey:**
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Screener** tab of your mission.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **+ Add** beneath **Screener questions** in the left sidebar.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select **Multiple choice**. (Or, select **Add from question bank** to add a question you have saved. For more information on saved questions, see [Question banks](/study-basics/question-types/question-banks.md).)
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Enter a **Prompt**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Enter your answer **Choices**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select **Knockout** beside the answers you want to disqualify applicants.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Done**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, once you launch your mission, applicants who select answers you’ve marked **Knockout** will be disqualified and sent to the end of your mission.
---
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