Ask the User to Complete the List of Prepared Tasks
Take careful note of how easy or difficult it is for the user to complete each task. The main objective is to try to observe the user's thought process. When you're not sure what the user is thinking, ask them.
For these tasks, let's assume that you are conducting a usability test on Amazon.com, the online bookstore. Here are some sample tasks you can ask your usability test subjects to preform:
Find and add the last book you bought to your shopping cart
Find and add xyz's latest book to your shopping cart
Find and add three books on basic HTML to your shopping cart
Remove "xyz's" latest book from your shopping cart
Add gift wrapping to the three books on basic HTML
Pay for the items in your shopping cart
Subscribe to three newsletters offering recommendations about your favorite subjects
Find information and sign up for our affiliate program
Find information and join the Amazon Honor System
Send a complaint to our customer service department