Focus groups
What is a pre-screener? A plain guide to study invitations
Pre-screeners decide who gets invited to focus groups, interviews and product tests. Here is how they work, and how you are rewarded either way.
Taste tests and central location tests explained
A central location test is a research study where you go to a venue to test products. Here is a practical guide to attending a taste test, answering questions, and earning rewards.
Key points
- A central location test happens at a specific venue, like a research facility or hotel meeting room.
- You will try unbranded samples of food or drink and answer questions about their taste, texture, and appearance.
- Researchers provide palate cleansers, like water or plain crackers, so you can taste each sample clearly.
- You must be honest about food allergies and dietary restrictions when you apply for a taste test.
What a central location test means
Market research companies often want people to try a product under exact conditions. To do this, they run a central location test, or CLT. This is a study where everyone goes to the same place to test a product. You might go to a dedicated research facility, a hotel conference room, or a community hall.
Unlike product tests at home, a central location test lets researchers control the environment. They can serve food at the perfect temperature. They can make sure you do not see the brand name on the packaging. They can also ask you questions right away while the experience is fresh in your mind.
These tests are usually for food, drinks, or personal care items. You might try a new flavor of potato chips, a fast-food burger, or hand lotion. The goal is always the same. The company wants to know what ordinary people think before they sell the product in stores.
Arriving at the test venue
When you are invited to a central location test, you get an email with the address and a specific arrival time. It helps to arrive a few minutes early. Before you leave home, make sure you have everything you need for the session. Staff will usually ask you to bring:
- A valid photo ID, like a driver license or passport, to prove your identity.
- Reading glasses, if you need them to view a computer screen or read small print.
- Your invitation email, either printed out or saved on your phone.
When you walk in, a receptionist or researcher will check your details. You will usually wait in a seating area with other participants. During this time, the staff might ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which means you promise not to share photos. You can read more about these forms in our guide to recording, consent and NDAs.
Before you go into the testing room, staff will ask you to turn off your mobile phone. They do not want rings and buzzes to distract you or anyone else. You might also need to leave your coat and bag in a secure area or a locker. The testing room itself is often set up with individual desks or booths.
The step-by-step tasting process
Once you sit down, a staff member will bring you small samples of food or drink. These usually come in plain paper cups, clear plastic bowls, or unmarked plates. This is called a blind taste test. The researchers hide the brand name so your opinion is based only on the product itself.
You will have a tablet, a laptop, or a paper questionnaire on your desk. After you taste a sample, you answer questions about it. The questions might ask you to rate the sweetness, the crunch, or the smell on a scale from one to ten. You will also see text boxes where you can type out your specific thoughts.
Take your time to notice the details. Think about how the product looks before you eat it. Notice the texture as you chew. If you need help describing your thoughts, check our tips on how to write open-ended answers.
Cleaning your palate between samples
In a typical central location test, you will try several different samples of the same product category. If you are testing spicy salsa, the third sample might taste different just because your mouth is already warm. To prevent this, researchers ask you to clean your palate between each taste.
A palate cleanser is a plain food or drink that removes lingering flavors from your mouth. The most common palate cleanser is room-temperature water. You will almost always have a cup of water on your desk. Researchers often provide unsalted crackers, plain white bread, or slices of apple.
You take a bite of the cracker and a sip of water before moving to the next sample. Follow the instructions exactly. The screen or the staff will tell you when to eat the cracker and when to wait. These short breaks help your taste buds reset.
Managing allergens and dietary needs
Food safety is the top priority at any central location test. When you first apply for a taste test online, the survey will ask about your food allergies and dietary restrictions. You must answer these questions honestly. If you are allergic to nuts, dairy, soy, or any other ingredient, the researchers need to know.
Always disclose dietary restrictions. If you have a strict diet, like veganism or eating only halal food, you should state that in the screening survey. Researchers plan their sample lists carefully. If a test involves a food you do not eat, they will simply invite you to a different study later. Never hide an allergy or restriction just to qualify for a study.
When you arrive at the venue, the staff might ask you to confirm your allergy information one more time. If you ever sit down and suspect a sample contains an allergen, stop immediately and raise your hand. Speak to a staff member. If you have severe allergies or a complex medical condition, ask a qualified medical professional if participating in blind taste tests is safe for you.
Other products tested at central locations
While food and drinks are very common, central location tests are also used for items you cannot easily test on a computer. Companies often test physical product packaging. They might hand you a new type of laundry detergent bottle to see if the cap is easy to open. They might ask you to read the label and explain what the instructions mean to you.
Sometimes, tests involve looking at marketing materials. You might watch a television commercial on a large screen and share your reaction. Researchers use central locations for these tests to ensure high-quality video and sound. They want everyone to see the exact same colors and hear the exact same volume.
You might also test small household electronics. A company might set up three different coffee makers and ask you to try turning them on. They watch to see if the buttons make sense. Your feedback helps them fix confusing designs before the product goes to a factory.
Earning rewards for your time
Attending a central location test requires more effort than answering questions on your phone at home. You have to travel to a venue and spend a set amount of time there. Because of this extra effort, the rewards for these studies are higher than standard online surveys.
A taste test usually takes between thirty minutes and two hours. The invitation email will always tell you exactly how long the session will last. It will also tell you what reward you will get for completing the study. You receive your reward after the session ends, though the exact payment method and timing depend on the study.
Participating is a practical way to earn points while trying something new. Your opinions directly influence the products that end up on supermarket shelves. If you want to share your thoughts and receive invitations to studies like these, you can create a free account with Reward Hours today.
Common questions
Can I bring a friend or child to a taste test?
No. Research facilities require a quiet environment, and only the person invited can enter the testing room. You will need to make childcare arrangements before you attend a central location test.
Do I have to swallow the food at a taste test?
No. Many facilities provide spittoons or opaque cups for people who prefer not to swallow the samples. Just let the staff know your preference when you sit down.
What happens if I do not like the taste of a sample?
That is completely fine. Researchers want your honest opinion, even if it is negative. You will earn your reward as long as you complete the session and answer all the questions carefully.
