GUIDE · COMMUNITY · EDITORIAL TEMPLATE

7 Discord Staff Application Questions That Reveal Good Moderators

The questions below are an editorial template you can copy into any application form — they are not the bot's built-in set. Good moderator applications reveal judgment under pressure, not just enthusiasm. Use these seven questions, score answers against the criteria, and keep personal data minimal.

By ArkFlame · Published 2026-10-13 · 3 min read

The seven-question template

Why do you want to help moderate this server?
Motivation and server knowledge; look for specifics over flattery.
What moderation or community experience do you have?
Relevant history; inexperience is fine if honesty shows.
What is your availability and timezone?
Coverage planning; look for overlap with quiet hours.
Two members are arguing in chat. What do you do first?
De-escalation instinct; cooling down beats picking a winner.
A fellow staff member breaks a rule. What do you do?
Integrity; good answers escalate to senior staff, not cover up.
How would you handle evidence while respecting member privacy?
Discretion; screenshots stay in staff channels, never public.
What is one thing you would improve about this server?
Judgment and care; concrete, kind suggestions score highest.

How to score answers fairly

Score each answer 0–2 (0 misses the point, 1 adequate, 2 shows judgment) for a total out of 14. Have two reviewers score independently, then discuss gaps above two points. Set a bar in advance (for example 9+) and stick to it — moving the bar per applicant is where bias creeps in.

Ask for minimal personal data

Request only what reviewers need: Discord handle, age range if your server has an age policy, timezone, and availability. Do not ask for real names, addresses, school, or other sensitive details. Delete denied applications on a schedule and say so in the form intro.

Note on the bot's built-in questions

ARK Bot ships its own hardcoded seven-question two-part form (covering in-game name, region, experience, motivation, abuse history, stress handling, and an open field). That set differs from this template. Post the built-in form with /staff-applications, review both parts together in the staff channel, and use Accept or Deny with a short note. Adapt the template above for trial tasks or interviews alongside it.

Common mistakes

Accepting friends of staff without scoring their answers.
Asking trick or lore-quiz questions that filter for tenure, not judgment.
Keeping applications with personal data indefinitely.

Conclusion

Copy the seven questions, score blind where possible, and keep data minimal. Fair process attracts the moderators worth having.