I have 4 point rating slider question in my survey form. The survey can have multiple questions with sliders. The current design uses different color on the selector handle(circle) to distinguish between selected(blue) and un-selected(grey) states. When the user launches the form, the slider questions are in the un-selected state.
When a slider question is un-selected, the form shows error upon submission. In early usability trials, we found that the user is not able to tell if he has made the choice OR not(because we show the rating handle in both states).
We tried to park the selector handle out side the position markers in the un-selected state. But, this design didn't get favorable reviews.
What would be the best approach to address this issue?
Additional Information:
There are two types of users in the system: survey creators are survey takers. The screen above is shown to the survey takers.
Survey creators want to see the rating scale because it looks flashy. I personally prefer to use radio button group to represent the rating scale as it makes the survey taking easier. I want to hear from the community to get a second/alternative opinion(s).