> 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/ai-moderated-studies/create-an-ai-moderated-study/test-an-ai-moderated-study.md).

# Test an AI moderated study

Because you can't edit an AI moderated study once it's launched, we strongly recommend testing it first. Testing lets you and up to five colleagues experience the study exactly as participants will so you can see how the AI moderator interprets your research objectives, check for errors, and preview sample data that's deleted when you leave test mode.

### Test mode requirements

**To enable test mode, you must:**

* Have a **Contributor** seat or higher. For more information, see [User roles and permissions](/getting-started/dscout-quickstart-guide/user-roles-and-permissions.md).
* Resolve all study validations. Click the **Launch** button in the top-right corner to view any unmet requirements. (If the button is **green**, you've met them all.)

**To test the study, each tester must:**

* Have a Dscout account (or create one when accessing the test study).
* Use a desktop or laptop computer with the Chrome browser.

### Enable test mode

Only one researcher needs to enable test mode. They can then participate themselves and invite up to five colleagues.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You will not be able to edit your study while in test mode. Test mode is automatically disabled after five days or you can disable it yourself. For more information, see [Disable test mode](#disable-test-mode).
{% endhint %}

**To enable test mode:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open your study in Dscout. Then, click **Test** in the top right corner. A confirmation modal is displayed.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3976082747-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd%2Fuploads%2Fv7bVsRxdIoDPKGXbyAkx%2FAI_mod_test%20(4).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=8f272d98-ea13-40eb-8fc6-48a6e24d6b1b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** If your window is narrow, you may need to click the **More options** icon in the top-right corner, then select **Test**.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Start test** to confirm.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3976082747-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd%2Fuploads%2FGPJBAkYtg7W8ihnvhDlk%2FAI_mod_test%20(3).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=d7bc4d41-2066-424c-b415-370bab39b840" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
(Optional) Enter the **First name**, **Last name**, and **Email** of the people you want to test your study.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3976082747-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd%2Fuploads%2FWvjgKqC3e16D8iq7Sivc%2FAI_mod_test%20(6).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=9540f8c3-b7d8-47b4-9c7a-694b8f3a8b95" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Testers must have a Dscout account. If they don’t have one, they will be prompted to create one when accessing your study.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Send tester invites** (or **Skip for now** to invite testers later).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, your study is in test mode—you'll see **Testing** displayed beneath the study title.

<figure><img src="https://3976082747-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd%2Fuploads%2FWUbtACVdye3REOKS0E8f%2FAI_mod_test%20(2).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=0e76cbe1-25f2-4d88-8668-3781fe5124a5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

As testers complete the study, open the **Responses** tab to view their sample data.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Screener questions aren't included when testing a study.
{% endhint %}

### Invite others to test a study

You can invite others to test your study at any time while your study is in test mode. You can have up to five others (apart from yourself) complete the study in test mode.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** You can quickly grab a share link for your test study by clicking the **Link** icon in the top-right corner while in test mode.
{% endhint %}

**To invite others to test your study:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open your study in Dscout.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the **More options** icon in the top right corner.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select **Add testers**. The add testers modal is displayed.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3976082747-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd%2Fuploads%2FvP2eqUtCKhXkwLrgRQb0%2FAI_mod_test%20(5).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=361829d9-60ed-47a4-9f6a-69189ce11eae" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Enter the **First name**, **Last name**, and **Email** of the people you want to test your study.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3976082747-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd%2Fuploads%2FzjJFN5qdekSiBB5Wwl27%2FAI_mod_test.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=9a19708f-eb50-456b-af8e-058802f74753" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Send tester invites**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, your testers will receive email invitations to complete your study. Testers must have a Dscout account. They’ll be prompted to create an account if they don’t already have one.

### Disable test mode

Your study automatically exits test mode after five days, but you can disable it manually once you've gotten what you need.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** Any data collected in test mode is deleted when test mode is disabled. Only disable it once you've reviewed all the sample responses you need.
{% endhint %}

**To disable test mode:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open your study in Dscout.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **End test** in the top-right corner. A confirmation modal is displayed.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3976082747-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FIKfn7RcT4CW9XaIbqAdd%2Fuploads%2FhkVUIjlQyisUnldumc4E%2FAI_mod_test%20(1).jpg?alt=media&amp;token=828ef37c-38f9-4594-8219-34736f770ab5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **End test** to confirm.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, your study is out of test mode and you can make further edits before launching.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://help.dscout.com/ai-moderated-studies/create-an-ai-moderated-study/test-an-ai-moderated-study.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

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