> 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/interview-studies/create-an-interview-study/test-an-interview-study.md).

# Test an interview study

To get an idea of how your study will look to participants, you and your colleagues can conduct a test session yourselves. You can assign a moderator, invite an observer, and have one of your colleagues take the role of participant.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Studies cannot be edited while in test mode. This includes adding or removing time slots, editing your study overview and incentive, and more. If you need to make edits, you must first disable test mode. For more information, see [Disable test mode](#h_01KKD8B29YWWPG7QMJDK9G7723).
{% endhint %}

## 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).
* Add available time slots on your study’s schedule.<br>

  <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>You can test your study without time slots. However, adding time slots allows the scheduling portion of the process to be tested as well.</p></div>

To test an interview study, you must:

* Have a Dscout account (or create one when accessing the test study).
* As a participant, use the study’s assigned device—mobile or desktop.
* Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to join the session.

## Enable test mode

When you’re ready to test your study, you’ll enable test mode. When enabling test mode, you’ll enter the email address of the collaborator you want to test the session as a participant. Once your study is in test mode, you’ll be able to access session links from directly within your study.

**To enable test mode for your study:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Test mission** at the bottom of the page. The test modal is displayed.

![](/files/61940f275b854e578e4f98837e6d57e5dd2f0579)
{% endstep %}

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

![](/files/7da35c1418f5054407992b45dd1ea388e73fa264)

{% hint style="info" %}
Enter a fellow tester’s information here, not your own. This person will take the role of the participant during the test. You’ll have access to a separate link to join the test session as a moderator or observer.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Send invite**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, your study is in test mode and an invitation is sent to the email you entered. You can view links for your test session at any time by clicking **Test setup** at the bottom of the builder. To join a test session, refer to the sections below depending on the role you’ll play in the test.

## Join test session as a moderator

Once test mode is enabled, you can access the links necessary to join a test session directly within your study. First, you’ll assign yourself as the moderator for the test session. Then, you’ll copy the session link and open it to complete the necessary hardware check.

**To join a test session as a moderator:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Test setup** at the bottom of the page. The test setup modal is displayed.

![](/files/bf6ad0a5ba720b067ac0a1d8f64e3284ac5057b2)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
From the **Moderator** drop-down, select yourself.

![](/files/989217ee161cd45c87d586c9ce3287070a4192a0)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the **Researcher link** to copy it to your clipboard.

![](/files/91c68e678d1b4dc0cbe4f8a67d75bce049b13d40)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Open the link in a new window. The device setup page is displayed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Grant permissions as requested to enable your camera, microphone, and speakers.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Complete hardware setup** at the top of the page.

![](/files/20017fa0b6606598f80cce07f0613cbbc1180dc2)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, you’ve joined your test session. Once your fellow tester joins as the participant, click **Start call** to begin the recording. You can leave the session at any time by clicking **End session** in the top right corner. For information on navigating the session, see [Navigate an interview session](/interview-studies/conduct-an-interview-session/navigate-an-interview-session.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
Once the session is complete, you can review the recording like you would a regular interview session. For more information, see [View interview session recordings](/interview-studies/view-interview-session-recordings.md).
{% endhint %}

## Join test session as a participant

If you’ve been invited to test an interview session as a participant, you’ll receive an email invitation just like a participant would for an actual study. When accepting the invitation, you’ll be prompted to complete the necessary hardware checks and select a time slot. Then, you’ll be able to join the session.

**To join a test session as a participant:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
In the email invitation, click the link to accept the study invite.

![](/files/ab813372654b93475c7eed610123f96311d35fef)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
(If prompted) Log in to your Dscout account. The study landing page is displayed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Start hardware setup**. The device setup page is displayed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Grant permissions as requested to enable your camera, microphone, and speakers.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Complete hardware setup** at the top of the page. The time slot selection page is displayed.

![](/files/149732db0d3519d03b233ea113aedd69fe89431d)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select a time slot. Then, click **Confirm time slot**.

{% hint style="info" %}
If no time slots are displayed, either you or another researcher must first add them to your study.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
From this same URL, click **Join session** at your scheduled time. The device setup page is displayed.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you navigate away from this page before your session, you’ll find a session confirmation email in your inbox containing a link to join your session.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Verify your camera, microphone, and speakers are still working.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Join session** at the top of the page.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, you’ve joined your test session. Once the moderator joins, you’ll be able to test the full interview session experience. You can leave your session at any time by clicking **Exit session** in the top right corner.

## Join test session as an observer

Any researcher who is not designated as the moderator of a test session can join as an observer so long as they have the session link. Observers are not visible to participants during the session.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you are only a **Viewer** in your Dscout account, a researcher with **Contributor** permissions will need to send you the session link. Once you have the link, complete the following steps beginning with step four.
{% endhint %}

**To join a test session as an observer:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Test setup** at the bottom of the page. The test setup modal is displayed.

![](/files/bf6ad0a5ba720b067ac0a1d8f64e3284ac5057b2)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the **Researcher link** to copy it to your clipboard.

![](/files/91c68e678d1b4dc0cbe4f8a67d75bce049b13d40)

{% hint style="info" %}
If you are designated as the moderator of a test session, you will not be able to join as an observer. If you need to test the session as an observer, select another researcher as the moderator.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Open the link in a new window. The device setup page is displayed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select an audio output.

{% hint style="info" %}
Test your audio by clicking **Play test sound**. There’s no need to grant microphone or camera permissions, as observers are not seen or heard during interview sessions.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Join session**.

![](/files/684ef6573fd85d8584da322016dcd5521b891bcc)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, you’ve joined the test session as an observer. You’ll be able to see and hear both the moderator and the participant, but they will not be able to see or hear you. However, you can use the chat to communicate with your fellow researchers. You can leave your session at any time by clicking **Exit session** in the top right corner.

## Disable test mode

Your study will automatically exit test mode after five days. However, you can disable it manually if you’ve gotten the information you need.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Any data collected while in test mode will be deleted immediately when test mode is disabled.
{% endhint %}

**To disable test mode for your study:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Setup** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **End test** at the bottom of the page. A confirmation modal is displayed.

![](/files/98d4fac10fb47628fe17e45601acbb29639aa1f3)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Yes** to confirm.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, your study is no longer in test mode. You can proceed to make any changes to your study overview or schedule. When you’re ready, you can launch your study. For more information, see [Launch an interview study](/interview-studies/manage-an-interview-study/launch-an-interview-study.md).


---

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