> 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/usability-tests/create-a-usability-test/test-a-usability-test-mission.md).

# Test a usability test mission

To get an idea of what participants will see when completing your mission, you and up to five of your colleagues can test your mission prior to launch. This lets you double-check for errors and also preview your own sample data that’s deleted when you leave test mode.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** If testing a mission isn’t enough, you can also “soft launch” your mission. This lets you gather some preliminary data and then edit your mission before opening it to your target n-size. For more information, see [Edit a launched mission](/study-basics/edit-close-or-relaunch-missions/edit-a-launched-screener-or-study.md).
{% endhint %}

### Test mode requirements <a href="#h_01k8ba88nx9dpqg575yaczwx6e" id="h_01k8ba88nx9dpqg575yaczwx6e"></a>

To enable test mode for your mission, 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 mission validations. You can view these by clicking the purple **Launch** button in the top right of your mission. (If the Launch button is **green**, you’ve met every validation!)

To test a mission, you must:

* Have a Dscout account (or create one when accessing the test mission).
* Use the mission’s assigned device type—mobile or desktop.
* Install the Dscout browser extension when testing a desktop usability test. For more information, see [Dscout browser extension](https://participanthelp.dscout.com/hc/en-us/articles/35668866016916-Installing-the-Dscout-browser-extension).

### Enable test mode <a href="#h_01k8ba88nzt2tm7y422q9d6393" id="h_01k8ba88nzt2tm7y422q9d6393"></a>

Only one researcher must enable test mode for a mission. Then, they can participate themselves and invite up to five colleagues to participate in the test mission.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You will not be able to edit your mission 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](#h_01k8ba88p870bfqwq33cnk9krg).
{% endhint %}

**To enable test mode:**

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

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

{% step %}
Select **Test**. A confirmation modal is displayed.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/D44sxOhgtE7WToix1Mb5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

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

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

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/gYQ0WlimRfOQeUPbhu6J" alt=""><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 mission.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

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

Now, your mission is in test mode. You’ll see **Testing** displayed beneath the mission title.

<figure><img src="/files/n084xcB1rMNvwIOTBjuQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To view sample data from your testers, open the **Responses** tab as they complete the mission. To test the mission yourself, select **Add testers** from the **More options** menu, then click **Link to test mission**.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Screener questions are not included when testing a mission. If you want to preview screener questions as well, consider “soft launching” your mission and editing it after. For more information, see [Edit a launched mission](/study-basics/edit-close-or-relaunch-missions/edit-a-launched-screener-or-study.md).
{% endhint %}

### Invite others to test a mission <a href="#h_01k8ba88p5xjr4xktc3hf0yjzx" id="h_01k8ba88p5xjr4xktc3hf0yjzx"></a>

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

**To invite others to test a mission:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open your mission 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="/files/AmdkBrQaLYDlhPIPJ2fe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

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

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/qcHOpz2jlhDPo5Wd9En0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

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

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

### Disable test mode <a href="#h_01k8ba88p870bfqwq33cnk9krg" id="h_01k8ba88p870bfqwq33cnk9krg"></a>

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

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Any data collected while in test mode will be deleted when test mode is disabled. Only disable test mode if you’ve reviewed all the sample responses you need to.
{% endhint %}

**To disable test mode:**

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

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

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/gvWDUhZXc5wbJHwzwY9m" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

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

Now, your mission is out of test mode. You’ll see **Drafting** displayed beneath the mission title and can now make further edits to your mission before launching.

<figure><img src="/files/5MGB4dEdCmLyOdNnjzbP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Testing with SSO enabled <a href="#h_01k8ba88pcca79ggw685jfb6p5" id="h_01k8ba88pcca79ggw685jfb6p5"></a>

You may have difficulty testing a mobile mission if your Dscout account requires SSO (single sign-on) to log in. However, you can still access the mission by first logging in on a desktop computer.

**To access a mobile test mission with SSO enabled:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Open the link to the test mission on a desktop computer. You can find this link in the invitation you received by email.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Log in to Dscout as you normally would. A second sign-in form is displayed If you’re already logged in, skip to step five.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Enter your email, then click **Send magic link**. A dedicated sign in link is sent to you via email.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/7xTkvqTiZ8bjyIo4kNpq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In the email, click **Log into Dscout**. You’re automatically brought to the mission’s landing page.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
On the mission’s landing page, scan the QR code using your mobile device and open the link.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/waLuATMrB2auinVvjYfY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Now, the Dscout app will automatically open to the mobile test mission. If you don’t have the Dscout app installed on your device, you’ll be prompted to download it and may have to re-scan the QR code once you have it installed.


---

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