Thanks for your interest in joining the UserTesting Contributor Network! This article will explain everything you need to know about taking the practice test on your computer.
TIP: If you want to complete the practice test on your phone or tablet, review the instructions for signing up on a mobile device. To start the application process, you need to:
- Review our system requirements
- Submit your email address on our website
- Create your UserTesting account
When you complete these steps, you’ll have access to your UserTesting account. From there, you can view your applicant checklist. Your applicant checklist includes the steps you need to complete before you can join the Contributor Network:
TIP: You can complete these steps in any order you'd like, but you'll have to complete each of them (and pass your practice test) before you can join the Contributor Network. Once you’ve completed each step on the applicant checklist and we’ve approved your practice test, you’ll be ready to start taking tests!
How to start the application process
1. Review our system requirements
Before you sign up, make sure your device meets the following minimum requirements:
Windows
- Operating system: Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11
- Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Edge (current version and previous version)
- Upload speed: A least 3.0 Mbps (5.0 Mbps recommended)
- Maximum screen resolution: 1920x1080
- Screen ratio: 16:9
Mac
- Operating system: OS X 10.15 or higher
- Browser:
- Chrome, Firefox, Edge (current version and previous version)
- Safari: Versions 14.0-15.3 only
We're currently unable to support Safari 15.4.
- Upload speed: A least 3.0 Mbps (5.0 Mbps recommended)
- Maximum screen resolution: 1920x1080
- Screen ratio: 16:9
TIP: If you're not sure about your upload speed, you can check it here.
2. Submit your email address on our website
Visit the Get paid to test page, and then submit your email.
3. Create your UserTesting account
a. Once you submit your email address, you’ll see an introductory screen.
b. Click Next to provide us with the personal information required to create your UserTesting account. These personal details include your first and last name, your username, password, and the zip code for the area you live most of the time.
NOTE: If you don’t have a PayPal account, you’ll need to create one before you can continue with your application. 
The applicant checklist
Once you create your account, you’ll see the Applicant Checklist. This checklist includes each step you have to complete before you can become a UserTesting contributor. Remember, you can follow these steps in any order you like.
TIP: You can switch between your mobile device and computer to complete this checklist. Learn how to:
Take the practice test
The practice test includes a few short tasks to introduce you to our recorder. It’s also an opportunity to show off your ability to share your thoughts and ideas.
Learn what to expect:
Before the test
1. When you’re ready to start the practice test, click the Take practice test button on the checklist.
2. Before you can start the practice test, you need to give the recorder access to your screen and microphone. Follow the onscreen instructions, to allow these permissions.
3. View the animated tutorial to learn how to switch between the test instructions and the test website.
4. When you’re ready to begin the test, review the final reminders and then click Start Recording.
During the test
Carefully review the scenario and make sure to adopt the mindset of what you’ll be doing. In other words, as you read the test instructions try to imagine that you're actually interested in what you've been asked to do.
For the practice test, you’ll complete a set of tasks that require you to explore our Contributor Support Center. So you should approach the test as if you had visited the support center on your own and you'd like to find new information or answers to questions you might have about UserTesting.
Remember to think aloud, speak loudly and clearly, and complete each task to the best of your ability.
TIP: If you're not used to speaking your thoughts aloud, just imagine you're sharing your screen with a friend who's asked you to describe your experience, from start to finish. If you'd like to learn more about how the test will work, you can review how to use the Seamless Desktop Recorder.
After the test
1. Once you submit your practice test, it'll be ready for review by our team!
2. We'll carefully review your test and then let you know about the results of your application in a couple of days, so keep an eye on your inbox.
You can also view the status of your practice test from the applicant checklist. When your test is still under review, you should see an In review badge.
3. When we have reviewed and approved your practice test, this step will be marked as Done on your checklist.
If you don't pass the practice test the first time, you'll have a second chance to try again.
Complete your profile
To better match you with tests, you need to add your personal details to your UserTesting profile.
Your profile consists of the following information:
- Gender
- Birth year
- Household income
- Employment information
- Web browsers
- Web expertise
- Languages
- Devices
1. When you’re ready to complete your profile, click the Complete profile button from the applicant checklist.
2. To add your personal information, click the Edit profile button on your profile page.
3. When you’ve completed your profile, click Save Profile at the bottom-right of the page.
4. After you save your profile, return to the checklist to make sure that the badge for this step is marked as Done.
Verify your email address
1. When you first submitted your email address on the Get Paid to Test page, you should have received an email from UserTesting with the subject line, “Verify your email”.
NOTE: It may take a few minutes for this email to arrive, so please be patient! Make sure to also check your spam folder.2. Click the Verify email button to complete the verification process. After you’ve verified your email,
return to the checklist to make sure that the badge for this step is marked as Done.
Connect your PayPal account
To keep your payments secure and to make sure you receive your payments on time, you’ll need to connect your PayPal and UserTesting accounts. For more information, review the article, “How do I get paid?”
NOTE: If you don’t have a PayPal account yet, you can make a new one. Just click on the Create PayPal account link instead.
Follow these steps to connect your account:
1. Click the Connect PayPal account button on the Connect PayPal tile.
2. You should be redirected to the PayPal website. Follow the onscreen instructions to log into your PayPal account. Following these steps will automatically connect your PayPal and UserTesting accounts.
NOTE: Your banking details stay private and are not shared with UserTesting.
3. Once you’ve linked your PayPal account, return to the checklist to make sure that the badge for this step is marked as Done.
TIP: If you’re having trouble connecting your account, please review these troubleshooting steps.