The uTest Sandbox Program

The uTest Sandbox is a program that provides newly registered (or currently unrated) uTesters with the opportunity to evaluate uTest, and likewise an opportunity for uTest to evaluate new uTesters. This involves new uTesters participating in an unpaid “audition” test cycle that closely mimics a regular, paid uTest test cycle. The mission, if one accepts, is to follow instructions as outlined in the Sandbox test cycle and submit one completed test case and up to four bugs found on a pre-selected website for testing. A participant’s Sandbox performance will be closely linked with his/her eligibility for future paid uTest projects. In other words, if you do well in the Sandbox program and your profile matches future project demand, your chances of receiving upcoming projects is much greater than other newbie uTesters.

So how do I get invited to the uTest Sandbox?
If you are a newly registered uTester, a select number of you will automatically be invited to an upcoming Sandbox test cycle (typically within one week of registration). Your invitation will be dependent upon current and forecasted demand, including factors such as hardware, software and geography. For example, if you are a BlackBerry tester in Italy, you will likely be invited due to current/future demand in this market. If selected, you will typically be invited to a Sandbox class within one week of registration. Once invited, a Sandbox Team Lead (hand-selected top testers in the community) will be assigned to oversee your test cycle, providing resources and general guidance to the Sandbox class.

By the way, non-newbies can also participate as well: If you are not new to uTest and are not currently Rated (you do not have a badge next to your name in the uTest platform), you may also request to be included in an upcoming Sandbox class.

To request a Sandbox invitation:

1. First, be sure that one full week has lapsed between your registration date before you submit a request for a Sandbox invitation. If you haven't been invited after one full week, please register for an account on the uTest Forums.
2. Post about yourself in our “Introduce Yourself” forum topic. (an ideal introduction post should tell us a little about you and whatever your background in testing is. For an example of a great introduction check out this post).
3. Finally, send us one (and only one) email to Auditions@utest.com with “Sandbox class request” in the subject line and include a link to your forums introductions post. Before you email us, however, please be sure to update and complete your tester profile as thoroughly as possible as this will help us determine your eligibility in the program. Leaving out a web or mobile platform could prevent us from adding you.