Session rate card

 

Learn how to use the Session rate card to interpret testing-capacity usage reports displayed in the Usage and history dashboard.

 

This article applies to: UserTesting 

 

On this page:

• What is a Session Unit (SU)?
• The Session rate card
• How to read the Session rate card
• How to calculate session rates

 

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What is a Session Unit (SU)?

• If you are on the Flex plan, UserTesting tracks the amount of testing capacity used on the platform.
• Session Units (SU) are unit-based metrics that help you get the most value from every test.
• Your account will have purchased the number of SUs you need to run your tests.

 

 

The Session rate card

To help you calculate how many Session Units (SUs) your test will incur, we’ve created the Session rate card. Review the two versions below: Unmoderated sessions and Moderated sessions.

Unmoderated session (self-guided tests)

	Surveys* Up to 10 minutes	Interaction tests Up to 20  minutes	Short tests**  Up to 5 minutes	Think-out-loud tests & Quick Answers Up to 20 minutes
UserTesting Contributor Network (includes Favorite contributors, Specific contributors)	2	5	5	10
Custom Network (Customer Network, UserTesting managed)	N/A	N/A	3	5
Invite Network (Customer-sourced participants)	0	1	1	2

* Surveys do not include recorded videos of the participant. All other test types include video.

** The short test feature must be selected before the test launch. Participants may end short tests after 5 minutes.

 

Moderated session (Live Conversation)*

	First 30 minutes	Each additional 15 minutes
UserTesting Contributor Network (Favorite contributors, Specific contributors)	20	5
Custom Network (Customer Network, UserTesting managed)	10	2
Invite Network (Customer-sourced participants)	5	1

*To allow for setup, there is a 15-minute grace period in case the session goes over 30 minutes.

• For example, a session that lasts 45 minutes will be metered at the 30-minute duration.
• After this grace period, the session incurs additional SUs in 15-minute increments (i.e., 5 SUs for UserTesting Contributor Network, 2 SUs for Custom Network, and 1 SU for Invite Network).
• Note: We advise that moderators keep as close to the originally booked time as possible for the interview part of the session.

 

 

How to read the Session rate card

Contributor type

• In the left-hand column, find Session rates by audience network, such as the UserTesting Contributor Network, Custom Network, or Invite Network.

Unmoderated sessions

• Under the Unmoderated session card, find Session rates for a short test, an interaction test, a think-out-loud test, and Quick Answers tests.
• An unmoderated session consists of the video or completed test and metrics of a recorded test
  
• The short test feature must be selected before test launch. 
  
  Note: Keep think-out-loud tests within 20 minutes. Tests lasting longer than 20 minutes usually produce lower-quality responses because of contributor fatigue. 

Moderated sessions

• Under the Moderated session card, find Session rates for the first 30 minutes of a test, plus each additional 30 minutes.
• A moderated session consists of a video of a single Live Conversation interview.
• Live Conversation sessions are scheduled and consumed in 30-minute increments.
• The session begins when the contributor or anyone on the account joins.
• To allow for setup, there is a 15-minute grace period in case the session goes over 30 minutes. After this grace period, the session incurs additional SUs in 15-minute increments (i.e., 5 SUs for UserTesting Contributor Network, 2 SUs for Custom Network, and 1 SU for Invite Network).
  Note: We advise that moderators keep as close to the originally booked time as possible for the interview part of the session.
• Make sure all contributors exit the Live Conversation session when completed so that no additional SUs are consumed.
  Note: Even a minute past the grace period will incur extra SUs.
  
  

 

How to calculate session rates

• The Session rate is calculated per session, and the rate varies by the test type and length, as well as session type (or how the contributor was recruited)
• After launching a test, each session that a contributor completes consumes a specific number of Session Units.
• Watch our video for more guidance:

Here are some example:

• If you launch a Quick Answers test with six contributors from the UserTesting Contributor Network, that test is 60 SUs. 
• A 60-minute Live Conversation with five contributors from your Custom Network is 70 SUs. 

Other Live Conversation examples:

• If you launch a Live Conversation with one contributor from the UserTesting Contributor Network, and that interview lasts 45 minutes, your test will be metered at the 30-minute cutoff and you will incur a usage of 20 SUs.
• If you launch a Live Conversation with one contributor from the UserTesting Contributor Network that lasts 46 minutes, your test will be metered at the 45-minute amount (30 minutes plus the 15-minute increment). You will then have used 25 SUs (20 SUs for the first 30 minutes, and an additional five SUs for the extra minute after the 15-minute grace period).
  
  Note: The default cap for Live Conversations launched on the Flex plan is 100 contributors. This cap can be set to a different amount at the account level; contact Support to change the cap.
  

 

 

Related Content

Want to learn more? Check out these Knowledge Base articles...  Usage and history dashboard Testing capacity on the Flex plan	Interested in growing your skills? Check out our University courses... Managing the flex plan for admins Jumpstart on-demand for admins
Need hands-on training? Find a live, virtual class that fits your needs. Enroll in one of our UserTesting certification programs.	Can't find your answer? Check out our CommUnity forums. Reach out to Support or our Professional Services team.