Completing Tasks

Tasks are the main activities in a study. After you pass screening, or straight away on an opportunity that has none, you complete one or more tasks to earn your payout. On Home, each task shows what the next step is, such as Book your session or Study agreement.

Task Types

Surveys and External Tasks

Many tasks take place on another website, such as a survey:

1. Click Open survey. It opens in a new tab.
2. Complete it there.
3. Come back and click I completed the task.

If you close the tab by mistake, click Reopen survey. Some surveys tell us automatically when you finish, and then there is no button to click. Some ask for your Terac submission ID: when they do, a window shows it so you can copy it in.

File Uploads

Upload the files the task asks for, such as documents, screenshots, or photos. You can remove a file and add another until you click Submit files.

• Make sure images are clear and readable
• Remove sensitive personal information the task does not need

Booked Sessions

Some studies include a live session. Schedule your interview lets you pick a time, and some studies book it for you from your connected Google Calendar.

Agreements and Contracts

• Study agreement: read the study's terms and accept them. If you would rather not take part, choose I'm not interested. That closes your application for good.
• Sign the contract: some studies, usually projects, ask you to sign a contract online. Afterwards you can download your copy from the sidebar with Download signed contract.

Project Setup

Project-based studies often start with setup tasks:

• Join the Slack workspace or Meet the team on Slack, to join the project's Slack.
• Set up time tracking, to install Insightful for an hourly project. See Time Tracking with Insightful.

See Project-Based Work for how the rest of a project works.

Camera Checks and Recording

Before some tasks, a Camera quality check makes sure your face is visible, the lighting is good, you are sitting upright, and you are alone. Some tasks also record your screen or camera while you work. When they do, the task tells you first and asks you to allow it.

Timing

Tasks are not timed. Each one shows an estimate of how long it takes. Some studies unlock the next task only after the previous one is approved (Task under review), or after a set time (Next task available soon, which says when).

A study can fill, pause, or end while you are partway through. If it fills, you may see Spot just filled. Your progress is saved, and you can carry on if a spot opens up again.

After You Submit

You'll see Task submitted, and we email you once a decision is made. Some tasks are approved as soon as you confirm them, or as soon as the survey confirms you finished. Others are reviewed by our team or by the research team.

Tips for High-Quality Submissions

1. Follow instructions exactly: don't improvise unless asked
2. Be thorough: incomplete responses are often rejected
3. Be genuine: authentic responses are more valuable
4. Proofread: check for typos in written responses
5. Meet requirements: make sure uploads meet the size and format asked for

FAQ

Can I pause and resume a task?

Your application saves your progress between tasks. Whether you can pause in the middle of one depends on the task: an external survey, for example, may not save a half-finished answer.

What if I submit by mistake?

Ask Sophia straight away. The team may be able to help, but there's no guarantee.

Why was my task rejected?

Common reasons:

• Incomplete responses
• Responses didn't follow instructions
• Quality didn't meet standards
• Technical issues (audio didn't record, file corrupted)

Can I redo a rejected task?

Generally no. Each task allows one submission, although a reviewer can sometimes reopen one.

What's Next?

If your study is a project, read Project-Based Work. For AI interviews, see AI Interviews.