How to preview and test your kahoot before hosting live

Wondering how to test a kahoot before hosting your next big game? Previewing and testing your kahoot is the best way to ensure your questions, images, and timers are perfectly set up for a flawless live experience. This guide explains how to access preview mode and launch a full demo game.

How do I access preview mode in Kahoot!?

Before you host a live session, you can easily preview and test your game directly from the Creator view. This quick content preview allows you to see how your kahoot looks from both the host's perspective and the participant's perspective.

To access preview mode:

1. Open your kahoot in the creator
2. Click Preview icon in the top right corner of the screen.
   
3. The screen will split into two panels:
   • Host view (left) - Shows exactly what you will display on the main screen while hosting live.
   • Participant view (right) - Lets you see how each question appears to players on their own mobile devices.
     

How do I test on the mobile app?

The split-screen preview mode is available on the web platform. If you are using the Kahoot! mobile app and want to test a kahoot's game flow, you can use the Solo game mode. To learn more, check out How to play kahoot solo in the Kahoot! app.

How to launch a demo game

To fully test the game flow, you can launch a demo game. This lets you experience the entire kahoot workflow, from lobby setup to viewing the final podium.

1. While in Preview mode, click Launch demo in the bottom-right corner.
   
2. A game lobby will open, simulating a real live session.

💡 You don't need to be the creator to test a game. To test a kahoot you found on the Discover page, click the ⋮ Options button on any public kahoot's details page and select Launch demo, or duplicate the kahoot to preview it in the creator. Learn more about how to Discover ready-made kahoots and How to duplicate kahoots.

Once launched, you will see two views:

• The host screen, where you can adjust lobby settings, lock the game, start the session, and see player progress.
• The participant view, where you can join as a virtual player, enter the generated game PIN, and submit answers to questions.
  

By using both views, you can completely recreate a real Kahoot! experience. You can control the session from the host side while simultaneously responding as a participant to ensure all transitions and scoring mechanics are functioning as intended.

FAQ

1. How do I test a kahoot before hosting it live? To test a kahoot before hosting it live, open the game in the creator and click "Preview" in the top right corner. From there, you can click "Launch demo" in the bottom-right corner to open a split-screen view that simulates both the host screen and a participant's mobile device, allowing you to play through the entire game.
    
2. What is the difference between preview mode and a demo game in Kahoot!?
   Preview mode gives you a quick look at how your questions, images, and layouts appear on both the host and participant screens. A demo game is a fully interactive simulation where you get a game PIN, join the lobby as a test player, and experience the actual game flow including timers and scoring.
    
3. Does launching a demo game save player scores in my reports? No, demo games are purely for testing purposes and do not generate permanent reports or affect your account's live game data. To learn how to access results from your real live sessions, visit our guide on Kahoot! quiz reports.

 
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