How to Pass the Outlier Aether Assessment

Updated 1 November 2026 · Based on contributor guides and Outlier’s published task descriptions, checked on 1 November 2026 · OpenJob editorial team

The Outlier Aether assessment is a short qualification test you take before getting live tasks on Project Aether. It covers four task types: furniture removal with a reconstruction prompt, sketch-to-photo comparison, bounding box annotation and conversation evaluation. You take it with screen sharing on, after a mini-course of 10 to 30 minutes. People fail mostly for skipping instructions and rushing, not for lack of skill.

Before the test

• Finish the mini-course without skipping. The test follows the same rubric as the course. Keep notes of the quality criteria: realism, artifacts, proportions, lighting and sound.
• Prepare your setup. Use a computer, not a phone. Close other windows, because you will share your screen. Check that your internet is stable.
• Block enough time. Do not start the test if you may be interrupted. Leaving it halfway usually counts as a failed attempt.
• Read the task guidelines twice. Most failures come from answers that are reasonable but do not follow the guidelines exactly.

The four task types and how to approach them

1. Furniture removal and reconstruction prompt

You get a room image. You must remove every movable piece of furniture while keeping walls, floor, windows, doors and built-in elements. Then you write a prompt that describes the furniture you removed: what it was, how many pieces, and where each one stood.

• Movable means sofas, chairs, tables, lamps, rugs, plants and decor. Built-in means kitchens, radiators, fixed shelves and fireplaces: leave them.
• In the prompt, name each item with its position (“a grey three-seat sofa against the left wall”) and give quantities. Vague prompts like “some furniture in the room” are marked down.
• Check your result for leftover fragments, shadows or distorted walls.

2. Sketch to photorealistic image

You compare an original sketch with an AI-generated photorealistic image and decide whether the image is a faithful, clean rendering.

• Check that every element of the sketch is present and in the same position.
• Look for artifacts: extra limbs, melted edges, duplicated objects, broken text.
• If the image adds or removes elements, say so in your justification. Accuracy to the sketch matters more than how pretty the image is.

3. Bounding box annotation

You take or receive high-definition screenshots, usually full screen at 1080p or higher, and draw boxes around every element a user can interact with: buttons, links, input fields, menus, toggles.

• Boxes must be tight: no large margins, no cutting off part of the element.
• Do not skip small elements like icons or checkboxes. Completeness is scored.
• Do not box decorative text or images that cannot be clicked.

4. Conversation responses

You read a multi-turn conversation with an AI, which may include images or video, and rate the final reply for accuracy, logic and safety.

• Read the whole conversation, not just the last message. The reply must respect earlier turns.
• Check facts and reasoning step by step. A fluent reply with one wrong fact is still a bad reply.
• Flag safety problems: harmful instructions, private data, inappropriate content.
• Write a short, specific justification for your score.

Five rules that make the difference

1. Accuracy over speed. There is no bonus for finishing fast, and rushed answers fail.
2. Justify every answer with concrete observations, not opinions.
3. Be consistent. Apply the same standard to every item; graders compare your ratings with each other.
4. Never guess. If the guidelines cover the case, follow them; if not, choose the most conservative option and explain why.
5. Work alone and unassisted. Screen sharing is there to detect automated tools and copied answers. Using them ends your participation.

After the test

Results usually arrive within a few days inside your Outlier account. If you pass, Aether tasks appear in your project list when work is available. If you fail, a retake is not guaranteed: some contributors are offered other projects instead. Availability of tasks depends on client demand, so expect quiet days even after passing.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Outlier Aether assessment?

The mini-course takes about 10 to 30 minutes. The practical test that follows has no published length: contributors describe it as a set of tasks across the four task types, which can take an hour or more if you work carefully. Block uninterrupted time before you start.

Why does the Aether test require screen sharing?

Outlier uses screen sharing during the assessment to check that you complete the tasks yourself, without automated tools or copied answers. It protects the quality of the project. Close unrelated windows before you start, use a computer rather than a phone, and keep a stable connection.

Can I retake the Aether assessment if I fail?

Outlier does not promise a retake. Some contributors report a second chance, others are redirected to different projects. Because of this, treat the first attempt as the only one: finish the course, read the guidelines twice and do not start until you can work without interruptions.

What are the most common mistakes in the Aether test?

Rushing, skipping the guidelines, vague justifications and inconsistent scores. In the furniture task, people leave built-in elements out or write generic prompts. In annotation, they miss small elements or draw loose boxes. In conversations, they rate only the last message instead of the whole exchange.

Do I need English for Project Aether?

Yes. The course, guidelines and tasks are in English, and you write justifications in English. You do not need to be a native speaker, but you need to read instructions precisely and write clear, specific sentences. Outlier runs a general English reasoning screening before project assessments.

Project Aether: tasks, pay and requirements · All Outlier jobs on OpenJob · Are AI training jobs legit?

Sources: contributor guides published between December 2025 and April 2026 and Outlier’s published task descriptions, checked on 1 November 2026. Outlier may change the assessment at any time; this guide does not include test answers. OpenJob is an independent aggregator, not an employer. The join button uses our invitation link: applying stays free and OpenJob may receive a reward. Details in Transparency.