This guide explains every status you will see when running A/B tests in ABConvert. You will learn what each status means, which test types support it, and how your tests move from one stage to another. Understanding statuses helps you manage experiments confidently and keep your storefront performing at its best.
Core Statuses
These are the core statuses that can appear across different ABConvert test types.
Draft
The test is saved but not launched
Preview
Temporary preview mode and it's only available for Cart Transform price tests
Active
The test is running and collecting conversion data
Paused
The test has been temporarily stopped and can be resumed
Closed
The test has been permanently ended
Deleted
The test has been removed from your workspace permanently
Transitional statuses
These statuses appear briefly while ABConvert processes changes:
Creating
The system is setting up your test and will move it to Active when ready
Pausing
The system is disabling test configurations and will switch to Paused
Resuming
The system is re-enabling the test and will switch to Active
Key differences
Why some tests do not support pause
Some test types cannot be paused because they rely on backend operations that Shopify does not allow to be partially turned on or off.
Shipping tests
Shipping rules depend on Shopify delivery profiles and carrier services. These cannot be partially disabled without affecting the storefront.
Duplicate variant/ duplicate product method price tests
The price adjustment lives inside the product structure. Pausing would require complex variant state rewrites that may conflict with inventory.
Content tests
Tests with unique behavior
Price test cart transform
This test type is the only one with a Preview status that lets you verify behavior before activating it for live customers.
To learn more about it, please refer to this How to use preview mode for my cart transform price test.
Status flow diagrams
Tests with pause support
Draft → Creating → Active ↔️ Paused → Closed → Deleted
Tests without pause support
Price test (duplicate variant)
Draft → Creating → Active → Closed → Deleted
Cart transform price tests (with preview)
Draft → Preview ↔️ Draft
Preview → Creating → Active ↔️ Paused → Closed → Deleted
Any test that is Draft, Paused, Closed, or Active can be deleted. Active deletions will stop the test immediately.
FAQs
Why is my test stuck on Creating?
The system may still be syncing with Shopify. If it stays in this state for more than 10 minutes, reach out to support.