Site speed in test mode

The main purpose of the “Test Mode” is to apply settings only for you in case you’re not sure whether some CSS/JS are needed or not and by unloading them, you avoid your visitors to see broken pages, especially if you use an eCommerce site and you don’t want to have the cart or checkout pages messed up.

When you access the page as an admin, you will likely be logged in and the pages will not be cached (there are exceptions to this though like WP Rocket’s caching for logged in users), thus you will not really “feel” a faster page load while browsing, especially if you have a fast internet connection and you only unloaded a few CSS/JS.

The page speed score will increase for sure significantly if you strip the “fat”, but this is to be tested after you disable test mode (if you enabled it) and clearing any cache in case you’re using WP Fastest Cache (the one you mentioned on a different post).

Currently, there’s no setting to bypass “Test Mode” and check the page speed score in tools such as GTMetrix. But I’m considering adding it at some point, though it needs proper documentation as it’s not that simple to implement it as it seems.

Yes, I fully understand the purpose of this mode but just wanted to know whether the admin was really able to “feel” the difference before removing this mode.

And now, with your reply, I first realize that I forgot one essential step: to clear the previously existing cache…

Many thanks for this.
I’m not obsessed with test speeds and I mainly judge on my own experience as visitor. That’s why I was asking. Gtmetrix in test mode would not be a top priority as far as I’m concerned.

I first tested a cloned site at another host without test mode enabled and I really was able to see a huge difference but some plugins were already de-activated in order to avoid interference with the main site and that’s why I was wondering I don’t get same results in test mode at main site.

Will anyhow get back to you when done with testing.
Thanks again!