# Make predictions before deploying a model

> Make predictions before deploying a model - Learn how to make predictions on models that are not yet
> deployed and how to make predictions using an external dataset or your training data.

This Markdown file sits beside the HTML page at the same path (with a `.md` suffix). It summarizes the topic and lists links for tools and LLM context.

Companion generated at `2026-04-24T16:03:56.591293+00:00` (UTC).

## Primary page

- [Make predictions before deploying a model](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/analyze-models/predictions/predict.html): Full documentation for this topic (HTML).

## Sections on this page

- [Workflows for testing predictions](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/analyze-models/predictions/predict.html#workflows-for-testing-predictions): In-page section heading.
- [Make predictions on a new model](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/analyze-models/predictions/predict.html#make-predictions-on-a-new-model): In-page section heading.

## Related documentation

- [Classic UI documentation](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [Modeling](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [Model insights](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/analyze-models/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [Predict](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/analyze-models/predictions/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [deploying](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/mlops/deployment/deploy-methods/deploy-model.html): Linked from this page.
- [make predictions in a production environment](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/dev-learning/python/predictions/index.html): Linked from this page.
- [Predictions Reference](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/predictions/pred-file-limits.html): Linked from this page.
- [time series documentation](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/time/ts-predictions.html#make-predictions-tab): Linked from this page.
- [Make predictions on an external test dataset](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/predictions/pred-test.html#make-predictions-on-an-external-test-dataset): Linked from this page.
- [data source](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/data/connect-data/data-conn.html): Linked from this page.
- [prediction threshold](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/analyze-models/evaluate/roc-curve-tab/threshold.html): Linked from this page.

## Documentation content

# Make predictions before deploying a model

This section describes the Leaderboard's Make Predictions tab used to test predictions for models that are not yet deployed. Once you verify that a model can successfully generate predictions, DataRobot recommends [deploying](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/mlops/deployment/deploy-methods/deploy-model.html) the model to [make predictions in a production environment](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/dev-learning/python/predictions/index.html). To make predictions before deploying a model, you can follow one of the [workflows for testing predictions](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/analyze-models/predictions/predict.html#workflows-for-testing-predictions).

> [!NOTE] Note
> Review the [Predictions Overview](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/api/dev-learning/python/predictions/index.html) to learn about the best prediction for your needs. Additionally, the [Predictions Reference](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/predictions/pred-file-limits.html) outlines important considerations for all prediction methods. When working with time series predictions, the Make Predictions tab works slightly differently than with traditional modeling. Continue on this page for a general description of using Make Predictions; see the [time series documentation](https://docs.datarobot.com/en/docs/classic-ui/modeling/time/ts-predictions.html#make-predictions-tab) for details unique to time series modeling.

## Workflows for testing predictions

Before deploying a model, you can use the following workflows to test predictions:

- Make predictions on a new model
- Make predictions on an external test dataset
- Make predictions on training data

> [!NOTE] Note
> A particular upload method may be disabled on your cluster. If a method is not available, the corresponding ingest option will be grayed out (contact your system administrator for more information, if needed). There are slight differences in the Make Predictions tab depending on your project type. For example, binary classification projects include a prediction threshold setting that is not applicable to regression projects.

## Make predictions on a new model

1. On the Leaderboard, select the model you want to make predictions on and clickPredict > Make Predictions.
2. Upload your test data to run against the model. Drag-and-drop a file onto the screen or clickChoose fileto upload a local file (browse), specify a URL, choose a configureddata source(or create a new one), or select a dataset from the AI Catalog. If you choose theData sourceoption, you will be prompted for database login credentials. TipThe example above shows importing data for a binary classification project. In a regression project, there is no need to set aprediction threshold(the value that determines a cutoff for assignment to the positive class), so the field does not display.
3. Once the file is uploaded, clickCompute predictionsfor the selected dataset. TheCompute predictionsbutton disappears and job status appears in the Worker Queue on the right sidebar.
4. When the prediction is complete, you can append up to five columns to the prediction dataset by clicking in the field belowOptional Features (0 of 5). Type the first few characters of the column name; the name autocompletes and you can select it. To add more columns, click in the field, type the first few characters, and select. NotesYou can append a column only if it was present in the original dataset. The column does not have to have been included in the feature list used to build the model.TheOptional Features (0 of 5)feature is not available via the API.
5. ClickDownload predictionsto save prediction results to a CSV file. To upload and run predictions on additional datasets, use theChoose filedropdown menu again. To delete a prediction dataset, click the trash icon.
