diff --git a/test/spec/spec_helpers.js b/test/spec/spec_helpers.js
index 262159477..175112d4b 100644
--- a/test/spec/spec_helpers.js
+++ b/test/spec/spec_helpers.js
@@ -6,6 +6,20 @@ iD.debug = true;
 iD.data.imagery = [];
 for (var k in iD.services) { delete iD.services[k]; }
 
+// run with a minimal set of presets for speed
+iD.data.presets = {
+    presets: {
+        area: { name: 'Area', tags: {}, geometry: ['area'] },
+        line: { name: 'Line', tags: {}, geometry: ['line'] },
+        point: { name: 'Point', tags: {}, geometry: ['point'] },
+        vertex: { name: 'Vertex', tags: {}, geometry: ['vertex'] },
+        relation: { name: 'Relation', tags: {}, geometry: ['relation'] },
+        // for tests related to areaKeys:
+        building: { name: 'Building', tags: { building: 'yes' }, geometry: ['area'] }
+    }
+};
+
+
 mocha.setup({
     ui: 'bdd',
     globals: [