diff --git a/judge/scripts/test/spec_helper.rb b/judge/scripts/test/spec_helper.rb
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/judge/scripts/test/spec_helper.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+
+# This test helper loads the grader's environment and rails environment
+
+GRADER_ENV = 'test'
+require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__),'../config/environment')
+
+
+# this shall be removed soon
+RAILS_ENV = Grader::Configuration.get_instance.rails_env
+require RAILS_ROOT + '/config/environment'
+
+# make sure not to access real database!
+# taken from http://blog.jayfields.com/2006/06/ruby-on-rails-unit-tests.html
+
+class UnitTest
+  def self.TestCase
+    class << ActiveRecord::Base
+      def connection
+        raise 'You cannot access the database from a unit test'
+#        raise InvalidActionError, 'You cannot access the database from a unit test', caller
+      end
+    end
+    Test::Unit::TestCase
+  end
+end