diff --git a/GetIntoTeachingApiTests/Contracts/BaseTests.cs b/GetIntoTeachingApiTests/Contracts/BaseTests.cs
index 4cfe26743..2b362eeb9 100644
--- a/GetIntoTeachingApiTests/Contracts/BaseTests.cs
+++ b/GetIntoTeachingApiTests/Contracts/BaseTests.cs
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ protected async Task Setup()
         {
             await FlushState();
             await SeedDatabase();
+            
+            // add delay to allow for the queue to empty between tests
+            await Task.Delay(3000);
         }
 
         protected async Task AssertRequestMatchesSnapshot(string scenario)