Methods, systems, and devices for quick activate for memory sensing are described. An operating mode that is associated with a command sequence having a reduced duration relative to another operating mode may be configured at a memory device. The operating mode may be configured based on determining that a testing procedure does not attempt to preserve or is independent of preserving a logic state of accessed memory cells, among other conditions. While operating in the mode, the memory device may perform a received activate command using a first set of operations having a first duration-rather than a second set of operations having a second set of operations having a second, longer duration—to perform the received activate command. The first set of operations may also use less current or introduce less disturbance into the memory device relative to the second set of operations.