diff --git a/case-lib/lib.sh b/case-lib/lib.sh
index e74db139..59b6c1a6 100644
--- a/case-lib/lib.sh
+++ b/case-lib/lib.sh
@@ -1024,4 +1024,3 @@ perf_analyze()
     fi
 }
 
-start_test
diff --git a/test-case/check-alsabat.sh b/test-case/check-alsabat.sh
index c3c41e1a..cad2a23a 100755
--- a/test-case/check-alsabat.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-alsabat.sh
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ frequency=${OPT_VAL['F']}
 sigmak=${OPT_VAL['k']}
 frames=${OPT_VAL['n']}
 
+start_test
+
 if [ "$pcm_p" = "" ]||[ "$pcm_c" = "" ];
 then
 	dloge "No playback or capture PCM is specified. Skip the alsabat test"
diff --git a/test-case/check-audio-equalizer.sh b/test-case/check-audio-equalizer.sh
index 5d35c855..7cc51890 100755
--- a/test-case/check-audio-equalizer.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-audio-equalizer.sh
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 func_pipeline_export "$tplg" "eq:any"
 sofcard=${SOFCARD:-0}
 
+start_test
+
 # Test equalizer
 func_test_eq()
 {
diff --git a/test-case/check-capture.sh b/test-case/check-capture.sh
index 91be088f..6ead37f0 100755
--- a/test-case/check-capture.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-capture.sh
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 out_dir=${OPT_VAL['o']}
 file_prefix=${OPT_VAL['f']}
 
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 setup_kernel_check_point
diff --git a/test-case/check-fw-echo-reference.sh b/test-case/check-fw-echo-reference.sh
index eb64e59a..1e8ace9f 100755
--- a/test-case/check-fw-echo-reference.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-fw-echo-reference.sh
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 frames=${OPT_VAL['n']}
 frequency=${OPT_VAL['f']}
 
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 func_pipeline_export "$tplg" "echo:any"
diff --git a/test-case/check-ipc-flood.sh b/test-case/check-ipc-flood.sh
index 5d6ff4b1..1c5112d0 100755
--- a/test-case/check-ipc-flood.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-ipc-flood.sh
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ lpc_loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['c']}
 ipc_flood_dfs=${OPT_VAL['f']}
 loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 
+start_test
+
 sof-kernel-dump.sh | grep sof-audio | grep -q "Firmware debug" ||
      skip_test "need debug version firmware"
 
diff --git a/test-case/check-keyword-detection.sh b/test-case/check-keyword-detection.sh
index cd8a10e6..ebcad8fd 100755
--- a/test-case/check-keyword-detection.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-keyword-detection.sh
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ history_depth=${OPT_VAL['s']}
 preamble_time=${OPT_VAL['p']}
 duration=${OPT_VAL['d']}
 
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 func_pipeline_export "$tplg" "kpb:any"
diff --git a/test-case/check-kmod-load-unload-after-playback.sh b/test-case/check-kmod-load-unload-after-playback.sh
index 849c1a3f..e7aa542b 100755
--- a/test-case/check-kmod-load-unload-after-playback.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-kmod-load-unload-after-playback.sh
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 pb_duration=${OPT_VAL['d']}
 
+start_test
+
 func_pipeline_export "$tplg" "type:playback"
 
 func_lib_check_sudo
diff --git a/test-case/check-kmod-load-unload.sh b/test-case/check-kmod-load-unload.sh
index 65661a42..9e51729a 100755
--- a/test-case/check-kmod-load-unload.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-kmod-load-unload.sh
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ OPT_HAS_ARG['p']=0             OPT_VAL['p']=1
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 setup_kernel_check_point
 
+start_test
+
 loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 
 PATH="${PATH%%:*}/kmod:$PATH"
diff --git a/test-case/check-pause-release-suspend-resume.sh b/test-case/check-pause-release-suspend-resume.sh
index df0826e2..52908587 100755
--- a/test-case/check-pause-release-suspend-resume.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-pause-release-suspend-resume.sh
@@ -94,6 +94,8 @@ sleep_period=${OPT_VAL['i']}
 test_mode=${OPT_VAL['m']}
 file_name=${OPT_VAL['F']}
 
+start_test
+
 case $test_mode in
     "playback")
         cmd=aplay
diff --git a/test-case/check-pause-resume.sh b/test-case/check-pause-resume.sh
index 170aff75..1d5b8153 100755
--- a/test-case/check-pause-resume.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-pause-resume.sh
@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ file_name=${OPT_VAL['f']}
 # configure random value range
 rnd_min=${OPT_VAL['i']}
 rnd_max=${OPT_VAL['a']}
+
+start_test
+
 rnd_range=$(( rnd_max -  rnd_min ))
 [[ $rnd_range -le 0 ]] && dlogw "Error random range scope [ min:$rnd_min - max:$rnd_max ]" && exit 2
 
diff --git a/test-case/check-performance.sh b/test-case/check-performance.sh
index c54f814a..2b0eecfc 100755
--- a/test-case/check-performance.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-performance.sh
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 duration=${OPT_VAL['d']}
 
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 setup_kernel_check_point
diff --git a/test-case/check-playback.sh b/test-case/check-playback.sh
index bd40e005..5da20850 100755
--- a/test-case/check-playback.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-playback.sh
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ duration=${OPT_VAL['d']}
 loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 file=${OPT_VAL['f']}
 
-
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 # checking if source file exists
diff --git a/test-case/check-reboot.sh b/test-case/check-reboot.sh
index bbbec586..5e9c1ee1 100755
--- a/test-case/check-reboot.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-reboot.sh
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ loop_count=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 delay=${OPT_VAL['d']}
 timeout=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 
+start_test
+
 # write the total & current count to the status file
 status_log=$LOG_ROOT/status.txt
 echo "$loop_count $(uname -r)" >> $status_log
diff --git a/test-case/check-runtime-pm-double-active.sh b/test-case/check-runtime-pm-double-active.sh
index 10cb48d2..51b99b86 100755
--- a/test-case/check-runtime-pm-double-active.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-runtime-pm-double-active.sh
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ func_check_dsp_status()
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 loop_count=${OPT_VAL['l']}
+
+start_test
+
 [[ -z $tplg ]] && dloge "Miss tplg file to run" && exit 2
 
 [[ $(sof-dump-status.py --dsp_status 0) == "unsupported" ]] &&
diff --git a/test-case/check-runtime-pm-status.sh b/test-case/check-runtime-pm-status.sh
index f125557f..f9b83fa4 100755
--- a/test-case/check-runtime-pm-status.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-runtime-pm-status.sh
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ setup_kernel_check_point
 
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 loop_count=${OPT_VAL['l']}
+
+start_test
+
 [[ -z $tplg ]] && die "Miss tplg file to run"
 
 [[ $(sof-dump-status.py --dsp_status 0) == "unsupported" ]] &&
diff --git a/test-case/check-signal-stop-start.sh b/test-case/check-signal-stop-start.sh
index aac289f7..0aa79fb0 100755
--- a/test-case/check-signal-stop-start.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-signal-stop-start.sh
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ count=${OPT_VAL['c']}
 interval=${OPT_VAL['i']}
 test_mode=${OPT_VAL['m']}
 
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 case $test_mode in
diff --git a/test-case/check-smart-amplifier.sh b/test-case/check-smart-amplifier.sh
index d9f30680..41a9b345 100755
--- a/test-case/check-smart-amplifier.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-smart-amplifier.sh
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ duration=${OPT_VAL['d']}
 loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 func_pipeline_export "$tplg" "smart_amp:any"
diff --git a/test-case/check-sof-logger.sh b/test-case/check-sof-logger.sh
index c488fb8e..00789b41 100755
--- a/test-case/check-sof-logger.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-sof-logger.sh
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ source "${TOPDIR}"/case-lib/lib.sh
 
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 
+start_test
+
 # check sof-logger location
 type -a sof-logger ||
     die "sof-logger Not Installed!"
diff --git a/test-case/check-suspend-resume-with-audio.sh b/test-case/check-suspend-resume-with-audio.sh
index 3feba8bb..190b05b6 100755
--- a/test-case/check-suspend-resume-with-audio.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-suspend-resume-with-audio.sh
@@ -61,6 +61,8 @@ setup_kernel_check_point
 func_lib_check_sudo
 
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
+
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 # overwrite the subscript: test-case LOG_ROOT environment
diff --git a/test-case/check-suspend-resume.sh b/test-case/check-suspend-resume.sh
index d0c3b44a..bca3093b 100755
--- a/test-case/check-suspend-resume.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-suspend-resume.sh
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ OPT_HAS_ARG['r']=0         OPT_VAL['r']=0
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 func_lib_check_sudo
 
+start_test
+
 type=${OPT_VAL['T']}
 # switch type
 if [ "$type" ]; then
diff --git a/test-case/check-userspace-cardinfo.sh b/test-case/check-userspace-cardinfo.sh
index c223b45f..1a1c36c8 100755
--- a/test-case/check-userspace-cardinfo.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-userspace-cardinfo.sh
@@ -19,12 +19,14 @@ set -e
 # shellcheck source=case-lib/lib.sh
 source "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")"/../case-lib/lib.sh
 
-# check pulseaudio runs properly or not
-func_lib_check_pa || die "Please check whether pulseaudio runs correctly or not"
-
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 setup_kernel_check_point
 
+start_test
+
+# check pulseaudio runs properly or not
+func_lib_check_pa || die "Please check whether pulseaudio runs correctly or not"
+
 : $((available_card=0))
 while read -r card; do
     # pactl list cards short format should be like:
diff --git a/test-case/check-userspace-paplay.sh b/test-case/check-userspace-paplay.sh
index 20184b89..4bfc158f 100755
--- a/test-case/check-userspace-paplay.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-userspace-paplay.sh
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ OPT_HAS_ARG['C']=1         OPT_VAL['C']=2
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 setup_kernel_check_point
 
+start_test
+
 round_cnt=${OPT_VAL['r']}
 duration=${OPT_VAL['d']}
 file=${OPT_VAL['f']}
diff --git a/test-case/check-userspace-parecord.sh b/test-case/check-userspace-parecord.sh
index 4e93a1df..2b660a49 100755
--- a/test-case/check-userspace-parecord.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-userspace-parecord.sh
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ format=${OPT_VAL['F']}
 rate=${OPT_VAL['R']}
 channel=${OPT_VAL['C']}
 
+start_test
+
 [[ -e $file ]] || { dlogw "$file does not exist, use /dev/zero as dummy playback source" && file=/dev/null; }
 
 # TODO: check the parameter is valid or not
diff --git a/test-case/check-volume-levels.sh b/test-case/check-volume-levels.sh
index 55085c1b..b421dff1 100755
--- a/test-case/check-volume-levels.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-volume-levels.sh
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ ARECORD_WAV1=$(mktemp --suffix=.wav)
 ARECORD_WAV2=$(mktemp --suffix=.wav)
 ARECORD_WAV3=$(mktemp --suffix=.wav)
 
+start_test
+
 #
 # Main test procedure
 #
diff --git a/test-case/check-xrun-injection.sh b/test-case/check-xrun-injection.sh
index 88f54550..30a2b045 100755
--- a/test-case/check-xrun-injection.sh
+++ b/test-case/check-xrun-injection.sh
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ test_mode=${OPT_VAL['m']}
 count=${OPT_VAL['c']}
 interval=${OPT_VAL['i']}
 
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 setup_kernel_check_point
diff --git a/test-case/multiple-pause-resume.sh b/test-case/multiple-pause-resume.sh
index 598990b7..544a57fd 100755
--- a/test-case/multiple-pause-resume.sh
+++ b/test-case/multiple-pause-resume.sh
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ loop_count=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 rnd_min=${OPT_VAL['i']}
 rnd_max=${OPT_VAL['a']}
 rnd_range=$((rnd_max - rnd_min))
+
+start_test
+
 [[ $rnd_range -le 0 ]] && dlogw "Error random range scope [ min:$rnd_min - max:$rnd_max ]" && exit 2
 
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
diff --git a/test-case/multiple-pipeline.sh b/test-case/multiple-pipeline.sh
index 5084ba24..b760743f 100755
--- a/test-case/multiple-pipeline.sh
+++ b/test-case/multiple-pipeline.sh
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 f_arg=${OPT_VAL['f']}
+
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 # skip the Echo Reference pipeline
diff --git a/test-case/simultaneous-playback-capture.sh b/test-case/simultaneous-playback-capture.sh
index 21651874..d1e3189f 100755
--- a/test-case/simultaneous-playback-capture.sh
+++ b/test-case/simultaneous-playback-capture.sh
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 wait_time=${OPT_VAL['w']}
 loop_cnt=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 
+start_test
+
 # get 'both' pcm, it means pcm have same id with different type
 declare -A tmp_id_lst
 id_lst_str=""
@@ -59,6 +61,7 @@ unset tmp_id_lst tplg_path
 id_lst_str=${id_lst_str/,/} # remove 1st, which is not used
 [[ ${#id_lst_str} -eq 0 ]] && dlogw "no pipeline with both playback and capture capabilities found in $tplg" && exit 2
 func_pipeline_export "$tplg" "id:$id_lst_str"
+
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 func_error_exit()
diff --git a/test-case/test-socwatch.sh b/test-case/test-socwatch.sh
index d24ed242..3056ac4f 100755
--- a/test-case/test-socwatch.sh
+++ b/test-case/test-socwatch.sh
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ duration=${OPT_VAL['d']}
 wait_time=${OPT_VAL['w']}
 loop_count=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 
+start_test
+
 check_socwatch_module_loaded()
 {
     lsmod | grep -q socwatch || dlogi "socwatch is not loaded"
diff --git a/test-case/test-speaker.sh b/test-case/test-speaker.sh
index 252df790..6e0df8ab 100755
--- a/test-case/test-speaker.sh
+++ b/test-case/test-speaker.sh
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ OPT_HAS_ARG['s']=0             OPT_VAL['s']=1
 
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
+
+start_test
 logger_disabled || func_lib_start_log_collect
 
 func_pipeline_export "$tplg" "type:playback"
diff --git a/test-case/verify-bootsequence.sh b/test-case/verify-bootsequence.sh
index b33b6d01..5fd77b3d 100755
--- a/test-case/verify-bootsequence.sh
+++ b/test-case/verify-bootsequence.sh
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ ALSAUCM_VER=1.2.3-15
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 setup_kernel_check_point
 
+start_test
+
 main()
 {
     local tmp
diff --git a/test-case/verify-firmware-presence.sh b/test-case/verify-firmware-presence.sh
index efae6288..13b7f0c8 100755
--- a/test-case/verify-firmware-presence.sh
+++ b/test-case/verify-firmware-presence.sh
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ source "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")"/../case-lib/lib.sh
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 setup_kernel_check_point
 
+start_test
+
 path=$(sof-dump-status.py -P)
 platform=$(sof-dump-status.py -p)
 fw="$path/sof-$platform.ri"
diff --git a/test-case/verify-kernel-boot-log.sh b/test-case/verify-kernel-boot-log.sh
index fb792d3e..0495598a 100755
--- a/test-case/verify-kernel-boot-log.sh
+++ b/test-case/verify-kernel-boot-log.sh
@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@ set -e
 # shellcheck source=case-lib/lib.sh
 source "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")"/../case-lib/lib.sh
 
+start_test
+# TODO: replace start_test with this:
+trap 'print_test_result_exit $?' EXIT
+# https://github.com/thesofproject/sof-test/issues/1112
+
 main()
 {
     printf 'System booted at: '; uptime -s
diff --git a/test-case/verify-kernel-module-load-probe.sh b/test-case/verify-kernel-module-load-probe.sh
index 1c0f6e34..30ae5553 100755
--- a/test-case/verify-kernel-module-load-probe.sh
+++ b/test-case/verify-kernel-module-load-probe.sh
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 
 setup_kernel_check_point
 
+start_test
+
 dlogi "Checking if sof relative modules loaded"
 dlogc "lsmod | grep \"sof\""
 
diff --git a/test-case/verify-pcm-list.sh b/test-case/verify-pcm-list.sh
index 905d1219..88abb8d4 100755
--- a/test-case/verify-pcm-list.sh
+++ b/test-case/verify-pcm-list.sh
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ OPT_HAS_ARG['t']=1         OPT_VAL['t']="${TPLG:-}"
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 
+start_test
+
 tplg_path=$(func_lib_get_tplg_path "$tplg") ||
        	die "No available topology for this test case"
 
diff --git a/test-case/verify-sof-firmware-load.sh b/test-case/verify-sof-firmware-load.sh
index 44abdad5..d6866a44 100755
--- a/test-case/verify-sof-firmware-load.sh
+++ b/test-case/verify-sof-firmware-load.sh
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 
 disable_kernel_check_point
 
+start_test
+
 cmd="journalctl_cmd"
 
 dlogi "Checking SOF Firmware load info in kernel log"
diff --git a/test-case/verify-tplg-binary.sh b/test-case/verify-tplg-binary.sh
index f6d31353..5143c61a 100755
--- a/test-case/verify-tplg-binary.sh
+++ b/test-case/verify-tplg-binary.sh
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 setup_kernel_check_point
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 
+start_test
+
 tplg_path=$(func_lib_get_tplg_path "$tplg") ||
     die "No available topology ($tplg) for this test case"
 
diff --git a/test-case/verify-ucm-config.sh b/test-case/verify-ucm-config.sh
index ea3ea5a4..1d7e7f09 100755
--- a/test-case/verify-ucm-config.sh
+++ b/test-case/verify-ucm-config.sh
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ source $(dirname ${BASH_SOURCE[0]})/../case-lib/lib.sh
 func_opt_parse_option "$@"
 setup_kernel_check_point
 
+start_test
+
 declare -A verb_array
 
 # get the cards all verbs. The verbs are the items of SectionUseCase in
diff --git a/test-case/volume-basic-test.sh b/test-case/volume-basic-test.sh
index c4000854..79e29043 100755
--- a/test-case/volume-basic-test.sh
+++ b/test-case/volume-basic-test.sh
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ setup_kernel_check_point
 tplg=${OPT_VAL['t']}
 maxloop=${OPT_VAL['l']}
 
+start_test
+
 func_error_exit()
 {
     dloge "$*"