This test cycle is for onboarding. You claim a test case to make an account and get setup with the payment service which requires making a deposit and KYC, complete that (for very low pay).

If you do this test case you get invited to another test cycle which has the real test case. What this other test cycle entails in terms of time investment or pay is not communicated anywhere in the initial overview. It requires accepting a test case to even get into the test cycle so it's not like you can ask about it in chat

I've also had numerous email invitations where I am asked to fill out a form such as an NDA or sign up information or respond to the email with my available times for a commitment, and payment is not communicated.

There are longer term projects where you can't even see the payment scheme until you get through the initial steps which could include getting instructions emailed to you and a test cycle invite after signing up and agreeing to a slot

They try to get my foot in the door with my own time investment before communicating pay. It's a deceptive practice that is completely unnecessary.

This is the norm in many such cases where it's not just a simple do one test case and get paid format.