Not exactly... I always do an unregulated test. I am quite fussy and need to see how bad bad can be, what a failure could produce. I believe it to be good practice. Unregulated on glass with the air spacers in place and correctly installed on a regular surface it is not likely to be a problem. Incorrectly installed spacers on a insulating surface it could be. I would tend to run tests but once the temp is stable shut it off until the next. The Exo Terras need a T-stat to regulate them s the pad can become too hot to be safe for the snake. There are a very few low density heaters that this is not the case, usually they are not appropriate for hot spots as they alone no enclosure substrate do not produce 90ºF If used as cool end then you are back to T-stats.
A thermostat (T-stat) is a critical bit of safety gear it regulate the temps of the enclosure. Temps dictate if you snake can digest, fight infections, and generally everything else they require for life. Quite directly a T-stat controls the health and well being of your snake. choose one carefully.
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