diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_course_listing.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_course_listing.py
index 99dd9e92fe..0bdd81459d 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_course_listing.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_course_listing.py
@@ -93,8 +93,7 @@ class TestCourseListing(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         """
         message = u"Are you staff on an existing {studio_name} course?".format(studio_name=settings.STUDIO_SHORT_NAME)
         response = self.client.get('/home')
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-        self.assertIn(message, response.content.decode(response.charset))
+        self.assertContains(response, message)
 
     def test_get_course_list(self):
         """
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_export_git.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_export_git.py
index a969968cac..8d11af6b12 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_export_git.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_export_git.py
@@ -65,19 +65,17 @@ class TestExportGit(CourseTestCase):
         if course hasn't set giturl.
         """
         response = self.client.get(self.test_url)
-        self.assertEqual(200, response.status_code)
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             ('giturl must be defined in your '
              'course settings before you can export to git.'),
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
         )
 
         response = self.client.get('{}?action=push'.format(self.test_url))
-        self.assertEqual(200, response.status_code)
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             ('giturl must be defined in your '
              'course settings before you can export to git.'),
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
         )
 
     def test_course_export_failures(self):
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/tests/test_videos.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/tests/test_videos.py
index d4f6ac2d6c..a851aac47d 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/tests/test_videos.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/tests/test_videos.py
@@ -781,10 +781,11 @@ class VideosHandlerTestCase(VideoUploadTestMixin, CourseTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
 
         # Verify that course video button is present in the response if videos transcript feature is enabled.
-        self.assertEqual(
-            '<button class="button course-video-settings-button">' in response.content.decode('utf-8'),
-            is_video_transcript_enabled
-        )
+        button_html = '<button class="button course-video-settings-button">'
+        if is_video_transcript_enabled:
+            self.assertContains(response, button_html)
+        else:
+            self.assertNotContains(response, button_html)
 
 
 @ddt.ddt
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_views.py
index 628619afa9..9900e24aeb 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_views.py
@@ -315,4 +315,4 @@ class TestIndex(SiteMixin, TestCase):
         self.use_site(self.site_other)
         self.client.login(username=self.user.username, password="password")
         response = self.client.get(reverse("dashboard"))
-        self.assertContains(response, self.site_configuration_other.values["MKTG_URLS"]["ROOT"])
+        self.assertIn(self.site_configuration_other.values["MKTG_URLS"]["ROOT"], response.content.decode('utf-8'))
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_enroll/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_enroll/tests/test_views.py
index fb9c942f59..7fb5b446b2 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_enroll/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_enroll/tests/test_views.py
@@ -349,10 +349,10 @@ class BulkEnrollmentTest(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase, APITestCa
             'courses': self.course_key,
             'cohorts': "cohort1,cohort2"
         })
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400)
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             'If provided, the cohorts and courses should have equal number of items.',
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
+            status_code=400,
         )
 
     def test_fail_on_missing_cohorts(self):
@@ -366,10 +366,13 @@ class BulkEnrollmentTest(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase, APITestCa
             'cohorts': 'cohort1',
             'courses': self.course_key
         })
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400)
-        self.assertIn(u'cohort {cohort_name} not found in course {course_id}.'.format(
-            cohort_name='cohort1', course_id=self.course_key
-        ), response.content.decode('utf-8'))
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
+            u'cohort {cohort_name} not found in course {course_id}.'.format(
+                cohort_name='cohort1', course_id=self.course_key
+            ),
+            status_code=400,
+        )
 
     def test_allow_cohorts_when_enrolling(self):
         """
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_views.py
index 9af3af3002..5d6af61f83 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_views.py
@@ -289,11 +289,13 @@ class CertificatesViewsSiteTests(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         )
         self._add_course_certificates(count=1, signatory_count=2)
         response = self.client.get(test_url)
-        self.assertIn(
-            'awarded this My Platform Site Honor Code Certificate of Completion', response.content.decode('utf-8')
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
+            'awarded this My Platform Site Honor Code Certificate of Completion',
         )
-        self.assertIn(
-            'My Platform Site offers interactive online classes and MOOCs.', response.content.decode('utf-8')
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
+            'My Platform Site offers interactive online classes and MOOCs.'
         )
         self.assertContains(response, 'About My Platform Site')
 
@@ -307,6 +309,7 @@ class CertificatesViewsSiteTests(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         response = self.client.get(test_url)
         self.assertContains(response, 'edX')
         self.assertNotContains(response, 'My Platform Site')
-        self.assertNotIn(
-            'This should not survive being overwritten by static content', response.content.decode('utf-8')
+        self.assertNotContains(
+            response,
+            'This should not survive being overwritten by static content',
         )
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
index a74e87f03e..6ee2732072 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
@@ -273,9 +273,9 @@ class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase, CacheIsolationTestCase)
             ).encode('utf-8'),),
             ('pfCertificationUrl', self.request.build_absolute_uri(test_url),),
         ])
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             js_escaped_string(self.linkedin_url.format(params=urlencode(params))),
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
         )
 
     @override_settings(FEATURES=FEATURES_WITH_CERTS_ENABLED)
@@ -300,9 +300,9 @@ class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase, CacheIsolationTestCase)
             ).encode('utf-8'),),
             ('pfCertificationUrl', 'http://test.localhost' + test_url,),
         ])
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             js_escaped_string(self.linkedin_url.format(params=urlencode(params))),
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
         )
 
     @override_settings(FEATURES=FEATURES_WITH_CERTS_ENABLED)
@@ -414,20 +414,13 @@ class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase, CacheIsolationTestCase)
             course_id=six.text_type(self.course.id)
         )
         response = self.client.get(test_url)
-        content = response.content.decode(response.charset)
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             'a course of study offered by test_organization, an online learning initiative of test organization',
-            content
         )
-        self.assertNotIn(
-            'a course of study offered by testorg',
-            content
-        )
-        self.assertIn(
-            u'<title>test_organization {} Certificate |'.format(self.course.number, ),
-            content
-        )
-        self.assertIn('logo_test1.png', content)
+        self.assertNotContains(response, 'a course of study offered by testorg')
+        self.assertContains(response, u'<title>test_organization {} Certificate |'.format(self.course.number, ))
+        self.assertContains(response, 'logo_test1.png')
 
     @ddt.data(True, False)
     @patch('lms.djangoapps.certificates.views.webview.get_completion_badge')
@@ -503,63 +496,33 @@ class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase, CacheIsolationTestCase)
         response = self.client.get(test_url, HTTP_HOST='test.localhost')
 
         # Test an item from basic info
-        self.assertIn(
-            'Terms of Service &amp; Honor Code',
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
-        self.assertIn(
-            'Certificate ID Number',
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
+        self.assertContains(response, 'Terms of Service &amp; Honor Code')
+        self.assertContains(response, 'Certificate ID Number')
         # Test an item from html cert configuration
-        self.assertIn(
-            '<a class="logo" href="http://test_site.localhost">',
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
+        self.assertContains(response, '<a class="logo" href="http://test_site.localhost">')
         # Test an item from course info
-        self.assertIn(
-            'course_title_0',
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
+        self.assertContains(response, 'course_title_0')
         # Test an item from user info
-        self.assertIn(
-            u"{fullname}, you earned a certificate!".format(fullname=self.user.profile.name),
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
+        self.assertContains(response, u"{fullname}, you earned a certificate!".format(fullname=self.user.profile.name))
         # Test an item from social info
-        self.assertIn(
-            "Post on Facebook",
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
-        self.assertIn(
-            "Share on Twitter",
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
+        self.assertContains(response, "Post on Facebook")
+        self.assertContains(response, "Share on Twitter")
         # Test an item from certificate/org info
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             u"a course of study offered by {partner_short_name}, "
             "an online learning initiative of "
             "{partner_long_name}.".format(
                 partner_short_name=short_org_name,
                 partner_long_name=long_org_name,
             ),
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
         )
         # Test item from badge info
-        self.assertIn(
-            "Add to Mozilla Backpack",
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
+        self.assertContains(response, "Add to Mozilla Backpack")
         # Test item from site configuration
-        self.assertIn(
-            "http://www.test-site.org/about-us",
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
+        self.assertContains(response, "http://www.test-site.org/about-us")
         # Test course overrides
-        self.assertIn(
-            "/static/certificates/images/course_override_logo.png",
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        )
+        self.assertContains(response, "/static/certificates/images/course_override_logo.png")
 
     @override_settings(FEATURES=FEATURES_WITH_CERTS_ENABLED)
     def test_render_html_view_valid_certificate(self):
@@ -1006,7 +969,7 @@ class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase, CacheIsolationTestCase)
             day=expected_date.day,
             year=expected_date.year
         )
-        self.assertIn(date, response.content.decode(response.charset))
+        self.assertContains(response, date)
 
     @override_settings(FEATURES=FEATURES_WITH_CERTS_ENABLED)
     def test_render_html_view_invalid_certificate_configuration(self):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_masquerade.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_masquerade.py
index f0bae1c137..ccc8dd6e9e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_masquerade.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_masquerade.py
@@ -330,17 +330,13 @@ class TestStaffMasqueradeAsSpecificStudent(StaffMasqueradeTestCase, ProblemSubmi
         # Log in as staff, and check we can see the info page.
         self.login_staff()
         response = self.get_course_info_page()
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-        content = response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        self.assertIn("OOGIE BLOOGIE", content)
+        self.assertContains(response, "OOGIE BLOOGIE")
 
         # Masquerade as the student,enable the self paced configuration, and check we can see the info page.
         SelfPacedConfiguration(enable_course_home_improvements=True).save()
         self.update_masquerade(role='student', user_name=self.student_user.username)
         response = self.get_course_info_page()
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-        content = response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        self.assertIn("OOGIE BLOOGIE", content)
+        self.assertContains(response, "OOGIE BLOOGIE")
 
     @ddt.data(
         'john',  # Non-unicode username
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_views.py
index ad827be7b6..be339fc97d 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_views.py
@@ -333,15 +333,15 @@ class ViewsTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
 
     def test_index_success(self):
         response = self._verify_index_response()
-        self.assertIn(six.text_type(self.problem2.location), response.content.decode("utf-8"))
+        self.assertContains(response, self.problem2.location)
 
         # re-access to the main course page redirects to last accessed view.
         url = reverse('courseware', kwargs={'course_id': six.text_type(self.course_key)})
         response = self.client.get(url)
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 302)
         response = self.client.get(response.url)
-        self.assertNotIn(six.text_type(self.problem.location), response.content.decode("utf-8"))
-        self.assertIn(six.text_type(self.problem2.location), response.content.decode("utf-8"))
+        self.assertNotContains(response, self.problem.location)
+        self.assertContains(response, self.problem2.location)
 
     def test_index_nonexistent_chapter(self):
         self._verify_index_response(expected_response_code=404, chapter_name='non-existent')
@@ -509,8 +509,7 @@ class ViewsTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
 
         # Generate the course about page content
         response = self.client.get(reverse('about_course', args=[six.text_type(course.id)]))
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-        self.assertIn(href, response.content.decode(response.charset))
+        self.assertContains(response, href)
 
     @ddt.data(True, False)
     def test_ecommerce_checkout(self, is_anonymous):
@@ -1950,7 +1949,7 @@ class ProgressPageShowCorrectnessTests(ProgressPageBaseTests):
         # Test individual problem scores
         if show_grades:
             # If grades are shown, we should be able to see the current problem scores.
-            self.assertIn(expected_score, response.content.decode("utf-8"))
+            self.assertContains(response, expected_score)
 
             if graded:
                 expected_summary_text = u"Problem Scores:"
@@ -1959,7 +1958,7 @@ class ProgressPageShowCorrectnessTests(ProgressPageBaseTests):
 
         else:
             # If grades are hidden, we should not be able to see the current problem scores.
-            self.assertNotIn(expected_score, response.content.decode("utf-8"))
+            self.assertNotContains(response, expected_score)
 
             if graded:
                 expected_summary_text = u"Problem scores are hidden"
@@ -1972,7 +1971,7 @@ class ProgressPageShowCorrectnessTests(ProgressPageBaseTests):
                 expected_summary_text += u'.'
 
         # Ensure that expected text is present
-        self.assertIn(expected_summary_text, response.content.decode("utf-8"))
+        self.assertContains(response, expected_summary_text)
 
         # Test overall sequential score
         if graded and max_score > 0:
@@ -1983,9 +1982,9 @@ class ProgressPageShowCorrectnessTests(ProgressPageBaseTests):
                                                      percentageString)
 
             if show_grades:
-                self.assertIn(expected_grade_summary, response.content.decode("utf-8"))
+                self.assertContains(response, expected_grade_summary)
             else:
-                self.assertNotIn(expected_grade_summary, response.content.decode("utf-8"))
+                self.assertNotContains(response, expected_grade_summary)
 
     @ddt.data(
         ('', None, False),
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/dashboard/tests/test_sysadmin.py b/lms/djangoapps/dashboard/tests/test_sysadmin.py
index 067c08bcbd..9a4a05d345 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/dashboard/tests/test_sysadmin.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/dashboard/tests/test_sysadmin.py
@@ -153,8 +153,7 @@ class TestSysAdminMongoCourseImport(SysadminBaseTestCase):
 
         # Create git loaded course
         response = self._add_edx4edx()
-        self.assertIn(Text(text_type(GitImportErrorNoDir(settings.GIT_REPO_DIR))),
-                      response.content.decode('UTF-8'))
+        self.assertContains(response, Text(text_type(GitImportErrorNoDir(settings.GIT_REPO_DIR))))
 
     def test_mongo_course_add_delete(self):
         """
@@ -315,10 +314,7 @@ class TestSysAdminMongoCourseImport(SysadminBaseTestCase):
                     page
                 )
             )
-            self.assertIn(
-                u'Page {} of 2'.format(expected),
-                response.content.decode(response.charset)
-            )
+            self.assertContains(response, u'Page {} of 2'.format(expected))
 
         CourseImportLog.objects.delete()
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
index 428275f106..4bb2f5efbb 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
@@ -869,7 +869,7 @@ class TestInstructorAPIBulkAccountCreationAndEnrollment(SharedModuleStoreTestCas
         user.is_active = False
         user.save()
 
-        csv_content = b"{email},{username},tester,USA".format(email=conflicting_email, username='new_test_student')
+        csv_content = "{email},{username},tester,USA".format(email=conflicting_email, username='new_test_student')
         uploaded_file = SimpleUploadedFile("temp.csv", six.b(csv_content))
         response = self.client.post(self.url, {'students_list': uploaded_file})
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
@@ -2673,9 +2673,10 @@ class TestInstructorAPILevelsDataDump(SharedModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollment
 
         # Now invalidate the same invoice number and expect an Bad request
         response = self.assert_request_status_code(400, url, method="POST", data=data)
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             "The sale associated with this invoice has already been invalidated.",
-            response.content.decode('utf-8')
+            status_code=400,
         )
 
         # now re_validate the invoice number
@@ -5171,7 +5172,6 @@ class TestCourseRegistrationCodes(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
         }
 
         response = self.client.post(generate_code_url, data, **{'HTTP_HOST': 'localhost'})
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 400, response.content.decode('utf-8'))
         self.assertContains(response, 'Could not parse amount as', status_code=400)
 
     def test_get_historical_coupon_codes(self):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_spoc_gradebook.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_spoc_gradebook.py
index f4c0036bc1..078d753c66 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_spoc_gradebook.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_spoc_gradebook.py
@@ -136,10 +136,10 @@ class TestLetterCutoffPolicy(TestGradebook):
 
     def test_styles(self):
 
-        self.assertIn(u"grade_A {color:green;}", self.response.content.decode(self.response.charset))
-        self.assertIn(u"grade_B {color:Chocolate;}", self.response.content.decode(self.response.charset))
-        self.assertIn(u"grade_C {color:DarkSlateGray;}", self.response.content.decode(self.response.charset))
-        self.assertIn(u"grade_D {color:DarkSlateGray;}", self.response.content.decode(self.response.charset))
+        self.assertContains(self.response, u"grade_A {color:green;}")
+        self.assertContains(self.response, u"grade_B {color:Chocolate;}")
+        self.assertContains(self.response, u"grade_C {color:DarkSlateGray;}")
+        self.assertContains(self.response, u"grade_D {color:DarkSlateGray;}")
 
     def test_assigned_grades(self):
         # Users 9-10 have >= 90% on Homeworks [2]
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/views/test_instructor_dashboard.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/views/test_instructor_dashboard.py
index 71b5cb1a8a..882e7b6fb4 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/views/test_instructor_dashboard.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/views/test_instructor_dashboard.py
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ class TestInstructorDashboard(ModuleStoreTestCase, LoginEnrollmentTestCase, XssT
         self.assertContains(response, '<th scope="row">Professional</th>')
 
         # dashboard link hidden
-        self.assertNotIn(self.get_dashboard_enrollment_message(), response.content.decode(response.charset))
+        self.assertNotContains(response, self.get_dashboard_enrollment_message())
 
     @patch.dict(settings.FEATURES, {'DISPLAY_ANALYTICS_ENROLLMENTS': True})
     @override_settings(ANALYTICS_DASHBOARD_URL='')
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_configuration_overrides.py b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_configuration_overrides.py
index c0454f2b40..a046f53d79 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_configuration_overrides.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_configuration_overrides.py
@@ -111,13 +111,11 @@ class TestOrderHistoryOnSiteDashboard(SiteMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         receipt_url_cert = reverse('shoppingcart.views.show_receipt', kwargs={'ordernum': self.certificate_order_id})
         receipt_url_donation = reverse('shoppingcart.views.show_receipt', kwargs={'ordernum': self.donation_order_id})
 
-        # We need to decode because of these chars: © & ▸
-        content = response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        self.assertIn(receipt_url_course, content)
-        self.assertNotIn(receipt_url_course2, content)
-        self.assertNotIn(receipt_url, content)
-        self.assertNotIn(receipt_url_cert, content)
-        self.assertNotIn(receipt_url_donation, content)
+        self.assertContains(response, receipt_url_course)
+        self.assertNotContains(response, receipt_url_course2)
+        self.assertNotContains(response, receipt_url)
+        self.assertNotContains(response, receipt_url_cert)
+        self.assertNotContains(response, receipt_url_donation)
 
     def test_shows_orders_with_non_site_courses_only_when_no_configuration_override_exists(self):
         self.use_site(self.site_other)
@@ -133,11 +131,9 @@ class TestOrderHistoryOnSiteDashboard(SiteMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
             kwargs={'ordernum': self.courseless_donation_order_id},
         )
 
-        # We need to decode because of these chars: © & ▸
-        content = response.content.decode('utf-8')
-        self.assertNotIn(receipt_url_course, content)
-        self.assertNotIn(receipt_url_course2, content)
-        self.assertIn(receipt_url, content)
-        self.assertIn(receipt_url_cert, content)
-        self.assertIn(receipt_url_donation, content)
-        self.assertIn(receipt_url_courseless_donation, content)
+        self.assertNotContains(response, receipt_url_course)
+        self.assertNotContains(response, receipt_url_course2)
+        self.assertContains(response, receipt_url)
+        self.assertContains(response, receipt_url_cert)
+        self.assertContains(response, receipt_url_donation)
+        self.assertContains(response, receipt_url_courseless_donation)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_views.py
index 97c2e75464..a66c0dc415 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_views.py
@@ -2160,8 +2160,7 @@ class CSVReportViewsTest(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(template, 'shoppingcart/download_report.html')
         self.assertFalse(context['total_count_error'])
         self.assertTrue(context['date_fmt_error'])
-        self.assertIn("There was an error in your date input.  It should be formatted as YYYY-MM-DD",
-                      response.content.decode('UTF-8'))
+        self.assertContains(response, "There was an error in your date input.  It should be formatted as YYYY-MM-DD")
 
     def test_report_csv_itemized(self):
         report_type = 'itemized_purchase_report'
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_fake_software_secure.py b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_fake_software_secure.py
index 6520952d8f..cb5bd0d274 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_fake_software_secure.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/tests/test_fake_software_secure.py
@@ -78,7 +78,5 @@ class SoftwareSecureFakeViewEnabledTest(SoftwareSecureFakeViewTest):
             '/verify_student/software-secure-fake-response'
         )
 
-        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-        content = response.content.decode('utf8')
-        self.assertIn('EdX-ID', content)
-        self.assertIn('results_callback', content)
+        self.assertContains(response, 'EdX-ID')
+        self.assertContains(response, 'results_callback')
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_authn/views/tests/test_views.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_authn/views/tests/test_views.py
index 3391bf0835..d1b1f97797 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_authn/views/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_authn/views/tests/test_views.py
@@ -872,5 +872,4 @@ class AccountCreationTestCaseWithSiteOverrides(SiteMixin, TestCase):
         ALLOW_PUBLIC_ACCOUNT_CREATION flag is turned off
         """
         response = self.client.get(reverse('signin_user'))
-        self.assertNotIn(u'<a class="btn-neutral" href="/register?next=%2Fdashboard">Register</a>',
-                         response.content.decode(response.charset))
+        self.assertNotContains(response, u'<a class="btn-neutral" href="/register?next=%2Fdashboard">Register</a>')
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_home.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_home.py
index 0894b92a40..ad0f0083ce 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_home.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_home.py
@@ -970,9 +970,9 @@ class CourseHomeFragmentViewTests(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         url = EcommerceService().get_checkout_page_url(self.verified_mode.sku)
         self.assertContains(response, '<a class="btn-brand btn-upgrade"')
         self.assertContains(response, url)
-        self.assertIn(
+        self.assertContains(
+            response,
             u"Upgrade (<span class='price'>${price}</span>)".format(price=self.verified_mode.min_price),
-            response.content.decode(response.charset)
         )
 
     def test_no_upgrade_message_if_logged_out(self):
@@ -1012,5 +1012,4 @@ class CourseHomeFragmentViewTests(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         with SHOW_UPGRADE_MSG_ON_COURSE_HOME.override(True):
             response = self.client.get(self.url)
 
-        content = response.content.decode(response.charset)
-        assert "<span>DISCOUNT_PRICE</span>" in content
+        self.assertContains(response, "<span>DISCOUNT_PRICE</span>")
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_outline.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_outline.py
index 92054bb50e..014934de3a 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_outline.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_outline.py
@@ -121,9 +121,6 @@ class TestCourseOutlinePage(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
 
             url = course_home_url(course)
             response = self.client.get(url)
-            self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
-            response_content = response.content.decode("utf-8")
-
             self.assertTrue(course.children)
             for chapter in course.children:
                 self.assertContains(response, chapter.display_name)
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_sock.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_sock.py
index dfe65c1f6a..470c98e26e 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_sock.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_sock.py
@@ -103,8 +103,7 @@ class TestCourseSockView(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
     )
     def test_upgrade_message_discount(self):
         response = self.client.get(course_home_url(self.verified_course))
-        content = response.content.decode(response.charset)
-        assert "<span>DISCOUNT_PRICE</span>" in content
+        self.assertContains(response, "<span>DISCOUNT_PRICE</span>")
 
     def assert_verified_sock_is_visible(self, course, response):
         return self.assertContains(response, TEST_VERIFICATION_SOCK_LOCATOR, html=False)