diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_transcripts_utils.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_transcripts_utils.py
index 2a004433f8..84395590af 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_transcripts_utils.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/tests/test_transcripts_utils.py
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ import textwrap
 import unittest
 from uuid import uuid4
 
+import pytest
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from django.utils import translation
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.skip import SkipTest
 from six import text_type
 
 from contentstore.tests.utils import mock_requests_get
@@ -267,9 +267,9 @@ class TestDownloadYoutubeSubs(TestYoutubeSubsBase):
     def test_success_downloading_chinese_transcripts(self):
 
         # Disabled 11/14/13
-        # This test is flakey because it performs an HTTP request on an external service
+        # This test is flaky because it performs an HTTP request on an external service
         # Re-enable when `requests.get` is patched using `mock.patch`
-        raise SkipTest
+        pytest.skip()
 
         good_youtube_sub = 'j_jEn79vS3g'  # Chinese, utf-8
         self.clear_sub_content(good_youtube_sub)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/badges/api/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/badges/api/tests.py
index 2078b50bec..e242203f7d 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/badges/api/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/badges/api/tests.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ Tests for the badges API views.
 from ddt import data, ddt, unpack
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from badges.tests.factories import BadgeAssertionFactory, BadgeClassFactory, RandomBadgeClassFactory
 from openedx.core.lib.api.test_utils import ApiTestCase
@@ -152,12 +151,12 @@ class TestUserCourseBadgeAssertions(UserAssertionTestCase):
         self.check_assertion_structure(assertion, response['results'][0])
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 @ddt
 class TestUserBadgeAssertionsByClass(UserAssertionTestCase):
     """
     Test the Badge Assertions view with the badge class filter.
     """
+    shard = 3
 
     @unpack
     @data((False, False), (True, False), (True, True))
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/badges/tests/test_models.py b/lms/djangoapps/badges/tests/test_models.py
index 78242024cf..4fc3217eb8 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/badges/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/badges/tests/test_models.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """
 Tests for the Badges app models.
 """
-import pytest
 from path import Path
 from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
 from django.core.files.images import ImageFile
@@ -10,7 +9,6 @@ from django.db.utils import IntegrityError
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from badges.models import (
     BadgeAssertion,
@@ -33,12 +31,13 @@ def get_image(name):
     return ImageFile(open(TEST_DATA_ROOT / 'badges' / name + '.png'))
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @override_settings(MEDIA_ROOT=TEST_DATA_ROOT)
 class BadgeImageConfigurationTest(TestCase):
     """
     Test the validation features of BadgeImageConfiguration.
     """
+    shard = 1
+
     def tearDown(self):
         tmp_path = Path(TEST_DATA_ROOT / 'course_complete_badges')
         Path.rmtree_p(tmp_path)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_models.py b/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_models.py
index 1a00ab5241..f9393a1c86 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_models.py
@@ -3,16 +3,16 @@ Tests for the Video Branding configuration.
 """
 from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
 from django.test import TestCase
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from branding.models import BrandingInfoConfig
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class BrandingInfoConfigTest(TestCase):
     """
     Test the BrandingInfoConfig model.
     """
+    shard = 1
+
     def setUp(self):
         super(BrandingInfoConfigTest, self).setUp()
         self.configuration_string = """{
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_page.py b/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_page.py
index 867170c8ca..b3ea5a604a 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_page.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/branding/tests/test_page.py
@@ -11,13 +11,13 @@ from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from milestones.tests.utils import MilestonesTestCaseMixin
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from pytz import UTC
 
 from branding.views import index
 from courseware.tests.helpers import LoginEnrollmentTestCase
 from edxmako.shortcuts import render_to_response
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.site_configuration.tests.mixins import SiteMixin
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from util.milestones_helpers import set_prerequisite_courses
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_course_optout.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_course_optout.py
index 61a18f146b..f211ec44c3 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_course_optout.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_course_optout.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ from django.core import mail
 from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.urls import reverse
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from six import text_type
 
 from bulk_email.models import BulkEmailFlag
@@ -23,12 +22,12 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @patch('bulk_email.models.html_to_text', Mock(return_value='Mocking CourseEmail.text_message', autospec=True))
 class TestOptoutCourseEmails(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Test that optouts are referenced in sending course email.
     """
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestOptoutCourseEmails, self).setUp()
@@ -118,12 +117,13 @@ class TestOptoutCourseEmails(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.assertIn(self.instructor.email, sent_addresses)
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @patch('bulk_email.models.html_to_text', Mock(return_value='Mocking CourseEmail.text_message', autospec=True))
 class TestACEOptoutCourseEmails(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Test that optouts are referenced in sending course email.
     """
+    shard = 1
+
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestACEOptoutCourseEmails, self).setUp()
         course_title = u"ẗëṡẗ title ｲ乇丂ｲ ﾶ乇丂丂ﾑg乇 ｷo尺 ﾑﾚﾚ тэѕт мэѕѕаБэ"
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_email.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_email.py
index 9476039af9..98bdd98bf0 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_email.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_email.py
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from django.utils.translation import get_language
 from markupsafe import escape
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from bulk_email.models import BulkEmailFlag, Optout
 from bulk_email.tasks import _get_course_email_context, _get_source_address
@@ -26,6 +25,7 @@ from enrollment.api import update_enrollment
 from lms.djangoapps.instructor_task.subtasks import update_subtask_status
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.cohorts import add_user_to_cohort
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.models import CourseCohort
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from student.roles import CourseStaffRole
 from student.tests.factories import CourseEnrollmentFactory, UserFactory
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_err_handling.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_err_handling.py
index 14186b8af6..4529b9d54c 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_err_handling.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_err_handling.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.urls import reverse
 from django.db import DatabaseError
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 from six import text_type
 
@@ -39,12 +38,12 @@ class EmailTestException(Exception):
 
 
 @ddt.ddt
-@attr(shard=1)
 @patch('bulk_email.models.html_to_text', Mock(return_value='Mocking CourseEmail.text_message', autospec=True))
 class TestEmailErrors(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Test that errors from sending email are handled properly.
     """
+    shard = 1
 
     ENABLED_CACHES = ['default', 'mongo_metadata_inheritance', 'loc_cache']
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_forms.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_forms.py
index 91948023d4..a616770444 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_forms.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_forms.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 Unit tests for bulk-email-related forms.
 """
 
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 from six import text_type
 
@@ -13,9 +12,9 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class CourseAuthorizationFormTest(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """Test the CourseAuthorizationAdminForm form for Mongo-backed courses."""
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(CourseAuthorizationFormTest, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_models.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_models.py
index 40074241dc..d11e4a57f5 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_models.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import ddt
 from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.test import TestCase
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from pytz import UTC
 
@@ -22,6 +21,7 @@ from bulk_email.models import (
 )
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.models import CourseCohort
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_signals.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_signals.py
index 18969de2e6..2c2b7f90d7 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_signals.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_signals.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ from django.core import mail
 from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.urls import reverse
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from six import text_type
 
 from bulk_email.models import BulkEmailFlag, Optout
@@ -17,12 +16,13 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @patch('bulk_email.models.html_to_text', Mock(return_value='Mocking CourseEmail.text_message', autospec=True))
 class TestOptoutCourseEmailsBySignal(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Tests that the force_optout_all signal receiver opts the user out of course emails
     """
+    shard = 1
+
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestOptoutCourseEmailsBySignal, self).setUp()
         self.course = CourseFactory.create(run='testcourse1', display_name="Test Course Title")
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_tasks.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_tasks.py
index af57a6df75..ca6eb61adf 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_tasks.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tests/test_tasks.py
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ from celery.states import FAILURE, SUCCESS  # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module,
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.core.management import call_command
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 
 from bulk_email.models import SEND_TO_LEARNERS, SEND_TO_MYSELF, SEND_TO_STAFF, CourseEmail, Optout
@@ -73,10 +72,10 @@ def my_update_subtask_status(entry_id, current_task_id, new_subtask_status):
         update_subtask_status(entry_id, current_task_id, new_subtask_status)
 
 
-@attr(shard=5)
 @patch('bulk_email.models.html_to_text', Mock(return_value='Mocking CourseEmail.text_message', autospec=True))
 class TestBulkEmailInstructorTask(InstructorTaskCourseTestCase):
     """Tests instructor task that send bulk email."""
+    shard = 5
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestBulkEmailInstructorTask, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/api/v0/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/api/v0/tests/test_views.py
index d89c01780d..f6ea536a98 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/api/v0/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/api/v0/tests/test_views.py
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ from django.conf import settings
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.urls import Resolver404, resolve, reverse
 from django.utils.timezone import now
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from oauth2_provider import models as dot_models
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from provider.constants import CONFIDENTIAL
@@ -161,13 +160,13 @@ class CcxRestApiTest(CcxTestCase, APITestCase):
         self.assertEqual(expected_field_errors, resp_dict_error)
 
 
-@attr(shard=9)
 @ddt.ddt
 class CcxListTest(CcxRestApiTest):
     """
     Test for the CCX REST APIs
     """
     ENABLED_SIGNALS = ['course_published']
+    shard = 9
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
@@ -872,13 +871,13 @@ class CcxListTest(CcxRestApiTest):
             self.assertEqual(course_user, ccx_user)
 
 
-@attr(shard=9)
 @ddt.ddt
 class CcxDetailTest(CcxRestApiTest):
     """
     Test for the CCX REST APIs
     """
     ENABLED_SIGNALS = ['course_published']
+    shard = 9
 
     def setUp(self):
         """
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_field_override_performance.py b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_field_override_performance.py
index e9410a318d..c76dfebfce 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_field_override_performance.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_field_override_performance.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from datetime import datetime
 
 import ddt
 import mock
+import pytest
 from ccx_keys.locator import CCXLocator
 from courseware.field_overrides import OverrideFieldData
 from courseware.testutils import FieldOverrideTestMixin
@@ -16,8 +17,6 @@ from django.core.cache import caches
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from lms.djangoapps.ccx.tests.factories import CcxFactory
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
-from nose.plugins.skip import SkipTest
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.content.block_structure.api import get_course_in_cache
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.waffle_utils.testutils import WAFFLE_TABLES
@@ -37,7 +36,6 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.utils import ProceduralCourseTestMixin
 QUERY_COUNT_TABLE_BLACKLIST = WAFFLE_TABLES
 
 
-@attr(shard=7)
 @mock.patch.dict(
     'django.conf.settings.FEATURES',
     {
@@ -53,6 +51,7 @@ class FieldOverridePerformanceTestCase(FieldOverrideTestMixin, ProceduralCourseT
     __test__ = False
     # Tell Django to clean out all databases, not just default
     multi_db = True
+    shard = 7
 
     # TEST_DATA must be overridden by subclasses
     TEST_DATA = None
@@ -204,13 +203,13 @@ class FieldOverridePerformanceTestCase(FieldOverrideTestMixin, ProceduralCourseT
             'ccx': ('ccx.overrides.CustomCoursesForEdxOverrideProvider',)
         }
         if overrides == 'no_overrides' and view_as_ccx:
-            raise SkipTest("Can't view a ccx course if field overrides are disabled.")
+            pytest.skip("Can't view a ccx course if field overrides are disabled.")
 
         if not enable_ccx and view_as_ccx:
-            raise SkipTest("Can't view a ccx course if ccx is disabled on the course")
+            pytest.skip("Can't view a ccx course if ccx is disabled on the course")
 
         if self.MODULESTORE == TEST_DATA_MONGO_MODULESTORE and view_as_ccx:
-            raise SkipTest("Can't use a MongoModulestore test as a CCX course")
+            pytest.skip("Can't use a MongoModulestore test as a CCX course")
 
         with self.settings(
             XBLOCK_FIELD_DATA_WRAPPERS=['lms.djangoapps.courseware.field_overrides:OverrideModulestoreFieldData.wrap'],
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_models.py b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_models.py
index c45e0481cd..b688b0a5b7 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_models.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import json
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 
 import ddt
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from pytz import utc
 
 from student.roles import CourseCcxCoachRole
@@ -18,12 +17,12 @@ from .factories import CcxFactory
 
 
 @ddt.ddt
-@attr(shard=7)
 class TestCCX(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """Unit tests for the CustomCourseForEdX model
     """
 
     MODULESTORE = TEST_DATA_SPLIT_MODULESTORE
+    shard = 7
 
     def setUp(self):
         """common setup for all tests"""
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_overrides.py b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_overrides.py
index 464da0e976..536f26fc97 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_overrides.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_overrides.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import mock
 import pytz
 from ccx_keys.locator import CCXLocator
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from courseware.courses import get_course_by_id
 from courseware.field_overrides import OverrideFieldData
@@ -23,7 +22,6 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import TEST_DATA_SPLIT_MODULESTORE,
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory, ItemFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=7)
 @override_settings(
     XBLOCK_FIELD_DATA_WRAPPERS=['lms.djangoapps.courseware.field_overrides:OverrideModulestoreFieldData.wrap'],
     MODULESTORE_FIELD_OVERRIDE_PROVIDERS=['ccx.overrides.CustomCoursesForEdxOverrideProvider'],
@@ -33,6 +31,7 @@ class TestFieldOverrides(FieldOverrideTestMixin, SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
     Make sure field overrides behave in the expected manner.
     """
     MODULESTORE = TEST_DATA_SPLIT_MODULESTORE
+    shard = 7
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_utils.py b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_utils.py
index 3c95160677..9f6108e4e8 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -6,10 +6,7 @@ from smtplib import SMTPException
 
 import mock
 from ccx_keys.locator import CCXLocator
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
-from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 
-from lms.djangoapps.ccx import utils
 from lms.djangoapps.ccx.tests.factories import CcxFactory
 from lms.djangoapps.ccx.tests.utils import CcxTestCase
 from lms.djangoapps.ccx.utils import add_master_course_staff_to_ccx, ccx_course, remove_master_course_staff_from_ccx
@@ -22,10 +19,10 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import TEST_DATA_SPLIT_MODULESTORE,
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=7)
 class TestGetCCXFromCCXLocator(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """Verify that get_ccx_from_ccx_locator functions properly"""
     MODULESTORE = TEST_DATA_SPLIT_MODULESTORE
+    shard = 7
 
     def setUp(self):
         """Set up a course, coach, ccx and user"""
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_views.py
index a9e607ae8e..54e2a63654 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/ccx/tests/test_views.py
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from pytz import UTC
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 from mock import MagicMock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 
 from capa.tests.response_xml_factory import StringResponseXMLFactory
@@ -38,6 +37,7 @@ from lms.djangoapps.grades.tasks import compute_all_grades_for_course
 from lms.djangoapps.instructor.access import allow_access, list_with_level
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.content.course_overviews.models import CourseOverview
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.request_cache.middleware import RequestCache
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment, CourseEnrollmentAllowed
 from student.roles import CourseCcxCoachRole, CourseInstructorRole, CourseStaffRole
 from student.tests.factories import AdminFactory, CourseEnrollmentFactory, UserFactory
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_api.py
index 3033162d63..df83bb041c 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_api.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from django.utils import timezone
 from freezegun import freeze_time
 from mock import patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 import pytz
 
@@ -33,6 +32,7 @@ from course_modes.tests.factories import CourseModeFactory
 from courseware.tests.factories import GlobalStaffFactory
 from lms.djangoapps.grades.tests.utils import mock_passing_grade
 from microsite_configuration import microsite
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 from util.testing import EventTestMixin
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_cert_management.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_cert_management.py
index e6e2287645..0c3689b20d 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_cert_management.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_cert_management.py
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
 """Tests for the resubmit_error_certificates management command. """
 import ddt
-import pytest
 from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.core.management.base import CommandError
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from mock import patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 from six import text_type
 
@@ -15,6 +13,7 @@ from badges.tests.factories import BadgeAssertionFactory, CourseCompleteImageCon
 from lms.djangoapps.certificates.models import CertificateStatuses, GeneratedCertificate
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 from lms.djangoapps.grades.tests.utils import mock_passing_grade
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.tests.factories import CourseEnrollmentFactory, UserFactory
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory, ItemFactory, check_mongo_calls
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_create_fake_cert.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_create_fake_cert.py
index cdf5f5a7ee..aa67adffc0 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_create_fake_cert.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_create_fake_cert.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.core.management.base import CommandError
 from django.test import TestCase
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 from six import text_type
 
@@ -11,10 +10,9 @@ from lms.djangoapps.certificates.models import GeneratedCertificate
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class CreateFakeCertTest(TestCase):
     """Tests for the create_fake_certs management command. """
-
+    shard = 1
     USERNAME = "test"
     COURSE_KEY = CourseLocator(org='edX', course='DemoX', run='Demo_Course')
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_models.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_models.py
index 5d4f719e48..3c894ccad1 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_models.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
 from django.core.files.uploadedfile import SimpleUploadedFile
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 from path import Path as path
 
@@ -23,6 +22,7 @@ from lms.djangoapps.certificates.models import (
 )
 from lms.djangoapps.certificates.tests.factories import CertificateInvalidationFactory, GeneratedCertificateFactory
 from lms.djangoapps.instructor_task.tests.factories import InstructorTaskFactory
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.tests.factories import AdminFactory, UserFactory
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import SharedModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_queue.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_queue.py
index 4c33ac2abf..f8312c11e9 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_queue.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_queue.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import pytz
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 
 # It is really unfortunate that we are using the XQueue client
@@ -31,10 +30,10 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 
 @ddt.ddt
-@attr(shard=1)
 @override_settings(CERT_QUEUE='certificates')
 class XQueueCertInterfaceAddCertificateTest(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """Test the "add to queue" operation of the XQueue interface. """
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(XQueueCertInterfaceAddCertificateTest, self).setUp()
@@ -279,10 +278,10 @@ class XQueueCertInterfaceAddCertificateTest(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         )
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @override_settings(CERT_QUEUE='certificates')
 class XQueueCertInterfaceExampleCertificateTest(TestCase):
     """Tests for the XQueue interface for certificate generation. """
+    shard = 1
 
     COURSE_KEY = CourseLocator(org='test', course='test', run='test')
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_views.py
index 7762988e43..7f777cf08e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_views.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ from django.core.cache import cache
 from django.urls import reverse
 from django.test.client import Client
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 
 from lms.djangoapps.certificates.api import get_certificate_url
@@ -37,10 +36,10 @@ FEATURES_WITH_CUSTOM_CERTS_ENABLED = {
 FEATURES_WITH_CUSTOM_CERTS_ENABLED.update(FEATURES_WITH_CERTS_ENABLED)
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @ddt.ddt
 class UpdateExampleCertificateViewTest(CacheIsolationTestCase):
     """Tests for the XQueue callback that updates example certificates. """
+    shard = 1
 
     COURSE_KEY = CourseLocator(org='test', course='test', run='test')
 
@@ -181,11 +180,12 @@ class UpdateExampleCertificateViewTest(CacheIsolationTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(content['return_code'], 0)
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class MicrositeCertificatesViewsTests(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Tests for the microsite certificates web/html views
     """
+    shard = 1
+
     def setUp(self):
         super(MicrositeCertificatesViewsTests, self).setUp()
         self.client = Client()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
index c3a37d4f22..00ccca9aff 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ from django.conf import settings
 from django.urls import reverse
 from django.test.client import Client, RequestFactory
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
-from django.utils import translation
 from mock import patch
 
 import ddt
@@ -38,7 +37,6 @@ from lms.djangoapps.badges.tests.factories import (
     CourseCompleteImageConfigurationFactory
 )
 from lms.djangoapps.grades.tests.utils import mock_passing_grade
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.certificates.config import waffle
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.dark_lang.models import DarkLangConfig
 from openedx.core.lib.tests.assertions.events import assert_event_matches
@@ -242,12 +240,12 @@ class CommonCertificatesTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         template.save()
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @ddt.ddt
 class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase):
     """
     Tests for the certificates web/html views
     """
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(CertificatesViewsTests, self).setUp()
@@ -1711,11 +1709,12 @@ class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase):
         )
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class CertificateEventTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase, EventTrackingTestCase):
     """
     Test events emitted by certificate handling.
     """
+    shard = 1
+
     @override_settings(FEATURES=FEATURES_WITH_CERTS_ENABLED)
     def test_certificate_evidence_event_emitted(self):
         self.client.logout()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/tests.py
index ca2bbf4f36..fec34b4124 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/tests.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ from pytz import UTC
 from django.conf import settings
 from milestones.tests.utils import MilestonesTestCaseMixin
 from mock import patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from badges.tests.factories import CourseCompleteImageConfigurationFactory
 from lms.djangoapps.certificates.models import (
@@ -24,12 +23,12 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @ddt
 class CertificatesModelTest(ModuleStoreTestCase, MilestonesTestCaseMixin):
     """
     Tests for the GeneratedCertificate model
     """
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(CertificatesModelTest, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/class_dashboard/tests/test_dashboard_data.py b/lms/djangoapps/class_dashboard/tests/test_dashboard_data.py
index 2b0dad8b17..aeb672b374 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/class_dashboard/tests/test_dashboard_data.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/class_dashboard/tests/test_dashboard_data.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import json
 from django.urls import reverse
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from mock import patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from six import text_type
 
 from capa.tests.response_xml_factory import StringResponseXMLFactory
@@ -32,11 +31,12 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory, ItemFactory
 USER_COUNT = 11
 
 
-@attr(shard=6)
 class TestGetProblemGradeDistribution(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Tests related to class_dashboard/dashboard_data.py
     """
+    shard = 6
+
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(TestGetProblemGradeDistribution, cls).setUpClass()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/class_dashboard/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/class_dashboard/tests/test_views.py
index bcc0cbde9a..d662b730c0 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/class_dashboard/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/class_dashboard/tests/test_views.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import json
 
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from mock import patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from six import text_type
 
 from class_dashboard import views
@@ -14,11 +13,11 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class TestViews(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Tests related to class_dashboard/views.py
     """
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestViews, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api/v0/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api/v0/tests/test_views.py
index 07f412da07..cd884fb16e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api/v0/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api/v0/tests/test_views.py
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ from django.conf import settings
 from django.urls import reverse, reverse_lazy
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
-from edx_rest_api_client import exceptions
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 from course_modes.tests.factories import CourseModeFactory
@@ -36,12 +34,13 @@ UTM_COOKIE_CONTENTS = {
 }
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @ddt.ddt
 class BasketsViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, UserMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Tests for the commerce Baskets view.
     """
+    shard = 1
+
     def _post_to_view(self, course_id=None, marketing_email_opt_in=False, include_utm_cookie=False):
         """
         POST to the view being tested.
@@ -280,12 +279,12 @@ class BasketsViewTests(EnrollmentEventTestMixin, UserMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase)
         self.assertEqual(self._post_to_view().status_code, 406)
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class BasketOrderViewTests(UserMixin, TestCase):
     """ Tests for the basket order view. """
     view_name = 'commerce_api:v0:baskets:retrieve_order'
     MOCK_ORDER = {'number': 1}
     path = reverse_lazy(view_name, kwargs={'basket_id': 1})
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(BasketOrderViewTests, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api/v1/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api/v1/tests/test_views.py
index 2a27e58945..af36ca8ec5 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api/v1/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/api/v1/tests/test_views.py
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@ from django.contrib.auth.models import Permission
 from django.urls import reverse, reverse_lazy
 from django.test import TestCase
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
-from edx_rest_api_client import exceptions
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from rest_framework.utils.encoders import JSONEncoder
 
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
@@ -103,7 +101,6 @@ class CourseListViewTests(CourseApiViewTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.assertListEqual(actual, expected)
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 @ddt.ddt
 class CourseRetrieveUpdateViewTests(CourseApiViewTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """ Tests for CourseRetrieveUpdateView. """
@@ -112,6 +109,7 @@ class CourseRetrieveUpdateViewTests(CourseApiViewTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase)
         NOW: datetime.now(),
         None: None,
     }
+    shard = 3
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(CourseRetrieveUpdateViewTests, self).setUp()
@@ -394,13 +392,13 @@ class CourseRetrieveUpdateViewTests(CourseApiViewTestMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase)
         self.assertDictEqual(expected_dict, json.loads(response.content))
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class OrderViewTests(UserMixin, TestCase):
     """ Tests for the basket order view. """
     view_name = 'commerce_api:v1:orders:detail'
     ORDER_NUMBER = 'EDX-100001'
     MOCK_ORDER = {'number': ORDER_NUMBER}
     path = reverse_lazy(view_name, kwargs={'number': ORDER_NUMBER})
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(OrderViewTests, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_views.py
index 9f30d07e8f..f06e68ed77 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/commerce/tests/test_views.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import json
 import ddt
 import mock
 from django.urls import reverse
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.theming.tests.test_util import with_comprehensive_theme
@@ -27,10 +26,10 @@ class UserMixin(object):
         self.client.login(username=self.user.username, password='test')
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @ddt.ddt
 class ReceiptViewTests(UserMixin, ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """ Tests for the receipt view. """
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         """
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/coursewarehistoryextended/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/coursewarehistoryextended/tests.py
index 93b8e88de5..74f6c2b5ff 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/coursewarehistoryextended/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/coursewarehistoryextended/tests.py
@@ -11,18 +11,17 @@ from unittest import skipUnless
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.test import TestCase
 from mock import patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from courseware.models import BaseStudentModuleHistory, StudentModule, StudentModuleHistory
 from courseware.tests.factories import StudentModuleFactory, course_id, location
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 @skipUnless(settings.FEATURES["ENABLE_CSMH_EXTENDED"], "CSMH Extended needs to be enabled")
 class TestStudentModuleHistoryBackends(TestCase):
     """ Tests of data in CSMH and CSMHE """
     # Tell Django to clean out all databases, not just default
     multi_db = True
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestStudentModuleHistoryBackends, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_api.py
index 330b18273b..e59fa64a6d 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_api.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import httpretty
 import mock
 from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import CourseLocator
 from pytz import UTC
 from rest_framework.exceptions import PermissionDenied
@@ -50,6 +49,7 @@ from django_comment_common.models import (
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.models import CourseUserGroupPartitionGroup
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.tests.helpers import CohortFactory
 from openedx.core.lib.exceptions import CourseNotFoundError, PageNotFoundError
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.tests.factories import CourseEnrollmentFactory, UserFactory
 from util.testing import UrlResetMixin
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_permissions.py b/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_permissions.py
index dcaf1333f9..46b24e2df2 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_permissions.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_permissions.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ Tests for discussion API permission logic
 import itertools
 
 import ddt
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from discussion_api.permissions import (
     can_delete,
@@ -15,6 +14,7 @@ from discussion_api.permissions import (
 from lms.lib.comment_client.comment import Comment
 from lms.lib.comment_client.thread import Thread
 from lms.lib.comment_client.user import User
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_serializers.py b/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_serializers.py
index cfe19150a8..0d1f462f22 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_serializers.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_serializers.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import ddt
 import httpretty
 import mock
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from discussion_api.serializers import CommentSerializer, ThreadSerializer, get_context
 from discussion_api.tests.utils import CommentsServiceMockMixin, make_minimal_cs_comment, make_minimal_cs_thread
@@ -23,6 +22,7 @@ from django_comment_common.models import (
 from lms.lib.comment_client.comment import Comment
 from lms.lib.comment_client.thread import Thread
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.tests.helpers import CohortFactory
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 from util.testing import UrlResetMixin
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_views.py
index 9504e2bf84..3f8deca412 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/discussion_api/tests/test_views.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import ddt
 import httpretty
 import mock
 from django.urls import reverse
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from pytz import UTC
 from rest_framework.parsers import JSONParser
 from rest_framework.test import APIClient
@@ -29,6 +28,7 @@ from discussion_api.tests.utils import (
 from django_comment_client.tests.utils import ForumsEnableMixin
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.accounts.image_helpers import get_profile_image_storage
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.models import RetirementState, UserRetirementStatus
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from openedx.core.lib.token_utils import JwtBuilder
 from student.models import get_retired_username_by_username
 from student.tests.factories import CourseEnrollmentFactory, UserFactory, SuperuserFactory
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/base/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/base/tests.py
index 72640ab2a9..693840ac70 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/base/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/base/tests.py
@@ -6,14 +6,12 @@ import mock
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 
 import ddt
-import pytest
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.core.management import call_command
 from django.urls import reverse
 from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from eventtracking.processors.exceptions import EventEmissionExit
 from mock import ANY, Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from nose.tools import assert_equal, assert_true
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from six import text_type
@@ -41,6 +39,7 @@ from lms.lib.comment_client import Thread
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.cohorts import set_course_cohorted
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.tests.helpers import CohortFactory
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.waffle_utils.testutils import WAFFLE_TABLES
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.roles import CourseStaffRole, UserBasedRole
 from student.tests.factories import CourseAccessRoleFactory, CourseEnrollmentFactory, UserFactory
 from util.testing import UrlResetMixin
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/mock_cs_server/test_mock_cs_server.py b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/mock_cs_server/test_mock_cs_server.py
index def844397e..7ec2129137 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/mock_cs_server/test_mock_cs_server.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/mock_cs_server/test_mock_cs_server.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import threading
 import unittest
 import urllib2
 
-from nose.plugins.skip import SkipTest
+import pytest
 
 from django_comment_client.tests.mock_cs_server.mock_cs_server import MockCommentServiceServer
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class MockCommentServiceServerTest(unittest.TestCase):
         # This is a test of the test setup,
         # so it does not need to run as part of the unit test suite
         # You can re-enable it by commenting out the line below
-        raise SkipTest
+        pytest.skip()
 
         # Create the server
         server_port = 4567
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_middleware.py b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_middleware.py
index 80803bea7e..e063e83505 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_middleware.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_middleware.py
@@ -2,15 +2,15 @@ import json
 
 import django.http
 from django.test import TestCase
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from six import text_type
 
 import django_comment_client.middleware as middleware
 import lms.lib.comment_client
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class AjaxExceptionTestCase(TestCase):
+    shard = 1
+
     def setUp(self):
         super(AjaxExceptionTestCase, self).setUp()
         self.a = middleware.AjaxExceptionMiddleware()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_models.py b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_models.py
index 019d267b75..dfa1cc79eb 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_models.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 Tests for the django comment client integration models
 """
 from django.test.testcases import TestCase
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 
 import django_comment_common.models as models
@@ -10,12 +9,12 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import TEST_DATA_MIXED_MODULESTORE,
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import ToyCourseFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class RoleClassTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Tests for roles of the comment client service integration
     """
     MODULESTORE = TEST_DATA_MIXED_MODULESTORE
+    shard = 1
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(RoleClassTestCase, self).setUp()
@@ -52,11 +51,12 @@ class RoleClassTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.TA_role_2.inherit_permissions(self.TA_role)
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class PermissionClassTestCase(TestCase):
     """
     Tests for permissions of the comment client service integration
     """
+    shard = 1
+
     def setUp(self):
         super(PermissionClassTestCase, self).setUp()
         self.permission = models.Permission.objects.get_or_create(name="test")[0]
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_utils.py b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_utils.py
index 24c86b2474..559a939fa2 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/django_comment_client/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -4,12 +4,10 @@ import json
 
 import ddt
 import mock
-import pytest
 
 from django.urls import reverse
 from django.test import RequestFactory, TestCase
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from pytz import UTC
 from six import text_type
 
@@ -40,6 +38,7 @@ from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.cohorts import set_course_cohorted
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.course_groups.tests.helpers import CohortFactory, config_course_cohorts
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.request_cache.middleware import RequestCache
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.util.testing import ContentGroupTestCase
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from student.roles import CourseStaffRole
 from student.tests.factories import AdminFactory, CourseEnrollmentFactory, UserFactory
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/edxnotes/tests.py b/lms/djangoapps/edxnotes/tests.py
index 3926ca7535..fed82de63b 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/edxnotes/tests.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/edxnotes/tests.py
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import urlparse
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from datetime import datetime
 from unittest import skipUnless
-import mock
 
 import ddt
 import jwt
@@ -18,7 +17,6 @@ from django.test.client import RequestFactory
 from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from edx_oauth2_provider.tests.factories import ClientFactory
 from mock import MagicMock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from provider.oauth2.models import Client
 
 from courseware.model_data import FieldDataCache
@@ -30,6 +28,7 @@ from edxnotes.decorators import edxnotes
 from edxnotes.exceptions import EdxNotesParseError, EdxNotesServiceUnavailable
 from edxnotes.plugins import EdxNotesTab
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.models import RetirementState, UserRetirementStatus
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from openedx.core.lib.token_utils import JwtBuilder
 from student.tests.factories import CourseEnrollmentFactory, SuperuserFactory, UserFactory
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/gating/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/gating/tests/test_api.py
index 0dfed52795..5279d1c2cf 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/gating/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/gating/tests/test_api.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ from ddt import data, ddt, unpack
 from milestones import api as milestones_api
 from milestones.tests.utils import MilestonesTestCaseMixin
 from mock import Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from courseware.tests.helpers import LoginEnrollmentTestCase
 from gating.api import evaluate_prerequisite
@@ -57,12 +56,12 @@ class GatingTestCase(LoginEnrollmentTestCase, ModuleStoreTestCase):
         )
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 @ddt
 class TestEvaluatePrerequisite(GatingTestCase, MilestonesTestCaseMixin):
     """
     Tests for the evaluate_prerequisite function
     """
+    shard = 3
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestEvaluatePrerequisite, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/gating/tests/test_integration.py b/lms/djangoapps/gating/tests/test_integration.py
index 8ba2ff58c9..55ffd00083 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/gating/tests/test_integration.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/gating/tests/test_integration.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import ddt
 from completion import waffle as completion_waffle
 from milestones import api as milestones_api
 from milestones.tests.utils import MilestonesTestCaseMixin
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from lms.djangoapps.courseware.access import has_access
 from lms.djangoapps.grades.course_grade_factory import CourseGradeFactory
@@ -19,13 +18,14 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import SharedModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory, ItemFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 @ddt.ddt
 class TestGatedContent(MilestonesTestCaseMixin, SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Base TestCase class for setting up a basic course structure
     and testing the gating feature
     """
+    shard = 3
+
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
         super(TestGatedContent, cls).setUpClass()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/grades/tests/test_course_grade_factory.py b/lms/djangoapps/grades/tests/test_course_grade_factory.py
index 554a6c43d9..1df89359f7 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/grades/tests/test_course_grade_factory.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/grades/tests/test_course_grade_factory.py
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 import itertools
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 import ddt
-import django
 from courseware.access import has_access
 from django.conf import settings
 from lms.djangoapps.grades.config.tests.utils import persistent_grades_feature_flags
@@ -240,13 +238,13 @@ class TestCourseGradeFactory(GradeTestBase):
         self.assertEqual(expected_summary, actual_summary)
 
 
-@attr(shard=1)
 class TestGradeIteration(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
     """
     Test iteration through student course grades.
     """
     COURSE_NUM = "1000"
     COURSE_NAME = "grading_test_course"
+    shard = 1
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_analytics/tests/test_basic.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_analytics/tests/test_basic.py
index 1d85160986..cffbeed0e0 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_analytics/tests/test_basic.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_analytics/tests/test_basic.py
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ from django.db.models import Q
 from edx_proctoring.api import create_exam
 from edx_proctoring.models import ProctoredExamStudentAttempt
 from mock import MagicMock, Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locator import UsageKey
 from six import text_type
 
@@ -50,9 +49,9 @@ from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 class TestAnalyticsBasic(ModuleStoreTestCase):
     """ Test basic analytics functions. """
+    shard = 3
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestAnalyticsBasic, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_api.py
index 2d9fe59cde..01ee8b94dc 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_api.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ Test for LMS instructor background task queue management
 """
 import ddt
 from mock import MagicMock, Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from bulk_email.models import SEND_TO_LEARNERS, SEND_TO_MYSELF, SEND_TO_STAFF, CourseEmail
 from lms.djangoapps.certificates.models import CertificateGenerationHistory, CertificateStatuses
@@ -89,10 +88,10 @@ class InstructorTaskReportTest(InstructorTaskTestCase):
         self.assertEquals(set(task_ids), set())
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 @ddt.ddt
 class InstructorTaskModuleSubmitTest(InstructorTaskModuleTestCase):
     """Tests API methods that involve the submission of module-based background tasks."""
+    shard = 3
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(InstructorTaskModuleSubmitTest, self).setUp()
@@ -211,10 +210,10 @@ class InstructorTaskModuleSubmitTest(InstructorTaskModuleTestCase):
             task_function(self.create_task_request(self.instructor), location, **params)
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 @patch('bulk_email.models.html_to_text', Mock(return_value='Mocking CourseEmail.text_message', autospec=True))
 class InstructorTaskCourseSubmitTest(TestReportMixin, InstructorTaskCourseTestCase):
     """Tests API methods that involve the submission of course-based background tasks."""
+    shard = 3
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(InstructorTaskCourseSubmitTest, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_integration.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_integration.py
index 1c2ea4ec28..770e25ffc2 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_integration.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_integration.py
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ from celery.states import FAILURE, SUCCESS
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.urls import reverse
 from mock import patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from six import text_type
 
 from capa.responsetypes import StudentInputError
@@ -66,7 +65,6 @@ class TestIntegrationTask(InstructorTaskModuleTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(status['message'], expected_message)
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 @ddt.ddt
 class TestRescoringTask(TestIntegrationTask):
     """
@@ -74,6 +72,7 @@ class TestRescoringTask(TestIntegrationTask):
 
     Exercises real problems with a minimum of patching.
     """
+    shard = 3
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestRescoringTask, self).setUp()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks.py
index 704b227958..87a618870e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import ddt
 from celery.states import FAILURE, SUCCESS
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext_noop
 from mock import MagicMock, Mock, patch
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from opaque_keys.edx.locations import i4xEncoder
 
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
@@ -32,6 +31,7 @@ from lms.djangoapps.instructor_task.tasks import (
 from lms.djangoapps.instructor_task.tasks_helper.misc import upload_ora2_data
 from lms.djangoapps.instructor_task.tests.factories import InstructorTaskFactory
 from lms.djangoapps.instructor_task.tests.test_base import InstructorTaskModuleTestCase
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from xmodule.modulestore.exceptions import ItemNotFoundError
 
 PROBLEM_URL_NAME = "test_urlname"
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks_helper.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks_helper.py
index 6f6fd348b9..cb43c584c6 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks_helper.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks_helper.py
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ from django.test.utils import override_settings
 from freezegun import freeze_time
 from instructor_analytics.basic import UNAVAILABLE, list_problem_responses
 from mock import MagicMock, Mock, patch, ANY
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 from pytz import UTC
 from shoppingcart.models import (
     Coupon,
@@ -1004,12 +1003,11 @@ class TestProblemGradeReport(TestReportMixin, InstructorTaskModuleTestCase):
         ])
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 class TestProblemReportSplitTestContent(TestReportMixin, TestConditionalContent, InstructorTaskModuleTestCase):
     """
     Test the problem report on a course that has split tests.
     """
-
+    shard = 3
     OPTION_1 = 'Option 1'
     OPTION_2 = 'Option 2'
 
@@ -2122,13 +2120,13 @@ class TestGradeReportEnrollmentAndCertificateInfo(TestReportMixin, InstructorTas
         self._verify_csv_data(user.username, expected_output)
 
 
-@attr(shard=3)
 @ddt.ddt
 @override_settings(CERT_QUEUE='test-queue')
 class TestCertificateGeneration(InstructorTaskModuleTestCase):
     """
     Test certificate generation task works.
     """
+    shard = 3
 
     ENABLED_CACHES = ['default', 'mongo_metadata_inheritance', 'loc_cache']
 
diff --git a/lms/lib/xblock/test/test_mixin.py b/lms/lib/xblock/test/test_mixin.py
index 27b2e51a5b..04ea573390 100644
--- a/lms/lib/xblock/test/test_mixin.py
+++ b/lms/lib/xblock/test/test_mixin.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 Tests of the LMS XBlock Mixin
 """
 import ddt
-from nose.plugins.attrib import attr
 
 from lms_xblock.mixin import (
     INVALID_USER_PARTITION_GROUP_VALIDATION_COMPONENT,
@@ -11,6 +10,7 @@ from lms_xblock.mixin import (
     INVALID_USER_PARTITION_VALIDATION_UNIT,
     NONSENSICAL_ACCESS_RESTRICTION
 )
+from openedx.core.lib.tests import attr
 from xblock.validation import ValidationMessage
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory, ToyCourseFactory, ItemFactory