Script execution order in Postman - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Order of script execution in Postman

In Postman, when you send a request, scripts can run in different phases. Which of the following lists the correct order of script execution?

A Request Sent → Pre-request Script → Tests Script

B Pre-request Script → Request Sent → Tests Script

C Tests Script → Pre-request Script → Request Sent

D Pre-request Script → Tests Script → Request Sent

💡 Hint

Think about what needs to happen before the request is sent and what happens after.

Postman runs the Pre-request Script first to prepare or modify the request. Then it sends the request. After receiving the response, it runs the Tests Script to check the response.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of console logs in Postman scripts

Consider these Postman scripts attached to a request:

pm.test('Test 1', () => { console.log('Test script running'); });
pm.environment.set('var1', 'value1');

And the Pre-request Script:

console.log('Pre-request running');

What will be the order of console log outputs when the request is sent?

A

Pre-request running
Test script running

B

Test script running
Pre-request running

C Test script running only

D Pre-request running only

💡 Hint

Remember when each script runs relative to the request.

The Pre-request Script runs first and logs 'Pre-request running'. After the request is sent and response received, the Tests Script runs and logs 'Test script running'.

❓ assertion

advanced

Correct assertion placement in Postman scripts

You want to check if the response status code is 200. Where should you place the assertion?

A In the Pre-request Script

B In the Post-request Script

C Before sending the request

D In the Tests Script

💡 Hint

Assertions check the response after it arrives.

Assertions must be in the Tests Script because it runs after the response is received, allowing you to check response details like status code.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Debugging script execution order in Postman

You have a Pre-request Script and a Tests Script both logging messages. You notice the Tests Script logs appear before the Pre-request Script logs in the console. What is the most likely cause?

A The console is showing logs from a previous request run

B Pre-request Script runs after Tests Script by design

C There is a syntax error in the Pre-request Script stopping it from running

D Postman runs Tests Script twice before Pre-request Script

💡 Hint

Think about how console logs accumulate in Postman.

Postman console keeps logs from all requests until cleared. Seeing Tests Script logs before Pre-request logs usually means you are viewing old logs from a previous run.

❓ framework

expert

Custom script execution order in Postman Collection Runner

You run a collection with multiple requests in Postman Collection Runner. You want to run a script once before all requests and once after all requests. Where should you place these scripts?

A Use Environment Pre-request Script for before all, and Environment Tests Script for after all

B Use Pre-request Script in the first request and Tests Script in the last request

C Use Collection Pre-request Script for before all, and Collection Tests Script for after all

D Use Global Pre-request Script for before all, and Global Tests Script for after all

💡 Hint

Think about script scopes in Postman collections.

Collection-level Pre-request Script runs once before all requests in the collection, and Collection-level Tests Script runs once after all requests complete. This is the correct way to run scripts once before all and once after all requests.