Dynamic assertion values in Postman - Test Execution Trace

Test Overview

This test sends a GET request to a user API endpoint and verifies that the returned user ID matches the expected dynamic value from the response. It checks that the user name is not empty and the status code is 200.

Test Code - Postman

Postman

pm.test("Status code is 200", function () {
    pm.response.to.have.status(200);
});

pm.test("User ID matches dynamic value", function () {
    const jsonData = pm.response.json();
    const expectedUserId = jsonData.data.id;
    pm.expect(jsonData.data.id).to.eql(expectedUserId);
});

pm.test("User name is not empty", function () {
    const jsonData = pm.response.json();
    pm.expect(jsonData.data.name).to.not.be.empty;
});

Execution Trace - 4 Steps

Step	Action	System State	Assertion	Result
1	Send GET request to https://api.example.com/users/123	Request sent, waiting for response	—	PASS
2	Receive response with status code 200 and JSON body containing user data	Response received: {"data":{"id":123,"name":"Alice"}}	Check that status code is 200	PASS
3	Extract user ID from response JSON and assign to expectedUserId	expectedUserId = 123	Verify that response user ID equals expectedUserId	PASS
4	Check that user name field is not empty	User name is 'Alice'	Verify user name is not empty	PASS

Failure Scenario

Failing Condition: Response user ID does not match the dynamically extracted expectedUserId

Execution Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the test verify about the user ID?

A It is always 123 regardless of response

B It matches the dynamic value extracted from the response

C It is not checked in the test

D It is compared to a hardcoded value 456

Key Result

Using dynamic values from the response in assertions makes tests flexible and reliable, avoiding hardcoded checks that can break with data changes.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using dynamic assertion values in Postman tests?

easy

A. To make tests flexible by comparing values that change each time

B. To hardcode fixed values for all test runs

C. To disable assertions temporarily

D. To speed up test execution by skipping checks

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand dynamic assertion values

   Dynamic assertion values allow tests to compare values that can change between API calls, making tests adaptable.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose in Postman

   Using dynamic values helps verify API responses that return different data each time, ensuring tests remain valid.

3. Final Answer:

   To make tests flexible by comparing values that change each time -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Dynamic assertions = flexible tests [OK]

Hint: Dynamic values adapt tests to changing data [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking dynamic means disabling assertions
• Confusing dynamic with fixed values
• Assuming dynamic values speed up tests

2. Which of the following is the correct way to use a Postman variable in an assertion to check a response value dynamically?

easy

A. pm.expect(pm.response.json().data.id).to.eql('{{$randomId}}');

B. pm.expect(pm.response.json().data.id).to.eql(pm.variables.get('randomId'));

C. pm.expect(pm.response.json().data.id).to.eql('$randomId');

D. pm.expect(pm.response.json().data.id).to.eql(randomId);

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Postman variable syntax in scripts

   In test scripts, variables are accessed using pm.variables.get('variableName').

2. Step 2: Identify correct assertion usage

   pm.expect(pm.response.json().data.id).to.eql(pm.variables.get('randomId')); correctly uses pm.variables.get('randomId') to get the variable value for comparison.

3. Final Answer:

   pm.expect(pm.response.json().data.id).to.eql(pm.variables.get('randomId')); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use pm.variables.get() for dynamic values [OK]

Hint: Use pm.variables.get('name') to access variables in tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using {{}} inside test scripts instead of pm.variables.get()
• Using variable name as plain string without get()
• Assuming $variable syntax works in scripts

3. Given this Postman test snippet:

pm.test('Check user ID', () => {
  const expectedId = pm.variables.get('userId');
  pm.expect(pm.response.json().id).to.eql(expectedId);
});

If the variable userId is set to 123 and the response JSON is {"id": 124}, what will be the test result?

medium

A. Test passes because values are close

B. Test throws syntax error

C. Test fails because 124 != 123

D. Test is skipped due to missing variable

Solution

1. Step 1: Compare expected and actual values

   The expected value from variable userId is 123, but response JSON has id 124.

2. Step 2: Evaluate assertion outcome

   The assertion to.eql(123) vs actual 124 will fail because they are not equal.

3. Final Answer:

   Test fails because 124 != 123 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Mismatch values cause test failure [OK]

Hint: Check exact values in assertions to predict pass/fail [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming close numbers pass equality
• Confusing syntax error with assertion failure
• Ignoring variable value in test

4. You wrote this Postman test:

pm.test('Check token', () => {
  const token = pm.variables.get('authToken');
  pm.expect(pm.response.json().token).to.eql(token);
});

But the test always fails even though the token looks correct. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The variable authToken is not set or is empty

B. The response JSON does not contain a token field

C. The assertion syntax is invalid

D. Postman does not support dynamic assertions

Solution

1. Step 1: Check variable usage

   If authToken is missing or empty, pm.variables.get('authToken') returns undefined or empty string.

2. Step 2: Understand assertion failure

   Comparing response token to undefined or empty string causes assertion to fail even if response token is correct.

3. Final Answer:

   The variable authToken is not set or is empty -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Unset variables cause assertion mismatches [OK]

Hint: Always verify variables are set before assertions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming syntax error without checking variables
• Ignoring missing response fields
• Believing Postman lacks dynamic assertion support

5. You want to test an API that returns a new order ID each time. You store the previous order ID in a variable prevOrderId. Which Postman test code correctly asserts that the new order ID is different from the previous one?

hard

A. pm.expect(pm.response.json().orderId).to.eql(pm.variables.get('prevOrderId'));

B. pm.expect(pm.response.json().orderId).to.be.lessThan(pm.variables.get('prevOrderId'));

C. pm.expect(pm.response.json().orderId).to.be.greaterThan(pm.variables.get('prevOrderId'));

D. pm.expect(pm.response.json().orderId).not.eql(pm.variables.get('prevOrderId'));

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the requirement

   The test should confirm the new order ID is different from the previous one, so equality must fail.

2. Step 2: Choose correct assertion

   pm.expect(pm.response.json().orderId).not.eql(pm.variables.get('prevOrderId')); uses not.eql to assert the new ID is not equal to the previous ID, matching the requirement.

3. Final Answer:

   pm.expect(pm.response.json().orderId).not.eql(pm.variables.get('prevOrderId')); -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use not.eql to assert values differ [OK]

Hint: Use not.eql to check values are different [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using eql to check difference (wrong)
• Assuming greaterThan always works for IDs
• Confusing lessThan with difference check