@pytest.mark.skip with reason - Build an Automation Script

Skip a test with a reason using @pytest.mark.skip

Preconditions (2)

Step 1: Create a test function named test_example_skip

Step 2: Add the decorator @pytest.mark.skip with the reason 'Skipping this test for demonstration'

Step 3: Run pytest on the test file

✅ Expected Result: The test test_example_skip is skipped and the reason 'Skipping this test for demonstration' is shown in the test report

Automation Requirements - pytest

Assertions Needed:

Verify the test is skipped

Verify the skip reason is displayed in the test report

Best Practices:

Use @pytest.mark.skip with a clear reason string

Keep test functions simple and focused

Run tests with verbose output to see skip reasons

Automated Solution

PyTest

import pytest

@pytest.mark.skip(reason="Skipping this test for demonstration")
def test_example_skip():
    assert True  # This assertion will not run because the test is skipped

The code defines a test function test_example_skip decorated with @pytest.mark.skip and a reason string.

This tells pytest to skip running this test and show the reason in the test report.

The assertion inside the test will not execute because the test is skipped.

Running pytest with -v flag will display the skip reason clearly.

Common Mistakes - 3 Pitfalls

Not providing a reason string in @pytest.mark.skip

{'mistake': 'Using @pytest.mark.skip without parentheses and reason', 'why_bad': 'The decorator will not work as intended and may cause syntax errors or no skip behavior.', 'correct_approach': 'Use @pytest.mark.skip(reason="your reason") with parentheses and a reason.'}

Trying to assert inside a skipped test

Bonus Challenge

Now add two more test functions skipped with different reasons and verify all skip reasons appear in the test report

Show Hint

Practice

1. What does the decorator @pytest.mark.skip(reason="some reason") do in a pytest test function?

easy

A. It skips the test and shows the given reason in the test report.

B. It runs the test but logs the reason as a warning.

C. It marks the test to run only if the reason is true.

D. It deletes the test from the test suite.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of @pytest.mark.skip

   This decorator tells pytest to skip running the test function it decorates.

2. Step 2: Reason parameter usage

   The reason string is shown in the test report to explain why the test was skipped.

3. Final Answer:

   It skips the test and shows the given reason in the test report. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   @pytest.mark.skip(reason=...) skips test with reason [OK]

Hint: Skip tests with reason to explain why [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it runs the test but logs reason
• Confusing skip with conditional run
• Assuming it deletes the test

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to skip a test using the named argument `reason="Not implemented yet"` using pytest?

easy

A. @pytest.mark.skip_test(reason="Not implemented yet")

B. @pytest.mark.skip("Not implemented yet")

C. @pytest.skip(reason="Not implemented yet")

D. @pytest.mark.skip(reason="Not implemented yet")

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct decorator syntax

   The correct decorator is @pytest.mark.skip with a named argument reason="...".

2. Step 2: Check each option

   @pytest.mark.skip(reason="Not implemented yet") uses the correct decorator and named argument syntax. Others are either missing the named argument or use incorrect decorator names.

3. Final Answer:

   @pytest.mark.skip(reason="Not implemented yet") -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Use @pytest.mark.skip(reason=...) syntax [OK]

Hint: Use named argument reason="..." with @pytest.mark.skip [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Passing reason as positional argument
• Using @pytest.skip instead of @pytest.mark.skip
• Using wrong decorator names

3. What will be the output when running this pytest code?

import pytest

@pytest.mark.skip(reason="Feature not ready")
def test_feature():
    assert 1 == 1


def test_other():
    assert 2 == 2

medium

A. Both tests run and pass.

B. test_feature is skipped with reason; test_other runs and passes.

C. Both tests are skipped.

D. test_feature fails; test_other passes.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify skipped test

   The decorator skips test_feature with the given reason, so it does not run.

2. Step 2: Check other test behavior

   test_other has no skip decorator, so it runs and passes.

3. Final Answer:

   test_feature is skipped with reason; test_other runs and passes. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Skipped test does not run; others run normally [OK]

Hint: Skipped tests do not run but appear in reports [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming skipped tests run
• Thinking all tests skip if one is skipped
• Confusing skip with fail

4. Identify the error in this pytest code snippet:

import pytest

@pytest.mark.skip "Not ready"
def test_example():
    assert True

medium

A. Missing parentheses after @pytest.mark.skip

B. Reason should be passed as a named argument, not positional.

C. The test function must have parameters to use skip.

D. The assert statement is incorrect.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check decorator syntax

   The decorator is written as @pytest.mark.skip "Not ready" without parentheses around the argument, causing a syntax error.

2. Step 2: Correct usage

   Valid syntax is @pytest.mark.skip("Not ready") or @pytest.mark.skip(reason="Not ready").

3. Final Answer:

   Missing parentheses after @pytest.mark.skip -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Always use parentheses for decorator arguments [OK]

Hint: Always use reason= keyword with @pytest.mark.skip [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Missing parentheses after @pytest.mark.skip
• Passing reason as positional argument
• Misusing decorator syntax

5. You want to skip a test only if a certain environment variable SKIP_TEST is set to "true", and provide the reason "Skipped due to env setting". Which pytest code correctly implements this?

hard

A. import os
import pytest

if os.getenv('SKIP_TEST') == 'true':
@pytest.mark.skip(reason="Skipped due to env setting")
def test_conditional():
assert True

B. import os
import pytest

@pytest.mark.skip(reason="Skipped due to env setting")
def test_conditional():
assert True

C. import os
import pytest

@pytest.mark.skipif(os.getenv('SKIP_TEST') == 'true', reason="Skipped due to env setting")
def test_conditional():
assert True

D. import os
import pytest

@pytest.skipif(reason="Skipped due to env setting")
def test_conditional():
assert True

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand conditional skipping

   To skip a test based on a condition, use @pytest.mark.skipif(condition, reason=...).

2. Step 2: Check each option

   import os import pytest @pytest.mark.skipif(os.getenv('SKIP_TEST') == 'true', reason="Skipped due to env setting") def test_conditional(): assert True correctly uses skipif with the environment variable condition and reason. import os import pytest @pytest.mark.skip(reason="Skipped due to env setting") def test_conditional(): assert True always skips. import os import pytest if os.getenv('SKIP_TEST') == 'true': @pytest.mark.skip(reason="Skipped due to env setting") def test_conditional(): assert True tries to conditionally decorate but syntax is invalid. import os import pytest @pytest.skipif(reason="Skipped due to env setting") def test_conditional(): assert True uses wrong decorator name.

3. Final Answer:

   Use @pytest.mark.skipif with condition and reason. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use skipif(condition, reason=...) for conditional skip [OK]

Hint: Use @pytest.mark.skipif for conditional skipping [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using skip instead of skipif for conditions
• Incorrect decorator syntax
• Trying to conditionally decorate inside if-block