Performance test types (load, stress, spike, soak) in Testing Fundamentals - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to define a load test that simulates {{BLANK_1}} users accessing the system simultaneously.

Testing Fundamentals

def load_test():
    users = [1]
    for user in range(users):
        simulate_user_action()

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1000

B0

C50

D5

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 0 users which means no load.

Choosing 1000 users which is too high for a basic load test.

A load test simulates a typical number of users, such as 50, to check system behavior under expected load.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to define a stress test that pushes the system beyond its {{BLANK_1}} capacity.

Testing Fundamentals

def stress_test():
    max_capacity = 100
    users = [1]
    for user in range(users):
        simulate_user_action()

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A100

B150

C50

D10

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing 50 or 100 which are at or below max capacity.

A stress test pushes the system beyond its max capacity, so 150 users exceed 100 max capacity.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the spike test code to simulate a sudden increase in users to {{BLANK_1}}.

Testing Fundamentals

def spike_test():
    users = 10
    simulate_user_action()
    users = [1]
    simulate_user_action()

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A5

B-10

C0

D1000

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing negative or zero users which is invalid.

Choosing a smaller number than initial users.

A spike test simulates a sudden jump to a high number like 1000 users.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to define a soak test that runs for {{BLANK_1}} hours with {{BLANK_2}} users continuously.

Testing Fundamentals

def soak_test():
    duration_hours = [1]
    users = [2]
    start_time = current_time()
    while current_time() - start_time < duration_hours * 3600:
        for user in range(users):
            simulate_user_action()

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A24

B100

C12

D50

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing short durations or too many users for soak tests.

A soak test runs for a long time like 24 hours with a moderate number of users like 50.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a dictionary summarizing test types with their key characteristics.

Testing Fundamentals

test_types = {
    'load': '[1]',
    'stress': '[2]',
    'spike': '[3]'
}

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Anormal user load

Bbeyond max capacity

Csudden user increase

Dlong duration run

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Mixing up soak test characteristics with others.

Load tests simulate normal user load, stress tests push beyond max capacity, and spike tests simulate sudden user increases.

Practice

1. Which type of performance test checks how a system handles normal user traffic over a period?

easy

A. Load test

B. Stress test

C. Spike test

D. Soak test

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of load testing

   Load testing measures system behavior under expected normal traffic to ensure it can handle typical user demand.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other test types

   Stress tests push beyond normal limits, spike tests check sudden jumps, and soak tests check long-term stability, not normal traffic.

3. Final Answer:

   Load test -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Normal traffic = Load test [OK]

Hint: Normal user traffic means load test [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing stress test with load test
• Thinking spike test handles normal traffic
• Mixing soak test with short-term tests

2. Which of the following is the correct description of a spike test?

easy

A. Testing system reaction to sudden traffic increase

B. Testing system under gradually increasing load

C. Testing system limits by pushing beyond capacity

D. Testing system stability over a long period

Solution

1. Step 1: Define spike test

   Spike testing checks how a system reacts to sudden, sharp increases in traffic or load.

2. Step 2: Compare with other test types

   Gradual increase is load test, pushing beyond capacity is stress test, and long period stability is soak test.

3. Final Answer:

   Testing system reaction to sudden traffic increase -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Sudden jump = Spike test [OK]

Hint: Sudden traffic jump means spike test [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing spike test with load test
• Mixing stress test with spike test
• Thinking soak test is about sudden changes

3. Consider this scenario: A system is tested by gradually increasing users from 100 to 1000 over 30 minutes, then holding steady at 1000 users for 2 hours. Which test types are being combined?

medium

A. Load test and stress test

B. Stress test and spike test

C. Load test and soak test

D. Spike test and soak test

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify gradual increase phase

   Gradually increasing users from 100 to 1000 is typical of a load test to check normal traffic handling.

2. Step 2: Identify steady high load phase

   Holding 1000 users for 2 hours tests long-term stability, which is soak testing.

3. Final Answer:

   Load test and soak test -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Gradual increase + long hold = Load + Soak [OK]

Hint: Gradual rise + long hold = Load and soak tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing spike test with gradual increase
• Thinking stress test applies to steady load
• Mixing soak test with short duration tests

4. A tester wrote this description: 'Stress testing is done by suddenly increasing the load to check system limits.' What is wrong with this statement?

medium

A. Stress testing uses gradual load increase, not sudden

B. Stress testing checks long-term stability, not limits

C. Stress testing pushes beyond limits but not suddenly

D. Sudden load increase describes spike testing, not stress testing

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand stress testing

   Stress testing pushes the system beyond its limits to find breaking points, usually by increasing load beyond normal gradually or rapidly.

2. Step 2: Identify sudden load increase meaning

   Sudden load increase is characteristic of spike testing, which tests system reaction to abrupt changes.

3. Final Answer:

   Sudden load increase describes spike testing, not stress testing -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Sudden jump = Spike test, not stress test [OK]

Hint: Sudden jump means spike, not stress test [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing stress and spike test definitions
• Thinking stress test is only gradual
• Confusing soak test with stress test

5. A web app must be tested to ensure it can handle 500 users normally, survive sudden spikes to 2000 users, and remain stable under 500 users for 24 hours. Which combination of tests should be planned?

hard

A. Stress test, spike test, soak test

B. Load test, spike test, soak test

C. Load test, stress test, soak test

D. Stress test, load test, spike test

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify normal user handling test

   Testing 500 users normally is a load test to check typical performance.

2. Step 2: Identify sudden spike handling test

   Handling sudden spikes to 2000 users requires spike testing to check system reaction.

3. Step 3: Identify long-term stability test

   Remaining stable under 500 users for 24 hours is soak testing for endurance.

4. Final Answer:

   Load test, spike test, soak test -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Normal + sudden spike + long run = Load + Spike + Soak [OK]

Hint: Normal + spike + long run = Load, spike, soak tests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Replacing spike test with stress test incorrectly
• Confusing soak test with stress test
• Ignoring long-term stability requirement