Performance & Load Testing Flashcards
7 cards from real Software Testing practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Performance & Load Testing flashcards as text
What is the primary goal of performance testing?
Answer: Evaluate system speed, scalability, and stability under load
Performance testing evaluates how a system behaves in terms of speed, scalability, and stability under various load conditions, not functional correctness.
Which type of performance test is designed to push the system beyond normal operational capacity to find its breaking point?
Answer: Stress test
Stress testing deliberately exceeds normal operational limits to identify the point at which the system fails or becomes unstable.
Which metric measures the elapsed time from when a user sends a request to when they receive a complete response?
Answer: Response time
Response time is the interval between a user submitting a request and receiving the full response, making it a key user-experience metric.
In performance testing, 'throughput' refers to which of the following?
Answer: The number of requests processed per unit of time
Throughput is the rate at which a system processes transactions or requests, typically expressed as requests per second or transactions per minute.
What does a soak test (also called an endurance test) primarily evaluate?
Answer: System stability and potential memory leaks over an extended period
Soak testing runs the system under sustained load for a long duration to uncover memory leaks, resource depletion, and gradual performance degradation.
In performance testing, what is a 'virtual user' (VUser)?
Answer: A simulated entity that mimics real user behavior to generate load
A virtual user is a software-simulated entity that replicates real user behavior, allowing performance tools to generate significant load without requiring actual human participants.
What is the purpose of establishing a 'baseline' in performance testing?
Answer: To create a reference measurement for comparing future test results
A baseline captures system performance under known conditions and serves as a reference point so future results can be meaningfully compared to detect improvements or regressions.