Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) Practice Test

Which test assures users that the system can handle peak loads?

1. Usability Testing

2. Stress Testing

3. Compliance Testing

4. Recovery Testing

The correct answer is: Stress Testing

Stress Testing is a form of performance testing that specifically examines how a system behaves under extreme conditions, such as peak loads. By simulating high-stress scenarios, this type of testing determines whether the system can operate effectively and maintain performance when subjected to the maximum number of users or heavy loads. It also helps identify breaking points and potential failures, ensuring that the system is robust enough to handle real-world peak usage. In contrast, usability testing focuses on the user experience and functionality of the application rather than its ability to handle load. Compliance testing checks whether the system meets specified regulatory and legal standards, thus not addressing performance under load. Recovery testing evaluates how well a system can recover from crashes, hardware failures, or other unexpected issues, which also does not pertain directly to peak load capacity. Hence, stress testing is the most appropriate choice for assuring users about the system's capability to manage peak loads.