In the context of software testing, what are "test assumptions"?

In software testing, "test assumptions" refer to the hypotheses or beliefs that testers hold before performing tests. These assumptions guide the testing process by providing a framework for what the tester expects to be true regarding the software's functionality, performance, or behavior. Before any testing is conducted, testers make these assumptions based on their understanding of the requirements, design, and prior experiences. Validating these assumptions during testing helps to confirm whether they hold true in practice.

When testers make assumptions, they are essentially setting a foundation for their testing strategy. For instance, if a tester assumes that a particular feature should behave in a certain way based on its specifications, they will later design tests to check whether this assumption is correct. If the assumption proves incorrect, it may lead to discovering defects or require revisiting the requirements.

Other options, while relevant in the context of software testing, do not accurately define "test assumptions." For example, prioritized lists of test cases would focus on the execution of tests based on their importance, predefined criteria for passing tests relate to determining if an application meets the required standards for acceptance, and automated scripts serve to streamline the testing process but do not encapsulate the conceptual understanding provided by test assumptions. Thus, the identification of test assumptions is crucial in