TESTING

This section has a total of 7 marks allocated to it, which are spread out amongst its different aspects.

Within the Analysis section, candidates should have listed a number of things the potential user wants the system to be able to do. This list should form the basis of the testing strategy that they now employ.

TESTING - Describe their Testing

This sub-section has a total of 4 marks allocated to it. In order to gain any mark candidates must achieve the previous marking point.

1 mark

• Provide evidence that they have carried out at least one test of their solution.
  • Candidates will print out the results of a test. They will write down the test, which might, at this level, be a straightforward search which was outlined in the Analysis Section.

2 marks

• Provide evidence of, and describe at least two tests used to test their solution.
  • For example on a database, in addition to performing another search there has to be a description of the test and what the candidate is trying to achieve. The results of the tests will accompany the description.

3 marks

• Provide evidence of, and describe the tests used to thoroughly test their solution.
  • This is a lot more difficult as there has to be evidence as well as descriptions of tests used to ensure that all aspects, database, spreadsheet, word processing etc. are working well. This will include validation checks as well.
  • To satisfy the requirement of “thoroughly testing”, it is expected that ALL user specified tasks listed in the Analysis section will be tested and commented upon.

4 marks

• Provide evidence of, and describe the tests used to thoroughly test their solution. Including testing from the point of view of the user.
  • This requires the user or somebody acting as the user to test the solution. The key thing is to get critical feedback from the user otherwise the mark cannot be awarded.
  • The opinions of the user will have to be documented. Some form of response sheet would be in order.

TESTING - Describe the Results

This sub-section has a total of 3 marks allocated to it, which are spread out amongst its different aspects. In order to gain any mark candidates must achieve all the previous marking point.

1 mark

• List the actual results of the tests. List the expected results of the tests.
  • Candidates need to provide the expected results as well as the actual results. For every test they have carried out they will need to do this.

2 marks

• Compare the actual results with the expected results.
  • This requires some form of description from the candidates about the outcome.
  • On most occasions there will be very little comment on what happened as the two sets of results will be identical. Candidates, however, must make comment on the rare occasion when this is not the case. They must include examples of this to gain this mark. A possible example is the typing in of wrong formulae into a spreadsheet.

3 marks

• Compare the actual results with the expected results. Explain their choice of test data.
  • Candidates have to list their test data and explain why they are using that particular data. With such tests as validation checks they will obviously have to choose some invalid data to prove that the check works.