← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Normal test data

A typical, valid value well inside the allowed limits, which the program should accept. Example: an age of 30 for a range check of 0 to 120 is accepted.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7a Program Development Life Cycle — Module 71, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Testing and Validating Programs — Module 5, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Pseudocode and Algorithm Design — Module 81

Understanding Normal test data in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: The test value 30 is valid and well inside 0 to 120, so the condition is true and the program outputs Accepted. Invalid values that should be rejected are abnormal test data. Normal data is valid and typical. 120 is at the limit, so it is extreme or boundary data. 30 is well inside the limits, so it is normal.

Common mistakes: 150 is outside the range 0 to 120, so it is abnormal data, not normal data. Normal test data must be a valid value such as 30. Normal test data is valid, so the program should accept it, not reject it. The line should say 'Normal test data is accepted'.

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Learning
Duo
A range check allows ages from 0 to 120. Which value is normal test data?
30-5
Matches
Normal test data for an age range of 0 to 120: 150
↓
150 is outside the allowed range, so it is abnormal test data, not normal. Normal data must be valid, such as 30.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Normal test data
Meaning
A typical, valid value well inside the allowed limits, which the program should accept. Example: an age of 30 for a range check of 0 to 120 is accepted.
Practice
// Normal test data
Testing
Gaps
IF Age >= 0 Age <= 120 THEN
Check Answer
Spots
1Check: age is 0 to 120
2Normal test data: 150

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Quick Questions

1. A range check allows ages from 0 to 120. Which value is normal test data?
A. -5
B. 30 ✓
30 is a typical valid value well inside the limits, so the program should accept it. -5 is abnormal data because it should be rejected.
2. What should a program do with normal test data?
A. Reject it
B. Accept it ✓
Normal test data is valid, so the expected outcome is that the program accepts it.
3. Which statement describes normal test data correctly?
A. A typical valid value that should be accepted ✓
B. An invalid value that should be rejected
Invalid values that should be rejected are abnormal test data. Normal data is valid and typical.
4. A quiz score must be from 0 to 100. Which is normal test data?
A. 65 ✓
B. 101
65 is well inside the allowed range and should be accepted. 101 is outside the range, so it is not normal data.
5. True or false: normal test data is chosen at the edge of the allowed range.
A. False ✓
B. True
Values at the edge are boundary or extreme data. Normal data sits well inside the limits.

Match the Pairs

Age = 30 (range check 0 to 120) → Normal test data: a typical valid value well inside the limits, so the program should accept it
Expected outcome: accepted → What should happen when normal test data is entered into the program
Normal test data is a typical valid value that is well inside the limits and should be accepted → IF Age >= 0 AND Age <= 120 THEN OUTPUT "Accepted" ENDIF // test with 30
A test case using normal data pairs the input with the expected outcome of accepted → Input: 45, Expected output: Accepted
Normal test data for an age range of 0 to 120: 150 → 150 is outside the allowed range, so it is abnormal test data, not normal. Normal data must be valid, such as 30.
Normal test data: 120, Expected outcome: Rejected → Normal data is valid and should be accepted, not rejected. Also 120 is at the limit, so it is boundary data, not well inside the limits.

Key Term

Normal test data
A typical, valid value well inside the allowed limits, which the program should accept. Example: an age of 30 for a range check of 0 to 120 is accepted.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF Age >= 0 AND Age <= 120 THEN
Hint: Type the logical operator that needs both limit tests to be true.
2. Age ← 30 // normal test data
Hint: Type the assignment symbol that stores the test value in the variable.
3. INPUT Age IF Age >= 0 AND Age <= 120 THEN OUTPUT "Accepted"
Hint: Type the command that shows the result for a normal value.
4. DECLARE Age : INTEGER
Hint: Type the data type keyword for a whole number age.
5. IF Age >= 0 AND Age <= 120 THEN
Hint: Type the upper limit of the allowed range.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Check: age is 0 to 120
B Normal test data: 150
C Expected result: accepted
Line B — 150 is outside the range 0 to 120, so it is abnormal data, not normal data. Normal test data must be a valid value such as 30.
Question 2
A Normal test data is rejected
B Example: age 30, range 0-120
C It is well inside the limits
Line A — Normal test data is valid, so the program should accept it, not reject it. The line should say 'Normal test data is accepted'.
Question 3
A Range check: 1 to 100
B Expected result: rejected
C Normal test data: 50
Line B — 50 is a typical valid value inside 1 to 100, so the expected result is accepted. It should read 'Expected result: accepted'.
Question 4
A // Test: Age = 30 (normal)
B IF Age >= 0 AND Age <= 120
C THEN OUTPUT "Rejected"
D ELSE OUTPUT "Rejected"
E ENDIF
Line C — An age of 30 is normal data and passes the range check, so the THEN branch should output "Accepted".
Question 5
A Range check: 0 to 120
B Test value: 30
C Type: abnormal
D Expected result: accepted
Line C — 30 is a valid value well inside 0 to 120, so it is normal test data. Abnormal data would be invalid, such as -5.

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