Chapter 5 – Managing the Test Activities
Reactive Test Strategy – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
A test strategy whereby the test team reacts to the component or system delivered and to test events occurring during test execution.
In simple words
Don't pre-design tests — react to the build in front of you (exploratory, error guessing, attacks).
Exam tip
Reactive strategies excel when the spec is thin or the build changes rapidly.
Related terms
- Exploratory TestingYou learn the product while testing it, using your experience to decide what to try next instead of following a pre-written script.
- Experience-Based TestingTests come from what you’ve seen break before — error guessing, exploratory testing, checklist-based testing.
- Attack TestingDeliberately attack the system the way a real attacker would — SQL injection, XSS, buffer overflows.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
40 CTFL v4.0 questions, 60-minute timer, instant scoring and chapter-wise breakdown.
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