Chapter 4 – Test Analysis & Design
State Table – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
A grid showing the resulting transitions for each state combined with each possible event, including both valid and invalid transitions.
In simple words
A table version of a state diagram — rows are states, columns are events, cells are the next state (or 'invalid').
Exam tip
State tables expose missing or invalid transitions the diagram hides — good for finding negative tests.
Related terms
- State DiagramA picture of all the modes the system can be in and the arrows showing how it switches between them.
- State Transition TestingYou model the system as states (Logged Out, Logged In, Locked) and design tests that trigger valid and invalid transitions between them.
- Negative TestingDeliberately feeding the system bad or unexpected inputs to prove it fails gracefully instead of crashing.
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