Chapter 4 – Test Analysis and Design
Structural Testing – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
Testing based on the internal structure or implementation of a component or system.
In simple words
Another name for white-box testing — tests are designed from the code’s structure, not from the spec.
Exam tip
Structural = white-box. Watch for exam questions that use the two terms as synonyms.
Related terms
- White-Box TestingYou design tests using knowledge of the code — branches, statements, paths — to hit specific structural coverage targets.
- Black-Box TestingYou design tests only from the spec or behaviour — inputs and expected outputs — without looking at the code.
- Dynamic TestingAny testing where the code actually runs — as opposed to reviews or static analysis.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
40 CTFL v4.0 questions, 60-minute timer, instant scoring and chapter-wise breakdown.
Practice in Mock Test