--- title: Test case format description: This article contains information about test cases in programming questions and sample test cases for a sample programming question. --- [Skip to content](https://help.hackerearth.com/hc/en-us/articles/9810665517081-test-case-format#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![HE logo.png\]](https://help.hackerearth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HE%20logo.png?height=40&name=HE%20logo.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.hackerearth.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Assessments: Recruiters](https://help.hackerearth.com/assessments-recruiters?hsLang=en) 3. [Programming](https://help.hackerearth.com/assessments-recruiters?hsLang=en#programming) # Test case format ## This article contains information about test cases in programming questions and sample test cases for a sample programming question. ### Type of test cases required Every programming question needs test cases. At HackerEarth, we recommend a minimum of 10 test cases that cover various corner cases for a specific problem statement. The format of the test case file should follow the given condition: - There must be exactly 10 test cases for each problem. - The total score of the test cases must be 100. - Suppose the answer to any problem is a single integer or a single character, then it must have multiple test cases. - The size of an individual test case should not exceed 8 MB. These test cases can be divided as follows: #### Easy test cases Easy test cases should meet these conditions. | **Features of the test case** | **Example** | **Score** | | --- | --- | --- | | Add two Easy test cases. Recommendation: The first two Easy test cases should be made visible to candidates | If you have an array with size n equal to 10^5 constraints, then your n value should be less than equal to 10. **Problem Constraint** ![](https://help.hackerearth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-2.png?width=97&height=19&name=undefined-2.png) **Test Case Constraint** ![](https://help.hackerearth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-3.png?width=91&height=16&name=undefined-3.png) | If the total score of your question is 100, then your Easy test cases should have a score of 5 each **Example** - Test Case 1: 5 Marks - Test Case 2: 5 Marks | | The constraint size should be minimal as possible | | | | The brute force approach can be used to solve the test case | | | | A candidate should be able to solve this test case manually | | | #### Medium test case Medium test cases should meet these conditions. | **Features of the test case** | **Example** | **Score** | | --- | --- | --- | | Add three Medium test cases | If you have an array with size n equal to 10^5 constraints, then your n value should be less than equal to 10^3 **Problem Constraint** ![](https://help.hackerearth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-10-49-20-5703-AM.png?width=97&height=19&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-10-49-20-5703-AM.png) **Test Case Constraint** ![](https://help.hackerearth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-4.png?width=97&height=19&name=undefined-4.png) | If the total score of your question is 100, then your Medium test cases should have a score of 5 each **Example** - Test Case 3: 5 Marks - Test Case 4: 5 Marks - Test Case 5: 5 Marks | | These test cases should cover corner cases related to the algorithm being used | | | | A candidate should be able to solve these test cases in the most optimal manner. For example, a Greedy Algorithmic approach can be used to solve the test case. | | | #### Hard test cases Hard test cases should meet these conditions. | **Features of the test case** | **Example** | **Score** | | --- | --- | --- | | Add five Hard test cases | If you have an array with size n equal to 10^5 constraints, then your n value should be less than equal to 10^5. **Problem Constraint** ![](https://help.hackerearth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-10-50-17-1765-AM.png?width=97&height=19&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-10-50-17-1765-AM.png) **Test Case Constraint** ![](https://help.hackerearth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-10-50-17-1765-AM.png?width=97&height=19&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-10-50-17-1765-AM.png) | If the total score of your question is 100, then your Hard test cases should have a score of 15 each **Example** - Test Case 6: 15 Marks - Test Case 7: 15 Marks - Test Case 8: 15 Marks - Test Case 9: 15 Marks - Test Case 10: 15 Marks | | These test cases are aimed at checking if candidates can solve the problem in the most optimal manner | | | | The constraint size should be as exhaustive as possible | | | | Only the correct algorithm or approach can be used to solve the test case | | | ### Generating test cases Generate test cases that are compatible with the [auto-generated code snippets](https://help.hackerearth.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002884553-code-snippets?hsLang=en). For example, assume that you are creating test cases for this problem statement:  **Write a program to find the highest/maximum number in an array.** #### Sample input and sample output The input and output for this problem statement will be as follows: ![](https://help.hackerearth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jun-01-2023-10-51-17-8549-AM.png?width=416&height=343&name=undefined-Jun-01-2023-10-51-17-8549-AM.png) ### Explanation - Here 10 in the first line of the sample input signifies the number of elements in the array - The second line of the sample input signifies 10 elements in the array, separated by spaces - The sample output only contains the answer that is the highest/maximum number in the array So, go through the auto-generated code snippets first and then generate the test cases accordingly so that you don’t have to change the auto-generated code snippets afterward. 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