Definition
A Test probes below a recent area to discover whether sellers remain. A successful test has low relative volume, a narrow or contained spread, and a close in the upper portion, followed by demand.
Market psychology
Professional operators mark price down briefly. If little selling appears, they can advance price with less opposing supply.
Recognition rules
- Price probes lower
- Volume is low relative to nearby bars
- Close returns toward the high
- A later up move confirms success
Common mistakes
- Calling a high-volume sell-off a successful test
- Ignoring failure to rally afterward
Teaching example
Loading OHLCV chart…
Read a text alternative
The probe finds little supply. The following up bars are essential: without their response, the low-volume bar would remain only a potential test.
- Market phase
- Accumulation
- Pattern
- Test
- Timeframe
- H1
What confirms that a low-volume test succeeded?
The market must respond upward; the test bar is not enough by itself.