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Context
After a spring or shakeout, price returns toward the danger area to examine whether supply is still present.
Illustrative campaign snapshot 27: the structure is synthetic and designed only to isolate the evidence sequence for test after spring.
Evidence to read
- spread narrows as price revisits support
- volume is lower than on the spring drive
- close holds off the low or recovers quickly
Expert read
A successful test suggests that supply has reduced and that the spring has a better chance of leading to markup.
Alternative interpretation
It may be simple weakness if the test bar closes poorly or produces no upward response.
Confirmation required
- next bar closes up with improved result
- support holds without renewed supply
- higher low forms above the spring low
Invalidation signs
- test breaks the spring low with activity
- no demand appears after the test
- range midpoint cannot be recovered
Common traps
calling a test successful before the next bar responds
confusing low volume weakness with low supply
placing risk too wide because the idea feels strong
Source frame
Wyckoff/VSA educational frame: background first, effort versus result second, confirmation third, risk and invalidation always explicit.