FAIL_TO_PASS tests
Tests that fail before a code change and pass after, proving the fix.
FAIL_TO_PASS tests are a way to check if a software fix actually works. Imagine a program has a bug. You write a test that specifically fails because of that bug. Then, you fix the bug. If the test now passes, you know your fix was successful.
For example, if a calculator app crashes when you try to divide by zero, you could write a FAIL_TO_PASS test. This test would be designed to fail when division by zero happens. After you fix the code to handle division by zero correctly, the test should pass, confirming the crash is gone.
FAIL_TO_PASS tests are a specific type of unit or integration test used to validate bug fixes. The test is designed to fail on the buggy code and subsequently pass once the correct code is implemented. This ensures that the fix addresses the intended issue and does not introduce regressions. The effectiveness relies on the test accurately reflecting the failure condition and the fix resolving that specific condition.
OpenAI's recent announcement of SWE-bench Verified highlights the ongoing challenge of reliably evaluating AI coding capabilities. FAIL_TO_PASS tests are crucial for creating robust benchmarks that accurately measure an AI's ability to fix bugs, moving beyond simple code generation.
- Introducing SWE-bench VerifiedOpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- OpenAI ChatGPT
- OpenAI uses FAIL_TO_PASS tests as part of their evaluation of AI coding capabilities, particularly in benchmarks like SWE-bench Verified.
- Unit tests
- A unit test checks a small, isolated piece of code. FAIL_TO_PASS tes
- Regression tests
- Regression tests ensure that new changes do not break existing
- Integration tests
- Integration tests check how different parts of a system work
- Failing tests
- A failing test simply indicates a problem. A FAIL_TO_PASS test is
The concept of using tests to verify fixes is fundamental to software development. The specific term 'FAIL_TO_PASS' likely emerged organically within development teams to describe this targeted testing strategy.
Ask an AI assistant like ChatGPT or Copilot to write a simple Python function that has a bug, for example, one that incorrectly calculates the area of a circle. Then, ask it to write a test for that function that fails due to the bug. Finally, ask it to fix the function and confirm that the test now passes.
The Playbook: reusable how-tos, prompts, configs and tips pulled out of the news.
- PromptRole-play a student struggling with math for AI tutor simulationSimulate a student's math struggles and uncertainty for AI tutor evaluation. · 5 min
- TemplateReusable workflow templates for healthcare teamsTeams can create and share templates for common workflows like documentation or prior authorizations. · 15 min
- TemplateTemplate for building an AI tool tailored to your workA structured approach to defining and building a custom AI tool for specific business needs. · 15 min
- TemplateEvals CSV prompt list for agent skillsA CSV file template for listing prompts used in evaluating agent skills. · 20 min
- HeuristicDouble coding agent task completion with docs linksProviding coding agents with a documentation link significantly increases their task completion rate. · 2 min
Questions people ask
- What is the difference between a failing test and a FAIL_TO_PASS test?
- A failing test just shows a problem. A FAIL_TO_PASS test is specifically designed to fail on a known bug and then pass once that bug is fixed, confirming the fix.
- Are FAIL_TO_PASS tests only for code?
- While most commonly used in software development, the principle can apply to any system where a specific failure condition can be tested and then verified as resolved after a change.
First seen on Subvolts Aug 13, 2024. Updated Sep 15, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.