When it comes to testing apps, you have to harness the first impression, be open to anything and yet skeptical of everything. I’ll try to use some fun analogies to make sense of a complex mindset that makes for great app testing. Each deeper-level page is like being introduced to another one of the company’s friends or family members. First impressions matter. In life, but also in testing. That split-second between the link you clicked and the page you’re about to load is so important. It is crucial for the tester because it gives insight into the design and code feeding the page. Sure, it is easy to make a visually appealing landing page, but the supporting content will tell you who the company really is. Mobile app quality assurance is like flying a 747 under a microscope. Take an open mind into the app’s content and have fun with it. Every detail is significant, but be sure to enjoy the view. Live in the client’s intended users’ shoes for a bit. Learn about emergency management reporting. Become an avid purse shopper. Design your favorite graduation regalia hat. (Yes, these are real world examples!) You never know what your next project will be about, so you might as well have fun with it. Testing apps is a chance to experiment and learn something new about yourself. A mind of skepticism in testing is like an actor learning a new character. Exploratory testing is a delicate balance between passive expectations and active reservations. Pay close attention to your overall experience and develop the ability to ask yourself multiple, clear questions simultaneously. “When I click this, where do I expect to go? What do I imagine that new page will look like? Why did the URL change several times before my page loaded? Does this new page seem like a logical destination from where I started?” I know it sounds corny, but in a way, the tester must become the app. If, during your testing, the app behaves out of character, inquire within. There’s so much a tester can learn about herself through testing. Maintain focus, actively engage the content and valuable learning will naturally flow! The blog post is written by Testlio tester Gabe Hodge – active tester and community member. If you want to contribute to writing a blog at Testlio give your comment below. @testlio #lovetesting