Basic Test
Volume Spread Analysis glossary · Wyckoff Phases & Schematics
Definition
A simplified test pattern: a down-bar on low volume closing in the middle or upper portion of the range, but without the dramatic intrabar dip into lower territory that characterises a full test. Less forceful than a full test, it still shows professional absence on the sell side. Like all tests, it is reliable only with strength in the background (stopping volume, selling climax, accumulation, or shake-out); without that, the pattern is unreliable. Best used as confirmation alongside other Signs of Strength rather than as a standalone trigger.
Basic Test in plain English
Think of a "test" as the market quietly poking a spot to see if any sellers are still lurking there — if almost nobody sells, the coast is clear to go up. A Basic Test is the gentle version of that poke: a down-bar on low volume that closes back in the middle or top of its range, saying "we dipped a little and found no sellers." It's a milder, less dramatic signal than a full test, so it isn't strong enough to act on by itself. Trust it only when the recent past already shows buying strength (like a selling climax or accumulation), and treat it as a supporting nod rather than your reason to jump in.
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Practice Basic Test
If the third bar is 'No Supply,' what is the significance of this sequence for entry timing?
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