Duration Assertion in JMeter

The Duration Assertion in Apache JMeter tests whether each response is received within a specified time limit. If a response takes longer than the defined time (in milliseconds), it is marked as a failed response.

Example: Setting Up Duration Assertion

Create a Thread Group

• Right-click Test Plan → Add → Threads (Users) → Thread Group

Configure HTTP Request Defaults

• Go to Thread Group → Add → Config Element → HTTP Request Defaults
• Set Server Name as: example.com

Add an HTTP Request Sampler

• Go to Thread Group → Add → Sampler → HTTP Request
• Rename it to Example Page
• Specify the path of the webpage.

Add Duration Assertion

• Go to Example Page → Add → Assertions → Duration Assertion
• Set Duration in Milliseconds to 2000

 

Understanding the Duration Assertion

In the above example, JMeter checks if example.com responds within 1000 milliseconds. If it does, the test passes; otherwise, it fails.

Applying Duration Assertion to Samplers

The Duration Assertion can be added to both:

• Main Samplers
• Sub Samplers

 

Modifying the Duration for a Failure Scenario

Now, let’s reduce the Duration in Milliseconds to 500 and observe the results.

Viewing the Results

Add a Listener

• Go to Add → Listener → View Results in Table

Now, run the test again. Since the response time of example.com is usually more than 500 milliseconds, the request is expected to fail.

Duration Assertion Failure Message

When the Duration Assertion fails, JMeter displays a failure message similar to:

HTTP Request
Duration Assertion : The operation lasted too long: It took 1,824 milliseconds, but should not have lasted longer than 500 milliseconds.

 

You can now check the sample time taken to load example.com in the test results.

 

Conclusion

The Duration Assertion helps ensure response time requirements are met. If you have any queries about Duration Assertion, feel free to ask in the comments.