How do ASTM specifications relate to test methods?

• A. Test methods define the materials' color.
• B. Specifications set requirements while test methods define how to measure compliance.
• C. Specifications and test methods are identical.
• D. Test methods set requirements.

Answer: (B)

Specifications outline what a material, product, or system must achieve—minimum properties, performance criteria, and tolerances. Test methods specify the procedures to measure those properties and determine whether the product meets the spec. For example, a roofing membrane spec might require a minimum tear strength and a given fire-rating; the corresponding test method tells you how to prepare the sample, what equipment to use, the loading rate, and how results are interpreted. The test method provides a repeatable, objective way to verify compliance, while the spec defines the target. They are distinct documents that work together: use the test method to demonstrate that the product satisfies the specification.