LOAD testing is testing an APPLICATION under heavy loads, such as the testing of a web site under a range of loads to determine at what POINT the system response time will degrade or fail
Load testing simulates the expected usage of a software program, by simulating multiple users that access the program's services concurrently. Load testing is most useful and most relevant for multi-user SYSTEMS, client/server models, including web SERVERS. For example, the load placed on the system is increased above normal usage patterns, in order to test the system's response at peak loads