Which type of tests would typically involve performance monitoring tools?

Performance monitoring tools are primarily utilized in load testing to assess how a system behaves under varying levels of demand. Load tests are designed to evaluate both the functionality and performance of an application as the workload increases, simulating multiple users or transactions. During these tests, performance monitoring tools gather critical metrics such as response times, throughput, and resource utilization. This data is essential for determining whether the application can handle expected user loads and identifying bottlenecks or areas of improvement.

In contrast, static tests analyze code and documentation without executing the application, focusing on logical errors and compliance with standards without measuring performance metrics. User interface tests primarily ensure that the graphical interface meets design specifications and behaves intuitively from an end-user perspective, without specifically evaluating performance under load conditions. Unit tests aim to verify the correctness of small code units and typically do not assess how those units perform under stressful situations or high usage scenarios. Hence, load tests are distinct in their specific aim to monitor and measure performance, making the correct choice clear.