Which technique involves dividing input data into partitions for testing purposes?

Equivalence Partitioning is a testing technique that involves dividing the input data into distinct groups or partitions that are expected to exhibit similar behavior when processed by the system under test. The rationale behind this technique is that if one value from a partition is tested and it passes, other values in the same partition can be assumed to pass as well, leading to a more efficient testing process.

By focusing on these partitions, testers can identify representative values from each group, thus reducing the number of test cases that need to be executed while still achieving comprehensive coverage of the input space. This technique is particularly useful when dealing with large volumes of data, as it allows for streamlined testing without sacrificing the effectiveness of the test results.

The other techniques mentioned in the options serve different purposes; Boundary Value Analysis, for example, specifically focuses on the boundaries between partitions rather than the partitions themselves. State Transition Testing involves examining the various states of a system and the transitions between those states, rather than categorizing input data. Exploratory Testing is an approach where testers explore the application without predefined tests, making it less structured in terms of input data organization.