diff --git a/tests/test_preprocess.py b/tests/test_preprocess.py
index d964744e..0f01f27e 100644
--- a/tests/test_preprocess.py
+++ b/tests/test_preprocess.py
@@ -3,6 +3,21 @@
     Dexelas_Arguments,
     HexrdPPScript_Arguments,
 )
+import pytest
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+# FIXME: this is not the appropriate file to test the preprocess scrips since
+# it is missing metadata. Until we add a file we just test that
+# validate_arguments() works as expected
+@pytest.fixture
+def eiger_examples_path(example_repo_path: Path) -> Path:
+    return Path(example_repo_path) / 'eiger'
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def ceria_examples_path(eiger_examples_path: Path) -> Path:
+    return eiger_examples_path / 'first_ceria' / 'ff_000_data_000001.h5'
 
 
 # test load/safe with defaults
@@ -21,13 +36,17 @@ def test_save_load_defaults_dexelas():
 
 
 # test load/safe with modified parameters
-def test_save_load_eiger():
+def test_save_load_eiger(ceria_examples_path):
     eargs = Eiger_Arguments()
-    eargs.base_dir = "/data"
-    eargs.num_frames = 1
     buffer = eargs.dump_config()
     args = HexrdPPScript_Arguments.load_from_config(buffer)
     assert eargs == args
+    with pytest.raises(
+        RuntimeError
+    ):  # required argument 'absolute_path' is missing
+        args.validate_arguments()
+    args.absolute_path = str(ceria_examples_path)
+    args.validate_arguments()
 
 
 def test_save_load_dexelas():
@@ -38,3 +57,5 @@ def test_save_load_dexelas():
     buffer = eargs.dump_config()
     args = HexrdPPScript_Arguments.load_from_config(buffer)
     assert eargs == args
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError):  # many required arguments are missing
+        args.validate_arguments()