diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e562f0397..334a67108 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -120,6 +120,9 @@ venv.bak/
 *.zarr
 *.tif
 
+# data file expection for test folder
+!icepyx/tests/test_data/*
+
 # data file exception for tracking info
 !clones.csv
 !views.csv
diff --git a/icepyx/core/variables.py b/icepyx/core/variables.py
index 58e5a1e8f..ffce55ca1 100644
--- a/icepyx/core/variables.py
+++ b/icepyx/core/variables.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def list_of_dict_vals(input_dict):
 
 
 # REFACTOR: class needs better docstrings
-# DevNote: currently this class is not tested
+# DevNote: currently this class is partially tested
 class Variables:
     """
     Get, create, interact, and manipulate lists of variables and variable paths
diff --git a/icepyx/tests/expected_outputs/vars_avail_processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.h5.txt b/icepyx/tests/expected_outputs/vars_avail_processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.h5.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2bb377f0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/icepyx/tests/expected_outputs/vars_avail_processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.h5.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,594 @@
+ancillary_data/atlas_sdp_gps_epoch
+ancillary_data/control
+ancillary_data/data_end_utc
+ancillary_data/data_start_utc
+ancillary_data/end_cycle
+ancillary_data/end_delta_time
+ancillary_data/end_geoseg
+ancillary_data/end_gpssow
+ancillary_data/end_gpsweek
+ancillary_data/end_orbit
+ancillary_data/end_region
+ancillary_data/end_rgt
+ancillary_data/granule_end_utc
+ancillary_data/granule_start_utc
+ancillary_data/land_ice/dt_hist
+ancillary_data/land_ice/fit_maxiter
+ancillary_data/land_ice/fpb_maxiter
+ancillary_data/land_ice/max_res_ids
+ancillary_data/land_ice/min_dist
+ancillary_data/land_ice/min_gain_th
+ancillary_data/land_ice/min_n_pe
+ancillary_data/land_ice/min_n_sel
+ancillary_data/land_ice/min_signal_conf
+ancillary_data/land_ice/n_hist
+ancillary_data/land_ice/n_sigmas
+ancillary_data/land_ice/nhist_bins
+ancillary_data/land_ice/proc_interval
+ancillary_data/land_ice/qs_lim_bsc
+ancillary_data/land_ice/qs_lim_hrs
+ancillary_data/land_ice/qs_lim_hsigma
+ancillary_data/land_ice/qs_lim_msw
+ancillary_data/land_ice/qs_lim_snr
+ancillary_data/land_ice/qs_lim_sss
+ancillary_data/land_ice/rbin_width
+ancillary_data/land_ice/sigma_beam
+ancillary_data/land_ice/sigma_tx
+ancillary_data/land_ice/t_dead
+ancillary_data/land_ice/txp_maxiter
+ancillary_data/qa_at_interval
+ancillary_data/release
+ancillary_data/start_cycle
+ancillary_data/start_delta_time
+ancillary_data/start_geoseg
+ancillary_data/start_gpssow
+ancillary_data/start_gpsweek
+ancillary_data/start_orbit
+ancillary_data/start_region
+ancillary_data/start_rgt
+ancillary_data/version
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+gt3l/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_mean_corr_sigma
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_med_corr
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_med_corr_sigma
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_n_corr
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/med_r_fit
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/tx_mean_corr
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/tx_med_corr
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/delta_time
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/dem/dem_flag
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/dem/dem_h
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/dem/geoid_free2mean
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/dem/geoid_h
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx_sigma
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dy
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_expected_rms
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_mean
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_rms_misfit
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_robust_sprd
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_fit_photons
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_seg_pulses
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/sigma_h_mean
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source_status
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr_significance
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/w_surface_window_final
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bckgrd
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_conf
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_h
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_od
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_asr
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_atm
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/dac
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/e_bckgrd
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/layer_flag
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/msw_flag
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/neutat_delay_total
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/r_eff
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/solar_azimuth
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/solar_elevation
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_earth
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_earth_free2mean
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_equilibrium
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_load
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_ocean
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_pole
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/ref_azimuth
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/ref_coelv
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/seg_azimuth
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_at
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_r
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_xt
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/x_atc
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/y_atc
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/h_li
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/h_li_sigma
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/latitude
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/longitude
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/segment_id
+gt3l/land_ice_segments/sigma_geo_h
+gt3l/residual_histogram/bckgrd_per_m
+gt3l/residual_histogram/bin_top_h
+gt3l/residual_histogram/count
+gt3l/residual_histogram/delta_time
+gt3l/residual_histogram/ds_segment_id
+gt3l/residual_histogram/lat_mean
+gt3l/residual_histogram/lon_mean
+gt3l/residual_histogram/pulse_count
+gt3l/residual_histogram/segment_id_list
+gt3l/residual_histogram/x_atc_mean
+gt3l/segment_quality/delta_time
+gt3l/segment_quality/record_number
+gt3l/segment_quality/reference_pt_lat
+gt3l/segment_quality/reference_pt_lon
+gt3l/segment_quality/segment_id
+gt3l/segment_quality/signal_selection_source
+gt3l/segment_quality/signal_selection_status/signal_selection_status_all
+gt3l/segment_quality/signal_selection_status/signal_selection_status_backup
+gt3l/segment_quality/signal_selection_status/signal_selection_status_confident
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/atl06_quality_summary
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_mean_corr
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_mean_corr_sigma
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_med_corr
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_med_corr_sigma
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/fpb_n_corr
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/med_r_fit
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/tx_mean_corr
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/bias_correction/tx_med_corr
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/delta_time
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/dem/dem_flag
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/dem/dem_h
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/dem/geoid_free2mean
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/dem/geoid_h
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx_sigma
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dy
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_expected_rms
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_mean
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_rms_misfit
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_robust_sprd
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_fit_photons
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_seg_pulses
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/sigma_h_mean
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source_status
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr_significance
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/w_surface_window_final
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bckgrd
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_conf
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_h
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_od
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_asr
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_atm
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/dac
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/e_bckgrd
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/layer_flag
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/msw_flag
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/neutat_delay_total
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/r_eff
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/solar_azimuth
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/solar_elevation
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_earth
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_earth_free2mean
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_equilibrium
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_load
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_ocean
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_pole
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/ref_azimuth
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/ref_coelv
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/seg_azimuth
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_at
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_r
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_xt
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/x_atc
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/y_atc
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/h_li
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/h_li_sigma
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/latitude
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/longitude
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/segment_id
+gt3r/land_ice_segments/sigma_geo_h
+gt3r/residual_histogram/bckgrd_per_m
+gt3r/residual_histogram/bin_top_h
+gt3r/residual_histogram/count
+gt3r/residual_histogram/delta_time
+gt3r/residual_histogram/ds_segment_id
+gt3r/residual_histogram/lat_mean
+gt3r/residual_histogram/lon_mean
+gt3r/residual_histogram/pulse_count
+gt3r/residual_histogram/segment_id_list
+gt3r/residual_histogram/x_atc_mean
+gt3r/segment_quality/delta_time
+gt3r/segment_quality/record_number
+gt3r/segment_quality/reference_pt_lat
+gt3r/segment_quality/reference_pt_lon
+gt3r/segment_quality/segment_id
+gt3r/segment_quality/signal_selection_source
+gt3r/segment_quality/signal_selection_status/signal_selection_status_all
+gt3r/segment_quality/signal_selection_status/signal_selection_status_backup
+gt3r/segment_quality/signal_selection_status/signal_selection_status_confident
+orbit_info/bounding_polygon_lat1
+orbit_info/bounding_polygon_lon1
+orbit_info/crossing_time
+orbit_info/cycle_number
+orbit_info/lan
+orbit_info/orbit_number
+orbit_info/rgt
+orbit_info/sc_orient
+orbit_info/sc_orient_time
+quality_assessment/gt1l/delta_time
+quality_assessment/gt1l/lat_mean
+quality_assessment/gt1l/lon_mean
+quality_assessment/gt1l/signal_selection_source_fraction_0
+quality_assessment/gt1l/signal_selection_source_fraction_1
+quality_assessment/gt1l/signal_selection_source_fraction_2
+quality_assessment/gt1l/signal_selection_source_fraction_3
+quality_assessment/gt1r/delta_time
+quality_assessment/gt1r/lat_mean
+quality_assessment/gt1r/lon_mean
+quality_assessment/gt1r/signal_selection_source_fraction_0
+quality_assessment/gt1r/signal_selection_source_fraction_1
+quality_assessment/gt1r/signal_selection_source_fraction_2
+quality_assessment/gt1r/signal_selection_source_fraction_3
+quality_assessment/gt2l/delta_time
+quality_assessment/gt2l/lat_mean
+quality_assessment/gt2l/lon_mean
+quality_assessment/gt2l/signal_selection_source_fraction_0
+quality_assessment/gt2l/signal_selection_source_fraction_1
+quality_assessment/gt2l/signal_selection_source_fraction_2
+quality_assessment/gt2l/signal_selection_source_fraction_3
+quality_assessment/gt2r/delta_time
+quality_assessment/gt2r/lat_mean
+quality_assessment/gt2r/lon_mean
+quality_assessment/gt2r/signal_selection_source_fraction_0
+quality_assessment/gt2r/signal_selection_source_fraction_1
+quality_assessment/gt2r/signal_selection_source_fraction_2
+quality_assessment/gt2r/signal_selection_source_fraction_3
+quality_assessment/gt3l/delta_time
+quality_assessment/gt3l/lat_mean
+quality_assessment/gt3l/lon_mean
+quality_assessment/gt3l/signal_selection_source_fraction_0
+quality_assessment/gt3l/signal_selection_source_fraction_1
+quality_assessment/gt3l/signal_selection_source_fraction_2
+quality_assessment/gt3l/signal_selection_source_fraction_3
+quality_assessment/gt3r/delta_time
+quality_assessment/gt3r/lat_mean
+quality_assessment/gt3r/lon_mean
+quality_assessment/gt3r/signal_selection_source_fraction_0
+quality_assessment/gt3r/signal_selection_source_fraction_1
+quality_assessment/gt3r/signal_selection_source_fraction_2
+quality_assessment/gt3r/signal_selection_source_fraction_3
+quality_assessment/qa_granule_fail_reason
+quality_assessment/qa_granule_pass_fail
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/icepyx/tests/expected_outputs/vars_default_processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.json b/icepyx/tests/expected_outputs/vars_default_processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f41296d6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/icepyx/tests/expected_outputs/vars_default_processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.json
@@ -0,0 +1,282 @@
+{
+    "sc_orient": [
+        "orbit_info/sc_orient"
+    ],
+    "atlas_sdp_gps_epoch": [
+        "ancillary_data/atlas_sdp_gps_epoch"
+    ],
+    "cycle_number": [
+        "orbit_info/cycle_number"
+    ],
+    "rgt": [
+        "orbit_info/rgt"
+    ],
+    "data_start_utc": [
+        "ancillary_data/data_start_utc"
+    ],
+    "data_end_utc": [
+        "ancillary_data/data_end_utc"
+    ],
+    "delta_time": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/delta_time",
+        "gt1l/residual_histogram/delta_time",
+        "gt1l/segment_quality/delta_time",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/delta_time",
+        "gt1r/residual_histogram/delta_time",
+        "gt1r/segment_quality/delta_time",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/delta_time",
+        "gt2l/residual_histogram/delta_time",
+        "gt2l/segment_quality/delta_time",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/delta_time",
+        "gt2r/residual_histogram/delta_time",
+        "gt2r/segment_quality/delta_time",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/delta_time",
+        "gt3l/residual_histogram/delta_time",
+        "gt3l/segment_quality/delta_time",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/delta_time",
+        "gt3r/residual_histogram/delta_time",
+        "gt3r/segment_quality/delta_time",
+        "quality_assessment/gt1l/delta_time",
+        "quality_assessment/gt1r/delta_time",
+        "quality_assessment/gt2l/delta_time",
+        "quality_assessment/gt2r/delta_time",
+        "quality_assessment/gt3l/delta_time",
+        "quality_assessment/gt3r/delta_time"
+    ],
+    "latitude": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/latitude",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/latitude",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/latitude",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/latitude",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/latitude",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/latitude"
+    ],
+    "longitude": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/longitude",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/longitude",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/longitude",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/longitude",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/longitude",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/longitude"
+    ],
+    "h_li": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/h_li",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/h_li",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/h_li",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/h_li",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/h_li",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/h_li"
+    ],
+    "h_li_sigma": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/h_li_sigma",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/h_li_sigma",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/h_li_sigma",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/h_li_sigma",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/h_li_sigma",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/h_li_sigma"
+    ],
+    "atl06_quality_summary": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/atl06_quality_summary",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/atl06_quality_summary",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/atl06_quality_summary",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/atl06_quality_summary",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/atl06_quality_summary",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/atl06_quality_summary"
+    ],
+    "segment_id": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/segment_id",
+        "gt1l/segment_quality/segment_id",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/segment_id",
+        "gt1r/segment_quality/segment_id",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/segment_id",
+        "gt2l/segment_quality/segment_id",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/segment_id",
+        "gt2r/segment_quality/segment_id",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/segment_id",
+        "gt3l/segment_quality/segment_id",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/segment_id",
+        "gt3r/segment_quality/segment_id"
+    ],
+    "sigma_geo_h": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/sigma_geo_h",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/sigma_geo_h",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/sigma_geo_h",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/sigma_geo_h",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/sigma_geo_h",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/sigma_geo_h"
+    ],
+    "x_atc": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/x_atc",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/x_atc",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/x_atc",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/x_atc",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/x_atc",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/x_atc"
+    ],
+    "y_atc": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/y_atc",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/y_atc",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/y_atc",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/y_atc",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/y_atc",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/y_atc"
+    ],
+    "seg_azimuth": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/seg_azimuth",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/seg_azimuth",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/seg_azimuth",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/seg_azimuth",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/seg_azimuth",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/seg_azimuth"
+    ],
+    "sigma_geo_at": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_at",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_at",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_at",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_at",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_at",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_at"
+    ],
+    "sigma_geo_xt": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_xt",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_xt",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_xt",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_xt",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_xt",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/ground_track/sigma_geo_xt"
+    ],
+    "dh_fit_dx": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx"
+    ],
+    "dh_fit_dx_sigma": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx_sigma",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx_sigma",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx_sigma",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx_sigma",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx_sigma",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dx_sigma"
+    ],
+    "h_mean": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_mean",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_mean",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_mean",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_mean",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_mean",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_mean"
+    ],
+    "dh_fit_dy": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dy",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dy",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dy",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dy",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dy",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/dh_fit_dy"
+    ],
+    "h_rms_misfit": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_rms_misfit",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_rms_misfit",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_rms_misfit",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_rms_misfit",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_rms_misfit",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_rms_misfit"
+    ],
+    "h_robust_sprd": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_robust_sprd",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_robust_sprd",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_robust_sprd",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_robust_sprd",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_robust_sprd",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/h_robust_sprd"
+    ],
+    "n_fit_photons": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_fit_photons",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_fit_photons",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_fit_photons",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_fit_photons",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_fit_photons",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/n_fit_photons"
+    ],
+    "signal_selection_source": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt1l/segment_quality/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt1r/segment_quality/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt2l/segment_quality/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt2r/segment_quality/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt3l/segment_quality/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/signal_selection_source",
+        "gt3r/segment_quality/signal_selection_source"
+    ],
+    "snr_significance": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr_significance",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr_significance",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr_significance",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr_significance",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr_significance",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/snr_significance"
+    ],
+    "w_surface_window_final": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/w_surface_window_final",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/w_surface_window_final",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/w_surface_window_final",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/w_surface_window_final",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/w_surface_window_final",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/fit_statistics/w_surface_window_final"
+    ],
+    "bsnow_conf": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_conf",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_conf",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_conf",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_conf",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_conf",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_conf"
+    ],
+    "bsnow_h": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_h",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_h",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_h",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_h",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_h",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/bsnow_h"
+    ],
+    "cloud_flg_asr": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_asr",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_asr",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_asr",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_asr",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_asr",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_asr"
+    ],
+    "cloud_flg_atm": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_atm",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_atm",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_atm",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_atm",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_atm",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/cloud_flg_atm"
+    ],
+    "r_eff": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/r_eff",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/r_eff",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/r_eff",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/r_eff",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/r_eff",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/r_eff"
+    ],
+    "tide_ocean": [
+        "gt1l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_ocean",
+        "gt1r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_ocean",
+        "gt2l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_ocean",
+        "gt2r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_ocean",
+        "gt3l/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_ocean",
+        "gt3r/land_ice_segments/geophysical/tide_ocean"
+    ]
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/icepyx/tests/test_data/processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.h5 b/icepyx/tests/test_data/processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.h5
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..59b105c15
Binary files /dev/null and b/icepyx/tests/test_data/processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.h5 differ
diff --git a/icepyx/tests/test_variables.py b/icepyx/tests/test_variables.py
index 69406e143..de3c485a9 100644
--- a/icepyx/tests/test_variables.py
+++ b/icepyx/tests/test_variables.py
@@ -1,6 +1,27 @@
+import json
+
+import pytest
+
+from icepyx.core.variables import Variables
+from icepyx.core.query import Query
 import icepyx.core.variables as variables
 
 
+@pytest.fixture()
+def variables_obj_atl06():
+    return Variables(
+        "file", 
+        path='./test_data/processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.h5',
+        product='ATL06'
+    )
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def avail_vars_atl06():
+    expected_path = './expected_outputs/vars_avail_processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.h5.txt'
+    with open(expected_path, 'r') as f:
+        expected = f.read().splitlines()
+    return expected
+
 def test_list_of_dict_vals():
     testdict = {
         "sc_orient": ["orbit_info/sc_orient"],
@@ -22,3 +43,60 @@ def test_list_of_dict_vals():
     ]
 
     assert obs == exp
+
+def test_avail_from_file(variables_obj_atl06, avail_vars_atl06):
+    assert variables_obj_atl06.avail() == avail_vars_atl06
+
+
+def test_avail_from_order(avail_vars_atl06):
+    region = Query('ATL06',[-45, 74, -44,75],['2019-11-30','2019-11-30'], \
+                       start_time='00:00:00', end_time='23:59:59')
+    # This login method assumes you have a .netrc with your EDL credentials
+    region.earthdata_login()
+   
+    # The Query above should only ever return 1 granule. If this is ever not true,
+    # raise an error
+    if region.avail_granules()['Number of available granules'] != 1:
+        raise TypeError('More or less than one matching granule found.')
+        
+    assert region.order_vars.avail().sort() == avail_vars_atl06.sort()
+    
+def test_append_default_vars(variables_obj_atl06):
+    variables_obj_atl06.append(defaults=True)
+    
+    expected_path = './expected_outputs/vars_default_processed_ATL06_20191130112041_09860505_006_01.json'
+    with open(expected_path, 'r') as f:
+        expected = json.load(f)
+    
+    assert variables_obj_atl06.wanted == expected
+    
+def test_remove_wanted_vars(variables_obj_atl06):
+    variables_obj_atl06.append(defaults=True)
+    variables_obj_atl06.remove(all=True)
+    
+    assert variables_obj_atl06.wanted == None
+
+def test_append_list_vars(variables_obj_atl06):
+    expected = {
+        'sc_orient': ['orbit_info/sc_orient'],
+        'atlas_sdp_gps_epoch': ['ancillary_data/atlas_sdp_gps_epoch'],
+        'cycle_number': ['orbit_info/cycle_number'],
+        'rgt': ['orbit_info/rgt'],
+        'data_start_utc': ['ancillary_data/data_start_utc'],
+        'data_end_utc': ['ancillary_data/data_end_utc'],
+        'latitude': ['gt1l/land_ice_segments/latitude',
+                     'gt1r/land_ice_segments/latitude',
+                     'gt2l/land_ice_segments/latitude',
+                     'gt2r/land_ice_segments/latitude',
+                     'gt3l/land_ice_segments/latitude',
+                     'gt3r/land_ice_segments/latitude'],
+        'longitude': ['gt1l/land_ice_segments/longitude',
+                      'gt1r/land_ice_segments/longitude',
+                      'gt2l/land_ice_segments/longitude',
+                      'gt2r/land_ice_segments/longitude',
+                      'gt3l/land_ice_segments/longitude',
+                      'gt3r/land_ice_segments/longitude']
+    }
+    variables_obj_atl06.append(var_list=['latitude','longitude'])
+    
+    assert variables_obj_atl06.wanted == expected