def METHOD_NAME(self):
    """
    Test to check the time taken for switching between different
    SMT levels. The time taken in general cases should not exceed
    beyond 5 minutes.
    """
    time_in_seconds = self.params.get('time_in_seconds', default=300)
    process.system("ppc64_cpu --smt=on")
    for i in [0, 1, 2, 4]:
        if i == 0:
            cmd_output = process.run(
                "/usr/bin/time -p ppc64_cpu --smt=off", shell=True,
                sudo=True)
        elif i == 1:
            cmd_output = process.run(
                "/usr/bin/time -p ppc64_cpu --smt=on", shell=True,
                sudo=True)
        else:
            cmd_output = process.run(
                "/usr/bin/time -p ppc64_cpu --smt=%s" % i,
                shell=True, sudo=True)
        if (int(cmd_output.duration) > time_in_seconds):
            self.fail("FAIL: SMT has taken longer than expected")
        else:
            self.log.info("Test Passed")