I want to test a few different url structures but I want to do it properly

Selected answers from the Dumb SEO Questions Facebook & G+ community.

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  Jon Dunn: The old page serves a 404 response, so you should 301 redirect it to the new page to minimise any impact on rankings. Just curious- why change url's?
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  Chris M Cloutier: Thanks +Jon Dunn ;I didn't know if there was any other way, but I guess a 301 will fix anything that might happen.
  
  I guess the main reason I would change them is because site name and page name both have the KW.  ;I'm wondering if its causing any problems when I have lots of pages doing this.
  
  I'm not sure that I want to change them just yet.  ;But I'm curious to see what will happen if I do.  ;I have a new site that I want to try lots of testing with.
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  Manikanta Reddy Doragacharla: Hi Chris M
  I think there is no importance of keyword in URL 2days back penguin was updated it's wont giving any importance to EMD.
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  Jon Dunn: EMD applies to root domains not file names. Besides, he's talking about removing keywords from file names, not adding.
  It may be worth doing if you are "over optimised". And if you are going to change file names, better to do it on a new site before the pages build authority...
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  Chris M Cloutier: +Jon Dunn ;that's a good point.  ;I guess the sooner the better, right.  ;I also, thought about just changing the titles tags.  ;That way they only show %page_name% ;
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  Jon Dunn: Its wordpress then? What are page titles currently- custom written? 
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  Chris M Cloutier: Yes, it's wordpress.  ;Sorry I should have mentioned that. I had them set as %pagename% %blogname%
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  Ranu Jain: If you just want to test them, why not to use  ;302 redirect?
  
  302 redirect tells that the page has changed but it is not permanent. So, the redirection will not pass any SEO link equity that you may have built up.
  
  This 302 redirect will continue to get you the traffic (those who have bookmarked or via a link in social media).  ;And when someone tries to get to the old page via a search engine, they’ll still get to the new page. Therefore, you won’t lose any traffic. But yes, you won’t get any SEO benefit of the link equity that you built.
  
  Setting 301 redirect again and again for just testing could be harmful for your site.
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  Chris M Cloutier: Thanks +Ranu Jain ; thats something I hadn't thought about.  ;I definitely don't want to cause more harm than good. Thanks
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  Manikanta Reddy Doragacharla: +Ranu Jain ;
  
  I have a doubt
  If i redirected more the 50+ different URLs to ; related category URLs.
  
  For how long i can redirect this URLs... ?
  
  If i got some positions for new URLs can i dissconnect the old URLs... ?
  
  Can i redirect some 20 URLs to my Home page URL.... ?
  
  Looking Forward.....
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  Jon Dunn: +Chris M Cloutier , +Ranu Jain what are you testing if you 302? You cant test impact on search engines through a 302 so it will make your "test" pointless....
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  Chris M Cloutier: I'm so confused on this, I'm thankful for all the responses.  ;It's given me a lot to consider, but in the end I wish there was a better easier way to do it.  ;I definitely want to keep the equity I've already got.  ;I wonder if doing this would ever be necessary in a real situation...probably not. lol
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  W.E. Jonk: From the expert panel in this weeks SEO Questions hangout on air on 01:05:43 into the YouTube video: https://dumbseoquestions.com/q/i_want_to_test_a_few_different_url_structures_but_i_want_to_do_it_properly
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  Chris M Cloutier: Thanks +W.E. Jonk ; and everyone who hepled.  ;the responses gave me a lot to consider.  ;And the hangout made me realize a few things as well.