Checking Rope Core

I'm looking for an explanation of how exactly to check the core of a rope for soft spots. The rope I currently use is my first one and I've used it 5-10 times in the last 4 months. When I feel along its length, it doesn't feel homogeneous but the variations that are there are really miniscule. I'm unsure if these qualify as "soft spots in the core" that we're warned to look out for..

Im sure its fine, mostly based on how little you have used it ( I guess maybe you could have beat the living tar out of it in those 10 times). Ropes can take a good smackdown usually. "if you want you can send it to me for testing and a proper disposal" hahha

The so-called soft spots are actually just places where the tight fit between the sheath and core strands has loosened up a bit. You will wear out the sheath long before that even matters, and it really doesn't. Core damage without corresponding sheath wear to point it out is unheard of. The softness makes handling worse, as the rope bends more easily and that results in poor handling through your belay device.

Just climb on the rope until it becomes super fuzzy or you get a core shot where you can actually see the white core strands.

Petzl's gotcha: petzl.com/US/en/Sport/News/…