  In order to substantiate claims of quantum computational advantage, it is
crucial to develop efficient methods for validating the experimental data. We
propose a test of the correct functioning of a boson sampler with single-photon
inputs that is based on how photons distribute among partitions of the output
modes. Our method is versatile and encompasses previous validation tests based
on bunching phenomena, marginal distributions, and even some suppression laws.
We show via theoretical arguments and numerical simulations that binned-mode
photon number distributions can be used in practical scenarios to efficiently
distinguish ideal boson samplers from those affected by realistic
imperfections, especially partial distinguishability of the photons.
