Which of these is an objective of testing?
Testing finds defects and reduces the risk of failure. It cannot prove that software has no defects.
A defect has been fixed. What should happen next?
Confirmation testing checks the fix works. Regression testing checks the change didn’t break anything else.
Which testing principle says that testing everything is not feasible, except in trivial cases?
Testing every combination of inputs and conditions is impossible, so testers use risks and priorities to focus effort.
What is the relationship between an error and a defect?
A human mistake (error) can introduce a defect into code or a document. If executed, the defect may cause a failure.
Which of these is the best example of quality assurance (QA) rather than testing?
QA is process-oriented and preventive. Testing is product-oriented and finds defects in what was built.
Root cause analysis is mainly used to:
Root cause analysis looks for the underlying reason a defect happened, so the process can be improved.
Which testing principle says that repeating the same tests finds fewer new defects over time?
In CTFL v4.0 this is called ‘tests wear out’ (formerly the pesticide paradox). Tests need regular review and updating.
Which activity belongs to test analysis?
Test analysis answers ‘what to test’. Test design then answers ‘how to test’.
Which test level focuses on the interactions between components?
Component integration testing checks the interfaces and interactions between integrated components.
Which type of testing checks how well a system behaves, rather than what it does?
Non-functional testing covers qualities such as performance, usability and security.
Which practice is typical of a shift-left approach?
Shift-left means testing earlier in the life cycle, for example reviewing requirements before code is written.
In iterative and incremental development, when should testing happen?
Each iteration delivers working software, so testing (including regression testing) happens in every iteration.
Which test level is usually based on business requirements and performed by users or their representatives?
Acceptance testing checks the system meets users’ and business needs, often with users or customers involved.
Maintenance testing is triggered by:
Maintenance testing is done when a live system is changed, migrated to a new environment, or retired.
Which of these is static testing?
Static testing examines work products without running code, for example a review of a requirements document.
Which review type is typically led by the author of the work product?
In a walkthrough, the author leads participants through the work product.
Which is a benefit of static testing?
Static testing finds defects early, often in requirements or design, when fixing them costs less.
In a formal review, who records the anomalies and decisions raised in the review meeting?
The scribe collates and records anomalies, open points and decisions during the review.
An age field accepts whole numbers from 18 to 60. How many valid equivalence partitions are there?
Every value from 18 to 60 is treated the same way, so they form one valid partition. Below 18 and above 60 are invalid partitions.
A field accepts whole numbers from 1 to 100. Using two-value boundary value analysis, which values should you test?
Two-value boundary value analysis tests each boundary value and its closest neighbour outside the partition: 0, 1, 100 and 101.
Which technique tests combinations of conditions and the actions that result from them?
Decision tables list combinations of conditions and the expected actions for each.
Which of these is a white-box test technique?
Statement testing is based on the code’s structure, so it is a white-box technique.
Testing guided by the tester’s knowledge and experience, without detailed scripts, is called:
Exploratory testing is an experience-based technique: tests are designed, executed and evaluated at the same time.
A login screen can be in the states ‘Logged out’, ‘Logged in’ and ‘Locked’. Which technique fits best?
State transition testing checks how a system moves between states in response to events.
A field accepts whole numbers from 1 to 100. Which set covers every equivalence partition with one value each?
There are three partitions: below 1 (invalid), 1–100 (valid) and above 100 (invalid). One value from each covers them all.
Achieving 100% branch coverage guarantees:
Covering every branch means every statement has been executed, so branch coverage subsumes statement coverage.
Which of these is a black-box test technique?
Equivalence partitioning is based on the specification, not the code, so it is black-box.
Error guessing is based on:
Error guessing is experience-based: testers anticipate where mistakes are likely to occur.
Which format is commonly used for scenario-oriented acceptance criteria in user stories?
Given/When/Then describes the context, the action and the expected outcome, as used in BDD.
Which document describes the objectives, approach and schedule of testing for a project?
A test plan sets out the test objectives, approach, resources and schedule.
The level of a risk is determined by:
Risk level combines how likely a risk is to happen and how severe its impact would be.
Which of these is an example of an exit criterion?
Exit criteria define when testing can stop. The other options are entry criteria or preconditions.
Which of these is a product risk?
Product risks are about the quality of the product itself. The other options are project risks.
Estimating test effort from data recorded on previous similar projects is called:
Estimation based on ratios uses figures from earlier projects (for example development-to-test effort ratios).
In the test pyramid, which tests should be the most numerous?
The pyramid has many fast, low-level component tests at the base and fewer slow end-to-end tests at the top.
Which information should a defect report include?
A good defect report lets someone else reproduce the problem and see how the actual result differs from the expected one.
Configuration management helps testing by:
Configuration management keeps track of which version of each test item and testware was used.
Which testing quadrant covers technology-facing tests that support the team, such as component tests?
Q1 is technology-facing and supports the team: component and component integration tests.
Which of these is a risk of test automation?
Unrealistic expectations are a common risk. The other options are benefits of automation.
Which of these is a benefit of test automation?
Automation reduces repetitive manual effort, for example in regression testing. It still needs design and maintenance.
Topics covered
The six chapters of the CTFL v4.0 syllabus.
ISTQB® is a registered trademark of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board. Tester Academy is not affiliated with ISTQB. These are original practice questions.
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