CTAL-TA_Syll2019 Sample Questions Answers

The correct answer isD.Functional appropriateness.

Functional appropriateness

Functional appropriateness is the type of testing that ensures the application is suitable for the intended purpose and the user’s needs. It evaluates the relevance, usefulness, and user-friendliness of the application’s functions and features. In this case, the application should be tested for its suitability for senior citizens, who may have different preferences, expectations, and abilities than younger users.The interface should be easy to understand, navigate, and operate, and the application should provide adequate help and feedback to the users1.

References=

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst2, Section 3.2.2 Functionality
• ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide3, Section 3.2.2 Functionality
• Usability Is Ageless: Conducting Usability Tests with Older Adults4, Section 1.1 Conceptualizing and Assessing Usability

The test conditions are the inputs and outputs that are used to define the scope and objectives of testing. They should be understandable by business stakeholders because they affect their expectations and satisfaction with the software product. Business stakeholders can provide valuable feedback to the test analyst on the test conditions, such as clarifying any ambiguities, suggesting any changes, or identifying any gaps or risks. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Overview of Syllabi1, page 10
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst2, page 2
• Who are the stakeholders in software testing? How to identify them?3, section “Stakeholders in testing will require attention”

Interoperability is the degree to which two or more systems or components can exchange and use information. It is a crucial quality characteristic for an e-commerce product that needs to interface with backend applications, such as finance, stock control and order delivery. The test plan must include tests to verify that the COTS package can communicate and integrate with the existing systems and applications, and that the data and functionality are consistent and accurate across the interfaces. References = ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst, page 10, section 1.2.2.2.

Experience-based test techniques rely on the tester’s knowledge, intuition, and creativity to design and execute tests. They are useful when there are no or poor specifications, limited time, or high-risk areas. Examples of experience-based test techniques are error guessing, exploratory testing, and checklist-based testing. References = ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst, page 67, section 4.5.2.2.

The correct answer isA.Functional correctness testing.

Functional correctness testing

Functional correctness testing is the type of testing that measures the degree of accuracy in a mortgage rate calculation module of the software you are testing. It verifies that the module produces the correct results for different inputs and scenarios, such as different interest rates, loan terms, payment frequencies, etc.It also checks that the module complies with the specifications and requirements of the mortgage rate calculation1.

References=

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst2, Section 3.2.2 Functionality
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst3, Section 3.2.2 Functionality
• ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide4, Section 3.2.2 Functionality

The correct answer isA.Create test data for the keywords that includes error data and verifies the proper error is returned.

Create test data for the keywords that includes error data and verifies the proper error is returned

This is the best way to test the error conditions and still use the keyword-driven tests because it allows the reuse of the existing keywords and functions, while providing different inputs and expected outputs for the test cases.It also ensures that the error checking is automated and consistent, and that the test coverage is adequate1.

References=

• Keyword Driven Testing Framework with Example2, Section How to create Keyword Driven Framework
• What is Keyword Driven Testing: A Detailed Tutorial With Examples3, Section How to perform Keyword Driven Testing
• KEYWORD DRIVEN TESTING4, Section How to do Keyword Driven Testing

Classification trees are a visual way of identifying test objects and data, and pairwise testing is a technique of generating test cases that cover all possible pairs of values from different classifications. Classification trees support pairwise testing by:

• Helping to identify inputs to be used by the pairwise test technique, as each class represents a possible value for a test parameter.
• Showing the combinations needed to cover all-pairs, as each test case is a selection of one class from each classification.
• Helping to identify particular combinations of interest, as the test engineer can use the tree structure to group or prioritize classes based on their relevance or risk. References = ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Syllabus 2019, section 3.2.3; Smarter Test Design with Classification Trees and Pairwise Techniques, slides 6-12.

Low-level test cases are more suitable for testing software that controls the braking mechanism for commuter trains, as they provide more detail and specificity for verifying the functionality and safety of the system1. Low-level test cases also use predefined data, which is more reliable and consistent than tester-created data, and can be easily traced to the test conditions and requirements2. High-level test cases are more abstract and vague, and may not cover all the possible scenarios and risks involved in testing such a critical system3.

References = 1: Test Case Design: a Guide for QA Engineers With Examples 2: How to Write Test Cases in Software Testing with Examples 3: Test Case vs Test Scenario – Difference Between Them

Test set (i) is the best option as it tests the boundary condition of a salary of less than €20,000 and being married, with a varying number of children including the boundary value of three children. This test set covers the minimum and maximum values for the salary and the number of children, as well as the nominal values. The other test sets donot test the boundary value of the salary or the number of children fully, as they either omit or repeat some values. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, page 2
• Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Partitioning Testing2, section “Boundary Value Analysis”
• Equivalence Partitioning Method3, section “Example 1: Equivalence and Boundary Value”

The agile development model requires the earliest involvement from the test analyst because it is a flexible and iterative approach that delivers software in short cycles called sprints. The test analyst plays a key role in planning, designing, executing, and reporting on the testing activities for each sprint. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Overview of Syllabi1, page 10
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst2, page 2
• Understanding the SDLC: Software Development Lifecycle Explained3, section “Agile model”

The correct answer isA.It can be used to anonymize production data.

It can be used to anonymize production data

A test data preparation tool is a type of test tool that allows data to be selected from an existing database or created, generated, manipulated and edited for use in tests.One of the capabilities of such a tool is to anonymize production data, which means to mask or replace sensitive or confidential information with fictitious or random data, to protect the privacy and security of the data and comply with the regulations1.

References=

• What is Test data preparation tools in software testing?2
• Top 14 BEST Test Data Management Tools In 20233
• Test Data Preparation Tools: 5 Must-Have Features4

 Equivalence partitioning is a black-box test technique that divides the input domain of a system into partitions of equivalent data. Boundary value analysis is a technique that tests the boundaries of these partitions, where errors are more likely to occur. These techniques are suitable for testing the processing functionality of a critical traffic control system, as they can ensure that the system handles the input variables within the defined ranges and detects any invalid or out-of-range values. References = Black Box Testing Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide (Section 5.1 and 5.2), ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst (Section 3.2.1 and 3.2.2)

The level of detail and documentation required for test cases in the project depends on the type of application under test, the standards followed by the organization, and the maturity of the development process. For a web application that is undergoing frequent changes, it is advisable to use high-level test cases that describe the main features and functionalities from a user’s perspective, and low-level test cases that provide more details and specifications for each feature. High-level test cases can be supported by low-level test cases to ensure traceability between the requirements and the test scenarios, as well as to facilitate future changes or enhancements. Low-level test casescan also be reviewed and updated by the end-users who have extensive domain knowledge and are involved in the project. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Overview of Syllabi1, page 10
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst2, page 2
• Test Documentation in Software Testing (Example)3, section “Best practice to Achieve Test Documentation”

In a keyword-driven test automation approach, the Test Analyst is responsible for defining the keywords that represent the actions and expected outcomes of the test cases. The keywords are then implemented by a developer or a tool as reusable functions or scripts that can be executed by the test automation framework. For example, the Test Analyst can define keywords such as “transfer”, “check balance”, “verify balance”, etc. for the account transfer user story. These keywords can then be used to design test cases in a data-driven or table-driven format, such as:

Table

Keyword

Parameter 1

Parameter 2

Parameter 3

transfer

Lars

Ann

150

check balance

Ann

-

150

verify balance

Ann

-

150

transfer

Tim

Ann

300

check balance

Ann

-

450

verify balance

Ann

-

450

References = Keyword Driven Testing Framework with Example (Section 1 and 2), What is Keyword Driven Testing: A Detailed Tutorial With Examples (Section 1 and 2), ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst (Section 4.2.1 and 4.2.2)

The correct answer isD.Traceability documentation.

Traceability documentation

Traceability documentation is a way of linking the requirements and use cases to the test cases, test results, and other artifacts that are related to them. It helps to ensure the completeness, consistency, and coverage of the testing process, as well as to facilitate the impact analysis, change management, and defect tracking.Traceability documentation should be added to the checklist for the requirements/use case review, as it is an important part of the test analyst’s role and responsibilities1.

References=

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst2, Section 2.1.1 Test Analyst Tasks in the Test Process
• ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide3, Section 2.1.1 Test Analyst Tasks in the Test Process
• Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) - A Complete Guide4, Section 1. What is Requirements Traceability Matrix?

Test analysis is the process of analyzing the test basis and defining the test objectives to establish the test conditions. Test conditions are the inputs and outputs that are used to define the scope and goals of testing. Identifying test conditions is one of the main activities of test analysis, as it determines what to test in terms of measurable coverage criteria. The other options are activities that occur during other phases of the test process, such as test planning, test implementation, or test execution. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, page 2
• Software Testing - Test Analysis - GeeksforGeeks2, section “Test Analysis”
• What is Test Analysis? - Software Testing Mentor3, section “What is Test Analysis?”

A decision table is a technique that shows the possible combinations of conditions and actions for a given problem. To achieve 100% coverage of the decision table, all the combinations of conditions must be tested. The decision table has four conditions: debit card valid, PIN valid, amount approved, and dates available. Each condition has two possible values: yes or no. Therefore, the number of test cases for the decisiontable is 2^4 = 16. However, some of these test cases are invalid or redundant, as they do not reflect the logic of the problem. For example, if the debit card is not valid, then the PIN and the amount are irrelevant. Similarly, if the PIN is not valid, then the amount is irrelevant. Therefore, these test cases can be eliminated from the decision table. After eliminating the invalid or redundant test cases, only eight test cases remain, as shown in the table below:

Table

Debit card valid

PIN valid

Amount approved

Dates available

Actions

No

No

No

No

Reject reservation

No

No

No

Yes

Reject reservation

No

No

Yes

No

Reject reservation

No

No

Yes

Yes

Reject reservation

Yes

No

No

No

Reject reservation

Yes

No

No

Yes

Reject reservation

Yes

No

Yes

No

Reject reservation

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Reject reservation

Yes

Yes

No

No

Prompt for lower purchase

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Prompt for lower purchase

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Prompt for different date

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Create reservation

References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, page 2
• Decision tables - IBM2, section “Decision table overview”

A 0-switch test case is a test case that covers one transition from one state to another. To achieve 100% 0-switch coverage, all the transitions in the state diagram must be tested. The state diagram has seven states: Login, Menu, Logout, Withdraw, Deposit, Get Balance, and Access Account. There are 13 transitions in the state diagram, as shown by the arrows. Therefore, 13 0-switch test cases are needed. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, page 2
• How to Design Test Cases Using State Transition Testing Technique?2, section “0-switch coverage”
• State Transition Testing - Tutorialspoint3, section “State Transition Diagram”

Pairwise testing is a technique that tests all possible discrete combinations of each pair of input parameters. In this case, there are two main categories: Colour and Shape. Under Colour, there are three subcategories: Red, Blue, and Green. Under Shape, there are two subcategories: Triangle and Circle. There is an additional category under Triangle labeled Size of triangle, with two subcategories: Small and Large. To test all pairs of these parameters, we need to use a tool or an algorithm that can generate the optimal test cases. One such tool is Pairwise.org, which can produce the following test cases:

Table

Colour

Shape

Size of triangle

Red

Triangle

Small

Blue

Circle

-

Green

Triangle

Large

Red

Circle

-

Blue

Triangle

Small

Green

Circle

-

Red

Triangle

Large

Blue

Triangle

Large

These eight test cases cover all pairs of parameters, such as Red-Triangle, Red-Small, Blue-Circle, etc. Therefore, the answer is B. 8. References = Pairwise Testing or All-Pairs Testing Tutorial with Tools and Examples, Pairwise Testing - What It Is, When & How to Perform?, All-pairs testing - Wikiwand, ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst (Section 3.2.3)

The risk impact is the measure of the potential negative consequences of a risk item on the project objectives. It depends on the severity of the defect, the frequency of occurrence, and the visibility to the stakeholders. Since requirement R1 is business critical, any failure in meeting this requirement would have a significant impact on the customer satisfaction, the reputation of the organization, and the legal compliance. Therefore, the risk impact for requirement R1 should be categorized as high or very high, regardless of the likelihood of occurrence. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, page 2
• Risk Based Testing: Approach, Matrix, Process & Examples2, section “Risk Impact Assessment”
• What is Risk Based Testing: With Best Practices3, section “Risk Impact Analysis”

State transition is a technique that analyzes the behavior of an application for different input conditions and how it changes from one state to another in response to events. It is useful for testing scenarios where the date of reservation is a critical factor that affects the system state and output1

References =

• ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Syllabus 2019, Section 3.2.2.3, page 432
• State Transition Testing – Diagram & Technique (Example) - Guru993
• State Transition Testing - GeeksforGeeks4