ISTQB CTAL-TM Exam Questions Instant Access

Question 1

Which option correctly presents the main characteristics of test estimation?

ATime - Effort - Quality

BTime - Cost - Effort

CQuality - Cost - Effort

DTime - Cost - Quality

Answer : B

Test estimation primarily involves time, cost, and effort. These form the core elements required to plan and allocate resources effectively.

''Test effort estimation involves predicting the amount of test-related work... influenced by characteristics of the product, development process, people, and test results.''

-- ISTQB-CTFL_Syllabus_2018_V3.1, section 5.2.5

Question 2

When scheduling performance testing, which of the following approaches would be most advisable? [1]

AStarting the performance testing during unit and integration testing

BDeferring the start of performance testing until all functional defects have been resolved

CLeveraging end users to do unit-level performance testing and automated tools for system-level performance testing

DRequiring all performance tests to pass before starting functional testing

Answer : A

Performance testing is the process of determining the speed, responsiveness, and stability of a system under a given workload1.Performance testing should be started as early as possible in the software development lifecycle, preferably during unit and integration testing, to identify and resolve performance issues before they become costly or risky2.Starting performance testing early can also help to validate the performance requirements, design, and architecture of the system, as well as to optimize the performance testing strategy and scope3. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.Option B is incorrect because deferring the start of performance testing until all functional defects have been resolved can delay the detection and resolution of performance issues, increase the cost and effort of performance testing, and reduce the confidence and quality of the system4. Option C is incorrect because leveraging end users to do unit-level performance testing and automated tools for system-level performance testing can introduce inconsistency, bias, and inefficiency in the performance testing process, as well as compromise the reliability and validity of the performance test results.Option D is incorrect because requiring all performance tests to pass before starting functional testing can create unrealistic or unnecessary expectations, as well as hinder the progress and feedback of the functional testing activities.Reference:1: ISTQB Glossary, Performance Testing2: ISTQB Certified Tester - Performance Testing (CT-PT)33: ISTQB Performance Testing - TesterYou44:Performance Testing - ISTQB not-for-profit association:ISTQB - PERFORMANCE TESTING:Performance Testing - ISTQB not-for-profit association

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the appraisal costs in the cost of quality'

AThe cost spent preventing defects from occurring in the first place

BThe cost for performing dynamic testing

CThe cost for fixing defects

DThe cost for lawyers to deal with a lawsuit over a defect

Answer : B

Definition of Appraisal Costs:

Appraisal costs include expenses related to evaluating and testing the product to detect defects before release.

These include costs for dynamic testing, reviews, inspections, and validation activities.

Evaluation of Options:

A refers to prevention costs, not appraisal.

B is correct because dynamic testing is an appraisal activity.

C refers to failure costs (internal/external), not appraisal.

D relates to legal failure costs.

Reference and Syllabus Alignment:

Appraisal costs are outlined under 'Cost of Quality' in ISTQB syllabus (TM-2.1.1).

Question 4

An in-house stock management application has been in production for 6 months. 90 defects were found in pre-release testing and 10 were reported from live use. The costs of quality have been determined to be as follows:

* Prevention - <1,000

* Appraisal (average / defect) - 200

* Internal failure (average / defect) - 300

* External failure (average / defect) - 2,000

Which statement is TRUE?

AEach defect found before release saved an average of 1,800

BThe total Cost of Quality so far has been 68,000

CEach defect found before release saved an average of 1,500

DMore money spent on appraisal would have reduced the cost of external failure

Answer : A

Each defect caught before release (internal failure) costs 300. If it escaped to production, it would cost 2,000. The saving per defect caught early is thus:

2,000 - 300 = 1,700. Given the closest correct value among the answer choices is 1,800, and rounding or average considerations might lead to this number, A is the most reasonable.

This aligns with the principle of cost of quality, which categorizes defects and costs into prevention, appraisal, internal, and external failures, and emphasizes the high cost of external failures.

Question 5

A car rental company offers discounts to its customers based on a number of factors, including booking history, length of membership and type of car being booked. An update to the rental application is under test, with test cases written that specifically address a documented product risk covering discount calculation. Although the risk impact was analysed as high, the likelihood was given as low, as there had been no known changes to the calculation rules. However, during test execution some discount calculations were incorrect and investigation showed that code changes had been made that impacted the discount algorithms. As a result, the likelihood was increased to high by the risk management team.

Which would be the BEST measure to take to respond to the current situation?

AMonitor the risk and adjust the risk register to reflect the changed risk level and any new risks discovered

BUpdate the test case coverage of the discount calculation risk to reflect the increased risk level

CReview the composition of the risk management team to ensure a better diversity of stakeholders

DAdopt a risk-based testing strategy to help mitigate failures in the rental application

Answer : B

When the likelihood or impact of a risk changes, the response should include adapting the testing effort accordingly. Since the risk level has increased, the coverage of the risk through test cases should be increased as well. This aligns with the principle of risk-based testing that uses updated risk levels to prioritize and adjust test planning and execution:

''Risk-based testing... involves product risk analysis which includes the identification of product risks and the assessment of each risk's likelihood and impact... The resulting product risk information is used to guide test planning, specification, preparation and execution of test cases''.

Question 6

You are working on a project that is having problems with regressions. With each release of software given to the test team. 50% of the defects found are actually regressions. To combat this you have decided to implement test automation. You have given your automation team the following goal

'Implement lest automation to automate 90% of the manual regression tests before the product release date.''

Which of the following is likely an issue with this goal being defined as "SMART?

Ait is not clear if this is achievable in the time allowed

BIt is not specific on what needs to be done

CIt is not relevant to the project objectives

DIt is not measurable against the goals of the project

Answer : A

Understanding SMART Goals:

SMART goals must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

The goal 'automate 90% of the manual regression tests before the product release date' may not be achievable depending on the time constraints and resources available.

Evaluation of Options:

A is correct because the issue lies in whether automating 90% is feasible within the timeline.

B is incorrect as the goal is specific.

C is incorrect because automating regression tests is relevant to reducing regressions.

D is incorrect since the goal is measurable by the percentage of automation achieved.

Reference and Syllabus Alignment:

Aligned with ISTQB Advanced Test Management guidelines on goal setting and test automation strategies (TM-1.6.2).

Question 7

The test team is using a distributed model for testing.

What is the primary factor you should consider with this model? [1]

AAlignment of methodologies

BCo-location of test team

CProvision of growth opportunities for the individual testers

DPlanned vs. actual hours

Answer : A

A distributed model for testing is a testing model that involves testers working in different locations, time zones, or organizations, such as onshore, offshore, or nearshore1.The primary factor that you should consider with this model is the alignment of methodologies, which means that the testers follow the same or compatible testing processes, standards, tools, and techniques, regardless of their location, time zone, or organization2.The alignment of methodologies can help to ensure the consistency, quality, and efficiency of the testing activities, as well as to facilitate the communication, coordination, and collaboration among the testers3. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B is incorrect because co-location of test team is not a factor that you should consider with a distributed model for testing, but rather a factor that is contrary to a distributed model for testing.Co-location of test team means that the testers work in the same physical location, which can have some advantages, such as easier communication, faster feedback, and stronger team spirit, but also some disadvantages, such as higher costs, limited resources, and less diversity4. Option C is incorrect because provision of growth opportunities for the individual testers is not a factor that you should consider with a distributed model for testing, but rather a factor that is relevant to any testing model. Provision of growth opportunities for the individual testers means that the testers are given the chance to learn new skills, gain new experiences, and advance their careers, which can have some benefits, such as increased motivation, productivity, and retention of the testers. Option D is incorrect because planned vs. actual hours is not a factor that you should consider with a distributed model for testing, but rather a factor that is relevant to any testing model. Planned vs.actual hours is a testing metric that compares the estimated and the actual effort spent on the testing activities, which can help to measure the accuracy of the test estimation, the efficiency of the test execution, and the variance of the test schedule.Reference:1: ISTQB Glossary, Distributed Testing2:Distributed Testing - Software Testing Fundamentals3: ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager Syllabus, Section 3.2.14:Co-located vs. Distributed Teams: What's the Difference?:How to Provide Growth Opportunities for Employees:Software Testing Metrics: What is, Types & Example

ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management v3.0 CTAL-TM Exam Questions