ISTQB CTAL-TM Exam Questions Instant Access

Question 1

Which testing metric identifies defect density? [1]

AProject

BProduct

CProcess

DPeople

Answer : B

Defect density is a testing metric that measures the number of defects identified in a component or system divided by the size of the component or system (expressed in standard measurement terms, e.g., lines-of-code, number of classes or function points)1.Defect density is a product metric, as it evaluates the quality or reliability of a software product2. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.Option A is incorrect because project metrics are metrics that measure the characteristics of the software project, such as cost, schedule, effort, scope, or resources3. Option C is incorrect because process metrics are metrics that measure the characteristics of the software process, such as effectiveness, efficiency, productivity, or maturity.Option D is incorrect because people metrics are metrics that measure the characteristics of the software personnel, such as skills, experience, motivation, or satisfaction.Reference:1: Defect Density | ISTQB Glossary2:Software Testing Metrics: What is, Types & Example3: [Project Metrics - Software Testing Fundamentals] : [Process Metrics - Software Testing Fundamentals] : [People Metrics - Software Testing Fundamentals]

Question 2

You are reviewing the project's traceability matrix after the first cycle of testing. You have discovered that new requirements have been introduced and others have

changed.

What should you do? [2]

AAssign the new requirements to a maintenance release, update the test documentation for the changed requirements.

BAsk for more time and budget for testing.

CUpdate the 'lessons learned' document to avoid future issues similar to this.

DRe-assess the test coverage.

Answer : D

The best action that you should take in this situation is to re-assess the test coverage. This is because the traceability matrix is a document that shows the relationship between the requirements and the test cases, and it can be used to measure the test coverage, which is the degree to which the requirements are tested. If new requirements have been introduced and others have changed, the test coverage may be affected, and some test cases may become obsolete or incomplete. Therefore, you should re-assess the test coverage and update the test cases accordingly, to ensure that the testing is consistent with the current requirements and the test objectives.Traceability Matrix - ISTQB not-for-profit associationReference:Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) - ISTQB not-for-profit association,ISTQB Test Manager Certification - ISTQB Exams Worldwide - ISTQB Official Registration,Traceability Matrix - ISTQB not-for-profit association

Question 3

You have written a defect report and have just been notified that it is in the "returned" state.

Who should take action on this defect? [1]

AThe developer to whom the defect is assigned

BThe project manager who is responsible for the project

CThe defect triage team

DThe tester who wrote the defect report

Answer : D

The person who should take action on this defect is the tester who wrote the defect report. This is because a defect report in the ''returned'' state means that the defect has been rejected or sent back to the tester for further clarification or investigation. The tester who wrote the defect report should review the feedback from the developer, the project manager, or the defect triage team, and take the appropriate action, such as providing more information, modifying the defect report, or closing the defect.Defect Reporting - ISTQB not-for-profit associationReference:Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) - ISTQB not-for-profit association,ISTQB Test Manager Certification - ISTQB Exams Worldwide - ISTQB Official Registration,Defect Reporting - ISTQB not-for-profit association

Question 4

You have assembled the following cost of quality numbers 1 000 defects were found prior to release and 100 were found after.

Given this information what should you conclude?

AMore testing was needed before the production release because the defect detection percentage (DDP) was below 90%

BThe cost of testing is high and could probably be lowered by spending more money on defect prevention

CThe cost of testing is just right and is justified by the numbers

DMore effort should be put on appraisal to help lower the cost of quality

Answer : B

Cost of Quality Analysis:

The given table lists costs for defect prevention, appraisal, internal failure, and external failure.

Defect prevention cost is $50,000, while costs for appraisal, internal failures, and external failures are $250,000, $200,000, and $200,000, respectively.

The combined cost of internal and external failures is significantly high compared to defect prevention costs.

Defect Detection and Prevention (DDP):

DDP measures the effectiveness of defect prevention activities and early detection mechanisms.

In this case, 1,000 defects were caught before release (appraisal) and 100 defects escaped to production.

DDP = (Defects found before release / Total defects) = 1000 / (1000 + 100) = 90.91%.

While this DDP is relatively high, the costs of appraisal and failures indicate that prevention strategies need more investment.

Key Cost Drivers:

High internal and external failure costs indicate inefficiencies in earlier stages of quality assurance.

Shifting investments from appraisal and failure costs towards defect prevention would reduce the overall cost of quality.

Evaluating Options:

Option A ('More testing needed because DDP < 90%') is invalid since DDP is above 90%.

Option C ('The cost of testing is justified') does not address the imbalance between high failure costs and low prevention spending.

Option D ('More effort on appraisal') contradicts the cost-benefit focus of investing in prevention.

Option B is correct because enhancing defect prevention strategies will reduce downstream costs.

Reference and Syllabus Alignment:

This conclusion aligns with the ISTQB Advanced Test Management syllabus section on 'Cost of Quality' and strategies to optimize testing investments. Specifically, prevention is emphasized as more cost-effective than appraisal and failure management.

Question 5

You are performing a risk assessment for a financial application using quantitative risk analysis. The following is a table describing the analysis undertaken so far:

Which of the following statements correctly describes the outcome of the risk assessment using the "Cost of Exposure" technique in this scenario? SELECT ONE OPTION

ATesting for failures associated to PR4 should happen first.

BPR3 and PR4 should be tested while PR! and PR2 should not be tested.

CPR2 should be tested while PR1. PR3 and PR4 should not be tested

DPR1, PR3 and PR4 should be tested while PR2 should not be tested

Answer : C

Question 6

Which of the following organizational structures would be considered unorthodox? [1]

ADevelopers within the same team unit test each others' code prior to handing over to a separate testing team for system testing

BDevelopers and testers are integrated within the same project team, each role focusing on a different level of testing

CAfter developers are done unit testing, business analysts alpha test the system before handing over to a separate testing team for system testing

DDBAs confirm the referential integrity of the database and developers complete their unit testing before handing over to
external organization for system testing

Answer : C

The unorthodox structure mentioned in option C involves business analysts performing alpha testing. Typically, alpha testing is conducted by internal staff or a team close to the development environment, not specifically by business analysts. This step is unusual as business analysts are generally responsible for requirements analysis and ensuring that the developed system meets business needs, rather than conducting alpha testing, which is more focused on identifying bugs and issues from a user's perspective.

ISTQB Glossary, Distributed Testing

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager Syllabus, Section 3.2.1

Related literature on testing roles and responsibilities

Question 7

Which of the following is a generic good practice when evaluating and selecting a test tool?

ADefine the ownership of the tool

BRun a pilot project to validate the selection criteria

CIdentify internal requirements for coaching, mentoring or training in its use

DPlan a proof-of-concept to be performed by the first project that uses the tool

Answer : B

Running a pilot project is an established good practice in test tool selection. It helps verify assumptions and evaluate tool fit for purpose in a realistic setting.

''After completing the tool selection and a successful proof-of-concept, introducing the selected tool into an organization generally starts with a pilot project...''

-- ISTQB-CTFL_Syllabus_2018_V3.1, section 6.2.2

The other options refer to related but different phases or are not sufficient alone for tool evaluation.

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