ISTQB - Chapter 1

Question 1

This is a list of what?

• To prevent defects
• To find defects and failures
• To verify specified requirements
• To check that the test object is complete and works as expected
• To build confidence in its quality
• To provide information to stakeholders
• To comply with contractual, legal, or regulatory requirements

Answer 1

The typical objectives of testing

Question 2

What is the difference between testing and debugging?

Answer 2

Testing shows failures that are caused by defects in the software
Debugging is the development activity that finds, analyzes, and fixes defects

Question 3

What is dynamic testing?

Answer 3

Testing that involves the execution of the component or system being tested

Question 4

What is static testing?

Answer 4

Testing that does not involve the execution of the component or system being tested

Question 5

What is the difference between verification and validation?

Answer 5

Verification involves specified requirements (is it build according to specification?)
Validation involves intended use (is it fit for purpose?)

Question 6

Why is testing necessary?

Answer 6

It reduces the likelihood of delivering a system that causes failures or does not meet the stakeholders’ needs.

Question 7

Explain the relationship between the terms defect, error, and failure

Answer 7

Person makes an error –> which leads to a defect (fault or bug) –> defect in code can cause failure

Question 8

Are failures always caused by defects in the code?

Answer 8

No, they can also be caused by environmental conditions such as radiation, pollution, and incorrect hardware.

Question 9

What is the aim of root cause analysis?

Answer 9

Root cause analysis (figuring out the root cause of a defect) aims to prevent future defects through process improvements.

Question 10

What might you receive when a product is shipped with defects present?

Answer 10

Customer complaints

Question 11

What is the difference between quality assurance and testing?

Answer 11

Both are part of quality management:
- Quality assurance ensures that employees follow the company’s standard ways of performing tasks correctly
- Testing examines the quality of work products rather than processes, which makes it part of quality control

Question 12

How does quality assurance support testing?

Answer 12

Quality assurance is about the proper execution of the entire software development process, which includes testing.

Question 13

Briefly explain the principle that “Testing shows the presence of defects, not their absence”

Answer 13

Testing is not a proof of correctness: it can’t prove that there are no defects left undiscovered, only reduce the likelihood of it

Question 14

Briefly explain the principle that “Exhaustive testing is impossible”

Answer 14

Testing every combination of inputs and preconditions is not possible, instead we should focus test efforts using risk analysis, test techniques, and priorities

Question 15

What is another term for “Early testing” and why is it important?

Answer 15

Shift left: Early testing which saves time and money

Question 16

Briefly explain the principle that “Defects cluster together”

Answer 16

A small number of modules usually contains most of the defects discovered during pre-release testing

Question 17

Briefly explain the principle that “Beware of the pesticide paradox”

Answer 17

If the same tests are repeated over and over again, eventually these tests no longer find any new defects. Tests may need to be changed or new ones written.

Question 18

Briefly explain the principle that “Testing is context dependent”

Answer 18

Testing needs to be done differently for e.g. safety-critical software vs an e-commerce mobile app, an Agile project vs a sequential lifecycle project

Question 19

Briefly explain the principle that “Absence-of-errors is a fallacy”

Answer 19

Finding an fixing many defects won’t ensure the success of a system (it could still be difficult to use, fail to fulfil the users’ needs and expectations, or be inferior to a competing system)

Question 20

List, in order, the seven main groups of activities that make up a test process

Answer 20

• Test planning
• Test monitoring and control
• Test analysis
• Test design
• Test implementation
• Test execution
• Test completion

Question 21

What are these an example of?

• Software development lifecycle model
• Test levels and test types
• Product and project risks
• Business domain
• Operational constraints (budget, resources, time, complexity)
• Organizational policies and practices
• Required internal and external standards

Answer 21

Contextual factors that may influence the test process

Question 22

What does test planning involve?

Answer 22

Defining the objectives of testing and the approach for meeting those objectives

Question 23

What does test monitoring involve?

Answer 23

It’s the ongoing comparison of actual progress against planned progress (often using metrics)

Question 24

What does test control involve?

Answer 24

Taking actions necessary to meet the objectives of the test plan when progress deviates from the plan

Question 25

What does test analysis involve?

Answer 25

Analyzing the test basis to identify testable features and define associated (prioritized) test conditions. It determines “what to test” in a measurable way.

Question 26

What kinds of defects might test analysis find in the test basis?

Answer 26

• Ambiguities
• Omissions
• Inconsistencies
• Inaccuracies
• Contradictions
• Superfluous statements

Question 27

What does test design involve?

Answer 27

Elaborating the test conditions into prioritized high-level test cases. Determines “how to test.”

Question 28

What additional activities are necessary during test design?

Answer 28

Identifying necessary test data, required infrastructure and tools, and designing the test environment

Question 29

What does test implementation involve?

Answer 29

Sequencing the test cases into test procedures and finishes creating the necessary testware. “Do we now have everything in place to run the tests?”

Question 30

What does test execution involve?

Answer 30

Running test procedures or test suites (sets of test cases) in accordance with the test execution schedule

Question 31

List the seven typical steps involved in test execution.

Answer 31

• Recording the IDs and versions of the test object and testware
• Executing tests manually or using tools
• Comparing actual and expected results
• Analyzing anomalies to establish likely causes
• Reporting defects
• Logging the outcome (pass, fail, blocked)
• Repeating test activities as necessary

Question 32

What does test completion involve?

Answer 32

Collecting data from completed test activities to consolidate experience, testware, and other relevant information.

Question 33

Provide examples of test planning work products

Answer 33

Test plans

Question 34

Provide examples of test monitoring and control work products

Answer 34

Test reports, e.g. progress & summary reports

Question 35

Provide examples of test analysis work products

Answer 35

Defined and prioritized test conditions

Question 36

Provide examples of test design work products

Answer 36

Test cases

Question 37

Provide examples of test implementation work products

Answer 37

Test procedures, test suites, test execution schedules

Question 38

Provide examples of test execution work products

Answer 38

Case statuses, defect reports

Question 39

Provide examples of test completion work products

Answer 39

Test summary reports, action items for improvement of subsequent projects or iterations, change requests or product backlog items, and finalized testware

Question 40

What provides the following benefits?

• Evaluating test coverage
• Analyzing the impact of changes
• Making testing auditable
• Improving the understandability of test reports
• Making technical aspects of testing understandable to stakeholders
• Assessing quality and progress against business goals

Answer 40

Traceability between the test basis and the work products

Question 41

The following is a list of what?
- Collaboration
- Emphasizing the benefits of testing
- Neutral, fact-focused communication
- Trying to understand how the other person feels
- Confirming that the other person has understood what has been said and vice versa

Answer 41

Strategies to mitigate the perception of testing as a destructive activity

Question 42

What is it called when a defect is reported but no defect exists in the test object?

Answer 42

A false positive

Question 43

What is it called when a test fails to identify a defect that is present in the test object?

Answer 43

A false negative