CTFL-Foundation ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level Questions and Answers

Static analysis tools are designed to analyze code without executing it. They are particularly good at finding defects related to code structure, such as variables that are not used or improperly declared. These tools can parse the code and identify issues that may not be easily detected through dynamic testing methods. Other issues like omission of a major requirement (A), inadequate decision coverage (B), and component memory leakage (C) are typically found through dynamic testing or higher-level verification techniques​​ .

According to the decision table, Test Case 1 is valid because an employee who is not a car or motorcycle driver cannot claim expenses, as shown in Rule 1. Test Case 3 is valid because a motorcycle driver can claim expenses, as indicated in Rule 2, with expenses claim band A. However, Test Case 2 is invalid because, according to Rule 5, a car driver with a diesel engine greater than 1600cc cannot claim expenses. The expected result should be that the expense claim is not allowed, not band C​​.

For a system with complex business rules and many branches, decision testing (a white-box technique) is appropriate because it ensures that each decision point (branch) in the code is tested. Equivalence partitioning (a black-box technique) complements this by ensuring that all functional areas (based ondifferent inputs) are adequately tested. This combination provides thorough coverage of both the internal logic and the functional requirements of the system​​.

The testability of requirements is evaluated during the Test Analysis and Design stage of the fundamental test process. In this stage, the test team reviews the requirements to ensure they are clear, complete, and testable. The focus is on understanding the test basis and defining the test conditions, test cases, and test data necessary to verify the requirements​​.

Specification-based techniques, also known as black-box techniques, derive test cases from the specifications or requirements of the system. These techniques can be particularly useful when the test basis (such as documentation or requirements) is poorly defined or incomplete, as they provide a structured approach to testing based on the available specifications. This ensures that testing can proceed even when detailed documentation is lacking, helping to identify defects related to missing or incorrect functionality​​.

Exploratory testing is highly effective when under severe time pressure because it allows testers to simultaneously learn, design, and execute tests. It is a flexible approach that does not require extensive preparation and documentation, making it ideal for situations where time is limited​​.

Providing support for the test team using the tool is crucial for successful deployment. This includes training the test team on how to effectively use the tool, offering ongoing support to address any issues, and integrating the tool into existing processes. By ensuring that the team is well-equipped and confident in using the tool, the organization can maximize the benefits of the tool and improve overall testing efficiency​​.

To meet the test plan requirements and logical dependencies, the test schedule should start with re-tests (those that have previously failed), followed by the highest priority tests. Additionally, tests should be scheduled to create necessary test data for subsequent tests. In this case, teste(log in as admin user and create a standard user) must be done first as it is necessary to perform all other actions. Following this, testa(log in as standard user and create customer account) creates the standard user needed for subsequent actions. Then, the highest priority testd(order twoitems or more), which has failed before, should be executed next, followed by testc(create invoice for order), and finally testb(order one item)​​.

Maintenance testing is typically triggered by changes to the operational system, such as data migration, system modification, or system retirement. These triggers require testing to ensure that the changes do not negatively impact the existing functionality. However, the introduction of a test management tool does not directly affect the operational system and is not considered a trigger for maintenance testing​​.

The level of risk is determined by evaluating both the impact and the likelihood of an adverse event occurring. This approach ensures that both the severity of potential consequences and the probability of the event are considered. The impact assesses how serious the consequences would be if the event happened, while the likelihood evaluates how probable it is that the event will occur. This combination provides a comprehensive measure of risk, helping organizations prioritize their risk management efforts effectively​​.

The highest level of testing independence is achieved when the testing process is performed by individuals or teams who are completely independent of the development team and the organization. Option B, which involves outsourcing test design and execution to a different company, ensures that there is no bias or influence from the development team or company politics, thereby achieving the highest level of testing independence​​.

Equivalence Partitioning is a black box test design technique used to divide input data into partitions that are expected to be treated the same by the system. It focuses on ensuring that each partition represents a set of valid or invalid states for the input, and one test case from each partition is enough to cover the entire set. This technique does not rely on the internal structure of the code but rather on the functionality and behavior as seen from the user's perspective​​.

An independent test function in an organization helps improve defect finding during reviews and testing by providing an unbiased perspective on the software. Independent testers are not influenced by the development team’s constraints and can evaluate the software more objectively. This leads to the identification of defects that might be overlooked by developers who are too close to their own code. Independent testing enhances the quality and reliability of the software by bringing fresh insights and ensuring thorough testing​​.

A Test Procedure Specification is a document that outlines the precise steps required to execute a test. It includes detailed instructions on the setup, execution, and teardown of the test environment, as well as the specific actions to be performed and the expected results. This document ensures that tests are conducted consistently and repeatably​​.

The correct sequence in the causal chain is "Error, fault, failure". An error (or mistake) made by a person can lead to a fault (or defect) in the software. When the fault is executed, it may cause a failure in the software system. This sequence is important to understand the cause and effect relationship in software testing and defect management​​ .

Functional and structural testing can be applied at all test levels. Functional testing focuses on verifying that the software behaves as expected based on the requirements, while structural testing examines the internal structure and workings of the software. These testing approaches are complementary and can be used together at various stages of testing, including component, integration, system, and acceptance testing. Applying both types of tests ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the software's functionality and internal structure​​.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Measurement of code coverage is important because it helps ensure that all code is exercised by tests. This does not guarantee that there are no coding errors or that all requirements are covered, but it helps identify untested parts of the code, allowing for better test coverage and more robust testing processes​​.

Decision coverage is a testing metric used to ensure that all possible paths (decisions) in the code have been executed at least once. It is not used to verify the correctness of module calls, which ismore related to integration testing or control flow testing. Options A, B, and D describe valid uses of decision coverage, ensuring that decisions are exercised in programs, business processes, and measuring the extent of coverage by a test suite​​ .

In the provided state table, an invalid transition is represented by an empty cell. According to the table, Event E from State S4 is an invalid transition as the cell for this combination is empty. This indicates that the transition from State S4 on Event E is not defined​​.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

An incident report typically includes the version(s) of the software under test, expected results and actual results, and precise steps to reproduce the problem. However, the test execution schedule is not a standard part of an incident report. It is more relevant to test planning and management documents rather than incident reporting​​.

Statement testing is a white-box test technique that involves creating test cases to execute specific statements in the code. The goal is to ensure that all statements in the program are executed at least once during testing. This technique requires knowledge of the internal structure of the code and focuses on verifying the flow of execution and logic within the program​​.

The pesticide paradox in testing refers to the phenomenon where continuously using the same set of tests on the software eventually becomes less effective at finding new defects. Just as insects can develop resistance to pesticides over time, software defects become less detectable by tests that are not updated. Therefore, to maintain the effectiveness of testing, it is essential to regularly review and revise the test cases to introduce new tests and update existing ones​​.

Testing is primarily aimed at detecting defects, verifying the functionality, and providing information to stakeholders for decision-making. While investigating defects is part of the testing process, fixing defects is not typically considered an objective of testing; it falls under the development activities. The main objectives of testing include preventing defects (through early testing activities), gaining confidence in the system, and providing valuable information to stakeholders​​.

A keyword-driven testing approach is effective because it separates the test logic (actions) from the test data. This makes the scripts more reusable and easier to maintain. By organizing tests this way, any changes in the data or the actions can be made independently without affecting the other, enhancing the efficiency and manageability of automated tests​​.

For user acceptance testing (UAT) of the first release of a new software product aimed at a general market and built using Agile methods, appropriate test objectives would be to ensure the product works as expected (c) and to assess the overall quality of the product (d). These objectives focus on validating that the software meets user needs and overall quality standards.

Static techniques involve the examination and evaluation of software products without executing them. According to the ISTQB syllabus, these techniques include both manual and automated reviews and analyses of code and project documentation. This helps identify defects early in the development process, improving the overall quality and reducing the cost of fixing defects later in the lifecycle​​.

For a review process to be successful, several factors must be in place. According to the ISTQB syllabus, successful reviews generally have clearly defined objectives (a), involve the right people who understand the objectives of the review (c), and place an emphasis on learning and process improvement (d). These elements ensure that the review is focused, effective, and contributes to the overall improvement of the software development process​​.

Exit criteria are the conditions that must be met to conclude a particular phase of testing. These criteria include acceptance criteria, completion criteria, and pass/fail criteria. They help ensure that the testing process is thorough and that the system meets the required standards before moving on to the next phase.

White box testing design is characterized by its focus on the internal structure of the component or system. It involves testing based on knowledge of the code structure, architecture, and internal design. This approach contrasts with black box testing, which is based on functional specifications without any knowledge of the internal workings of the software.

Statement coverage is a white-box testing technique that involves executing all the statements in the code at least once. It is not considered a black-box technique because it requires knowledge of the internal structure of the code being tested. Black-box techniques, such as equivalence partitioning, state transition testing, and boundary value analysis, focus on testing the functionality of the software without considering its internal code structure.

Decision table testing is a black-box test design technique used to test system requirements and to ensure that different combinations of inputs result in appropriate outputs. It is especially useful for testing complex business logic and rules where various combinations of conditions need to be verified.

The four test levels defined for a common V-model testing approach are Component, Integration, System, and Acceptance testing. These levels align with the development stages in the V-model,where each level of testing corresponds to a specific phase in the software development lifecycle, ensuring comprehensive verification and validation of the software​​.

The requirements for reliability and security in a product significantly impact the testing effort. High requirements for reliability and security necessitate more extensive and thorough testing to ensure that the product meets these stringent criteria. This often includes additional test cases, more complex test environments, and longer test execution times.

To achieve 100% decision coverage, each decision point in the pseudo code must be tested for both true and false outcomes. In the provided pseudo code, the decision point is the if-else statement checking the gender. Therefore, we need two test cases: one where Gender is 'female' and one where Gender is not 'female' (e.g., 'male'). This ensures that both paths (true and false) are covered​​.

The failure rate in testing already completed is a useful metric to monitor progress along with test preparation and execution. It provides insight into the effectiveness of the tests and the quality of the product, helping to identify areas that may require additional attention or resources.

The application failed due to a defect in the purchase identification module. This defect could have been caused by a programmer mistake or an error in the specification. The incorrect counting of purchase attempts indicates a flaw in the logic or implementation of the module responsible for identifying successful purchases.

Testing support tools are typically used to automate activities that are resource-intensive when done manually, repetitive tasks, and repetitive inspections. However, they are not usually designed to automate activities that cannot be executed manually at all, as such activities may require complex and sophisticated human intervention or decision-making.

The Black-box testing technique is a method where the internal structure or workings of the item being tested are not known to the tester. This technique focuses on the input and output of the software system, ensuring that it meets the specified requirements without considering the internal code structure. It contrasts with White-box testing, which involves testing internal structures or workings of an application.

Maintenance testing is essential when there is a need to ensure that the software continues to function correctly after it has been modified. Migration to a new platform is a significant change that can impact the software's functionality, requiring thorough maintenance testing to verify that the software performs as expected in the new environment. This ensures that any platform-specific issues are identified and resolved​​.

The main reason for using a pilot project to introduce a testing tool into an organization is to assess whether the tool will be cost-effective. A pilot project allows the organization to evaluate the tool's benefits, identify any potential issues, and determine whether the investment in the tool is justified based on its performance and the value it adds.

Effective ways to improve communication and relationships between testers and other team members include communicating factual information in a constructive way (a) and trying to understand how the other person feels and why they react the way they do (b). These approaches foster a collaborative and empathetic environment, reducing friction and enhancing teamwork.

According to the state transition table and the sequence of events, starting from state S1 and triggering events E1, E4, E5, and E7 will lead the system to state S4 with the output O4. Each event transitions the system from one state to another, producing the specified output at each step until the final state and output are reached​​.

A technical review is a formal type of review that focuses on discussing, making decisions, evaluating alternatives, finding defects, solving technical problems, and checking conformance to specifications, plans, regulations, and standards. It is typically conducted by a team of experts and aims to ensure the technical quality of the product.

The task "verify the test environment set up is correct" relates to the Implementation and Execution phase of the fundamental test process. This phase includes setting up the test environment, creating test data, and executing test cases.

Equivalence Partitioning is a black-box testing technique that divides the input data of a software unit into partitions of equivalent data from which test cases can be derived. It helps in reducing the number of test cases while maintaining adequate test coverage.

Debugging is the process where developers identify, locate, and correct defects. Testers are then responsible for confirming that the correction has resolved the original defect. This separation of responsibilities ensures that defects are properly fixed and verified.

The selection of a software development model should be based on the specific characteristics of the product and project. Factors such as project size, complexity, requirements stability, and team expertise influence the choice of the most suitable development model. The ISTQB syllabus explains that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the decision should be tailored to the context and needs of the project​​.

Experience-based test design techniques rely on the tester's skill, intuition, and experience to derive test cases. Techniques like error guessing and exploratory testing fall under this category. These methods do not depend on formal specifications but rather on the tester's understanding of the system and potential areas where defects might exist.

Experience-based and intuition-based testing techniques, such as error guessing and exploratory testing, can be valuable in uncovering defects that formal techniques might miss. These approaches leverage the tester's knowledge, intuition, and experience, providing a complementary layer to more structured and formal testing techniques.

Test planning should be a continuous activity throughout the software development lifecycle. This ensures that the test plans remain relevant and effective, adapting to any changes in the project scope, requirements, or timelines.

Debugging defects is not a testing objective. According to the ISTQB CTFL syllabus v4.0, the primary objectives of testing include finding defects, gaining confidence about the level of quality, providing information, and preventing defects. Debugging is a developer's activity that involves identifying the cause of defects and fixing them, which is different from the objectives of testing​​.

Dynamic Analysis Tools are used during the execution of software to find defects that can occur while the software is running. These tools can identify issues such as memory leaks, which are not detectable by static analysis tools.

Change Man and Clear Case are examples of configuration management tools. These tools are used to manage changes in the software, track revisions, and control the versions of the code and documentation throughout the software development lifecycle. They help ensure that the integrity and consistency of the product are maintained as it evolves. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 5.5.2​​.

Structure-based (white-box) test case design techniques involve deriving test cases systematically from the delivered code. The ISTQB CTFL syllabus v4.0 describes that these techniques focus on the internal structure of the software, using knowledge of the code to create test cases that ensure comprehensive coverage of the code's pathways and logic​​.

Maintenance testing is performed on an existing operational system that has undergone planned enhancements, corrections, or other modifications. The goal is to ensure that the changes have been implemented correctly and that the system continues to function as intended. This type of testing is not typically used for defect correction during development, user acceptance testing complaints, or the integration of functions in new system development​​.

100% statement coverage means that every statement in the code must be executed at least once. To achieve this, we need to ensure that the conditionIf A > Biggestis both true and false at least once during the test.

Test case D (10, 11, 0) will cover all the statements:

InitialBiggestset to 10.

WhenAis 10, the conditionA > Biggestis false.

WhenAis 11, the conditionA > Biggestis true, andBiggestis updated to 11.

WhenAis 0, the loop exits.

This covers all possible paths through the code, ensuring 100% statement coverage. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 4.3.1​​.

The test-planning phase involves deciding on schedules and deliverables, hardware and software requirements, and entry and exit criteria. However, the specific types of test cases to be used are typically defined during the test design phase, not during the test planning phase. Test planning focuses on the overall approach and resources needed for testing. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 5.1.1​​.

Component testing focuses on the individual parts of the software, often using design specifications, component specifications, or data models to derive test cases. In contrast, system testing evaluates the entire system's functionality and performance, using requirements and functional specifications or usecases to develop test cases. The ISTQB CTFL Syllabus clarifies these distinctions, emphasizing the different sources for test case derivation and the scopes of each testing level​​.

Walkthroughs are a type of static technique used in software testing. According to the ISTQB CTFL syllabus v4.0, static techniques include activities such as reviews, inspections, and walkthroughs, where the evaluation of the software product is done without executing the code​​.

A disadvantage of independent testing is that developers might lose a sense of responsibility for the quality of their work. When developers rely too much on independent testers to find defects, they may become less diligent in their own testing and quality assurance efforts. The ISTQB CTFL Syllabus pointsout that while independent testing can provide an unbiased perspective and identify defects that might be missed by developers, it can also lead to potential downsides such as diminished developer accountability​​.

Evaluating the testability of requirements (i) and developing and prioritizing test cases (iv) are part of the test analysis and design activities. Repeating testing activities after changes (ii), designing the test environment set-up (iii), and verifying the environment is set up correctly (v) are part of the test implementation and execution activities. These distinctions are part of the fundamental test process, which ensures that each phase of testing is appropriately planned and executed. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 1.4.1​​.

The other answers are incorrect because:

(ii) Walkthroughs do not require code and static analysis does require code.

(iv) Static techniques do not execute the code and therefore can be run before and after the code is ready for execution.

The three decisions are in sequence and the conditions are all mutually exclusive (if any one is true the others must be false). Hence a test case that makes the first decision true will make the second and third decisions false and so on.

So test case 1 (say Time = 6) would exercise the path True, False, False, test case 2 (say Time = 15) would exercise the path False, True, False. Test case 3 would have to be Time = 12. This combination achieves 100 per cent decision coverage because each decision has been exercised through its true and its false outcomes.

Non-functional testing is focused on testing the attributes of a system such as usability, reliability, maintainability, performance, and security. These attributes define how the system operates rather than what the system does. Non-functional testing ensures that the software meets certain criteria that are critical to its operational performance and user satisfaction​​.

Statement coverage measures the percentage of executable statements in the code that have been executed. However, it does not check for missing statements since these are not present in the code to be executed in the first place. Statement coverage can identify unused branches, dead code, and unused statements within the code. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 4.3.2​​.

If the project isn't big enough to justify extensive testing, using risk-based analysis to find out which areas need to be tested is the best approach. Risk-based testing prioritizes testing activities based on the risk of failure and the impact of those failures, ensuring that critical areas of the application are tested thoroughly even with limited resources. This approach helps in focusing testing efforts where they are most needed. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 5.2.3​​.

According to the ISTQB Glossary, regression testing is performed to ensure that changes or modifications in the software have not introduced new defects. The primary purpose of regression testing is to verify that the existing functionality of the software remains unaffected by recent changes, enhancements, or bug fixes.

The syllabus states that regression testing helps in confirming that the recent modifications do not negatively impact the previously working functionalities of the software​​.

Boundary value testing focuses on testing at the boundaries between partitions. It tests conditions on, below, and above the edges of input and output equivalence classes to identify defects that occur at the boundaries. This technique is different from equivalence partitioning, which divides input data into partitions but does not specifically target boundary conditions. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 4.2.1​​.

Checking test logs against the exit criteria specified in test planning is not a major task of test implementation and execution. This activity is more related to evaluating exit criteria and reporting. Major tasks of test implementation and execution include developing and prioritizing test cases, creating test data, writing test procedures, optionally preparing test harnesses, and writing automated test scripts, logging the outcome of test execution, and verifying that the test environment has been set up correctly​​.

The selection of a test approach is crucial for the success of the testing process. According to the ISTQB CTFL Syllabus, version 4.0, one of the most important factors in selecting a test approach is the availability of skills and experience in the proposed techniques. This ensures that the team can effectively implement and execute the testing strategies.

While other factors like the availability of tools, budget for training, and willingness to learn new techniques are important, the skills and experience of the team are critical to ensure that the chosen test approach can be executed efficiently and effectively. Without the necessary skills and experience, even the best tools and techniques may not be utilized to their full potential​​.

For reviewing safety-critical components in a software project, the most adequate review types are Inspections and Technical Reviews. Inspections are a formal review technique with a well-defined process that includes thorough preparation, examination, and documentation, making them suitable for critical components. Technical Reviews involve a detailed examination of the technical aspects of the software and are conducted by experts, which ensures that any potential issues are identified and addressed early.

Sometimes time/money does signify the end of testing, but it is really complete when everything that was set out in advance has been achieved.

Testing is considered complete when sufficient information has been gathered to assess the quality of the software and to make an informed decision about its release. This includes understanding the risks of any remaining defects, the test coverage achieved, and the test results. It is not practical to wait until all possible test cases have been executed or until no defects remain, as these conditions are often impossible to meet within typical project constraints.

Iterative development involves users in the testing throughout the development process. This approach allows for continuous feedback from users, ensuring that the evolving system meets user requirements and expectations. Unlike the traditional waterfall model, iterative development accommodates changes and improvements based on user feedback, making it suitable for dynamic environments like website development. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 2.1.3​​.

The odd one out among the given options is "Functional". The other options—White box, Glass box, and Structural—refer to testing techniques that involve examining the internal structure of the application. In contrast, functional testing focuses on testing the software against its functional requirements without considering its internal structures​​.

The typical sequence of formal review activities includes planning, kick-off, individual preparation, and review meeting. The planning phase sets the scope and objectives, the kick-off initiates the review process, individual preparation involves participants reviewing the materials on their own, and then the review meeting is held to discuss the findings. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 3.2.2​​.

A risk-based approach to testing provides information on the types of test techniques to be employed. This approach prioritizes the testing of features and functions based on their risk of failure and their impact on the organization. By identifying the areas of highest risk, test managers can allocate resources and select test techniques that are most likely to uncover defects in these critical areas. This approach ensures that testing efforts are focused where they are most needed. Reference: ISTQB CTFL Syllabus V4.0, Section 5.2 .QUESTION NO: 85

When assembling a test team to work on an enhancement to an existing system, which of the following has the highest level of test independence?

A. A business analyst who wrote the original requirements for the system.

B. A permanent programmer who reviewed some of the new code, but has not written any of it.

C. A permanent tester who found most defects in the original system.

D. A contract tester who has never worked for the organization before.

Answer: D

In this scenario, the contract tester who has never worked for the organization before has the highest level of test independence. The three others are less independent as they are likely to make assumptions based on their previous knowledge of the requirements, code and general functionality of the original system.

Note that independence does not necessarily equate to most useful. In practice most test or project managers would recruit a permanent tester who has worked on the original system in preference to a contract tester with no knowledge of the system. However, when assembling a team it would be useful to have staff with varying levels of test independence and system knowledge.

One of the most likely benefits of using static techniques is productivity improvements in the development process. The ISTQB CTFL syllabus v4.0 states that static techniques, such as reviews and static analysis, help in identifying defects early, which reduces the time and effort required for rework, thus improving overall productivity in the development process​​.