ISTQB Foundation Level Exam Test Paper - I

Regression testing is likely to benefit most from the use of test tools providing test capture and replay facilities. Regression testing involves retesting previously tested software to ensure that changes or fixes have not introduced new defects. Test capture and replay tools allow testers to record and automate test cases, making it easier to repeat tests and identify any regression issues. By using these tools, testers can save time and effort by automating repetitive tests and quickly identifying any regressions in the software.

In prioritizing what to test, the most important objective is to test high risk areas. This is because high-risk areas are more likely to have critical defects that could impact the system's functionality, performance, or security. By focusing on these areas first, testers can identify and address potential issues that pose the greatest risk to the system's overall quality and reliability. This approach ensures that testing efforts are targeted towards mitigating the most significant risks, ultimately leading to a more effective and efficient testing process.

Enough testing has been performed when the required level of confidence has been achieved. This means that the testing process has been thorough enough to provide a certain level of assurance that the system or product being tested is functioning correctly and meets the necessary requirements. It implies that the testing has been comprehensive enough to identify and address any potential faults or issues, giving confidence in the reliability and quality of the system.

Testing is split into distinct stages primarily because each stage serves a different purpose. By dividing the testing process into stages, we can focus on specific objectives and ensure that each stage fulfills its intended goal. This approach allows for a more systematic and organized testing process, where each stage can be executed independently and efficiently. It also helps in identifying and addressing specific issues at each stage, leading to better overall quality assurance.

Both metrics from previous similar projects and discussions with the development team can help in estimating the amount of re-testing likely to be required. By analyzing metrics from previous projects, such as the number of defects found during testing, the complexity of the system, and the effort required for re-testing, one can get an idea of the potential re-testing needs. Similarly, discussions with the development team can provide insights into the changes made, the impact on existing functionality, and the areas that may require thorough re-testing. Therefore, considering both metrics and discussions with the development team can provide a more comprehensive estimation of the re-testing effort.

Integration testing in the small refers to testing the interactions between modules or subsystems. This type of testing focuses on ensuring that the components that have been developed work together correctly and that their interactions function as expected. It is different from integration testing in the large, which tests the entire system as a whole. Integration testing in the small helps identify any issues or bugs that may arise from the integration of different modules or subsystems, allowing them to be addressed before the system is deployed.

The correct answer states that faults are cheapest to find in the early development phases and the most expensive to fix in the latest test phases. This means that it is more cost-effective to identify and address faults early in the development process, as the cost of fixing them increases as the project progresses. This is because identifying and fixing faults in the later stages of testing and deployment can require more resources, time, and effort. Therefore, the answer highlights the importance of early detection and prevention of faults to minimize costs.

The best source of expected outcomes for User Acceptance Test scripts is the User requirements. User requirements outline the specific needs and expectations of the end users for a software system. These requirements serve as a guide for creating test scripts and determining the expected outcomes. Program specification and system specification may provide some information, but they are more focused on the technical aspects of the software rather than the user's perspective. Actual results, on the other hand, are observed after the testing is performed and cannot be used as a source for creating test scripts.

Incident reports typically do not form part of a test plan. A test plan outlines the approach, objectives, scope, and resources required for testing a software application. It includes the features to be tested, risks associated with testing, and the schedule for executing the tests. Incident reports, on the other hand, are documents that record and track any issues or problems encountered during the testing process. They are used for troubleshooting and resolving issues, but are not typically included in the initial test plan.

Alpha testing refers to the process of conducting pre-release testing by end user representatives at the developer's site. This allows the developers to gather feedback and identify any issues or bugs before the software or product is officially released to the public. It is an essential step in the software development life cycle to ensure that the product meets the requirements and expectations of the end users.

The requirement that states "The response time shall be less than one second for the specified design load" is testable because it can be objectively measured and verified. It can be tested by simulating the specified design load and measuring the system's response time to ensure that it meets the requirement. On the other hand, statements like "The system shall be user friendly" or "The system shall be built to be portable" are subjective and cannot be easily measured or objectively tested. The requirement about safety-critical parts containing 0 faults may be testable, but it would require additional clarification on how faults are defined and detected.

Error guessing is a technique that complements formal test design techniques. It involves using the tester's experience and intuition to identify potential errors or defects in the system without relying solely on predefined test cases or specifications. This technique can be applied in various testing phases, including component, integration, system, and user acceptance testing. It allows testers to think creatively and anticipate potential issues that may not be covered by formal test cases, enhancing the overall test coverage and effectiveness.

Boundary value analysis is a form of functional testing that involves testing the system's behavior at the boundaries or limits of its input values. It aims to identify any errors or issues that may occur when the input values are at the minimum or maximum limits. By testing the system at these critical points, it helps ensure that the system functions correctly and handles boundary conditions effectively.

Verification early in the life cycle helps in reducing defect multiplication. This means that identifying and fixing defects at an early stage prevents them from propagating further into the development process. By catching and addressing issues early on, the overall quality of the product is improved, and the cost and effort required for fixing defects later in the life cycle are reduced. This benefit of verification ensures that potential problems are addressed and resolved early, leading to a more efficient and effective development process.

Static analysis refers to the process of analyzing program code without actually executing it. It involves examining the code for potential errors, vulnerabilities, and other issues. This analysis helps identify bugs, security flaws, and quality-related problems in the code. It is different from dynamic analysis, which involves executing the program to observe its behavior. Therefore, the statement "the analysis of program code" accurately describes static analysis, making it the correct answer.

The given statement "Incident resolution is the responsibility of the author of the software under test" is not true. Incident resolution is not solely the responsibility of the author of the software under test. It is a collective responsibility of the development team, including developers, testers, and other stakeholders involved in the software development process. Incident resolution involves investigating and correcting the issues raised during testing, which can be done by various team members depending on their roles and expertise.

State transition testing is not a white box technique because it focuses on testing the behavior of a system based on its different states and the transitions between them, without considering the internal structure or implementation details of the system. White box techniques, on the other hand, involve testing based on knowledge of the internal structure, code, or logic of the system.

The minimum number of tests needed is 3 because there are three possible combinations of replies that need to be tested:
1) Customer wants a return ticket and chooses cheap-day rate.
2) Customer wants a return ticket and chooses a rate other than cheap-day.
3) Customer wants a single ticket.
By testing these three combinations, we can ensure that all questions have been asked and all replies have been given.

End-users should not be involved in system tests. System tests are typically conducted by independent teams to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the system's functionality and performance. Involving end-users in system tests may introduce biased opinions and preferences, potentially compromising the objectivity of the testing process.

Stress testing is not described in a unit test standard. Unit test standards typically focus on aspects such as syntax testing to ensure correct code structure, equivalence partitioning to cover different input scenarios, and modified condition/decision coverage to test different logical conditions. However, stress testing, which involves testing the system's performance under extreme conditions, is not typically included in unit test standards.

The objective of a test is to identify faults or defects in the software, assess its readiness for release, and demonstrate that it does not work as expected. However, it is not possible to prove that software is completely correct through testing alone. Testing can only provide information about the presence of defects, but it cannot guarantee the absence of defects. Therefore, proving that the software is correct is not a realistic objective for a test.

The statement "Incidents should always be fixed" is false because not all incidents necessarily need to be fixed. Incidents can vary in severity, and some may not require immediate fixing or may not be fixable at all. It is important to prioritize incidents based on their impact and prioritize fixing those that are critical or have a high impact on the system's functionality.

The oracle assumption refers to the belief that the tester is capable of consistently identifying the correct outcome of a test. This means that the tester has the knowledge and understanding necessary to determine whether the test results are accurate and expected. The assumption does not imply that the tester knows everything about the software under test or that the tests are reviewed by experienced testers. It simply suggests that the tester has the ability to recognize the correct outcome of a test.

Test execution provides the biggest potential cost saving from the use of CAST. This is because test execution involves the actual running of tests on the software or system being tested. By using CAST, which stands for Computer-Aided Software Testing, the process of test execution can be automated, reducing the need for manual testing efforts. Automation can lead to significant cost savings by saving time, improving efficiency, and reducing the chances of human errors. Therefore, implementing CAST in test execution can result in the biggest potential cost savings compared to the other activities mentioned.

The correct answer is "departure from specified behavior." This means that a failure occurs when the software does not behave as intended or specified. It can happen due to errors in the software, incorrect steps or processes in the program, or even human actions that lead to incorrect results. In other words, a failure is when the software deviates from its expected behavior or does not meet the specified requirements.

A minimal test set that achieves 100% statement coverage will generally detect more faults than one that achieves 100% branch coverage because statement coverage ensures that every statement in the code has been executed at least once, while branch coverage only ensures that every branch of a decision structure has been executed at least once. Therefore, achieving 100% statement coverage guarantees a more thorough testing of the code and is more likely to uncover faults.

The V-model is a software development model that emphasizes the verification and validation of designs. It is a graphical representation of a sequential development process, where each phase is associated with a corresponding testing phase. The V-model includes the verification of designs, which means that the designs are thoroughly checked and validated against the specified requirements before moving forward with the development process. This ensures that the designs are accurate and meet the intended functionality.

The best pair that matches the test management terms with the activity descriptions is v-3, w-4, x-1, y-5, z-2. This is because v (test control) is associated with the re-allocation of resources when tests overrun (activity 3), w (test monitoring) is associated with reporting on deviation from the test plan (activity 4), x (test estimation) is associated with the calculation of required test resources (activity 1), y (incident management) is associated with tracking of anomalous test results (activity 5), and z (configuration control) is associated with the maintenance of a record of test results (activity 2).

Capture-replay tools are commonly used in software testing to record and replay user interactions with a system. They capture aspects of user behavior, such as mouse clicks and keyboard inputs, and then replay them to test the system's response. However, they are not used to capture and animate user requirements. User requirements are typically captured through interviews, surveys, or other requirements gathering techniques, and then translated into functional specifications. Capture-replay tools are focused on testing the functionality of the system, not on capturing or animating user requirements.

Data flow analysis studies the use of data on paths through the code. This means that it analyzes how data is manipulated and used within a program as it executes. It helps identify how data flows through different parts of the code, how it is transformed, and how it affects the program's behavior. By understanding the data flow, developers can optimize their code, identify potential issues or bottlenecks, and improve the overall efficiency and performance of the program.

Test coverage criteria are used to measure the extent to which a test suite exercises the items being tested. This can include measuring the percentage of user requirements covered or the percentage of faults found. However, the statement that a measure of test coverage criteria is the percentage of faults found is not true. Test coverage criteria do not directly measure the number or percentage of faults found, but rather focus on the extent of coverage achieved by the test suite.

During an inspection, the authors of the work being inspected are not present, whereas during a walkthrough, the authors are present. This means that in an inspection, the focus is on evaluating the work without the influence or bias of the authors, while in a walkthrough, the authors can provide additional context and explanations for their work. The presence of the authors in a walkthrough allows for a more interactive and collaborative discussion, while an inspection is more objective and independent.