ISTQB CTAL-TM Practice Test - Questions Answers, Page 3
List of questions
Question 21

Which of the following aspects should test progress metrics be mapped to?
Lines of code
Exit criteria
Post-implementation defect discovery rate
Defect resolution rate
Test progress metrics should be mapped to exit criteria to ensure that the testing process aligns with the predefined standards for completion. Exit criteria typically include conditions such as coverage of test cases, pass rates, and the resolution of major defects, which are essential for determining the end of the test phase.
Reference: The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager syllabus includes the evaluation of exit criteria as part of the test monitoring and control process1.It is crucial for test managers to define and evaluate these criteria to ensure that the testing objectives have been met and that the product is ready for releas
Question 22

Your company just won a contract to create a new sales application and has committed to a very aggressive delivery timeline. Due to the quick turnaround your primary stakeholder wants to be heavily involved in the design and is very anxious to see the outcome. Because of this, your company has decided to use a spiral development approach. You have a defined test policy and typically use an analytical approach to testing, however, this approach will not work with the development approach.
What test strategy should be utilized? [3]
Model-based
Methodical
Standard-compliant
Reactive
A reactive test strategy is a test strategy that uses the actual behavior and results of the software under test to design and execute tests, without prior knowledge or documentation of the software1.A reactive test strategy should be utilized for a project that uses a spiral development approach, which is a type of iterative/incremental approach that adds risk analysis and prototyping activities to each iteration2.A reactive test strategy is suitable for a spiral development approach because it allows for flexibility, adaptability, and creativity in the testing process, as well as for early feedback, risk reduction, and continuous improvement in the software development process3. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because a model-based test strategy is a test strategy that uses models to represent the desired behavior and structure of the software under test, and to derive test cases, test data, test procedures, and test oracles. A model-based test strategy may not work well with a spiral development approach, as it requires the availability and stability of the models, which may not be the case in a spiral development approach that involves frequent changes and refinements of the software under test. Option B is incorrect because a methodical test strategy is a test strategy that uses predefined test methods, techniques, and procedures to design and execute tests, such as equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, or decision table testing. A methodical test strategy may not work well with a spiral development approach, as it requires the availability and stability of the test basis, such as the requirements, specifications, or design documents, which may not be the case in a spiral development approach that involves frequent changes and refinements of the software under test. Option C is incorrect because a standard-compliant test strategy is a test strategy that follows a predefined set of standards, guidelines, or regulations to design and execute tests, such as ISO, IEEE, or CMMI.A standard-compliant test strategy may not work well with a spiral development approach, as it requires the compliance and consistency of the testing process, which may not be the case in a spiral development approach that involves frequent changes and refinements of the software under test.Reference:1: ISTQB Glossary, Reactive Test Strategy2: ISTQB Glossary, Spiral Model3: ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager Syllabus, Section 1.1.1 :Spiral Model in Software Development Life Cycle - Software Testing Material:Spiral Model - Tools QA:Strategic Test Management - ISTQB not-for-profit association: ISTQB Glossary, Model-Based Testing : ISTQB Glossary, Methodical Test Strategy : ISTQB Glossary, Standard-Compliant Test Strategy :ISTQB Foundation Level #39 -- Test Approach and Strategy - Software Testing Mentor
Question 23

Consider the following scenario:
Your customer is closely involved in the development project. Requirements are communicated verbally and rarely written down. An iterative development model is being followed and time boxing is used to stay on schedule.
Which of the following statements is true? [3]
A requirements traceability matrix will be created at the start of each iteration.
Your developers are using a waterfall methodology.
There is a risk that the system architecture may have to be changed during the development process.
Testing will start when all coding is completed.
In an iterative development model with close customer involvement and verbal communication of requirements, there is an inherent risk of changes in the system architecture. This is due to the evolving understanding of requirements and the potential for new requirements to emerge as the project progresses.
Reference: The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager syllabus emphasizes the importance of managing risks in iterative development models1.It suggests that test managers should be prepared for changes, including possible alterations to the system architecture, as part of the risk management process23. This approach ensures that the testing strategy remains flexible and responsive to changes throughout the development lifecycle.
Question 24

Most managers in your company consider the efforts of your test team valuable, while others see comprehensive testing as an unnecessary cost overhead to the SDLC.
What action could the Test Manager take to quantify the value of testing to the organization? [3]
Develop metrics that illustrate planned and actual testing hours.
Review the Test Plan with the management team.
Determine the cost of external failures.
Demonstrate the role QA has in similar size organizations.
Determining the cost of external failures involves analyzing the impact of defects that escape into production. This includes the direct costs associated with fixing the defects, as well as the indirect costs such as customer dissatisfaction, damage to the company's reputation, and potential loss of business. By quantifying these costs, the Test Manager can illustrate the financial benefits of comprehensive testing in preventing high-cost external failures, thereby demonstrating its value as an investment rather than a cost overhead.
Reference: The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager documents provide guidelines on how to establish and use metrics to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the testing process, including the cost of quality and the Return on Investment (ROI) for testing activities. These references support the rationale behind choosing option C as the verified answer.
Question 25

You have directed one of your testers to construct a 'smoke test' to execute against new builds prior to starting formal testing. This is an example of which software development lifecycle activity?
Project management
Software development and maintenance
Change and configuration management
Technical support
The correct answer is C. Change and configuration management. This is because a smoke test is a type of test that checks the basic functionality and stability of a new build before proceeding to more detailed testing. A smoke test is an example of change and configuration management, which is the activity of controlling and tracking the changes made to the software and its configuration items throughout the software development lifecycle.Reference:Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) - ISTQB not-for-profit association,ISTQB Test Manager Certification - ISTQB Exams Worldwide - ISTQB Official Registration,Managing the Test Team - ISTQB not-for-profit association
Question 26

Your application development team is performing 'test-driven' development. This is a core principal of which software development model?
Sequential
Iterative
Agile
Spiral
Test-driven development (TDD) is a core principle of Agile software development. In TDD, test cases are created before the code is written, and the code is developed to pass these tests.This approach emphasizes requirements and solutions evolving through collaborative effort and is a key practice in Agile methodologies12.
Reference: The Agile Alliance describes TDD as a style of programming tightly interwoven with coding, testing, and design, which is a fundamental aspect of Agile development3.Wikipedia also notes that TDD is related to the test-first programming concepts of extreme programming, an Agile methodology
This is because test-driven development (TDD) is a style of programming in which coding, testing, and design are tightly interwoven. TDD is a core principle of agile software development, which is an iterative and adaptive approach that values customer collaboration, working software, and responding to change.Agile AllianceReference:Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) - ISTQB not-for-profit association,ISTQB Test Manager Certification - ISTQB Exams Worldwide - ISTQB Official Registration,What is Test Driven Development (TDD)? | Agile Alliance
Question 27

You have been promoted to Test Manager within your company. Your new manager states that your test team utilized a risk-based test approach for the last release but in production, a number of serious failures in lightly tested areas have occurred.
What would be your first action prior to the start of the next test phase for the next release? [3]
Ensure you have the correct stakeholders' participation during the risk assessment process
Review the test cases executed from the previous release.
Request functional requirements be prioritized in order of importance to the stakeholder.
Review the production defects and determine if they are valid.
The best action that the Test Manager can take prior to the start of the next test phase for the next release is to ensure that the correct stakeholders' participation during the risk assessment process. This is because the risk assessment process is crucial for identifying and prioritizing the risks that may affect the quality of the system, and allocating testing resources accordingly. The correct stakeholders are those who have the authority, knowledge, and interest in the system and its risks, and who can provide valuable input and feedback to the test team. By involving the correct stakeholders, the Test Manager can ensure that the risk-based test approach is aligned with the project objectives and the stakeholder expectations, and that the most critical areas are tested adequately.Reference:Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) - ISTQB not-for-profit association,ISTQB Test Manager Certification - ISTQB Exams Worldwide - ISTQB Official Registration,Managing the Test Team - ISTQB not-for-profit association
Question 28

When, at a minimum, should project risks be re-evaluated?
Prior to test case creation
At major project milestones
During the creation of the test plan
At the beginning of the test execution phase
Question 29

You are the Test Manager of a four-person test team working for a small distribution company with a single warehouse. Your team has been working with a third party development team on a new inventory management system. The company expects this system to generate approximately one million dollars per annum in profits for the company. Early in the project, various risks were identified, and steps taken to mitigate those risks.
For example, you sent your test team for training on the new system, and upgraded the test environment. There are still some lingering risks that have not been addressed, but they have been determined to have a low chance of occurring, with minimal impact if they do occur.
What would be the best option to mitigate these remaining risks? [3]
Note the risks, and ignore them for now.
Redo the project test plan to add additional testing for these risk items.
Contract with the Risk Protection Insurance company to assume these risks at a cost of $500,000 per annum.
Create a cross-functional team to work to reduce the impact and likelihood of these risks coming to fruition.
Creating a cross-functional team to address the remaining risks is the best option, as it actively involves various stakeholders in the mitigation process. This approach allows for diverse perspectives and expertise to be applied to reduce both the likelihood of the risks occurring and their potential impact, without incurring excessive costs or ignoring the risks altogether.
Reference: The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager syllabus and related documents emphasize the importance of risk management throughout the testing process.It suggests that forming teams to address risks can be an effective strategy, as it leverages collective knowledge and resources to mitigate risks in a cost-effective manner
Question 30

What is a 'depth-first' risk-based testing technique?
Highest risk test cases are executed first
All risk items are tested at least once
Lowest risk test cases are executed first
Non-functional test cases are executed first
A depth-first risk-based testing technique is a method of prioritizing and executing test cases based on the risk level of the features or functions to be tested. In this technique, the test cases with the highest risk are executed first, followed by the test cases with lower risks. This ensures that the most critical and likely areas of failure are tested thoroughly and early in the testing process.Risk Based Testing: Approach, Matrix, Process & Examples - Guru99Reference:Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) - ISTQB not-for-profit association,ISTQB Test Manager Certification - ISTQB Exams Worldwide - ISTQB Official Registration, [Analytical Test Strategy: A Comprehensive Guide - LambdaTest]
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