Exploratory Testing Exploratory Testing Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the 'Back Alley Tour' focus on in exploratory testing?
- Rarely used or obscure features least likely to be tested by others (Correct answer)
- The most frequently used features
- Security authentication flows
- Performance during peak load
Correct answer: Rarely used or obscure features least likely to be tested by others
The Back Alley Tour targets less-visited features and obscure paths that other testers tend to skip.
Question 2: What is 'bug advocacy' in exploratory testing?
- The practice of clearly communicating bug impact and likelihood to ensure it gets fixed (Correct answer)
- Filing as many bugs as possible regardless of severity
- Preventing developers from closing bugs prematurely
- Documenting bugs using a standardized template
Correct answer: The practice of clearly communicating bug impact and likelihood to ensure it gets fixed
Bug advocacy means presenting a bug's impact, context, and frequency convincingly to ensure stakeholders prioritize it appropriately.
Question 3: In exploratory testing, what is 'model-based exploration'?
- Using a mental or visual model of the system to guide and track testing (Correct answer)
- Testing based on UML diagrams produced by the architect
- Generating test cases automatically from formal models
- Following only the user story acceptance criteria
Correct answer: Using a mental or visual model of the system to guide and track testing
Model-based exploration uses mental models (state diagrams, maps, flowcharts) to guide coverage decisions during testing.
Question 4: What is the primary benefit of using 'mind maps' during exploratory testing?
- They visually organize areas, ideas, and coverage as the session progresses (Correct answer)
- They generate automated test scripts
- They replace the need for a test plan
- They track defect resolution status
Correct answer: They visually organize areas, ideas, and coverage as the session progresses
Mind maps help testers visually track what has been explored, ideas triggered, and areas still to investigate.
Question 5: What is the 'Fedex Tour' technique?
- Following data or objects through the system to see how they are delivered or processed (Correct answer)
- Testing delivery-related features in e-commerce applications
- Tracing bugs from initial report to resolution
- Testing the application's export and reporting features
Correct answer: Following data or objects through the system to see how they are delivered or processed
The Fedex Tour follows objects (data, files, transactions) through the system to verify correct delivery and transformation.
Question 6: Which technique involves applying inputs just inside and outside the valid range to detect boundary failures?
- Boundary value analysis (Correct answer)
- Equivalence partitioning
- Decision table testing
- State transition testing
Correct answer: Boundary value analysis
Boundary value analysis tests values at and just beyond the edges of valid input ranges where failures are most likely.
Exploratory Testing Exploratory Testing Techniques 2
What does the 'Back Alley Tour' focus on in exploratory testing?