Exploratory Testing Session-Based Test Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a test session in Session-Based Test Management (SBTM)?
- To provide an uninterrupted, time-boxed block of focused exploratory testing (Correct answer)
- To execute pre-written scripted test cases sequentially
- To log defects in a bug tracking system
- To write test plans for future sprints
Correct answer: To provide an uninterrupted, time-boxed block of focused exploratory testing
A test session is an uninterrupted, time-boxed block in which a tester performs focused exploratory testing against a specific charter.
Question 2: In SBTM, what does the acronym 'SBTM' stand for?
- Session-Based Test Management (Correct answer)
- Scripted Behavior Testing Method
- Structured Bug Tracking Mechanism
- Software Build and Test Monitoring
Correct answer: Session-Based Test Management
SBTM stands for Session-Based Test Management, a framework pioneered by Jonathan and James Bach to track and manage exploratory testing.
Question 3: What is the recommended duration for a typical exploratory testing session?
- 90 to 120 minutes (Correct answer)
- 15 to 30 minutes
- 4 to 6 hours
- An entire workday
Correct answer: 90 to 120 minutes
A typical exploratory testing session lasts 90 to 120 minutes, long enough for deep focus but short enough to maintain concentration.
Question 4: What are the three parts of a session sheet in SBTM?
- Charter, time on task breakdown, and data/environment/build notes (Correct answer)
- Test cases, expected results, and actual results
- Requirements, design, and implementation notes
- Setup, execution, and teardown logs
Correct answer: Charter, time on task breakdown, and data/environment/build notes
A session sheet captures the charter, a time breakdown (setup/charter/bug investigation/session strategy), and notes on data, environment, and build.
Question 5: What metric in SBTM represents the percentage of session time spent on actual testing versus setup or bug investigation?
- On-charter percentage (Correct answer)
- Test coverage ratio
- Defect density
- Session velocity
Correct answer: On-charter percentage
The on-charter percentage measures how much of the session time was spent executing the charter versus administrative or investigative activities.
Question 6: Who pioneered the Session-Based Test Management approach?
- Jonathan Bach and James Bach (Correct answer)
- Kent Beck and Martin Fowler
- Cem Kaner and James Whittaker
- Boris Beizer and Glenford Myers
Correct answer: Jonathan Bach and James Bach
Jonathan Bach and James Bach developed SBTM to make exploratory testing accountable and manageable without sacrificing its adaptive nature.
Exploratory Testing Session-Based Test Management 1
What is the primary purpose of a test session in Session-Based Test Management (SBTM)?