ISTQB - International Software Testing Qualifications Board Experience-Based Testing Techniques Questions and Answers

Question 1

A tester is tasked with evaluating a new e-commerce feature with very limited and incomplete specification documents. The tester decides to simultaneously learn about the application, design tests, execute them, and log the results, adapting their approach based on what they discover. Which experience-based technique is being used?

Accepted Answer

Exploratory testing

Answer

Exploratory testing is an approach where the tester simultaneously learns, designs, and executes tests. This is particularly useful when documentation is poor or missing, as the tester's findings guide the subsequent testing efforts dynamically.

Question 2

Which of the following is the PRIMARY input for the error guessing technique?

Accepted Answer

The tester's knowledge and intuition

Answer

Error guessing fundamentally relies on the tester's skill, intuition, and experience with similar applications to anticipate where defects might occur. This experience could include knowledge of common programming errors, how the application has failed in the past, or typical failure points in similar systems.

Question 3

A team wants to bring more structure and accountability to their exploratory testing efforts. They decide to use time-boxed periods of testing, each with a specific mission defined in a charter. What is this structured approach to exploratory testing called?

Accepted Answer

Session-based testing

Answer

Session-based testing is a method used to structure exploratory testing. It involves using time-boxed sessions (typically 60-90 minutes), each guided by a charter that defines the mission or goal for that specific testing period, which makes the process more manageable and measurable.

Question 4

A senior tester is creating a set of high-level test conditions to verify that a new software release adheres to established usability standards. These conditions are formulated as a series of questions to be checked during testing. Which experience-based technique does this scenario describe?

Accepted Answer

Checklist-based testing

Answer

In checklist-based testing, testers design and execute tests to cover conditions from a prepared checklist. This checklist can be based on experience, knowledge of user needs, or an understanding of how software fails. It provides guidelines and a degree of consistency, especially when detailed test cases are absent.

Question 5

In which of the following situations would experience-based testing techniques be MOST appropriately used as the main approach?

Accepted Answer

When there is severe time pressure and the requirements documentation is inadequate or missing.

Answer

Experience-based techniques are particularly valuable when specifications are missing or inadequate and when there are significant time constraints. Techniques like exploratory testing and error guessing allow experienced testers to leverage their knowledge to find defects efficiently without relying on detailed formal documentation.

ISTQB - International Software Testing Qualifications Board Practice Test

ISTQB - International Software Testing Qualifications Board Practice Test

ISTQB - International Software Testing Qualifications Board Experience-Based Testing Techniques Questions and Answers