ISTQB Fundamentals of Software Testing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following BEST describes 'acceptance testing' in the ISTQB framework?
- Testing performed by developers before handing off to QA
- Formal testing to determine whether a system satisfies acceptance criteria for delivery (Correct answer)
- Automated regression testing run after each code commit
- Performance testing conducted to validate server capacity
Correct answer: Formal testing to determine whether a system satisfies acceptance criteria for delivery
Acceptance testing determines whether a system meets the acceptance criteria and enables stakeholders to decide whether to accept the product.
Question 2: What is a 'defect cluster' in the context of software testing?
- A group of testers assigned to investigate a single defect
- A concentration of defects found in a small number of modules (Correct answer)
- Multiple defects caused by the same root cause in different systems
- A set of defects deferred to the next release
Correct answer: A concentration of defects found in a small number of modules
Defect clustering (an ISTQB principle) states that a small number of modules typically contain the majority of defects found during testing.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a NON-FUNCTIONAL test type?
- Feature testing
- Usability testing (Correct answer)
- Regression testing
- Smoke testing
Correct answer: Usability testing
Usability testing evaluates how easy and pleasant a system is to use, which is a non-functional quality characteristic.
Question 4: What is the purpose of 'test monitoring' during test execution?
- To write new test cases as defects are found
- To track progress against the plan and report status to stakeholders (Correct answer)
- To configure the test environment before testing begins
- To archive test results after the project ends
Correct answer: To track progress against the plan and report status to stakeholders
Test monitoring gathers information and provides feedback about testing activities to compare actual progress against the test plan.
Question 5: In ISTQB terminology, what is the DIFFERENCE between a 'fault' and a 'failure'?
- A fault is observable incorrect behavior; a failure is the underlying defect in code
- A fault is a defect in the code; a failure is the observable incorrect behavior caused by that defect (Correct answer)
- They are synonyms used interchangeably in ISTQB
- A fault occurs during design; a failure occurs only during production
Correct answer: A fault is a defect in the code; a failure is the observable incorrect behavior caused by that defect
A fault (defect) is the flaw in the code or artifact, while a failure is the observable manifestation of that defect during execution.
Question 6: Which technique uses a table to systematically record combinations of conditions and their corresponding actions?
- Boundary value analysis
- Decision table testing (Correct answer)
- State transition testing
- Use case testing
Correct answer: Decision table testing
Decision table testing uses a table to capture combinations of conditions and the system's expected actions for each combination.
Question 7: What is 'shift-left testing'?
- Moving testing activities earlier in the software development lifecycle (Correct answer)
- Shifting the testing team to work on the left side of an agile board
- Relocating the test environment to a different server
- Executing tests from right to left for international projects
Correct answer: Moving testing activities earlier in the software development lifecycle
Shift-left testing involves starting test activities earlier in the SDLC to detect defects sooner and reduce the cost of fixing them.
ISTQB Fundamentals of Software Testing 5
Which of the following BEST describes 'acceptance testing' in the ISTQB framework?