ISTQB Static Testing and Reviews 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following work products would benefit MOST from a scenario-based review technique?
- A low-level database schema definition
- A use case specification describing user interactions with the system (Correct answer)
- A compiler output log showing build warnings
- A project schedule Gantt chart
Correct answer: A use case specification describing user interactions with the system
Scenario-based reviewing is most effective on use cases and user stories where reviewers can simulate realistic user interactions to find defects.
Question 2: During static analysis, a tool reports a 'false positive.' What does this mean?
- The tool correctly identified a real defect in the code
- The tool flagged an issue that is not actually a defect (Correct answer)
- The tool failed to detect a known defect in the code
- The tool produced a report with incorrect line numbers
Correct answer: The tool flagged an issue that is not actually a defect
A false positive occurs when a static analysis tool reports a potential defect that is not actually a problem, requiring human judgment to dismiss.
Question 3: What is the key distinction between a 'defect' and a 'failure' in the context of static testing?
- Static testing finds failures; dynamic testing finds defects
- A defect is a flaw in a work product; a failure occurs when the defect causes incorrect behavior at runtime (Correct answer)
- Defects are found only in code; failures are found only in requirements
- Failures are always more severe than defects in terms of project impact
Correct answer: A defect is a flaw in a work product; a failure occurs when the defect causes incorrect behavior at runtime
A defect is a static flaw in the artifact; a failure is the observable incorrect behavior that results when a defect is executed at runtime.
Question 4: Which factor MOST influences the formality level chosen for a review?
- The length of the work product being reviewed
- The maturity of the development process and the criticality of the work product (Correct answer)
- The personal preference of the project manager
- The number of tools available for static analysis
Correct answer: The maturity of the development process and the criticality of the work product
Review formality is driven primarily by process maturity, organizational standards, and the criticality or risk level of the work product.
Question 5: A reviewer discovers an ambiguity in a requirements document during an individual review session. According to the ISTQB process, what should the reviewer do?
- Immediately contact the author to resolve the ambiguity before continuing
- Log the ambiguity as an issue to be discussed during the review meeting (Correct answer)
- Ignore it if it does not affect the section they were assigned
- Rewrite the requirement to remove the ambiguity before the meeting
Correct answer: Log the ambiguity as an issue to be discussed during the review meeting
Defects and issues found during individual review should be logged and brought to the review meeting for discussion, not unilaterally resolved.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of a 'major defect' that would typically require rework before a work product passes a formal review?
- A minor spelling error in a comment field
- A missing non-functional requirement that affects system security (Correct answer)
- An inconsistency in font size between two sections of a document
- A slightly unclear diagram label that reviewers can still interpret
Correct answer: A missing non-functional requirement that affects system security
A missing security requirement is a major defect because it represents a significant gap that could lead to system failures or vulnerabilities if not addressed.
Question 7: Which of the following BEST describes 'entry criteria' in the context of a formal review?
- The conditions that must be met before a work product is approved for release
- The conditions that must be satisfied before a review can start, such as the document being complete enough to review (Correct answer)
- The list of reviewers who are authorized to participate in the review
- The schedule and agenda that must be agreed upon before the review meeting
Correct answer: The conditions that must be satisfied before a review can start, such as the document being complete enough to review
Entry criteria define the minimum conditions a work product must meet before the review process begins, ensuring reviewers' time is not wasted on incomplete material.
ISTQB Static Testing and Reviews 5
Which of the following work products would benefit MOST from a scenario-based review technique?