ISTQB Tool Support for Testing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to ISTQB, which of the following is NOT a typical benefit of test execution tools?
- Reduction in repetitive manual work during regression testing
- Consistent execution of tests without human error
- Automatic generation of test oracles for all scenarios (Correct answer)
- Faster execution of large test suites
Correct answer: Automatic generation of test oracles for all scenarios
Test execution tools automate running tests but do not automatically generate test oracles; determining expected results still requires human judgment.
Question 2: A tool that identifies the percentage of code exercised by a set of tests is called a:
- Defect tracking tool
- Code coverage tool (Correct answer)
- Static analysis tool
- Load testing tool
Correct answer: Code coverage tool
Code coverage tools measure which statements, branches, or paths in the source code are executed during testing and report the percentage covered.
Question 3: When piloting a new test tool, which of the following should be evaluated first?
- The tool's compatibility with the organization's existing processes and infrastructure (Correct answer)
- Whether the tool vendor offers a free trial version
- The number of online tutorials available for the tool
- Whether competitor organizations use the same tool
Correct answer: The tool's compatibility with the organization's existing processes and infrastructure
Compatibility with existing processes, tools, and infrastructure is the most critical factor because incompatible tools require costly workarounds or replacements.
Question 4: Which statement about keyword-driven test automation frameworks is correct?
- Keywords must be written in a compiled programming language
- Business stakeholders can contribute to test design by defining action keywords without coding knowledge (Correct answer)
- Keyword-driven frameworks are only suitable for API testing
- Keywords replace the need for test data in automated scripts
Correct answer: Business stakeholders can contribute to test design by defining action keywords without coding knowledge
Keyword-driven frameworks separate test logic from implementation, allowing non-technical stakeholders to define test steps using readable action keywords.
Question 5: A performance testing tool is being used to simulate 500 concurrent users on a web application. What term describes the simulated users generated by the tool?
- Stubs
- Virtual users (Correct answer)
- Test drivers
- Probes
Correct answer: Virtual users
Virtual users (VUs) are simulated entities generated by performance testing tools to mimic real user behavior and load on a system.
Question 6: Which of the following is a disadvantage of record-and-playback test automation?
- It cannot record interactions with desktop applications
- Scripts become brittle and require significant maintenance when the UI changes (Correct answer)
- It requires advanced programming skills to operate
- It is unable to verify expected outcomes automatically
Correct answer: Scripts become brittle and require significant maintenance when the UI changes
Record-and-playback scripts are tightly coupled to UI elements and break easily when the interface changes, resulting in high maintenance costs.
Question 7: In ISTQB terminology, a tool that simulates the behavior of missing software components during testing is called a:
- Debugger
- Test harness (Correct answer)
- Coverage analyzer
- Load generator
Correct answer: Test harness
A test harness (or test framework) includes stubs and drivers that simulate missing components, allowing modules to be tested in isolation.
ISTQB Tool Support for Testing 3
According to ISTQB, which of the following is NOT a typical benefit of test execution tools?