Mixed Deck — All Software Testing Topics Flashcards

In an Agile QA context, what is the primary purpose of a Definition of Done (DoD)?

Answer: To establish shared quality criteria that must be met before a feature is considered complete

The Definition of Done establishes agreed-upon quality criteria (tests passed, code reviewed, documented, etc.) that must be satisfied before work is considered complete.

Which artifact documents the mapping between test cases and the requirements they verify, ensuring complete coverage?

Answer: Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)

A Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) maps each requirement to its corresponding test cases, ensuring all requirements are tested.

In an agile project, which practice BEST supports continuous stakeholder communication about quality?

Answer: Sharing live test dashboards and raising quality blockers in daily standups and sprint reviews

Continuous visibility through dashboards and regular ceremonies keeps stakeholders informed and enables timely decisions.

What is the first step in risk assessment for Software Testing professionals?

Answer: Identifying potential hazards and vulnerabilities in the specific context

This is fundamental to Software Testing practice. Identifying potential hazards and vulnerabilities in the specific context represents the professional standard for risk management in the Software Testing certification framework.

How should Software Testing professionals prioritize identified risks?

Answer: Based on likelihood of occurrence combined with severity of potential impact

This is fundamental to Software Testing practice. Based on likelihood of occurrence combined with severity of potential impact represents the professional standard for risk management in the Software Testing certification framework.

What is the MOST important outcome of conducting a defect triage meeting?

Answer: Prioritizing open defects by severity and business impact so the team can make informed release decisions

Defect triage ensures that the right defects get fixed in the right order based on risk and business value.

A risk matrix shows a risk as 'Red.' According to typical risk-based testing strategy, what testing approach applies?

Answer: Apply thorough testing with multiple techniques and high coverage

Red (high) risks demand the most rigorous testing effort including multiple techniques, deep coverage, and early execution in the test cycle.

Equivalence partitioning is defined as

Answer: black box testing technique appropriate to all levels of testing

Equivalence partitioning is a black-box testing technique where input data is divided into partitions (or classes) of equivalent data. The assumption is that if one condition in a partition works, all will work, and if one fails, all will fail. This technique is highly effective for reducing the number of test cases while maintaining test coverage and can be applied at all levels of testing.

Which tool is commonly used for root cause analysis in Software Testing quality management?

Answer: Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram to identify contributing factors systematically

This is fundamental to Software Testing practice. Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram to identify contributing factors systematically represents the professional standard for quality in the Software Testing certification framework.

What is 'publication bias' and why is it relevant to evidence-based software testing?

Answer: The tendency for positive results to be published more often, skewing the available evidence

Publication bias inflates apparent effectiveness of techniques because negative or null results are less likely to be published.

Which testing challenge is MOST unique to compliance testing compared to standard functional testing?

Answer: Providing legally defensible documentation that requirements were met

Compliance testing must produce auditable, legally defensible evidence that regulatory requirements were verified, not just confirm the software works.

Which type of software review is the most formal and structured, with defined roles including a moderator, author, reviewers, and scribe?

Answer: Inspection

Fagan inspections are the most formal review type with defined roles, entry/exit criteria, checklists, and metrics collection.

What is the main advantage of using a BDD (Behavior-Driven Development) framework like Cucumber for digital application testing?

Answer: It bridges communication between business stakeholders and developers through human-readable scenarios

BDD frameworks let non-technical stakeholders write or review test scenarios in plain language (Given/When/Then), aligning development with business expectations.

What is the primary risk of 'HARKing' (Hypothesizing After Results are Known) in software testing research?

Answer: It presents post-hoc observations as pre-planned hypotheses, inflating false-positive rates

HARKing misrepresents exploratory findings as confirmatory, bypassing the protection against chance results that pre-registration provides.

A financial application crashes with a stack overflow error only after running for 72 hours in production. Which testing approach is designed to detect this class of defect?

Answer: Soak (endurance) testing

Soak testing runs the system under normal load for an extended period to uncover memory leaks, resource exhaustion, and other degradation issues that only appear over time.

In use case testing, what is a 'basic flow'?

Answer: The most common successful path through a use case

The basic flow (main scenario) represents the normal, successful execution path through a use case with no exceptions or errors.

A QA lead must recommend a test approach for a project where requirements change frequently. Which approach provides the best adaptability?

Answer: Risk-based testing combined with exploratory testing sessions

Risk-based and exploratory testing adapt well to changing requirements because they prioritize by risk and rely on tester judgment rather than rigid scripts.

A remote stakeholder frequently misses status meetings. What is the BEST adaptation for maintaining communication?

Answer: Provide asynchronous updates via email summaries or recorded sessions with a clear action-item log

Asynchronous communication bridges time zone and scheduling barriers while keeping stakeholders informed and accountable.

In a cause-and-effect (Ishikawa) diagram, what are the main categories typically represented as 'bones'?

Answer: Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Environment

The Ishikawa fishbone diagram organizes potential causes under the 6M categories: Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, and Environment.

What is the difference between verification and validation in software testing?

Answer: Verification checks if we built it right; validation checks if we built the right thing

Verification ensures the product is built correctly per specifications, while validation ensures the right product is built to satisfy user needs.