ISTQB Chapter 1 Trivia Quiz

1. Which of the statements below is the best assessment of how the test principles apply across the test life cycle?

Test principles only affect the preparation for testing.

Test principles only affect test execution activities.

Test principles affect early test activities such as a review.

Test principles affect activities throughout the test life cycle.

Test principles are guidelines or rules that guide the testing process. They provide a framework for conducting effective testing and ensuring high-quality results. These principles are applicable not only during the preparation for testing but also during test execution activities. Additionally, they have an impact on early test activities such as reviews and continue to influence activities throughout the entire test life cycle. Therefore, the statement that test principles affect activities throughout the test life cycle is the best assessment.

Explanation

Test principles are guidelines or rules that guide the testing process. They provide a framework for conducting effective testing and ensuring high-quality results. These principles are applicable not only during the preparation for testing but also during test execution activities. Additionally, they have an impact on early test activities such as reviews and continue to influence activities throughout the entire test life cycle. Therefore, the statement that test principles affect activities throughout the test life cycle is the best assessment.

2. According to the ISTQB Glossary, the word "bug" is synonymous with which of the following words?

Incident

Defect

Mistake

Error

According to the ISTQB Glossary, the term "bug" is synonymous with the word "defect". A defect refers to a flaw or an imperfection in a software product that can cause it to not function as intended. This term is commonly used in the software testing field to describe any deviation from the expected behavior of a system. Therefore, "defect" is the correct answer as it aligns with the definition provided by the ISTQB Glossary.

Explanation

According to the ISTQB Glossary, the term "bug" is synonymous with the word "defect". A defect refers to a flaw or an imperfection in a software product that can cause it to not function as intended. This term is commonly used in the software testing field to describe any deviation from the expected behavior of a system. Therefore, "defect" is the correct answer as it aligns with the definition provided by the ISTQB Glossary.

3. According to the ISTQB Glossary, regression testing is required for what purpose?

To verify the success of corrective actions.

To prevent a task from being incorrectly considered completed.

To ensure that defects have not been introduced by a modification.

To motivate better unit testing by the programmers.

Regression testing is a type of software testing that is performed to ensure that changes or modifications in the software do not introduce any new defects or issues. It involves retesting the previously tested functionalities to make sure that they still work as expected after the modifications. Therefore, the purpose of regression testing, according to the ISTQB Glossary, is to ensure that defects have not been introduced by a modification.

Explanation

Regression testing is a type of software testing that is performed to ensure that changes or modifications in the software do not introduce any new defects or issues. It involves retesting the previously tested functionalities to make sure that they still work as expected after the modifications. Therefore, the purpose of regression testing, according to the ISTQB Glossary, is to ensure that defects have not been introduced by a modification.

4. During Test Planning and Control, we determine the _____ approach.

Test

Clean

Reset

None of these

During Test Planning and Control, we determine the test approach. This refers to the overall strategy and methods that will be used to conduct the testing activities. It involves deciding on the scope of testing, the types of tests to be performed, the test environment, and the resources required. The test approach is crucial in ensuring that the testing process is efficient and effective in identifying defects and ensuring the quality of the software being tested.

Explanation

During Test Planning and Control, we determine the test approach. This refers to the overall strategy and methods that will be used to conduct the testing activities. It involves deciding on the scope of testing, the types of tests to be performed, the test environment, and the resources required. The test approach is crucial in ensuring that the testing process is efficient and effective in identifying defects and ensuring the quality of the software being tested.

5. A company recently purchased a commercial off-the-shelf application to automate its bill-paying process. They now plan to run an acceptance test again the package prior to putting it into production. Which of the following is their most likely reason for testing?

To build confidence in the application.

To detect bugs in the application.

To gather evidence for a lawsuit.

To train the users

The company's most likely reason for testing the application is to build confidence in its functionality and reliability. By conducting an acceptance test, they can ensure that the application meets their requirements and performs as expected. This will give them the assurance that the application is ready to be put into production and will effectively automate their bill-paying process. Testing is essential to identify any potential issues or shortcomings in the application and address them before it is deployed.

Explanation

The company's most likely reason for testing the application is to build confidence in its functionality and reliability. By conducting an acceptance test, they can ensure that the application meets their requirements and performs as expected. This will give them the assurance that the application is ready to be put into production and will effectively automate their bill-paying process. Testing is essential to identify any potential issues or shortcomings in the application and address them before it is deployed.

6. A test team consistently finds between 90% and 95% of the defects present in the system under test. While the test manager understands that this is a good defect-detection percentage for her test team and industry, senior management and executives remain disappointed in the test group, saying that the test team misses too many bugs. Given that the users are generally happy with the system and that the failures which have occurred have generally been the low impact, which of the following testing principles is most likely to help the test manager explain to these managers and executives why some defects are likely to be missed?

Exhaustive testing is impossible.

Defect clustering

Pesticide paradox

Absence-of-errors fallacy

The test manager can explain to the managers and executives that even though the test team consistently finds a high percentage of defects, it is impossible to achieve 100% defect detection through testing. This is because exhaustive testing, which would involve testing every possible combination and scenario, is not feasible due to time and resource constraints. Therefore, it is expected that some defects will be missed during testing, and this is a common understanding in the industry. This principle of "exhaustive testing is impossible" helps to explain why some defects are likely to be missed, even though the system is generally functioning well and users are satisfied.

Explanation

The test manager can explain to the managers and executives that even though the test team consistently finds a high percentage of defects, it is impossible to achieve 100% defect detection through testing. This is because exhaustive testing, which would involve testing every possible combination and scenario, is not feasible due to time and resource constraints. Therefore, it is expected that some defects will be missed during testing, and this is a common understanding in the industry. This principle of "exhaustive testing is impossible" helps to explain why some defects are likely to be missed, even though the system is generally functioning well and users are satisfied.

7. Which of the following is most important to promote and maintain good relationships between testers and developers?

Understanding what managers value about testing.

Explaining test results in a neutral fashion.

Identifying potential customer workarounds for bugs.

Promoting better quality software whenever possible.

Explaining test results in a neutral fashion is the most important factor in promoting and maintaining good relationships between testers and developers. By presenting the test results in an unbiased and objective manner, it helps to avoid any conflicts or misunderstandings between the two parties. This approach ensures that the developers understand the issues and bugs identified during testing without feeling attacked or criticized. It fosters open communication and collaboration, allowing both testers and developers to work together towards resolving the identified issues and improving the quality of the software.

Explanation

Explaining test results in a neutral fashion is the most important factor in promoting and maintaining good relationships between testers and developers. By presenting the test results in an unbiased and objective manner, it helps to avoid any conflicts or misunderstandings between the two parties. This approach ensures that the developers understand the issues and bugs identified during testing without feeling attacked or criticized. It fosters open communication and collaboration, allowing both testers and developers to work together towards resolving the identified issues and improving the quality of the software.

8. According to the ISTQB Glossary, risk relates to which of the following?

Negative feedback to the tester.

Negative consequences will occur.

Negative consequences that could occur

Negative consequences for the test object.

According to the ISTQB Glossary, risk relates to negative consequences that could occur. This means that risk refers to potential negative outcomes or events that may happen in relation to a particular activity or situation. It implies that there is a possibility of harm, loss, or failure, and it is important to identify, assess, and manage these risks effectively to mitigate their potential impact.

Explanation

According to the ISTQB Glossary, risk relates to negative consequences that could occur. This means that risk refers to potential negative outcomes or events that may happen in relation to a particular activity or situation. It implies that there is a possibility of harm, loss, or failure, and it is important to identify, assess, and manage these risks effectively to mitigate their potential impact.

9. Ensuring that a test design starts during the requirements definition phase is important to enabling which of the following test objectives?

Preventing defects in the system.

Finding defects through dynamic testing.

Gaining confidence in the system.

Finishing the project on time.

Starting the test design during the requirements definition phase is important to prevent defects in the system. This is because by starting the test design early, the testers can identify any potential issues or inconsistencies in the requirements, which can help prevent defects from occurring in the system. By catching and addressing these issues early on, the test design can help ensure that the system is developed and implemented correctly, reducing the likelihood of defects in the final product.

Explanation

Starting the test design during the requirements definition phase is important to prevent defects in the system. This is because by starting the test design early, the testers can identify any potential issues or inconsistencies in the requirements, which can help prevent defects from occurring in the system. By catching and addressing these issues early on, the test design can help ensure that the system is developed and implemented correctly, reducing the likelihood of defects in the final product.

10. In the case of large systems, testing should be done on the basis of ______

Files

Storage

Both A & B

Risk

In the case of large systems, testing should be done on the basis of risk. This means that the testing process should prioritize areas or features of the system that are considered to have a higher risk of failure or impact on the overall system performance. By focusing on testing the riskier aspects, it allows for the identification and mitigation of potential issues that could have a significant impact on the system's functionality or stability. This approach helps ensure that the most critical areas are thoroughly tested and increases the overall quality and reliability of the system.

Explanation

In the case of large systems, testing should be done on the basis of risk. This means that the testing process should prioritize areas or features of the system that are considered to have a higher risk of failure or impact on the overall system performance. By focusing on testing the riskier aspects, it allows for the identification and mitigation of potential issues that could have a significant impact on the system's functionality or stability. This approach helps ensure that the most critical areas are thoroughly tested and increases the overall quality and reliability of the system.