ISTQB ISTQB-CT-TAE Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

ISTQB ISTQB-CT-TAE Online Questions & Answers

• Question 61:

  Which of the following statements, related to aspects of the SUT to be considered when designing a TAA, is mostly true?

  A. All the interactions between SUT and TAS should be logged with the highest level of detail
  B. All the internal test interfaces of the SUT should be removed prior to the product release
  C. All the interfaces of the SUT affected by the tests should be controllable by the TAA
  D. All the external test interfaces of the SUT should be removed prior to the product release
  C. All the interfaces of the SUT affected by the tests should be controllable by the TAA

• Question 62:

  When if the BEST time for automation to consider legal and/or standard requirements for a SUT?

  A. When implementing the SUT
  B. When designing a TAF
  C. When designing a TAA
  D. When developing a TAS
  D. When developing a TAS

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  Explanation

  The best time to consider legal and/or standard requirements for a System Under Test (SUT) is when developing a Test Automation Solution (TAS) (Option d)- . Legal and standard requirements often dictate specific testing protocols, data handling procedures, and compliance checks that must be integrated into the testing process. By considering these requirements during the TAS development phase, the automation framework can be designed to incorporate necessary compliance checks, data protection measures, and other regulatory obligations. This proactive approach ensures that the TAS not only effectively tests the functionality and performance of the SUT but also ensures compliance with relevant legal and industry standards, thereby mitigating the risk of legal challenges and enhancing the quality assurance process.

• Question 63:

  Assume that you are executing the first test run of a test automation suite that consists of 200 tests. All the relevant information related to the state of the SUT and to the automated test execution is stored to a small database. During such run you observe that the first 10 tests pass while an abnormal termination occurs when executing the 11th test: this test does not complete its execution and the overall execution of the suite is aborted. An immediate analysis of the abnormal termination is expected to be too time consuming since you have been asked to produce as soon as possible a detailed report of the test execution results for the first test run.

  Based only on the given information, which of the following would you expect to be the most important action to be performed immediately after the abnormal termination occurred during the execution of the 11th test, in this scenario?

  A. Re-running the test automation suite limited to the subsequent tests
  B. Returning the database to a consistent state that allows subsequent tests to run
  C. Making a backup of the database for later analysis
  D. Re-running the test automation suite from the beginning
  C. Making a backup of the database for later analysis

• Question 64:

  A defect was fixed, confirmed by an automated re-test, and then the confirmation test was added to the automated regression suite. In a later release, the same defect appears again.

  What is the MOST likely explanation?

  A. Confirmation testing should never be automated
  B. The regression suite cannot detect re-occurring defects
  C. Configuration management failed to ensure the corrected software components were properly synchronized
  D. The defect should have been tested only manually
  C. Configuration management failed to ensure the corrected software components were properly synchronized

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  Explanation

  Option C is correct because weak configuration management can allow old or inconsistent component versions to reappear, causing previously fixed defects to return.

  Option A is incorrect because confirmation testing is often a good candidate for automation.

  Option B is incorrect because regression suites are specifically intended to help detect defect re-occurrence.

  Option D is incorrect because manual execution alone does not solve the underlying release and synchronization risk.

• Question 65:

  What is the primary reason for automating a confirmation test?

  A. To verify that a new fix works correctly
  B. To test that a fix made in a prior release is still working
  C. To confirm that a fix doesn't break anything else
  D. To decrease the time it takes to test a new fix
  A. To verify that a new fix works correctly

• Question 66:

  You are reviewing the testability of your SUT.

  Which of the following BEST refers to the characteristic of OBSERVABILITY?

  A. The ability of the SUT to perform its intended function for a specified period of time
  B. The ability to exercise the SUT by entering inputs, triggering events and invoking methods
  C. The ability of the SUT to prevent unauthorized access to its components or data.
  D. The ability to identify states, outputs, intermediate result and error messages in the SUT
  D. The ability to identify states, outputs, intermediate result and error messages in the SUT

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  Explanation

  Observability in the context of a System Under Test (SUT) refers to the degree to which the internal states of the system can be inferred from knowledge of its external outputs. It is a measure of how well internal states of a system can be understood by examining its outputs. In test automation, observability is crucial because it allows testers to understand what is happening inside the SUT without having direct access to its internal workings. This characteristic is essential for identifying and diagnosing issues, understanding system behavior, and ensuring that the system is functioning correctly. High observability means that the system's outputs, including its states and any intermediate results or error messages, are readily available for examination, which is vital for effective testing and debugging.

  References:

  The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus and study materials emphasize the importance of observability as part of the testability of systems. It is highlighted as a key characteristic that enables testers to detect defects and understand system behavior through the outputs the system provides during test execution.

• Question 67:

  You are working on a government system called "Making Tax Digital" or MTD for short. This system is being implemented to stop manual human input error and also to reduce fraudulent behaviour from companies when submitting their tax and VAT returns.

  The key concept is that registered companies will need to use government recommended 3rd party software for their accounts and book keeping. These 3rd party applications will have a direct interface into the government's main system for transactions and submissions. You have been using a test execution tool successfully on the project so far. and have implemented a basic "capture/replay" approach to scripting.

  The management have been encouraged with the automation so far, but want the following objectives to be met:

  1. Test cases added easily.

  2. Reduction in the amount of scripts and script duplication.

  3. Reduction in maintenance costs.

  Which scripting technique would be MOST suitable in this scenario in order to meet the objectives?

  A. Linear scripting
  B. Structured scripting
  C. Data-driven scripting
  D. Keyword-driven scripting
  D. Keyword-driven scripting

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  Explanation

  In the context of the "Making Tax Digital" (MTd)- system, where the objectives are to add test cases easily, reduce the number of scripts and script duplication, and decrease maintenance costs, the most suitable scripting technique would be Keyword-driven scripting. This approach separates the test case instructions from the actual test script, allowing for a more modular and reusable structure. Keywords represent actions that can be applied to different test scenarios, making it easier to add new test cases without writing new scripts. It also reduces duplication and maintenance efforts because changes in the application only require updates to the keywords and their associated actions, rather than multiple individual test scripts.

  References:

  The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus outlines various scripting techniques and their applications. Keyword-driven scripting is recommended for scenarios where maintainability and scalability are priorities, as it promotes reusability and ease of understanding, which aligns with the objectives set by the management for the MTD system.

  Additionally, best practices in test automation for digital systems emphasize the importance of reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency, which keyword-driven scripting supports.

• Question 68:

  New features have been added for the current release of a SUT.

  Which action would NOT be appropriate for the TAE to perform when evaluating the impact on the TAS?

  A. Gather feedback from the Business Analysts to determine if the current TAS will meet the needs of the new features.
  B. Review existing keywords to see if they need to be modified.
  C. Run existing automated tests against the updated SUT to verify and record any changes to their correct operation.
  D. Evaluate compatibility with existing test tools and, where necessary, identify alternative solutions.
  A. Gather feedback from the Business Analysts to determine if the current TAS will meet the needs of the new features.

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  Explanation

  When evaluating the impact of new features on the Test Automation Solution (TAS), it would not be appropriate for the Test Automation Engineer (TAe)- to gather feedback from Business Analysts to determine if the current TAS will meet the needs of the new features (Option a)- . While Business Analysts provide valuable insights into business requirements and the intended functionality of new features, their feedback may not directly inform the technical suitability or readiness of the TAS to handle these new features. Instead, the TAE should focus on technical evaluations such as reviewing existing keywords for necessary modifications (Option b)- , running existing automated tests against the updated SUT to identify any changes in operation (Option c)- , and assessing compatibility with existing test tools or identifying alternative solutions (Option d)- . These actions directly address the technical implications of new features on the TAS, ensuring that the automated testing remains effective and aligned with the evolving requirements of the SUT.

• Question 69:

  You have investigated a new tool which enables the modelling of the SUT and can then generate test cases either manually or automatically. You have convinced your managers that the best way forward is to conduct a pilot project for this tool. You need to select a project to use for the pilot. You have the choice of the following projects: Project A: A two-year project that is critical to the business and is currently in the requirement phase. This project is for a new e-commerce web site and is mostly being developed "in-house" although the payment system is being developed and delivered by a 3rd party provider.

  Project B: A safety critical application for software to drive and park cars.

  Project C: An upgrade to an important HR timesheet tracking application that will be available on a desktop and mobile application. This is a 1-month project developed in-house.

  Project D The payment system from project A.

  Which project would be BEST for the pilot?

  A. Project A because it is a large project and has high visibility and is in the requirement phase.
  B. Project B because it is a safety critical system and has high visibility.
  C. Project C because it is a short, low priority project but is important.
  D. Project D because it is a small part of a larger project and will help show the tool's capabilities.
  C. Project C because it is a short, low priority project but is important.

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  Explanation

  For a pilot project, it's advisable to select a project that is manageable in scope and has a significant, but not critical, impact on the business. Project C fits this description well. It is a short, one-month project, which means the pilot can be conducted and evaluated quickly. Although it is an important project, it is not of such critical business importance that any issues arising from the pilot would cause significant disruption. This allows for a thorough evaluation of the new tool in a real-world setting without the pressure and risk associated with projects of higher business criticality or visibility.

  References:

  The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus suggests that pilot projects should be selected based on criteria such as project size, criticality, and the ability to manage risks effectively. Project C allows for a controlled environment to assess the tool's capabilities and make necessary adjustments before scaling up to more critical projects.

• Question 70:

  What is a realistic expectation for the ratio of failures to defects?

  A. There are usually more failures than defects.
  B. There are usually more defects than failures.
  C. They usually occur in the same proportion.
  D. Only defects should be tracked because a failure may not indicate a defect.
  B. There are usually more defects than failures.