ISTQB sample questions answers

You may follow the complete series of Fundamentals of Testing articles here:

Why a Software Fails?
Keeping Software Test Under Control
What Testing is and What Testing Does
Software Testing Principles
Fundamental Software Test Processes
Psychology of Software Testing
Testers Code of Ethics
ISTQB Sample Questions

Que1: Which of the following is correct?
Debugging is:

a. Testing/checking whether the software performs correctly.
b. Checking that a previously reported defect has been corrected.
c. Identifying the cause of a defect, repairing the code and checking the fix is correct.
d. Checking that no unintended consequences have occurred as a result of a fix.

Answers

Ans1: The correct answer is c.
a. is a brief definition of testing.
b. is retesting.
d. is regression testing.

Que2: Which of the following are aids to good communication, and which hinder it?
i. Try to understand how the other person feels.
ii. Communicate personal feelings, concentrating upon individuals.
iii. Confirm the other person has understood what you have said and vice versa.
iv. Emphasise the common goal of better quality.
v. Each discussion is a battle to be won.

a. (i), (ii) and (iii) aid, (iv) and (v) hinder.
b. (iii), (iv) and (v) aid, (i) and (ii) hinder.
c. (i), (iii) and (iv) aid, (ii) and (v) hinder.
d. (ii), (iii) and (iv) aid, (i) and (v) hinder.

Answers

The correct answer is c.

Que3: Which option is part of the ‘implementation and execution’ area of the fundamental test process?
a. Developing the tests.
b. Comparing actual and expected results.
c. Writing a test summary.
d. Analyzing lessons learnt for future releases.

Answers

The correct answer is b.
a. is part of ‘Analysis and design’.
c. is part of ‘Evaluating exit criteria and reporting’.
d. is part of ‘Test closure activities’.

Que4:
The five parts of the fundamental test process have a broad chronological order. Which of the options gives three different parts in the correct order?
a. Implementation and execution, planning and control, analysis and design.
b. Analysis and design, evaluating exit criteria and reporting, test closure activities.
c. Evaluating exit criteria and reporting, implementation and execution, analysis and design.
Evaluating exit criteria and reporting, test closure activities, analysis and design.

Answers
The correct answer is b.
All other answers have at least one stage of the fundamental test process in the wrong sequence.

Que5:
Which pair of definitions is correct?
a. Regression testing is checking that the reported defect has been fixed; retesting is testing that there are no additional problems in previously tested software.
b. Regression testing is checking there are no additional problems in previously tested software; retesting enables developers to isolate the problem.
c. Regression testing involves running all tests that have been run before; retesting runs new tests.
d. Regression testing is checking that there are no additional problems in previously tested software, retesting is demonstrating that the reported defect has been fixed.

Answers

The correct answer is d.
Regression testing is testing that nothing has regressed. Retesting (or confirmation testing) confirms the fix is correct by running the same test after the fix has been made. No other option has both of these as true.

Que6:
Which statement is most true?
a. Different testing is needed depending upon the application.
b. All software is tested in the same way.
c. A technique that finds defects will always find defects.
d. A technique that has found no defects is not useful.

Answers

The correct answer is a.
This is a restatement of the testing principle ‘Testing is context dependent’.

Que7:
When is testing complete?
a. When time and budget are exhausted.
b. When there is enough information for sponsors to make an informed decision about release.
c. When there are no remaining high priority defects outstanding.
d. When every data combination has been exercised successfully.

Answers

The correct answer is b.
Sometimes time/money does signify the end of testing, but it is really complete when everything that was set out in advance has been achieved.

Que8:
Which list of levels of tester independence is in the correct order, starting with the most independent first?
a. Tests designed by the author; tests designed by another member of the development team; tests designed by someone from a different company.
b. Tests designed by someone from a different department within the company; tests designed by the author; tests designed by someone from a different company.
c. Tests designed by someone from a different company; tests designed by someone from a different department within the company; tests designed by another member of the development team.
d. Tests designed by someone from a different department within the company; tests designed by someone from a different company; tests designed by the author.

Answers

The correct answer is c.
This option has someone nearer to the written code in each statement. All other options are not in this order.

Que9:
The following statements relate to activities that are part of the fundamental test process.
i. Evaluating the testability of requirements.
ii. Repeating testing activities after changes.
iii. Designing the test environment set-up.
iv. Developing and prioritising test cases.
v. Verifying the environment is set up correctly.

Which statement below is TRUE?

a. (i) and (ii) are part of analysis and design, (iii), (iv) and (v) are part of test implementation and execution.
b. (i) and (iii) are part of analysis and design, (ii), (iv) and (v) are part of test implementation and execution.
c. (i) and (v) are part of analysis and design, (ii), (iii) and (iv) are part of test implementation and execution.
d. (i) and (iv) are part of analysis and design, (ii), (iii) and (v) are part of test implementation and execution.

Answers

The correct answer is b.
All other answers contain an activity identified as analysis and design that is part of implementation and test execution.

Que10:
Which statement correctly describes the public and profession aspects of the code of ethics?
a. Public: Certified software testers shall act in the best interests of their client and employer (being consistent with the wider public interest). Profession: Certified software testers shall advance the integrity and reputation of their industry consistent with the public interest.
b. Public: Certified software testers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest. Profession: Certified software testers shall consider the wider public interest in their actions.
c. Public: Certified software testers shall consider the wider public interest in their actions. Profession: Certified software testers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of their profession.
d. Public: Certified software testers shall consider the wider public interest in their actions. Profession: Certified software testers shall advance the integrity and reputation of their industry consistent with the public interest.

Answers

The correct answer is d.
All the answers reflect the definition of two of the items from the code of ethics, and care must be taken in searching for the Public item because ‘public’ or ‘public interest’ are used in several of the eight items in the code. The key is that ‘public’ is the main item, rather than a subsidiary. In the order given in the options, a. reflects Client and employer and Profession while b. gives Profession and Public (the correct choices, but the wrong way round). Option c. gives Public and Self, leaving the last option d. to give Public and Profession.