CTAL-TA_Syll2019 ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Analyst (Syllabus 2019) Questions and Answers

Boundary value analysis is a technique that focuses on testing the values at the boundaries of valid and invalid partitions. It is suitable for testing the errors caused by incorrect use of relational operators in the code, such as “>” and “<” instead of “>=” and“<=”. By creating test cases using boundary value analysis, the tester can verify that the system handles the borderline cases correctly and does not miss any edge cases.

References =

• ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Syllabus 2019, Section 3.2.2.2, page 411
• Software Testing - Boundary Value Analysis - GeeksforGeeks2
• State Transition Testing – Diagram & Technique (Example) - Guru993

State transition is a technique that analyzes the behavior of an application for different input conditions and how it changes from one state to another in response to events. It is useful for testing scenarios where the date of reservation is a critical factor that affects the system state and output1

References =

• ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Syllabus 2019, Section 3.2.2.3, page 432
• State Transition Testing – Diagram & Technique (Example) - Guru993
• State Transition Testing - GeeksforGeeks4

A usability review is a technique that evaluates the usability of a system or product based on a set of criteria or heuristics, without involving the actual users. It can be performed by experts or peers, and it can identify potential usability problems and suggest improvements. A usability review is suitable for situations where the availability of users is limited or impractical, and it can provide quick and low-costfeedback. References = ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst, page 81, section 5.3.2.2.

A system architecture document is a document that describes the structure and behavior of a system, including its components, interfaces, communication protocols, and dependencies. It is typically used by a Test Analyst as the test basis for interoperability testing, as it provides the necessary information to design test cases that cover the interactions between different systems or components. A system architecture document can also help to identify potential risks and challenges related to interoperability testing, such as compatibility issues, performance bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, and data integrity problems. References = Interoperability Testing in Software Testing (Section 2.2), A Simple Guide to Interoperability Testing (with Examples) (Section 2.3), ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst (Section 3.3.1)

Incident logging and reporting is an important part of incident management, as it helps to document the incident details, communicate the incident status, and analyze the incident causes and impacts1. One of the steps in incident logging and reporting is to identify and log any new risks that have surfaced as a result of the incident2. This helps to assess the severity and priority of the incident, as well as to plan for risk mitigation and contingency actions3. Debugging the code and updating the test automation are not part of incident logging and reporting, but rather part of incident resolution and recovery4. None is not a valid answer, as there is always room for improvement in incident management5.

References = 1: 5 Steps to Create an Effective Incident Reporting Procedure 2: 12 Things To Include In An Incident Report Log (Full Guide) 3: Incident reporting procedure example and flow chart 4: What is incident management? Steps, tips, and best practices 5: Incident Management: Process, System, & Tools

The requirement states that the system shall allow cash advances of at least 200 Euros, but it does not specify the maximum amount or the conditions for different cards. This could lead to confusion, inconsistency, and errors in the system’s functionality and testing. The requirement should be more precise and define the exact limits and rules for each card type and scenario. References = ISTQBAdvanced Level Test Analyst Syllabus 2019, section 2.1.1; Requirement Analysis Templates & Techniques, section “Requirement Analysis Best Practices”.

The correct answer isD.User acceptance testing.

User acceptance testing

User acceptance testing (UAT) is the type of testing that focuses on high-level business cases and ensures that the system meets the user’s needs and expectations. It is usually conducted in the software development lifecycle after the system integration testing and before the deployment.UAT involves real users or stakeholders who validate the functionality, usability, and reliability of the system in a realistic environment1.

References=

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst2, Section 3.2.2 Functionality
• ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide3, Section 3.2.2 Functionality
• User Acceptance Testing: A Complete Guide4, Section 1. What is User Acceptance Testing?

The level of detail and documentation required for test cases in the project depends on the type of application under test, the standards followed by the organization, and the maturity of the development process. For a medical domain application that is undergoing frequent changes, it is advisable to use low-level test cases that provide more details and specifications for each feature. Low-level test cases can support both the external audit and the new junior testers by ensuring traceability between the requirements and the test scenarios, as well as by facilitating future changes or enhancements. Low-level test cases can also be reviewed and updated by both experienced domain-based testers and junior testers who have extensive knowledge of the medical domain. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Overview of Syllabi1, page 10
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst2, page 2
• Healthcare Domain Testing: 60 Sample Test Case Examples3, section “Testing Types for Healthcare Applications”

The correct answer isA.The user should not experience an error that does not have a clear explanation and instructions for correction.

The user should not experience an error that does not have a clear explanation and instructions for correction

User error protection is the degree to which a system protects users against making errors. It includes providing clear and helpful error messages, preventing or minimizing the consequences of errors, and allowing users to recover from errors.In this case, the test condition verifies that the application provides adequate feedback and guidance to the user when an error occurs, such as entering an invalid word, losing network connection, or encountering a system failure1.

References=

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst2, Section 3.2.2 Usability
• ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide3, Section 3.2.2 Usability
• Usability - ISO 250004, Section User error protection

The correct answer isB.The acceptance criteria are not testable.

The acceptance criteria are not testable

The acceptance criteria are not testable because they are vague and subjective. They do not specify any measurable or observable outcomes or conditions that can be verified by the test analyst.For example, what does “as fast as possible” or “easily” mean in terms of performance and usability? How can the test analyst determine if the user does not leave during the transaction or if they log in easily? The acceptance criteria should be rewritten to include clear and quantifiable criteria, such as response time, error rate, user satisfaction, etc1.

References=

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst2, Section 2.1.1 Test Analyst Tasks in the Test Process
• ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide3, Section 2.1.1 Test Analyst Tasks in the Test Process
• What is User Story and Acceptance Criteria (Examples)4, Section 2. What is Acceptance Criteria?

The correct answer isD.Functional appropriateness.

Functional appropriateness

Functional appropriateness is the type of testing that ensures the application is suitable for the intended purpose and the user’s needs. It evaluates the relevance, usefulness, and user-friendliness of the application’s functions and features. In this case, the application should be tested for its suitability for senior citizens, who may have different preferences, expectations, and abilities than younger users.The interface should be easy to understand, navigate, and operate, and the application should provide adequate help and feedback to the users1.

References=

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst2, Section 3.2.2 Functionality
• ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide3, Section 3.2.2 Functionality
• Usability Is Ageless: Conducting Usability Tests with Older Adults4, Section 1.1 Conceptualizing and Assessing Usability

The correct answer isA.It can be used to anonymize production data.

It can be used to anonymize production data

A test data preparation tool is a type of test tool that allows data to be selected from an existing database or created, generated, manipulated and edited for use in tests.One of the capabilities of such a tool is to anonymize production data, which means to mask or replace sensitive or confidential information with fictitious or random data, to protect the privacy and security of the data and comply with the regulations1.

References=

• What is Test data preparation tools in software testing?2
• Top 14 BEST Test Data Management Tools In 20233
• Test Data Preparation Tools: 5 Must-Have Features4

Risk mitigation is the process of implementing actions to reduce the probability and/or impact of risks1. When you execute the tests in priority order based on the risk ratings, you are performing risk mitigation, as you are trying to prevent or minimize the potential failures and defects in the system2. Risk planning, identification, and assessment are the previous steps in the risk management process, which help to prepare for risk mitigation3.

References = 1: Risk Mitigation – Planning, Implementing, and Monitoring 2: Risk Based Testing Approach for Agile Teams 3: The Ultimate Guide to Risk Based Testing: Risk Management in Software Testing

I have searched the web for the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst EXT 2019 documents and study resources, and based on the information I found, I have verified the answer to your question as follows:

Option D

Option D accurately represents the tuition payment rules for both undergraduate and graduate students at Acme University, taking into account the different tuition fees for part-time and full-time students as well as the additional fee for undergraduate students taking more than 18 credit hours. Option D also uses the correct notation for decision tables, such as Y for yes, N for no, and - for don’t care.

References=

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, Section 3.2.2 Decision Tables
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst2, Section 3.2.2 Decision Tables
• ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide3, Section 3.2.2 Decision Tables
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Overview of Syllabi4, Section 1.3 Content

Installability testing is a type of non-functional testing that focuses on verifying that the software can be installed, upgraded, and uninstalled without errors or interruptions1. It is usually performed by a technical test analyst who has knowledge of the installation requirements, dependencies, and configurations2. The main objectives of installability testing are to ensure that the software is compatible with different platforms, environments, and hardware specifications, and that the installation and de-installation processes are functional, reliable, and secure3. Usability issues, such as the clarity, simplicity, and efficiency of the installation and de-installation user interfaces, are not the primary concern of installability testing, and may be better addressed by other types of testing, such as usability testing or user acceptance testing4. References = Installation testing - Wikipedia; ISTQB Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst Syllabus 2019, section 4.3.2; Mastering Installability Testing: A Key Software Quality Assurance Process; Installation Testing | Complete Overview Of Installation Testing

A 0-switch test case is a test case that covers one transition from one state to another. To achieve 100% 0-switch coverage, all the transitions in the state diagram must be tested. The state diagram has seven states: Login, Menu, Logout, Withdraw, Deposit, Get Balance, and Access Account. There are 13 transitions in the state diagram, as shown by the arrows. Therefore, 13 0-switch test cases are needed. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, page 2
• How to Design Test Cases Using State Transition Testing Technique?2, section “0-switch coverage”
• State Transition Testing - Tutorialspoint3, section “State Transition Diagram”

The acceptance criteria are the conditions that must be met for the user story to be considered done and acceptable by the user. They should be defined and testable, meaning that they are clear, measurable, and verifiable. The acceptance criteria for the user story are not well-defined and testable, because they do not specify how the payment is made, how the registration is verified, andhow the monthly limit is enforced. These details are important for testing the functionality and quality of the user story, and should be included in the acceptance criteria. References = ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Test Analyst, Section 2.2.1, Use Case Testing1; How to Write a Good User Story, Section Acceptance Criteria2; Test User Stories with these 10 Tests, Section Testable3

The correct answer isA.Create test data for the keywords that includes error data and verifies the proper error is returned.

Create test data for the keywords that includes error data and verifies the proper error is returned

This is the best way to test the error conditions and still use the keyword-driven tests because it allows the reuse of the existing keywords and functions, while providing different inputs and expected outputs for the test cases.It also ensures that the error checking is automated and consistent, and that the test coverage is adequate1.

References=

• Keyword Driven Testing Framework with Example2, Section How to create Keyword Driven Framework
• What is Keyword Driven Testing: A Detailed Tutorial With Examples3, Section How to perform Keyword Driven Testing
• KEYWORD DRIVEN TESTING4, Section How to do Keyword Driven Testing

The smallest set of test conditions to provide minimum coverage of the boundary values is the one that tests the minimum and maximum values for each category of carpet installation prices, as well as the values that are just above or below the boundaries. Option A covers these values, as it tests the boundary values of 0, 20, and 40 square yards, as well as the values that are one square yard more or less than these boundaries. It also tests the maximum possible value for the carpet area and the value that exceeds it. The other options do not test all the boundary values or have redundant values. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, page 2
• Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Partitioning Testing2, section “Boundary Value Analysis”
• Equivalence Partitioning Method3, section “Example 1: Equivalence and Boundary Value”

Interoperability is the degree to which two or more systems or components can exchange and use information. It is a crucial quality characteristic for an e-commerce product that needs to interface with backend applications, such as finance, stock control and order delivery. The test plan must include tests to verify that the COTS package can communicate and integrate with the existing systems and applications, and that the data and functionality are consistent and accurate across the interfaces. References = ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst, page 10, section 1.2.2.2.

 System integration testing (SIT) is a type of testing that verifies the interactions and functionality of different components or systems within a larger system. The developers, who are responsible for developing and integrating the components or systems, need to understand the tests to review them for accuracy, completeness, and feasibility. The auditors, who are responsible for ensuring the compliance and quality of the system, need to understand the tests to approve them for execution and reporting. References =

• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus Technical Test Analyst1, page 2
• System Integration Testing: A Complete Guide2, section “Who Performs System Integration Testing?”
• System Testing vs Integration Testing: Key Differences3, section “What is System Integration Testing?”