Free Practice Questions for ISTQB ATM Exam

Key Factors in Test Estimation:

Test estimation requires identifying measurable factors that influence the testing process, includingeffort(workload in person-hours),time(calendar duration),cost, and thespecific test activities(e.g., planning, design, execution).

These are critical to align resources and schedules, ensuring effective project management.

Evaluation of Options:

Ais incorrect: While "lines of code" may relate to testing scope in specific cases, it is not universally applicable in test estimation.

Bis incorrect: "Start and end dates" are outputs of planning, not estimation.

Cis partially correct but lacks a focus on "test activities," which is crucial for completeness.

Dis correct as it covers effort, time, cost, and test activities, reflecting a comprehensive test estimate.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

As per ISTQB Advanced Test Management syllabus, test estimation should consider effort, time, cost, and activities under "Test Planning" (TM-1.1.1)​​​.

Context Analysis:

Competitive market conditions emphasize the importance of usability, performance, and user perceptions, highlighting risks to user satisfaction and product success.

Evaluation of Test Approaches:

A. Model-based:

Incorrect. This approach is used for validating predefined models, not addressing specific usability and performance risks.

B. Experience-based:

Incorrect. Useful for exploratory testing but does not directly align with prioritizing and addressing risks.

C. Risk-based:

Correct. Focuses on identifying and mitigating the highest risks, such as usability and performance in this context.

D. Requirements-based:

Incorrect. Emphasizes functional completeness, not specific quality characteristics like usability or performance.

Syllabus Alignment:

ISTQB Advanced Test Management syllabus highlights risk-based approaches as effective for addressing high-impact quality characteristics (TM-1.3.4).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-1.3.4)​​​=========================

Context Analysis:

Heavyweight risk-based techniques involve thorough, detailed analyses to identify and mitigate potential risks comprehensively.

Hazard analysis is a structured method to identify and address risks, commonly used in safety-critical domains.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Systematic software testing:

Incorrect. While methodical, it is not inherently a risk-based technique.

B. Pragmatic risk analysis:

Incorrect. This is a lightweight technique emphasizing practical application over detailed analysis.

C. Brainstorming:

Incorrect. While useful for generating ideas, it is not detailed enough to qualify as heavyweight.

D. Hazard analysis:

Correct. It is a formal and comprehensive approach, qualifying as a heavyweight technique.

Syllabus Alignment:

ISTQB highlights hazard analysis as a detailed, structured risk-based technique (TM-1.3.4).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-1.3.4)​

Scenario Analysis:

The testing team is being augmented with an offshore team, creating potential friction and resistance due to concerns about job security.

The ambassadors’ role is critical to ensure smooth collaboration and to address the concerns of the existing team while fostering trust and communication with the offshore team.

Correct Option Justification:

Option C (Social competence and personal competence):

Social competence ensures that ambassadors can effectively communicate, build trust, and resolve conflicts between the onshore and offshore teams. This is essential for fostering collaboration and mitigating resistance.

Personal competence focuses on self-awareness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, which are crucial for managing their team’s concerns and acting as role models for positive behavior during the transition.

Together, these competences address the interpersonal dynamics and morale issues inherent in such a situation​​.

Option A (Professional competence and methodological competence):

While valuable in other contexts, technical and methodological skills are secondary in this situation. The ambassadors’ primary role is to facilitate collaboration, not to focus on domain expertise or process methodologies​​.

Option B (Methodological competence and social competence):

Methodological competence (e.g., understanding tools and processes) is less critical here than personal competence, as the challenge is more about team dynamics and less about technical execution​.

Option D (Personal competence and professional competence):

Professional competence (e.g., domain expertise) is not the priority in addressing team resistance or fostering offshore collaboration. Social competence is more crucial to building relationships and trust​.

Key Competence Emphasis:

The ISTQB Advanced Test Management syllabus highlights the importance of social and interpersonal skills in managing stakeholder relationships, team dynamics, and cross-functional collaborations (TM-3.1.5).

Syllabus References:

The syllabus emphasizes the importance of team management and addressing concerns during organizational changes. Ambassadors need to focus on team integration, cultural adaptation, and resolving resistance to change​​.

Exam Structure Reference:

This question aligns with K2 (understanding) in the ISTQB Advanced Test Management exam, focusing on understanding the roles and skills necessary for successful team collaboration and management​.

Challenges for Manual Testers Transitioning to Automation:

Manual testers often lack strong technical skills required for scripting. Tools withhigh usabilityandAI-assisted featuressimplify script creation and reduce the technical expertise needed.

Evaluation of Options:

A(Low license costs) is unrelated to aiding testers' technical capabilities.

B(Remote storage) is beneficial but does not address skill gaps.

C(High usability with AI-assisted object capture) directly helps by simplifying automation tasks.

D(Good reporting) is valuable but not relevant to skill transition.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

This matches tool evaluation criteria outlined in the ISTQB syllabus under "Test Tools" (TM-1.6.1)​​.

Context Analysis:

The manager perceives conservative estimates as overly negative. The goal is to balance optimism with realism to satisfy both the team and the manager.

Three-point estimation provides a range of estimates: optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely, addressing the need for a positive yet realistic projection.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Wideband Delphi:

Involves group-based estimation using consensus techniques. While reliable, it does not explicitly offer optimistic vs. realistic estimates.

B. Planning Poker:

Often used in Agile projects, this technique involves relative estimation but does not inherently provide optimistic and pessimistic figures.

C. Three-point estimation:

Correct. Combines optimistic, pessimistic, and realistic estimates to calculate a weighted average. This allows presentation of both realistic and “positive” numbers to the manager.

D. Extrapolation:

Based on past data trends but does not offer a range of estimates or a way to address manager concerns directly.

Syllabus Alignment:The ISTQB syllabus mentions estimation methods like three-point estimation as effective techniques for providing balanced and transparent project timelines (TM-2.2.1).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus​

Experience-Based Testing:

This testing approach relies on the testers' knowledge, experience, and intuition about the system and its usage rather than formal requirements or models.

It is often used when documentation is incomplete or time constraints limit more structured approaches.

Evaluation of Options:

A(Detailed requirements) andB(Usage models) are associated with structured testing techniques.

Cis correct as experience-based testing depends on the testers' understanding of the system.

D(Full risk assessment) supports risk-based testing, not experience-based testing.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

Experience-based testing is detailed under "Test Techniques" (TM-1.4.1) in the ISTQB syllabus​​.

Definition of Appraisal Costs:

Appraisal costs include expenses related to evaluating and testing the product to detect defects before release.

These include costs for dynamic testing, reviews, inspections, and validation activities.

Evaluation of Options:

Arefers to prevention costs, not appraisal.

Bis correct because dynamic testing is an appraisal activity.

Crefers to failure costs (internal/external), not appraisal.

Drelates to legal failure costs.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

Appraisal costs are outlined under "Cost of Quality" in ISTQB syllabus (TM-2.1.1)​​​.

Understanding SMART Goals:

SMART goals must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

The goal "automate 90% of the manual regression tests before the product release date" may not beachievabledepending on the time constraints and resources available.

Evaluation of Options:

Ais correct because the issue lies in whether automating 90% is feasible within the timeline.

Bis incorrect as the goal is specific.

Cis incorrect because automating regression tests is relevant to reducing regressions.

Dis incorrect since the goal is measurable by the percentage of automation achieved.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

Aligned with ISTQB Advanced Test Management guidelines on goal setting and test automation strategies (TM-1.6.2)​​​.