Free Practice Questions for ISTQB CT-UT Exam

The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a standardized, reliable tool used to measure perceived usability. It consists of 10 items with five response options (from strongly agree to strongly disagree). It is widely used due to its simplicity and effectiveness in providing a single score to reflect a user’s overall satisfaction with a system. Option A refers to ISO's definition of usability testing, B describes a task in usability testing, and D refers to a usability requirement, not SUS. Therefore, the correct description of SUS is option C.

The use of HTML tables for layout instead of proper semantic HTML and responsive design violates accessibility guidelines, particularly those defined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Such a design makes it difficult or impossible for users relying on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies to interact effectively with the site. Therefore, this creates a significant accessibility risk, which is distinct from general usability or user experience risks. Accessibility ensures inclusion of users with physical or cognitive impairments, making option B the correct choice.

The usability test moderator plays a crucial role during the execution phase of a usability test. Their principal task is to facilitate the test sessions by guiding participants through predefined testing tasks, observing behaviors, and ensuring that the test environment is neutral and free from bias. Defining testing tasks, however, is primarily done during the test design phase by the usability test designer or analyst, but the moderator ensures these tasks are clearly communicated and administered to participants during the session. Logging usability problems (option B) is often done by observers or analysts reviewing session recordings or notes, not directly by the moderator during live testing. Creating a survey plan (option C) and writing the usability test plan (option D) are preparatory activities generally done before the test sessions and are not the moderator's main focus. Therefore, the principal role of the moderator centers on conducting the sessions and managing task delivery effectively to obtain authentic user interaction with the system under test.

Moderating the usability test is a core activity during the actual usability test session. The moderator guides participants through tasks, ensures the session stays on track, and avoids introducing bias. Option A (testing the setup) happens before the session, during preparation. Option C (extracting findings) occurs during analysis, after the test. Option D (talking during task execution) should be minimized unless necessary, to avoid influencing user behavior. Therefore, option B is the only correct answer aligned with best practices in usability testing.

The Equality Act 2010 (UK) is legislation designed to protect individuals from discrimination in various areas, including employment and access to goods and services—this includes digital products like websites. While it does not directly mandate WCAG compliance levels (A or AA), it implies that digital services must be accessible to users with disabilities. Organizations are required to make "reasonable adjustments" to avoid discrimination. Therefore, the most accurate and comprehensive answer is B.

The described issue violates the usability heuristic “User control and freedom,” as defined by Jakob Nielsen. This principle emphasizes that users should have the ability to undo and redo actions and navigate freely without being trapped in irreversible sequences. In the scenario, users are forced into the checkout process without a clear way to return or correct mistakes, except through the unreliable and disruptive back button. This design flaw undermines user autonomy and can result in lost progress or frustration.

A usability requirement specifies how usable a product or component must be, often in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction, as defined in ISO 9241-11. These requirements ensure that the product meets specific human-centered design goals, such as allowing users to complete tasks accurately and quickly. Options A and C describe procedural or test setup elements, not actual usability requirements. Option B refers to personnel qualifications, which are not the same as usability requirements related to system behavior or performance.

The human-centered design process emphasizes iterative development—testing and refining designs through multiple cycles. In the scenario, the project manager interviewed users and evaluated a prototype but did not iterate based on feedback. Skipping iteration likely resulted in unmet user needs. Human-centered design, per ISO 9241-210, includes: understanding context of use, specifying requirements, producing design solutions, and evaluating—repeated iteratively. Hence, option D (“iterate”) is correct.

A usability test plan is a foundational document created before conducting usability testing. It outlines the objectives, scope, methodology, participants, tasks, and schedule for the testing activities. One of its essential components is the schedule, which details when and how test sessions will occur to ensure proper resource allocation and time management. Including a schedule helps coordinate between test moderators, participants, observers, and stakeholders, making the testing process organized and efficient.

While briefing instructions (Option B) may be related to the usability test, they are typically documented separately or included in participant materials rather than the formal test plan itself. The test plan should be concise and focused; it need not be overly elaborate or lengthy (Option C), as clarity and usability of the plan are more important than length. The results of the test sessions (Option D) are not included in the test plan but rather compiled afterward in a test report or analysis document.

Therefore, the correct statement is that the usability test plan contains a schedule, ensuring a structured timeline for the usability testing activities.