Free Practice Questions for ISTQB CTAL-TM Exam

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)​​​.

Context Analysis:

The test strategy defines thContext Analysis:

Monitoring code coverage is inherently tied to knowledge of the internal structure of the software, a characteristic of white-box testing.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Black-box:

Incorrect. Black-box testing focuses on functionality without knowledge of internal structures.

B. White-box:

Correct. White-box testing uses internal code knowledge to determine areas that need more coverage.

C. Functional:

Incorrect. Functional testing assesses functionality without inspecting internal code.

D. Non-functional:

Incorrect. Non-functional testing focuses on performance, usability, etc., not code coverage.

Syllabus Alignment:

ISTQB associates code coverage monitoring with white-box testing techniques (TM-1.2.6).

Key Data for Defect Process Improvement:

Analyzing when defects are introduced versus when they are detected is critical to identifying process inefficiencies.

This information helps pinpoint gaps in earlier phases, allowing the team to implement preventive measures and reduce overall costs.

Evaluation of Options:

AandBare useful but do not address the root cause of inefficiencies.

C(Risk areas and severity relationship) is helpful but secondary to understanding phase discrepancies.

Dis correct as it provides the most actionable insights for process improvement.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

Defect lifecycle analysis is discussed under "Defect Management" (TM-2.3.1) in the ISTQB syllabus​​.

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​.

Purpose of Retrospectives:

Retrospectives are team meetings aimed at reflecting on the work process to identify what went well (strengths) and areas that can be improved (opportunities).

This aligns with continuous process improvement practices.

Evaluation of Options:

A(Everyone shakes hands) is trivial and not a core activity.

B(Reviewing data collection methods) may be part of broader discussions but is not the primary focus.

Cis correct because it directly reflects retrospective goals.

D(Brainstorming solutions) typically occurs in follow-up sessions, not during the retrospective itself.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

Retrospective practices are emphasized in "Improving the Test Process" (TM-1.5.4) in the syllabus​​.

Context Analysis:

Monitoring code coverage is inherently tied to knowledge of the internal structure of the software, a characteristic of white-box testing.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Black-box:

Incorrect. Black-box testing focuses on functionality without knowledge of internal structures.

B. White-box:

Correct. White-box testing uses internal code knowledge to determine areas that need more coverage.

C. Functional:

Incorrect. Functional testing assesses functionality without inspecting internal code.

D. Non-functional:

Incorrect. Non-functional testing focuses on performance, usability, etc., not code coverage.

Syllabus Alignment:

ISTQB associates code coverage monitoring with white-box testing techniques (TM-1.2.6).

Dealing with Tight Schedules:

Prioritization based on quality risk ensures critical areas are tested, minimizing risks to the project.

In tight schedules, testing everything is impractical; focus must shift to high-risk areas.

Evaluation of Options:

Ais unlikely feasible given the tight schedule.

Bhighlights the issue but does not propose a solution.

C(developing automation) is not possible given time constraints.

Dis correct because risk-based testing ensures the best possible outcome within the constraints.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

Risk-based testing is a core concept under "Test Process and Risk Management" in ISTQB syllabus (TM-1.3.1, TM-1.3.4)​​​.

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).

Context Analysis:The question involves integrating an existing test automation framework into a CI/CD pipeline. The integration requires modifications to the framework and results reporting. This aligns with ISTQB Advanced Test Management concepts focusing on evaluating and adapting test tools for specific project needs (Syllabus reference: TM-1.6.1 and TM-1.6.4).

Evaluation of Options:

A. Investigation that the tool will be fit for purpose:

Correct. Before integrating the framework, a thorough investigation is necessary to confirm whether the tool can support the required modificationsand functionality. This aligns with the emphasis on ensuring tools meet both current and future needs as per the ISTQB syllabus section TM-1.6.1​​​.

B. Training regarding how to make the framework modifications so the integration is possible:

Incorrect. While training might be useful later, it is not the first step or the primary requirement to ensure the integration is feasible.

C. A review to determine if this is the best tool to use for the integration with the CI/CD pipeline:

Incorrect. This step might be relevant in an earlier phase of tool selection, but the question assumes the tool has already been chosen.

D. Investigation of the licensing models of the tool and an understanding of any potential costs:

Incorrect. Licensing investigation is part of tool selection and budgeting, not directly related to technical integration feasibility.

Syllabus Alignment:The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management syllabus emphasizes the importance of ensuring the selected tools and technologies align with organizational requirements and technical feasibility. This is outlined in the "Test Tools" section of the syllabus (TM-1.6.1, TM-1.6.4).

Conclusion:The correct answer isA. Investigation that the tool will be fit for purpose, as this step ensures the technical requirements for integration are met before proceeding with modifications or training.