ISTQB-CTAL-TA ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Analyst (CTAL-TACore)v3.1.2 Question and Answers

Eight 0-switch test cases are needed to achieve 100% 0-switch coverage. A state transition test technique is a technique that tests the behavior of a system or component based on its states and transitions between them. A 0-switch test case is a test case that covers one state and its associated actions and events. To achieve 100% 0-switch coverage, all states and their associated actions and events must be covered by at least one test case. The states for this scenario are:

Enter PIN

PIN OK

PIN not OK

1st try

2nd try

3rd try

Access to act

Eat card

Verified References: [ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA], Section 3.4.1, page 39.

The comment that should be made about the Supercar specification is that boundaries for stock levels are ambiguous. The specification states that the site will allow an order to be processed if at least one of the chosen vehicle configurations is in stock, but it does not define what constitutes “in stock” or how many units are available for each configuration. This makes the specification unclear and inconsistent, as it does not provide enough information for testing or implementation. Verified References: [ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA], Section 2.3.1, page 23.

The statement that best characterizes a test design tool is that a test design tool generates test inputs from requirements. A test design tool is a tool that supports the test design activity by generating test inputs or test cases from a specified source, such as requirements, models, or code. A test design tool can use various techniques, such as equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, decision tables, state transition diagrams, etc., to generate test inputs or test cases. Verified References: [ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA], Section 6.2.1, page 77.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

Project C:Since therequirements are vague and inconsistent, creatinghigh-level test casesis more suitable. High-level test cases are flexible and allow for interpretation, which is crucial when requirements are not clearly defined.

Project D:Since the project aims forregression testing,low-level test casesare more appropriate. They are detailed and specific, essential for consistency during repeated manual or automated regression testing.

Therefore, the correct answer isD (Project C - High level test cases. Project D - Low level test cases).

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

a)Truncated data is an interoperability issue related to data exchange between systems.

b)User navigation issues are related tousability, not interoperability.

c)Format mismatch between systems is an interoperability defect.

d)Slow data retrieval is related toperformance, not interoperability.

e)Spelling errors relate tousability, not interoperability.

Therefore, the correct answer isA (b, d).

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

A (Functional appropriateness):Verifies that the function serves its intended purpose but does not focus on accuracy.

B (Installability):Unrelated to computational accuracy.

C (Functional completeness):Ensures that all specified functionality is present, but not about accuracy.

D (Functional correctness):Correct. Sincecomputational accuracyis the primary concern, testing must focus on ensuring that all calculations are correct.

Therefore, the correct answer isD (Functional correctness).

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

A.Correct becausechecklist-based testingrelies on the experience of testers to be effective, whileblack-box techniquesare more efficient when the test basis (like requirements) is well defined.

B.Incorrect because checklist-based testing does not necessarily focus on defects.

C.Incorrect because checklists are not limited to inexperienced testers.

D.Incorrect because black-box techniques are designed to be systematic and structured.

Therefore, the correct answer isA (The checklist-based technique is most effective when applied by experienced testers; black-box techniques are most effective applied against a well-specified test basis).

The test set B is the best test set to explicitly test on single boundary value fully, using boundary value analysis. Boundary value analysis is a technique that tests the values at or near the boundaries of an input domain. The boundaries for this scenario are:

Salary less than €20 000

Number of children at least three and less than six

The test set B tests the boundary values of each boundary (€19 999, €20 000, three children, six children) and one value inside each boundary (€19 998, €20 001, four children). Verified References: [ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA], Section 3.2.2, page 35.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

To determine the answer, we first calculate the total score for each player:

Player 1:25×2=5025 \times 2 = 5025×2=50 (Silver)

Player 2:20×3=6020 \times 3 = 6020×3=60 (Silver)

Player 3:30×1=3030 \times 1 = 3030×1=30 (Blue)

The output equivalence partitions based on the trophy levels are:

Blue:Total score ≤ 40

Silver:Total score > 40 and ≤ 70

Gold:Total score > 70 and ≤ 80

Diamond:Total score > 80 and ≤ 90

Platinum:Total score > 90

From the given test cases, the following partitions have been exercised:

Blue (Player 3)

Silver (Player 1 and Player 2)

Out of the 5 possible output partitions (Blue, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Platinum), only2 partitions (Blue and Silver)have been exercised. Therefore, the percentage of partitions covered is:

A number and a percentage sign AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer isB (40%).

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

Boundary Value Analysis (BVA)focuses ontesting at the edgesof the input range.

The critical boundaries are around thenew commission banding change (from £500 to £749).

To fully test this change, BVA should include:

Lower boundary:£499, £500

Transition points:£749, £750

Upper boundary:£999, £1000

Therefore, the correct answer isD (£499, £500, £749, £750, £999, £1000).

The best black-box test technique to test the processing functionality of this system is equivalence partitioning enhanced with boundary value analysis. Equivalence partitioning is a technique that divides the input domain into subdomains that are expected to behave similarly. Boundary value analysis is a technique that tests the values at or near the boundaries of an input domain. These techniques are suitable for testing a system that depends on defined ranges of input variables, as they can ensure that all subdomains and boundary values are covered by test cases. Verified References: [ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA], Section 3.2.1, page 33 and Section 3.2.2, page 35.

The finding that is true regarding this requirement is that it is unclear in terms of advance limits. The requirement states that the system shall allow cash advances of at least 200 Euros, but it does not specify what is the maximum amount or if there are any other restrictions or conditions for the cash advances. This makes the requirement ambiguous and incomplete, as it does not provide enough information for testing or implementation. Verified References: [ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA], Section 2.3.1, page 23.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

InAgile projects, theTest Analyst’s involvementtypically startsat the beginning of the project.

Test Analysts workcollaboratively with developers, product owners, and other team membersfrom the outset to ensure thattesting is integrated into the development process.

Option A (Beginning of the first iteration)is too late since planning and discussing test approaches begin earlier.

Option B (After signing off user stories)contradicts the Agile principle of continuous involvement.

Option C (In parallel with coding)also occurs too late since testing considerations should start during planning.

The correct answer isD (At the beginning of the project).

Low-level test cases are the best option for this project, as they provide more detail and documentation that will support both the external audit and the new junior testers. The external audit will require evidence of how testing was performed and what results were obtained, which can be provided by low-level test cases. The new junior testers will benefit from having more guidance and instructions on how to execute the tests and what to expect as outcomes, which can also be provided by low-level test cases. Verified References: ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA, Section 3.1.1, page 29.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

Requirement Testability (a):The requirements are testable as they specify expected behavior, such as response time (4 seconds) and SSO control.

Consistency (b):There is inconsistency, as one requirement states no changes to screens, but another mentions a new data item for FCA registration.

Ambiguity (c):The requirements are clear in terms of what they specify.

Unique Identification (d):The requirements are listed as bullet points without unique identifiers, violating this criterion.

Versioning and Author (e):The document includes a version number, date, and author.

Therefore, the correct answer isD (b, d).

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

Since the failure occurred when using anew keyword, the most logical first step is to involve theTechnical Test Analystto review the keyword script. This is because the issue may lie in the implementation or integration of the new keyword within the automated framework.

Option A:Investigating the test sequence is important but not the first step when the problem clearly points to the new keyword.

Option B:Removing the test case without identifying the root cause is not a recommended practice.

Option C:Manually executing the test without analyzing the automation script does not address the potential problem in the keyword itself.

Option D:Since the problem is linked to a new keyword, it makes sense to review the keyword script first.

Therefore, the correct answer isD (Ask the technical test analyst to review the keyword script(s)).

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

Decision Table Analysis:

Age:Valid ranges (18-69), excludes those aged ≥70 or <18 (2 valid values).

Alcohol Consumption:≤14 units, >14 units (2 values).

Smoking Status:Smoker, Non-smoker (2 values).

Employment Status:Full-time, Not full-time (2 values).

After removinginfeasible combinations(like age <18 or ≥70), the possible combinations are reduced.

2 (age) x 2 (alcohol) x 2 (smoker) x 2 (employment) = 16possible combinations.

However, some combinations are logicallycollapsedor omitted, as irrelevant conditions are not covered.

After this collapsing, the total number ofnecessary test casesis8.

Therefore, the correct answer isB (8).

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

A (Decision Table testing technique): Correct. Decision tables are ideal for handling complex combinations and business rules, such as calculating fees based on various factors. The defect here is related to fee calculation logic.

B (Use Case testing): Incorrect. Use cases are better for user interaction scenarios.

C (Equivalence Partitioning): Incorrect. Date formatting is not the issue here.

D (Boundary Value Analysis): Incorrect. The problem is not with date comparison, but with rule-based fee calculation.

Therefore, the correct answer is A (Decision Table testing technique; Fee calculation defects).

 The activity that should now be conducted by the Test Analyst in the context of implementing the keyword-driven test automation approach is to define keywords to be implemented, e.g., check balance. A keyword-driven test automation approach is an approach that uses keywords to represent actions or data in a test case. The keywords are then interpreted by a test execution tool or framework that performs the corresponding actions or data manipulation. The Test Analyst is responsible for defining the keywords that are relevant and meaningful for the test cases, such as check balance, transfer money, verify message, etc. Verified References: [ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA], Section 6.1.1, page 73.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

Pairwise Testing(also known as2-wise testing) ensures that all possiblepairs of input valuesfrom each option are covered at least once.

Theorthogonal arrayorpairwise generation toolshelp determine the minimum number of test cases needed.

With the given combinations (4 x 3 x 4 x 2), afull pairwise coveragecan be achieved using16 test cases.

Pairwise testing is efficient for covering interactions between two factors, avoiding the need for exhaustive testing (96 combinations).

Therefore, the correct answer isD (16).

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

Since Iteration 1 focuses on theiOS operating system only, we must select test conditions that addressfunctional suitability, portability, usability, and accessibilityspecifically for iOS.

a) The application will accept voice recognition commands made via iOS devices:This addressesaccessibility(support for voice commands).

e) The application can be installed on all currently supported versions of iOS for all supported smartphones and tablets:This addressesportability(installation on different iOS versions and devices).

b) The application is both learnable and operable for customers when used on Android devices:This is not applicable for Iteration 1.

c) There is no loss or corruption of data transmitted between the energy monitor and other smart-home products:This addressesreliability, not portability or usability.

d) The daily budget usage is accurately calculated from seasonal historic data running on Android:This is related to Iteration 3, not 1.

Therefore, the correct answer isA (a, e).

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

Portability testing verifies that software can be transferred from one environment to another with minimal effort. It checks for installation, adaptation, and replacement issues.

a) Insufficient, unclear installation or de-installation instructions:This directly relates to portability because improper installation procedures can affect moving the software to different environments.

e) The stock control barcodes cannot be read by the replaced barcode scanner:This issue is associated with compatibility and adaptability between devices, which is crucial in portability testing.

Optionsb) and d)relate to usability and performance testing, not portability.

Optionc)relates to security or access control testing.

Therefore, the correct answer isA (a, e).

The type of document that is typically used by a Test Analyst as the test basis for interoperability testing is the system architecture document. The system architecture document describes the structure and behavior of the system under test and its components, as well as their interactions and dependencies with other systems or components. This document can provide information about the interfaces and protocols that need to be tested for interoperability. Verified References: [ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst CTAL-TA], Section 5.3.1, page 67.

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

Pairwise testing is a combinatorial test design technique in which test cases are designed to execute all possible discrete combinations of each pair of input parameters. This technique significantly reduces the number of test cases compared to exhaustive testing while still covering pairwise interactions.

To calculate the number of test cases:

Colour: 4 options

Model: 3 options

Gigabytes: 4 options

Connectivity: 2 options

Pairwise testing does not necessarily involve multiplying all options, as it aims to cover all pairs. Using an orthogonal array or pairwise tool, the minimum number of test cases that cover all pairs for these parameters is16. Hence, the answer isC (16).

Comprehensive and Detailed in Depth Explanation:

Functional correctnessensures that the software performs its intended functions accurately and without errors.

Sincecomputational accuracyis the main risk, testing must focus on verifying that calculations and data processing are performed correctly.

Functional completeness (A)focuses on whether all required functions are implemented.

Functional appropriateness (C)checks whether the functions meet user needs.

Installability (D)concerns the ease of installing the system, not accuracy.

Therefore, the correct answer isB (Functional correctness).