ATM Questions and Answers

Context Analysis:

The scenario involves tight integration, architectural design, and data transformations, requiring detailed and structured approaches.

Access to architectural documents and experienced testers (former developers) aligns with model-based and white-box techniques.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Model-based and white-box:

Correct. Model-based testing leverages design documents, while white-box testing uses internal knowledge for detailed integration testing.

B. Experience-based and black-box:

Incorrect. This is less structured and doesn’t utilize available design documentation or tester expertise.

C. Risk-based and non-functional:

Incorrect. Risk-based testing focuses on high-priority areas but doesn’t leverage the design documents for integration specifics.

D. Requirements-based and functional:

Incorrect. While functional testing is relevant, requirements-based testing does not utilize internal system knowledge effectively.

Syllabus Alignment:

ISTQB emphasizes model-based and white-box testing as appropriate for systems with complex integrations (TM-1.2.6).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-1.2.6)​

Context Analysis:

Building a custom tool may address traceability and customization needs, but ongoing costs such as maintenance are critical for sustainable implementation.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Relative benefits to your vendors:

Incorrect. Vendor benefits are not directly relevant if the decision is to build an internal tool.

B. Maintenance costs:

Correct. Maintenance includes long-term support, updates, and potential scalability, essential considerations for internally developed tools.

C. Licensing fees to other parts of the organization:

Incorrect. The question assumes the tool is internally built, so external licensing fees do not apply.

D. Reduction of manual repetitive testing:

Incorrect. While desirable, this is an indirect benefit and not the primary focus of decision-making in tool development.

Syllabus Alignment:ISTQB syllabus emphasizes the need to evaluate long-term costs (e.g., maintenance) when adopting or developing tools (TM-1.6.2).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus​

Context Analysis:

Developers want to close defects unilaterally, while testers are concerned about unresolved or misunderstood issues being overlooked.

Defect closure requires validation that the fix is implemented and verified to prevent recurrence of the issue.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Only testers should be allowed to close defect reports:

Incorrect. This creates a bottleneck and removes shared accountability for quality.

B. Only management should be allowed to close defect reports:

Incorrect. Management involvement adds unnecessary delays and complexity.

C. No one should close a defect report until the release is completed and the product is successfully deployed to production:

Incorrect. Defects should be closed as they are fixed and tested to ensure progress is tracked.

D. Closure should only occur when a defect is fixed and tested:

Correct. Ensures collaboration between developers and testers to verify the resolution.

Syllabus Alignment:

The ISTQB syllabus emphasizes clear defect management processes, including closure after verification (TM-2.3.4).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-2.3.4)​

Context Analysis:

Higher-than-expected defects in a high-risk area indicate the need for additional testing to mitigate potential impacts.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Reassess the risk with a higher likelihood number:

Incorrect. While reassessment is useful, immediate action should prioritize more testing.

B. Reassess the risk with a higher impact number:

Incorrect. The impact may already be known, and more testing is the next practical step.

C. Concentrate more testing in the area because the risk is clearly higher:

Correct. Addressing higher-than-expected defects through focused testing ensures risks are adequately mitigated.

D. Concentrate less testing in the area because the defects are already found:

Incorrect. Higher defects warrant more testing, not less.

Syllabus Alignment:

ISTQB highlights increasing test efforts in high-risk areas with higher-than-expected defect levels (TM-1.3.4).

References:

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

Purpose of the Question:

Identifying metrics to improve the defect reporting process by reducing ambiguities or improving accuracy.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Number of defect reports re-opened:

Incorrect. This reflects issues with defect resolution rather than reporting.

B. Number of defects in a particular area of the code:

Incorrect. This metric pertains to defect clustering, not the reporting process.

C. Number of defect reports rejected by the developers:

Correct. Rejected reports often indicate poor reporting quality (e.g., insufficient details, incorrect categorization), directly highlighting areas for improvement.

D. Number of defects found in a phase later than they were introduced:

Incorrect. This is a measure of defect detection efficiency, not reporting quality.

Syllabus Alignment:

The syllabus stresses the importance of using defect metrics to refine processes, including reporting accuracy (TM-2.3.5).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-2.3.5)​

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)​​​.

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)​​​.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

Definition of Cost of Quality (CoQ):CoQ is composed of four components:

Prevention Costs:Costs related to activities to prevent defects (e.g., training, quality planning).

Appraisal Costs:Costs associated with evaluating products to ensure defect-free delivery (e.g., testing).

Internal Failure Costs:Costs due to defects found before delivery to the customer (e.g., rework).

External Failure Costs:Costs from defects discovered after delivery (e.g., warranty claims, reputation damage).

Calculation Process:

Defect Prevention Cost:Given as $10,000 (fixed).

Appraisal Cost:$250 per defect for 200 defects = 250×200=50,000250 \times 200 = 50,000250×200=50,000.

Internal Failure Cost:$200 per defect for 200 defects = 200×200=40,000200 \times 200 = 40,000200×200=40,000.

External Failure Cost:$2,000 per defect for 100 defects = 2,000×100=200,0002,000 \times 100 = 200,0002,000×100=200,000.

Total CoQ:Adding all costs together:

Total CoQ=10,000+50,000+40,000+200,000=300,000.\text{Total CoQ} = 10,000 + 50,000 + 40,000 + 200,000 = 300,000.Total CoQ=10,000+50,000+40,000+200,000=300,000.

Correct Answer and Justification:The total cost is$300,000, making Option A the correct answer.

References and Documentation from Advanced Test Management:

ISTQB Advanced Test Management Syllabus v3.0, Section 2.2.2:This section emphasizes understanding and calculating the cost of quality by segregating it into the four components as seen above​​.

ATM Sample Exam Questions 2024 (Example Calculations):Highlights similar numerical examples to calculate CoQ​.

ISTQB Exam Structure Rules v1.9:Ensures alignment with K2-level understanding for cost analysis scenarios in test management​.

Operations Team Role in Testing:

The operations team ensures that the system meets operational requirements such as deployment, maintenance, and disaster recovery, which are validated duringOperational Acceptance Testing (OAT).

Evaluation of Options:

Ais correct because OAT is typically conducted by the operations team.

B(User acceptance testing) is conducted by end-users, not the operations team.

C(Security testing) is typically handled by security experts.

D(End-to-end transactional testing) is a functional testing activity, not specific to the operations team.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

OAT is highlighted under "Acceptance Testing" in the ISTQB syllabus (TM-1.2.7)​​

Context Analysis:

The test objective should beSMART(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). "Happier" is subjective and not measurable.

Evaluation of Options:

A. It is unlikely that just a version change will make users happier so this is not achievable:

Incorrect. Achievability isn’t the main issue; measurement is.

B. It cannot be measured because 'happier' is subjective:

Correct. The issue lies in the inability to quantify or measure the term "happier."

C. It does not define a timeframe:

Incorrect. While timeframe definition is important, the primary flaw here is subjectivity.

D. It is not aligned with the organization's objectives:

Incorrect. The test objective could align but still fail due to lack of measurability.

Syllabus Alignment:

ISTQB emphasizes creating measurable and actionable test objectives (TM-1.4.1).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-1.4.1)​