Software Testing Foundations: A Study Guide for the Certified Tester Exam (2014)
C. Exercises1
Exercises for chapter 2
2.1 Define the terms failure, fault, and error.
2.2 What is defect masking?
2.3 Explain the difference between testing and debugging.
2.4 Explain why each test is a kind of sampling.
2.5 List the main characteristics of software quality according to ISO 9126. (To prepare for the examination after syllabus version 2015, refer to ISO 25010:2011.)
2.6 Define the term reliability.
2.7 Explain the phases of the fundamental test process.
2.8 What is a test oracle?
2.9 Why shouldn’t a developer test her own programs?
Exercises for chapter 3
3.1 Explain the different phases of the general V-model.
3.2 Define the terms verification and validation.
3.3 Explain why verification makes sense even when a careful validation is performed (and vice versa).
3.4 Characterize typical test objects in component testing.
3.5 Discuss the idea of “test-first.”
3.6 List the goals of the integration test.
3.7 What integration strategies exist and how do they differ?
3.8 Name the reasons for executing tests in a separate test infrastructure.
3.9 Describe four typical forms of acceptance tests.
3.10 Explain requirements-based testing.
3.11 Define load test, performance test, and stress test, and describe the differences between them.
3.12 How do retest and regression tests differ?
3.13 Why are regression tests especially important in incremental development?
3.14 According to the general V-model, during which project phase should the test plan be defined?
Exercises for chapter 4
4.1 Describe the fundamental steps for executing a review.
4.2 What different kinds of reviews exist?
4.3 Which roles participate in a technical review?
4.4 What makes reviews an efficient means for quality assurance?
4.5 Explain the term static analysis.
4.6 How are static analysis and reviews related?
4.7 Static analysis cannot uncover all program faults. Why?
4.8 What different kinds of data flow anomalies exist?
Exercises for chapter 5
5.1 What is a dynamic test?
5.2 What is the purpose of a test harness?
5.3 Describe the difference(s) between black box and white box test design techniques.
5.4 Explain the equivalence class partition technique.
5.5 What is a representative?
5.6 Define the test completeness criterion for equivalence class coverage.
5.7 Why is boundary value analysis a good supplement to equivalence class partitioning?
5.8 List further black box techniques.
5.9 Explain the term statement coverage.
5.10 What is the difference between statement and branch testing?
5.11 What is the purpose of instrumentation?
Exercises for chapter 6
6.1 What basic models can be distinguished for division of responsibility for testing tasks between development and test?
6.2 Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of independent testing.
6.3 Which roles are necessary in testing and which qualifications are necessary to fill them?
6.4 State the typical tasks of a test manager.
6.5 Discuss why test cases are prioritized and mention criteria for prioritizing.
6.6 What are the purposes of test start and exit criteria? Name and describe examples of such criteria.
6.7 Define the term test strategy.
6.8 Discuss four typical approaches to determine a test strategy.
6.9 Define the term risk and mention risk factors relevant for testing.
6.10 What idea is driving risk-based testing?
6.11 What different kinds of metrics can be distinguished for monitoring test progress?
6.12 What information should be contained in a test status report?
6.13 What data should be contained in an incident report?
6.14 What is the difference between defect priority and defect severity?
6.15 What is the purpose of an incident status model?
6.16 What is the task of a change control board?
6.17 From the point of view of testing, what are the requirements for configuration management?
6.18 What different kinds of basic standards exist?
Exercises for chapter 7
7.1 What main functions do test management tools offer?
7.2 Why is it reasonable to couple requirements and test management tools and exchange data?
7.3 What different types of test data generators exist?
7.4 What type of test data generator can also generate expected output values? Why can’t other types of test data generators do the same?
7.5 What is a test driver?
7.6 Explain the general way a capture/playback tool works.
7.7 Describe the principle of data-driven testing.
7.8 What steps should be taken when selecting a test tool?
7.9 What steps should be taken when introducing a tool?