Page 1 of 143
WGU C857 SOFTWARE QUALITY
ASSURANCE COMPLETE TEST BANK (400
QUESTIONS) Objective Assessment (OA) & Pre-
Assessment (PA) | 2026/2027 Edition
Exam Description: WGU C857 Software Quality Assurance
Course Code: C857
Exam Type: Objective Assessment (OA) & Pre-Assessment (PA)
Total Questions (Test Bank): 400
Question Formats: Multiple Choice, Multiple Select, Drag and Drop (simulated), and
Scenario-Based.
Domains Covered:
1. Domain I: Quality Management & Standards (15-20%) - QA vs. QC, Cost of
Quality, Process Improvement, CMMI, ISO 9000, TQM, Six Sigma.
2. Domain II: Dynamic Testing (Verification & Validation) (25-30%) - Unit,
Integration, System, Acceptance testing; Test Case Design (White-box/Black-box).
3. Domain III: Static Testing & Reviews (15-20%) - Walkthroughs, Inspections,
Peer Reviews; Defect Management.
4. Domain IV: Test Management & Automation (20-25%) - Test Planning,
Estimation, Metrics, Configuration Management, Automation Frameworks, Bug
Life Cycle.
Exam Strategy:
• Depth: Questions often require application of concepts to scenarios rather than
just definition recall.
• Keywords: Pay attention to "MOST important," "BEST describes," "FIRST step,"
and "EXCEPT."
• Time Management: You have approximately 2.5 hours for the OA. Aim to finish
75% of the questions in the first 1.5 hours to have buffer for flagged questions.
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DOMAIN I: QUALITY MANAGEMENT & STANDARDS
Questions 1 – 80
1. A software team is implementing a new authentication module. According to the
Cost of Quality (COQ), which activity is considered a "Prevention Cost"?
A) Running a beta test with external users.
B) Fixing a security bug found during system testing.
C) Holding a training session on secure coding practices.
D) Performing a regression test after a code fix.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prevention costs are incurred to prevent defects from occurring. Training is a
proactive investment in quality.
Why others are wrong:
A (Beta test) is an Appraisal cost (evaluating quality).
B (Fixing a bug) is an Internal Failure cost (found before release).
D (Regression test) is an Appraisal cost.
2. Which of the following BEST describes the difference between Quality Assurance
(QA) and Quality Control (QC)?
A) QA focuses on testing the product; QC focuses on fixing the product.
B) QA focuses on the processes used to create the product; QC focuses on inspecting the
product.
C) QA is performed only by the development team; QC is performed only by the testing
team.
D) QA is a reactive process; QC is a proactive process.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QA is process-oriented (prevention), while QC is product-oriented
(detection).
Why others are wrong:
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A: The definitions are reversed.
C: Both can involve multiple teams, though typically QC involves testing.
D: QA is proactive, QC is reactive.
3. In the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), which maturity level is
characterized by the introduction of quantitative management and statistical process
control?
A) Level 2 (Managed)
B) Level 3 (Defined)
C) Level 4 (Quantitatively Managed)
D) Level 5 (Optimizing)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Level 4 (Quantitatively Managed) focuses on using statistical techniques to
control processes.
Why others are wrong:
A: Level 2 is project management (basic).
B: Level 3 is standardizing processes (proactive).
D: Level 5 is continuous improvement (optimization).
4. A project manager wants to improve the quality of software requirements. Which of
the following represents the "Voice of the Customer" approach?
A) Writing requirements based on competitor analysis.
B) Translating customer needs into technical specifications.
C) Using a software tool to trace requirements to code.
D) Conducting peer reviews of the requirements document.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The "Voice of the Customer" involves capturing the explicit and implicit
needs of the customer and translating them into specific requirements.
Why others are wrong:
A: Competitor analysis is market research, not VOC.
C: Tracing is a Verification activity.
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D: Peer reviews are a Static Test.
5. Which of the following is a PRIMARY goal of Configuration Management in software
quality?
A) To ensure all test cases are executed.
B) To establish and maintain the integrity of work products throughout the lifecycle.
C) To ensure the software is delivered on time.
D) To assign bugs to developers.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Configuration Management (CM) is about identifying, controlling, and
tracking changes to prevent confusion and corruption of baselines.
Why others are wrong:
A: This is a testing execution goal.
C: This is a project management (schedule) goal.
D: This is a bug triage process.
6. Which of the following is an example of a "Failure Cost" (External Failure)?
A) Purchasing static analysis tools.
B) Performing unit tests.
C) Handling customer support calls regarding a crash.
D) Code inspections.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: External failure costs occur after the product has been delivered to the
customer. Customer support related to defects is an external failure cost.
Why others are wrong:
A: Prevention.
B: Appraisal.
D: Appraisal/Prevention.
7. Which key principle of Total Quality Management (TQM) emphasizes that quality
should be a concern at every level of the organization?
WGU C857 SOFTWARE QUALITY
ASSURANCE COMPLETE TEST BANK (400
QUESTIONS) Objective Assessment (OA) & Pre-
Assessment (PA) | 2026/2027 Edition
Exam Description: WGU C857 Software Quality Assurance
Course Code: C857
Exam Type: Objective Assessment (OA) & Pre-Assessment (PA)
Total Questions (Test Bank): 400
Question Formats: Multiple Choice, Multiple Select, Drag and Drop (simulated), and
Scenario-Based.
Domains Covered:
1. Domain I: Quality Management & Standards (15-20%) - QA vs. QC, Cost of
Quality, Process Improvement, CMMI, ISO 9000, TQM, Six Sigma.
2. Domain II: Dynamic Testing (Verification & Validation) (25-30%) - Unit,
Integration, System, Acceptance testing; Test Case Design (White-box/Black-box).
3. Domain III: Static Testing & Reviews (15-20%) - Walkthroughs, Inspections,
Peer Reviews; Defect Management.
4. Domain IV: Test Management & Automation (20-25%) - Test Planning,
Estimation, Metrics, Configuration Management, Automation Frameworks, Bug
Life Cycle.
Exam Strategy:
• Depth: Questions often require application of concepts to scenarios rather than
just definition recall.
• Keywords: Pay attention to "MOST important," "BEST describes," "FIRST step,"
and "EXCEPT."
• Time Management: You have approximately 2.5 hours for the OA. Aim to finish
75% of the questions in the first 1.5 hours to have buffer for flagged questions.
,Page 2 of 143
DOMAIN I: QUALITY MANAGEMENT & STANDARDS
Questions 1 – 80
1. A software team is implementing a new authentication module. According to the
Cost of Quality (COQ), which activity is considered a "Prevention Cost"?
A) Running a beta test with external users.
B) Fixing a security bug found during system testing.
C) Holding a training session on secure coding practices.
D) Performing a regression test after a code fix.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prevention costs are incurred to prevent defects from occurring. Training is a
proactive investment in quality.
Why others are wrong:
A (Beta test) is an Appraisal cost (evaluating quality).
B (Fixing a bug) is an Internal Failure cost (found before release).
D (Regression test) is an Appraisal cost.
2. Which of the following BEST describes the difference between Quality Assurance
(QA) and Quality Control (QC)?
A) QA focuses on testing the product; QC focuses on fixing the product.
B) QA focuses on the processes used to create the product; QC focuses on inspecting the
product.
C) QA is performed only by the development team; QC is performed only by the testing
team.
D) QA is a reactive process; QC is a proactive process.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QA is process-oriented (prevention), while QC is product-oriented
(detection).
Why others are wrong:
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A: The definitions are reversed.
C: Both can involve multiple teams, though typically QC involves testing.
D: QA is proactive, QC is reactive.
3. In the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), which maturity level is
characterized by the introduction of quantitative management and statistical process
control?
A) Level 2 (Managed)
B) Level 3 (Defined)
C) Level 4 (Quantitatively Managed)
D) Level 5 (Optimizing)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Level 4 (Quantitatively Managed) focuses on using statistical techniques to
control processes.
Why others are wrong:
A: Level 2 is project management (basic).
B: Level 3 is standardizing processes (proactive).
D: Level 5 is continuous improvement (optimization).
4. A project manager wants to improve the quality of software requirements. Which of
the following represents the "Voice of the Customer" approach?
A) Writing requirements based on competitor analysis.
B) Translating customer needs into technical specifications.
C) Using a software tool to trace requirements to code.
D) Conducting peer reviews of the requirements document.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The "Voice of the Customer" involves capturing the explicit and implicit
needs of the customer and translating them into specific requirements.
Why others are wrong:
A: Competitor analysis is market research, not VOC.
C: Tracing is a Verification activity.
, Page 4 of 143
D: Peer reviews are a Static Test.
5. Which of the following is a PRIMARY goal of Configuration Management in software
quality?
A) To ensure all test cases are executed.
B) To establish and maintain the integrity of work products throughout the lifecycle.
C) To ensure the software is delivered on time.
D) To assign bugs to developers.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Configuration Management (CM) is about identifying, controlling, and
tracking changes to prevent confusion and corruption of baselines.
Why others are wrong:
A: This is a testing execution goal.
C: This is a project management (schedule) goal.
D: This is a bug triage process.
6. Which of the following is an example of a "Failure Cost" (External Failure)?
A) Purchasing static analysis tools.
B) Performing unit tests.
C) Handling customer support calls regarding a crash.
D) Code inspections.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: External failure costs occur after the product has been delivered to the
customer. Customer support related to defects is an external failure cost.
Why others are wrong:
A: Prevention.
B: Appraisal.
D: Appraisal/Prevention.
7. Which key principle of Total Quality Management (TQM) emphasizes that quality
should be a concern at every level of the organization?
