ISTQB FL - SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Which of the following statements describe a valid test objective?
a) To prove that there are no unfixed defects in the system under test
b) To prove that there will be no failures after the implementation of the system into
production
c) To reduce the risk level of the test object and to build confidence in the quality level
d) To verify that there are no untested combinations of inputs
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is not correct. It is impossible to prove that
there are no defects anymore
in the system under test. See testing principle 1
b) Is not correct. See testing principle 7
c) Is correct. Testing finds defects and failures which reduces the level of risk and at the
same time gives more confidence in the quality level of the test object
d) Is not correct. It is impossible to test all combinations of inputs (see testing principle
2)
Which of the following options shows an example of test activities that contribute to
success?
a) Having testers involved during various software development lifecycle (SDLC)
activities will help to detect defects in work products
b) Testers try not to disturb the developers while coding, so that the developers write
better code
c) Testers collaborating with end users help to improve the quality of defect reports
during component integration and system testing
d) Certified testers will design much better test cases than non-certified testers
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is correct. It is important that testers are
involved from the beginning of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It will
increase understanding of design decisions and will detect defects early.
b) Is not correct. Both developers and testers will have more understanding of each
other's work products and how to test the code
,c) Is not correct. If testers can work closely with system designers, it will give them
insight as to how to test
d) Is not correct. Testing will not be successful if legal requirements are not tested for
compliance
You have been assigned as a tester to a team producing a new system incrementally.
You have noticed that no changes have been made to the existing regression test
cases for several iterations and no new regression defects were identified. Your
manager is happy, but you are not. Which testing principle explains your skepticism?
a) Tests wear out
b) Absence-of-errors fallacy
c) Defects cluster together
d) Exhaustive testing is impossible
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is correct. This principle means that if the
same tests are repeated over and over again, eventually these tests no longer find any
new defects. This is probably why the tests all passed in this release as well
b) Is not correct. This principle says about the mistaken belief that just finding and fixing
a large number of defects will ensure the success of a system
c) Is not correct. This principle says that a small number of components usually contain
most of the defects
d) Is not correct. This principle states that testing all combinations of inputs and
preconditions is not feasible
You work in a team that develops a mobile application for food ordering. In the current
iteration the team decided to implement the payment functionality. Which of the
following activities is a part of test analysis?
a) Estimating that testing the integration with the payment service will take 8 person-
days
b) Deciding that the team should test if it is possible to properly share payment between
many users
c) Using boundary value analysis (BVA) to derive the test data for the test cases that
check the correct payment processing for the minimum allowed amount to be paid
d) Analyzing the discrepancy between the actual result and expected result after
executing a test case that checks the process of payment with a credit card, and
reporting a defect
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is not correct. Estimating the test effort is part
of test planning
b) Is correct. This is an example of defining test conditions which is a part of test
analysis
c) Is not correct. Using test techniques to derive coverage items is a part of test design
d) Is not correct. Reporting defects found during dynamic testing is a part of test
execution
,Which of the following factors (i-v) have SIGNIFICANT influence on the test process?
i. The SDLC
ii. The number of defects detected in previous projects
iii. The identified product risks
iv. New regulatory requirements forcing
v. The number of certified testers in the organization
a) i, ii have significant influence; iii, iv, v have not
b) i, iii, iv have significant influence; ii, v have not
c) ii, iv, v have significant influence; i, iii have not
d) iii, v have significant influence; i, ii, iv have not
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -i. Is true. The SDLC has an influence on the test
process
ii. Is false. The number of defects detected in previous projects may have
some influence, but this is not as significant as i, iii and iv
iii. Is true. The identified product risks are one of the most important factors influencing
the test process
iv. Is true. Regulatory requirements are important factors influencing the test process
v. Is false. The test environment should be a copy of the production environment but
has no significant influence on the test process
Hence b is correct.
Which TWO of the following tasks belong MAINLY to a testing role?
a) Configure test environments
b) Maintain the product backlog
c) Design solutions to new requirements
d) Create the test plan
e) Report on achieved coverage
Select TWO options. - Correct Answers -a) Is correct. This is done by the testers
b) Is not correct. The product backlog is built and maintained by the product owner
c) Is not correct. This is done by the development team
d) Is not correct. This is a managerial role
e) Is correct. This is done by the testers
Which of the following skills (i-v) are the MOST important skills of a tester?
i. Having domain knowledge
ii. Creating a product vision
iii. Being a good team player
iv. Planning and organizing the work of the team
, v. Critical thinking
a) ii and iv are important; i, iii and v are not
b) i, iii and v are important; ii and iv are not
c) i, ii and v are important; iii and iv are not
d) iii and iv are important; i, ii and v are not
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -i. Is true. Having domain knowledge is an
important tester skill
ii. Is false. This is a task of the business analyst together with the business
representative
iii. Is true. Being a good team player is an important skill
iv. Is false. Planning and organizing the work of the team is a task of the test
manager or, mostly in an Agile software development project, the whole
team and not just the tester
v. Is true. Critical thinking is one of the most important skills of testers
Hence b is correct.
How is the whole team approach present in the interactions between testers and
business representatives?
a) Business representatives decide on test automation approaches
b) Testers help business representatives to define test strategy
c) Business representatives are not part of the whole team approach
d) Testers help business representatives to create suitable acceptance tests
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is not correct. The test automation approach
is defined by testers with the
help of developers and business representatives
b) Is not correct. The test strategy is decided in collaboration with the
developers
c) Is not correct. Testers, developers, and business representatives are part
of the whole team approach
d) Is correct. Testers will work closely with business representatives to ensure that the
desired quality levels are achieved. This includes supporting and collaborating with
them to help them create suitable acceptance tests
Consider the following rule: "for every SDLC activity there is a corresponding test
activity". In which SDLC models does this rule hold?
a) Only in sequential SDLC models
b) Only in iterative SDLC models
c) Only in iterative and incremental SDLC models
d) In sequential, incremental, and iterative SDLC models
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is not correct;
ANSWERS
Which of the following statements describe a valid test objective?
a) To prove that there are no unfixed defects in the system under test
b) To prove that there will be no failures after the implementation of the system into
production
c) To reduce the risk level of the test object and to build confidence in the quality level
d) To verify that there are no untested combinations of inputs
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is not correct. It is impossible to prove that
there are no defects anymore
in the system under test. See testing principle 1
b) Is not correct. See testing principle 7
c) Is correct. Testing finds defects and failures which reduces the level of risk and at the
same time gives more confidence in the quality level of the test object
d) Is not correct. It is impossible to test all combinations of inputs (see testing principle
2)
Which of the following options shows an example of test activities that contribute to
success?
a) Having testers involved during various software development lifecycle (SDLC)
activities will help to detect defects in work products
b) Testers try not to disturb the developers while coding, so that the developers write
better code
c) Testers collaborating with end users help to improve the quality of defect reports
during component integration and system testing
d) Certified testers will design much better test cases than non-certified testers
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is correct. It is important that testers are
involved from the beginning of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It will
increase understanding of design decisions and will detect defects early.
b) Is not correct. Both developers and testers will have more understanding of each
other's work products and how to test the code
,c) Is not correct. If testers can work closely with system designers, it will give them
insight as to how to test
d) Is not correct. Testing will not be successful if legal requirements are not tested for
compliance
You have been assigned as a tester to a team producing a new system incrementally.
You have noticed that no changes have been made to the existing regression test
cases for several iterations and no new regression defects were identified. Your
manager is happy, but you are not. Which testing principle explains your skepticism?
a) Tests wear out
b) Absence-of-errors fallacy
c) Defects cluster together
d) Exhaustive testing is impossible
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is correct. This principle means that if the
same tests are repeated over and over again, eventually these tests no longer find any
new defects. This is probably why the tests all passed in this release as well
b) Is not correct. This principle says about the mistaken belief that just finding and fixing
a large number of defects will ensure the success of a system
c) Is not correct. This principle says that a small number of components usually contain
most of the defects
d) Is not correct. This principle states that testing all combinations of inputs and
preconditions is not feasible
You work in a team that develops a mobile application for food ordering. In the current
iteration the team decided to implement the payment functionality. Which of the
following activities is a part of test analysis?
a) Estimating that testing the integration with the payment service will take 8 person-
days
b) Deciding that the team should test if it is possible to properly share payment between
many users
c) Using boundary value analysis (BVA) to derive the test data for the test cases that
check the correct payment processing for the minimum allowed amount to be paid
d) Analyzing the discrepancy between the actual result and expected result after
executing a test case that checks the process of payment with a credit card, and
reporting a defect
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is not correct. Estimating the test effort is part
of test planning
b) Is correct. This is an example of defining test conditions which is a part of test
analysis
c) Is not correct. Using test techniques to derive coverage items is a part of test design
d) Is not correct. Reporting defects found during dynamic testing is a part of test
execution
,Which of the following factors (i-v) have SIGNIFICANT influence on the test process?
i. The SDLC
ii. The number of defects detected in previous projects
iii. The identified product risks
iv. New regulatory requirements forcing
v. The number of certified testers in the organization
a) i, ii have significant influence; iii, iv, v have not
b) i, iii, iv have significant influence; ii, v have not
c) ii, iv, v have significant influence; i, iii have not
d) iii, v have significant influence; i, ii, iv have not
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -i. Is true. The SDLC has an influence on the test
process
ii. Is false. The number of defects detected in previous projects may have
some influence, but this is not as significant as i, iii and iv
iii. Is true. The identified product risks are one of the most important factors influencing
the test process
iv. Is true. Regulatory requirements are important factors influencing the test process
v. Is false. The test environment should be a copy of the production environment but
has no significant influence on the test process
Hence b is correct.
Which TWO of the following tasks belong MAINLY to a testing role?
a) Configure test environments
b) Maintain the product backlog
c) Design solutions to new requirements
d) Create the test plan
e) Report on achieved coverage
Select TWO options. - Correct Answers -a) Is correct. This is done by the testers
b) Is not correct. The product backlog is built and maintained by the product owner
c) Is not correct. This is done by the development team
d) Is not correct. This is a managerial role
e) Is correct. This is done by the testers
Which of the following skills (i-v) are the MOST important skills of a tester?
i. Having domain knowledge
ii. Creating a product vision
iii. Being a good team player
iv. Planning and organizing the work of the team
, v. Critical thinking
a) ii and iv are important; i, iii and v are not
b) i, iii and v are important; ii and iv are not
c) i, ii and v are important; iii and iv are not
d) iii and iv are important; i, ii and v are not
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -i. Is true. Having domain knowledge is an
important tester skill
ii. Is false. This is a task of the business analyst together with the business
representative
iii. Is true. Being a good team player is an important skill
iv. Is false. Planning and organizing the work of the team is a task of the test
manager or, mostly in an Agile software development project, the whole
team and not just the tester
v. Is true. Critical thinking is one of the most important skills of testers
Hence b is correct.
How is the whole team approach present in the interactions between testers and
business representatives?
a) Business representatives decide on test automation approaches
b) Testers help business representatives to define test strategy
c) Business representatives are not part of the whole team approach
d) Testers help business representatives to create suitable acceptance tests
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is not correct. The test automation approach
is defined by testers with the
help of developers and business representatives
b) Is not correct. The test strategy is decided in collaboration with the
developers
c) Is not correct. Testers, developers, and business representatives are part
of the whole team approach
d) Is correct. Testers will work closely with business representatives to ensure that the
desired quality levels are achieved. This includes supporting and collaborating with
them to help them create suitable acceptance tests
Consider the following rule: "for every SDLC activity there is a corresponding test
activity". In which SDLC models does this rule hold?
a) Only in sequential SDLC models
b) Only in iterative SDLC models
c) Only in iterative and incremental SDLC models
d) In sequential, incremental, and iterative SDLC models
Select ONE option. - Correct Answers -a) Is not correct;
