ISTQB CT-TAE Practice Test Questions, Exam Dumps

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CT-TAE ISTQB Practice Test Questions and Exam Dumps

Question 1

You are working as a Test Automation Engineer (TAE) for a company that has been using a web test execution tool for several years. This tool has successfully tested ten web applications in the past. The company is now developing a new web application that has a user-friendly interface, but the developers have used an object that the tool cannot recognize. As a result, you're unable to capture or verify the contents of this object using the automation tool.

What is the first step you should take to address this issue?

A. Determine if the application can be run on a desktop, and if so, check if the object can be recognized by the tool in that environment.
B. Investigate if other test execution tools in the market can recognize the object.
C. Request the developers to remove the object and replace it with standard text fields that the tool can recognize.
D. Ask the developers to modify the object so it is compatible with the tool and can be recognized.

Correct Answer:

D. Ask the developers to modify the object so it is compatible with the tool and can be recognized.
Explanation:

In this scenario, you're faced with a situation where a test automation tool can't recognize a specific object used in the web application you're testing. The first step should involve working with the developers to resolve the issue. Here’s why:

D. Ask the developers to modify the object so it is compatible with the tool and can be recognized.
This is the most practical and proactive approach. Instead of trying to adjust the tool or find alternative solutions, you should ask the developers to change the object so that it’s compatible with the existing test automation tool. This will allow you to maintain consistency and efficiency without having to change the entire automation process.

Why the other options are less ideal:

A. Determine if the application can be run on a desktop, and if so, check if the object can be recognized by the tool in that environment.
This might be a possible solution if the tool has desktop-specific capabilities, but it’s not the first step. The main issue is that the object isn’t recognized, and switching environments won’t necessarily fix this.
B. Investigate if other test execution tools in the market can recognize the object.
While this might be an option later, the first approach should be to try to modify the current tool or work with developers to ensure compatibility. Switching tools or exploring others is a last resort.
C. Request the developers to remove the object and replace it with standard text fields that the tool can recognize.
While this is a valid option in some cases, it’s often better to modify the object itself rather than removing or replacing it entirely, especially if the object serves a crucial function in the application.

Question 2

Your organization is using a third-party open-source capture-replay tool as a major component of its Test Automation Solution (TAS). As a Test Automation Engineer (TAE),

Which two of the following actions must you ensure are carried out to maintain the effectiveness of this tool?

a) The third-party tool should be placed under configuration management control.
b) The annual support and maintenance costs for the tool should be agreed upon with the vendor.
c) It's important to stay informed about updates and new versions of the tool to keep it up-to-date.
d) Ensure that the test scripts used in the TAS are integrated into the tool's framework. e) Ensure that no modifications are made to the third-party tool since altering third-party products is prohibited.

A. a and b
B. c and d
C. a and c
D. d and e

Correct Answer: C. a and c
Explanation:

In this question, we are dealing with the maintenance and management of a third-party tool that is an integral part of the Test Automation Solution (TAS). As a Test Automation Engineer, ensuring the tool works efficiently requires you to implement the right strategies for its maintenance and integration.

C. a and c

a. The third-party tool should be placed under configuration management control.
This is critical because keeping the tool under configuration management control ensures that all versions, configurations, and updates are tracked properly. This is crucial for maintaining consistency, avoiding errors, and facilitating collaboration with other teams.
c. It’s important to stay informed about updates and new versions of the tool to keep it up-to-date.
Keeping the tool up to date is vital to ensure it remains compatible with the latest software, technologies, and bug fixes. Staying informed about updates and new versions will allow you to leverage new features and avoid potential issues with outdated software.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. a and b
While placing the tool under configuration management is important, agreeing on annual support and maintenance costs with the vendor is more related to financial management rather than immediate technical requirements for maintaining the tool.
B. c and d
While staying informed about updates is important, ensuring test scripts are integrated into the tool’s framework is a separate issue. Integration of test scripts should be handled based on the tool's requirements, but it doesn't relate to maintaining the tool itself.
D. d and e
While ensuring test script integration is important, the point about modifying third-party tools (option e) is not always valid. It’s not true for all third-party tools that modifications are prohibited. Modifications might be allowed or even necessary in some cases, depending on the licensing terms or customization needs.

In both questions, the focus is on solving problems in test automation effectively by either collaborating with developers to make adjustments or ensuring the correct maintenance and management practices for third-party tools. The goal is always to maintain efficiency, compatibility, and up-to-date technology within the test automation process.

Question 3

For a project where model-based testing has been chosen as the overall approach for test automation, how does this decision affect the layers of the Test Automation Architecture (TAA)?

A. All layers of the TAA are utilized, but the test generation layer is automated based on the defined model.
B. The execution layer will not be required in the TAA.
C. No changes are required because the interfaces will be automatically defined by the model.
D. The design of tests for the API is unnecessary because these will be automatically covered by the model.

Correct Answer: A. All layers of the TAA are utilized, but the test generation layer is automated based on the defined model.
Explanation:

In model-based testing (MBT), a model of the system under test (SUT) is used to automatically generate test cases. The key idea is that the model represents the behavior or functionality of the system, and the test generation process is driven by this model.

Here’s why Option A is correct:

A. All layers of the TAA are utilized, but the test generation layer is automated based on the defined model – This option highlights that while the overall TAA still includes multiple layers (such as test generation, test execution, and reporting), the test generation layer is automatically driven by the model. This makes the test creation process more efficient and ensures coverage of the system's behavior as defined in the model.

Why the other options are less ideal:

B. The execution layer will not be required in the TAA – This is incorrect because execution is still an essential part of the TAA. The execution layer is responsible for running the tests and interacting with the SUT. Even though MBT automates test generation, you still need an execution layer to actually run the tests.
C. No changes are required because the interfaces will be automatically defined by the model – This statement is misleading. The model helps in defining the test cases, but interfaces and test environments still need proper integration, configuration, and design. Therefore, you cannot assume no adaptation is necessary.
D. The design of tests for the API is unnecessary because these will be automatically covered by the model – While MBT automates test creation based on the model, it does not necessarily cover all aspects of the system, such as complex API interactions. It may still require additional design or configuration for APIs and edge cases.

Question 4

Your functional regression test automation suite ran successfully during the first two sprints, with no failures encountered. The suite records the test case status as either 'pass' or 'fail' and has excellent recovery capability built-in. However, during the third sprint, several test cases were marked as 'fail' in the TAS log. Upon investigation, most failures were due to defects in a keyword script, not the system under test (SUT). For the remaining failures, defect reports were raised, but developers requested additional information to reproduce the issue.

Which additional log items should you add to the Test Automation Suite (TAS) to improve failure analysis and defect reporting for future sprints? Select two options.

A. Dynamic measurement data about the SUT.
B. A status of ‘TAS error’, in addition to 'pass' and 'fail', for each test case.
C. Use a color coding scheme where 'pass' is red and 'fail' is green.
D. A counter to determine how many times each test case has been executed.
E. System configuration information, including software, firmware, and operating system versions.
F. A copy of the source code for all executed Keyword scripts.

Correct Answer:

A. Dynamic measurement data about the SUT.
E. System configuration information, including software, firmware, and operating system versions.
Explanation:

To improve failure analysis and defect reporting, additional logging that provides critical context is necessary. These additional log items help both the automation engineer and the developers to diagnose and resolve issues more effectively.

Here’s why Options A and E are the best choices:

A. Dynamic measurement data about the SUT – Collecting dynamic data such as performance metrics, response times, or resource consumption during test execution helps in identifying performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, or behavior changes in the system. This data is invaluable in understanding why tests failed, especially for defects related to the SUT's behavior.
E. System configuration information, including software, firmware, and operating system versions – Often, issues occur due to differences in system configuration (such as OS, browser versions, or network settings). Recording this information in the logs helps developers reproduce defects in the correct environment, making debugging more efficient. This is particularly helpful for intermittent issues that might be specific to certain configurations.

Why the other options are less ideal:

B. A status of ‘TAS error’, in addition to 'pass' and 'fail', for each test case – While this could provide additional categorization, error handling should be done more effectively with detailed logs (such as stack traces or logs) that give more insight into the error rather than just categorizing it as a 'TAS error.'
C. Use a color coding scheme where 'pass' is red and 'fail' is green – Color coding is a good practice for visualizing test results, but it doesn't help much in failure analysis. It could be misleading as well because red typically means failure, and reversing these colors would confuse the standard industry practice.
D. A counter to determine how many times each test case has been executed – While tracking how many times each test case has been executed can be useful for statistical purposes, it doesn't directly help with diagnosing why a test failed or improve defect reporting in a practical manner.
F. A copy of the source code for all executed Keyword scripts – While it’s helpful to have access to the source code of scripts for debugging, this may not be necessary for all failure cases. It’s more beneficial to focus on the actual system and performance data that can directly correlate to why the tests failed, rather than tracking the scripts themselves, which are usually easier to debug.

In summary, when adopting model-based testing, the test generation layer will be automated, while other layers, such as execution and reporting, still play an essential role. When improving failure analysis and defect reporting for automated test suites, additional logging for dynamic measurement data and system configuration information helps provide critical context for understanding and reproducing test failures. These actions make it easier for testers and developers to resolve issues efficiently and accurately.

Question 5

Your Test Automation Suite (TAS) has been functioning well on a Windows/GUI-based System Under Test (SUT) for several years. The SUT has undergone only minor updates, with six-monthly releases focusing on bug fixes and enhancements, following a waterfall development lifecycle. The current project for the SUT is transitioning to Scrum methodology, aiming for a more modern, competitive user interface. The project is in its release planning phase with an agreed release backlog and planned sprints. Due to this shift from the traditional waterfall approach to shorter Scrum sprints, you are reviewing your current TAS to ensure it’s efficient and optimized for the new project’s timescale and demands.

Which two actions would be the most effective during this review? (Choose two.)

A. Ensure that the new automation code adheres to the same naming conventions as the existing code.
B. Conduct a full regression test in Sprint 1 to identify areas for improvement in the TAS for subsequent sprints.
C. Confirm that the TAS is using the latest libraries compatible with the operating system.
D. Review the functions that interact with the GUI controls for potential consolidation.
E. Involve the test team to gather their suggestions for ease-of-use improvements in the TAS.

Correct Answer:

A. Ensure that the new automation code adheres to the same naming conventions as the existing code.
E. Involve the test team to gather their suggestions for ease-of-use improvements in the TAS.
Explanation:

When transitioning from a traditional waterfall release model to an agile Scrum approach, it’s important to adapt your Test Automation Suite (TAS) for the more rapid and iterative nature of sprints. The new approach requires increased speed, flexibility, and efficiency, which calls for optimizations.

A. Ensure that the new automation code adheres to the same naming conventions as the existing code – Consistency in naming conventions across all automation code is critical, especially when transitioning to agile workflows. Maintaining this consistency ensures easier collaboration, readability, and maintainability of the code, which is vital when teams are working in fast-paced, iterative cycles.
E. Involve the test team to gather their suggestions for ease-of-use improvements in the TAS – The test team’s feedback is valuable for improving usability and ensuring the TAS meets the practical needs of testers. By involving them early in the process, you can implement changes that simplify their workflows, reduce friction, and enhance overall productivity.

Why the other options are less ideal:

B. Conduct a full regression test in Sprint 1 to identify areas for improvement in the TAS for subsequent sprints – While regression testing is important, a full regression test at the start of the project might not be the best use of time in the context of an agile sprint. It’s better to perform incremental tests as new features or changes are implemented, rather than delaying improvements until Sprint 1.
C. Confirm that the TAS is using the latest libraries compatible with the operating system – While updating libraries is important for staying current, it’s not the most urgent step for optimizing the TAS. The primary focus should be on the overall design and user feedback from the team.
D. Review the functions that interact with the GUI controls for potential consolidation – Consolidating functions might be useful in the long run but is not the highest priority during a transition to Scrum. This task could be deferred until later when stability has been achieved.

Question 6

You are working on a government project called “Making Tax Digital" (MTD), aimed at reducing human errors and fraud by ensuring companies submit their tax and VAT returns using government-recommended third-party software. This software will interface directly with the government’s system for transactions and submissions. You have successfully used a test execution tool on the project thus far and implemented a basic “capture/replay” approach for scripting. The management team is pleased with the automation so far but now wants the following goals to be achieved:

Easily add new test cases
Reduce script duplication and the number of scripts
Lower maintenance costs

Which scripting technique would be most appropriate to meet these objectives?

A. Linear scripting
B. Structured scripting
C. Data-driven scripting
D. Keyword-driven scripting

Correct Answer: D. Keyword-driven scripting
Explanation:

In this scenario, Keyword-driven scripting is the most suitable technique to meet the stated objectives. Let’s break down the reasons:

D. Keyword-driven scripting – This scripting approach separates the test logic from the actual test data, making it ideal for reducing script duplication, increasing reusability, and simplifying test case creation. In keyword-driven scripting, each action or event (e.g., click, input text) is associated with a keyword, and tests are written by combining these keywords. This method facilitates easy addition of new test cases (by defining new keywords) and allows easy updates to the test logic without altering individual scripts. It also reduces maintenance costs as you can modify keywords without changing the entire script.

Why the other options are less suitable:

A. Linear scripting – This approach involves writing each test step in sequence without much abstraction. While it's easy to understand, it doesn’t scale well for large projects. Adding new test cases or reusing parts of the script can be difficult, and maintenance can become expensive because changes need to be made throughout all test scripts.
B. Structured scripting – This approach organizes test scripts using reusable functions, improving maintainability over linear scripting. However, it’s still more code-intensive than keyword-driven scripting and doesn’t provide the same level of abstraction and ease of test case addition. It may not fully address the goal of reducing script duplication.
C. Data-driven scripting – This technique allows for running the same test script with multiple sets of input data, promoting reuse and reducing the need for multiple test scripts. However, it focuses mainly on data input rather than reducing script duplication, and may not provide the level of ease in adding new test cases or reducing script complexity as keyword-driven scripting does.

For the first question, ensuring consistency in code and gathering feedback from the test team is crucial for optimizing the Test Automation Suite during the transition to a Scrum methodology. In the second question, adopting keyword-driven scripting is the most effective technique to meet the project’s objectives of improving test case management, reducing duplication, and lowering maintenance costs. These approaches ensure efficiency and sustainability for the long-term success of your automation efforts.

Question 7

The Test Automation Manager has requested that you design a solution to track code coverage metrics each time the automated regression test suite is executed. These metrics should reflect trends to ensure that the scope of the regression tests continues to capture the enhancements made to the System Under Test (SUT). The coverage must not decrease and, ideally, should increase. The solution should be as automated as possible to minimize manual intervention and errors.

Which of the following methods would be the most effective to meet these requirements?

A. Test automation tools cannot track code coverage for the SUT, only for the automation scripts themselves. Therefore, the automated test cases must be run manually, with a separate code coverage and reporting tool running in the background.
B. The test automation framework records overall code coverage after each run and logs this information into a pre-formatted Excel spreadsheet. This spreadsheet is then manually reviewed and shared with stakeholders to track changes in coverage.
C. The test automation framework records code coverage for each run and exports the data to a pre-formatted Excel spreadsheet. This spreadsheet automatically updates a trend analysis chart, which is shared with stakeholders.
D. The test automation framework records the pass/fail rate of each regression test case, exports the data to a pre-formatted Excel spreadsheet, and automatically generates a success rate trend chart, which is emailed to stakeholders.

Correct Answer:

C. The test automation framework records code coverage for each run and exports the data to a pre-formatted Excel spreadsheet. This spreadsheet automatically updates a trend analysis chart, which is shared with stakeholders.
Explanation:

To meet the Test Automation Manager's requirement for measuring code coverage and tracking trends over time, it is essential to have an automated, reliable, and streamlined solution that does not involve manual intervention. Here’s why option C is the best choice:

C. The test automation framework records code coverage for each run and exports the data to a pre-formatted Excel spreadsheet. This spreadsheet automatically updates a trend analysis chart, which is shared with stakeholders.
This approach fully automates the process of measuring and tracking code coverage. It records the coverage after each run, logs the data in an Excel spreadsheet, and uses an automated trend analysis chart to present the coverage trends visually. This solution ensures that stakeholders receive timely and accurate reports without requiring manual effort. The use of Excel with automated charting helps track the code coverage trend, and the tool can be further integrated with automated reporting systems, reducing manual work.

Why the other options are less suitable:

A. Test automation tools cannot track code coverage for the SUT, only for the automation scripts themselves.
While this might be true for some tools, the goal is to use a test automation tool that tracks coverage for the SUT, not just the automation scripts. Therefore, this approach would not meet the requirement.
B. The test automation framework records overall code coverage after each run and logs this information into a pre-formatted Excel spreadsheet.
While this method logs the data, it does not include trend analysis or automated updating of charts, which is a key requirement for tracking changes over time.
D. The test automation framework records the pass/fail rate of each regression test case, exports the data to a pre-formatted Excel spreadsheet, and generates a success rate trend chart.
This approach tracks the success rate, not code coverage. It does not provide the specific coverage metrics needed, which is the primary focus of the manager's request.

Question 8

Which of the following is considered a disadvantage of implementing test automation?

A. Automated exploratory testing is challenging to implement.
B. Test automation may divert attention from the core goal of identifying defects.
C. Automation tests are more likely to be affected by operator errors.
D. Test automation may provide slower feedback on the quality of the system.

Correct Answer: A. Automated exploratory testing is challenging to implement

Explanation:

Test automation offers significant benefits, such as speed, consistency, and the ability to run tests repeatedly. However, there are also inherent disadvantages. Let's explore why option A is the best answer:

A. Automated exploratory testing is challenging to implement.
Exploratory testing involves testers simultaneously learning, designing, and executing tests, which requires creativity, flexibility, and human intuition. Test automation, on the other hand, is designed to execute pre-defined scripts that do not adapt easily to new, undefined scenarios. Since exploratory testing requires dynamic decision-making and a deep understanding of the system, automating this process is particularly difficult. While automated tests can help with routine testing, they cannot easily replicate the adaptive, investigatory nature of exploratory testing.

Why the other options are less suitable:

B. Test automation may divert attention from the core goal of identifying defects.
While it’s true that automation should be used to complement manual testing, it is not inherently a distraction from defect identification. Automation tools are designed to support defect identification by ensuring tests are run thoroughly and consistently.
C. Automation tests are more likely to be affected by operator errors.
This statement is generally inaccurate. One of the benefits of automation is its ability to reduce human errors, as tests are executed in a predefined, repeatable manner.
D. Test automation may provide slower feedback on the quality of the system.
This is not typically true. Automation provides faster feedback on the quality of the system because automated tests can be executed quickly and repeatedly. In fact, automation is often employed to speed up feedback, especially in continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) environments.

For Question 7, automating code coverage tracking using a pre-formatted Excel spreadsheet with trend analysis offers a robust and efficient solution that aligns with the manager's requirements, ensuring minimal manual effort and accurate trend reporting. For Question 8, the difficulty of automating exploratory testing is the key disadvantage, as it requires flexibility and human judgment, which automation cannot replicate. The other options in both questions present less suitable approaches based on the requirements and objectives.

Question 9

New features have been added to the current version of the System Under Test (SUT). As a Test Automation Engineer (TAE), which action would NOT be appropriate when assessing the impact of these changes on the Test Automation Solution (TAS)?

A. Collect feedback from Business Analysts to assess whether the current TAS will support the requirements of the new features.
B. Review the existing keywords used in the automation scripts to determine if modifications are necessary.
C. Execute the current automated tests on the updated SUT to verify and document any changes in the functionality of the tests.
D. Assess the compatibility of the current test tools with the updated SUT, and identify any alternative solutions if necessary.

Correct Answer: A. Collect feedback from Business Analysts to assess whether the current TAS will support the requirements of the new features.
Explanation:

When new features are added to the SUT, it is critical to evaluate the impact on the Test Automation Solution (TAS). However, the action described in Option A would not be the most appropriate first step. Here's why:

A. Collect feedback from Business Analysts to assess whether the current TAS will support the requirements of the new features.
Although business analysts can provide valuable insights into business requirements, the Test Automation Engineer (TAE) typically focuses on the technical aspects of the TAS and test automation. Gathering feedback from business analysts is important for understanding functional requirements, but it doesn't directly help evaluate the TAS's impact. The TAE should focus more on analyzing how the test scripts, tools, and environments need to be adjusted to accommodate the new features. Therefore, Option A is the least appropriate step.

Why the other options are suitable:

B. Review the existing keywords used in the automation scripts to determine if modifications are necessary.
This is an essential step. With new features, the automation keywords might need to be modified or extended to handle new functionalities. It’s important to ensure that existing test scripts can still be used effectively or need to be adjusted to cover new requirements.
C. Execute the current automated tests on the updated SUT to verify and document any changes in the functionality of the tests.
Running existing tests on the updated SUT is crucial to verify if the automation framework continues to operate correctly. This will help identify any issues caused by the new features and ensure that the automated tests still pass or fail as expected.
D. Assess the compatibility of the current test tools with the updated SUT, and identify any alternative solutions if necessary.
Evaluating whether the test tools are compatible with the updated SUT is a necessary step to ensure the testing process continues without issues. If the tools are no longer compatible, it may be necessary to find alternatives that work with the new features.

Question 10

You are implementing test automation for a project involving a business-critical application. An automated test execution tool is being used to run regression tests, and the results of these tests are critical to ensure 100% accuracy. You want to integrate the test automation results with the test management system, which also tracks manual test results, to provide managers with up-to-date progress for decision-making.

Which layer of the Generic Test Automation Architecture (gTAA) is responsible for ensuring that proper reporting occurs and that the interfaces with the test management system are properly handled?

A. The reporting layer
B. The logging layer
C. The execution layer
D. The adaptation layer

Correct Answer: A. The reporting layer
Explanation:

In the context of integrating test results into a test management system, the reporting layer is the component responsible for ensuring that results are properly captured, formatted, and shared. Here's why Option A is the correct answer:

A. The reporting layer
The reporting layer is responsible for ensuring that the results from both automated and manual tests are correctly collected and formatted for analysis and presentation. This layer manages the integration between test execution tools and test management systems, ensuring that test results, whether they are from automation or manual testing, are accurately reported, tracked, and used by management for decision-making. This layer consolidates the data into actionable reports.

Why the other options are less suitable:

B. The logging layer
The logging layer is primarily responsible for capturing detailed logs during test execution. While logs are useful for diagnosing issues and understanding test behavior, they do not directly handle the integration with test management systems or generate the high-level reports needed for management to make decisions. The logging layer typically works in tandem with the reporting layer to provide detailed information when needed.
C. The execution layer
The execution layer is responsible for running the test scripts and interacting with the System Under Test (SUT). It handles the automation of test cases but does not deal with reporting or the integration with test management systems. While it plays a key role in executing tests, it doesn’t handle how the results are reported or communicated.
D. The adaptation layer
The adaptation layer deals with ensuring that the test automation framework can interact with different systems, tools, and environments. It handles the integration between various components of the test environment but is not focused on generating or managing reports for test results.