ISTQB Updated CTFL-Foundation Exam Questions and Answers by hasan

The characteristics of good testing practices that apply to any software development life cycle model include the principle that for every development activity, there is a corresponding testing activity. This ensures that testing is integrated into every stage of the software development process, from requirements gathering to maintenance. According to the ISTQB CTFL Syllabus, version 4.0, this alignment ensures that:

Testing activities are planned alongside development activities.

Testing begins early in the development process to identify and mitigate defects as soon as possible.

Testing is not an afterthought but a continuous process that supports quality throughout the lifecycle.

This principle helps in identifying defects early, reducing the cost and effort required to fix them later in the development cycle, and ensures comprehensive coverage of both functional and non-functional requirements​​.

Reviewing the test basis is a key activity in the Test Analysis and Design phase. This phase involves analyzing the test basis documents (such as requirements, design specifications, and use cases) to identify test conditions and design test cases. The ISTQB CTFL Syllabus explains that thorough review of the test basis ensures that the tests are aligned with the specified requirements and design, improving the accuracy and relevance of the tests​​.

The tasks of a tester typically include preparing and acquiring test data, implementing tests on all levels, executing and logging the tests, and creating test specifications. Interaction with the testtool vendor is generally not a primary task for testers but rather for test managers or tool specialists. The ISTQB CTFL Syllabus outlines these roles and responsibilities, emphasizing the technical tasks testers perform to ensure thorough testing and documentation​​.

The most valid goal for a test team is to cause as many failures as possible so that faults can be identified and corrected. This goal aligns with the primary objective of testing, which is to discover defects and ensure they are addressed before the software is released to end-users. By focusing on causing failures, the test team can identify weaknesses in the software and provide valuable feedback for improvements.

According to the ISTQB CTFL Syllabus, version 4.0, the ultimate aim of testing is to find and fix defects to enhance the quality and reliability of the software. Proving that all faults are identified or that no faults will cause failures are unrealistic and less effective goals because it is impossible to guarantee that all defects have been found. Therefore, the goal of causing failures to find and fix faults is the most valid and practical approach for a test team​​.