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CTFL 1.2.1: Exemplify why testing is necessary

K2

Syllabus section 1.2.1

3 original PrepBench practice questions for learning objective 1.2.1 of the CTFL 4.0 syllabus. Try the examples below and check each answer against its syllabus reference.

Practice questions

Question 1

Which of the following BEST describes how testing contributes to the success of a project?

  1. Testing removes the defects it finds, which directly raises the quality of the test object
  2. Testing determines the quality level the development team must reach before release
  3. Testing provides a cost-effective means of detecting defects, which can then be removed
  4. Testing establishes that the test object will meet users' needs once it is deployed
Show answer
  • Testing removes the defects it finds, which directly raises the quality of the test objectDefects are removed by debugging, so testing's contribution to quality is indirect.
  • Testing determines the quality level the development team must reach before releaseTesting measures quality to inform decisions; it does not set the level to be reached.
  • Correct answer: Testing provides a cost-effective means of detecting defects, which can then be removedTesting is a cost-effective means of detecting defects, which can then be removed.
  • Testing establishes that the test object will meet users' needs once it is deployedTesting reduces the risk of failure in operation rather than establishing fitness in advance.

Testing provides a cost-effective means of detecting defects. Those defects can then be removed by debugging — a non-testing activity — so testing contributes to higher quality test objects indirectly rather than directly. Testing also provides a means of directly evaluating quality at various phases, which feeds decisions such as the release decision, but it does not itself set the required quality level or guarantee fitness in operation.

Syllabus section 1.2.1

Question 2

A company must show an external auditor that its software meets the rules laid down by a regulator. Which typical test objective does this correspond to?

  1. Providing information to stakeholders to allow them to make informed decisions
  2. Building confidence in the quality of the test object
  3. Reducing the risk level of inadequate software quality
  4. Verifying that a test object complies with contractual, legal and regulatory requirements
Show answer
  • Providing information to stakeholders to allow them to make informed decisionsProviding information for informed decisions is a different named objective.
  • Building confidence in the quality of the test objectBuilding confidence in quality is a different named objective.
  • Reducing the risk level of inadequate software qualityReducing the risk level of inadequate quality is a different named objective.
  • Correct answer: Verifying that a test object complies with contractual, legal and regulatory requirementsCompliance with contractual, legal and regulatory requirements is the objective here.

Verifying that a test object complies with contractual, legal and regulatory requirements is one of the typical test objectives, and the syllabus separately notes that testing may be required to meet contractual or legal requirements or to comply with regulatory standards. The other three options are also typical objectives, but none of them is about conformance to externally imposed rules.

Syllabus section 1.2.1

Question 3

Before a new medical device may be sold, its manufacturer must show an external auditor evidence that the device was tested against the published safety standard. Which contribution of testing to success does this exemplify?

  1. Testing may be needed to satisfy obligations imposed from outside the project
  2. Testing is a cost-effective means of detecting defects that can then be removed
  3. Testing gives users indirect representation on the development project
  4. Testing directly evaluates quality and so informs the release decision
Show answer
  • Correct answer: Testing may be needed to satisfy obligations imposed from outside the projectTesting may be required to meet contractual or legal requirements, or to comply with regulatory standards.
  • Testing is a cost-effective means of detecting defects that can then be removedCost-effective defect detection is a contribution of testing, but the auditor requires evidence of compliance.
  • Testing gives users indirect representation on the development projectIndirect user representation means testers keep users' needs in view; an auditor is not a user representative.
  • Testing directly evaluates quality and so informs the release decisionQuality evaluation does feed decisions such as release, but the trigger here is an obligation from outside.

Testing contributes to success in several ways, one of which is that testing may be required to meet contractual or legal requirements, or to comply with regulatory standards. Here the manufacturer may not sell the device without evidence of testing against a published safety standard, so it is that contribution which the situation exemplifies.

Syllabus section 1.2.1

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