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CTFL 1.2.2: Recall the relation between testing and quality assurance

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Syllabus section 1.2.2

3 original PrepBench practice questions for learning objective 1.2.2 of the CTFL 4.0 syllabus. Try the examples below and check each answer against its syllabus reference.

Practice questions

Question 1

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between testing and quality assurance (QA)?

  1. Testing and QA are different names for the same activity
  2. Testing is product-oriented and corrective, while QA is process-oriented and preventive
  3. QA is a part of testing that focuses on test process improvement
  4. Testing is preventive, while QA focuses on detecting defects in work products
Show answer
  • Testing and QA are different names for the same activityThey are distinct: QA is process-oriented while testing is a product-oriented form of quality control.
  • Correct answer: Testing is product-oriented and corrective, while QA is process-oriented and preventiveQA focuses on processes (preventive); testing is quality control focused on the product.
  • QA is a part of testing that focuses on test process improvementQA is broader than and distinct from testing; it is not a sub-part of testing.
  • Testing is preventive, while QA focuses on detecting defects in work productsThis reverses the roles: QA is preventive and process-oriented, testing is product-oriented.

Quality assurance is process-oriented: it focuses on following and improving good processes, on the basis that good processes lead to good products. Testing is a form of quality control, which is product-oriented and focuses on achieving appropriate levels of quality, e.g. by detecting defects.

Syllabus section 1.2.2

Question 2

Which statement correctly states the relationship between testing and quality assurance (QA)?

  1. Testing and QA are two names for the same activity, so QA is carried out by executing tests
  2. QA is one form of quality control, while testing implements and improves the processes used
  3. QA is the responsibility of the independent test team, while testing is everyone's responsibility
  4. Testing is a major form of quality control, and its results tell QA how well the processes perform
Show answer
  • Testing and QA are two names for the same activity, so QA is carried out by executing testsThe two terms are often used interchangeably, but testing and QA are not the same activity.
  • QA is one form of quality control, while testing implements and improves the processes usedThis reverses the two: testing is the major form of quality control, and QA is what focuses on processes.
  • QA is the responsibility of the independent test team, while testing is everyone's responsibilityThis reverses the responsibilities: QA is the responsibility of everyone on a project, not only of a test team.
  • Correct answer: Testing is a major form of quality control, and its results tell QA how well the processes performTesting is a major form of quality control, and its results give QA feedback on process performance.

Testing and QA are not the same. Testing is a product-oriented, corrective approach and is a major form of quality control; QA is a process-oriented, preventive approach concerned with the implementation and improvement of processes, and is the responsibility of everyone on a project. Test results are used by both: in testing to fix defects, and in QA to provide feedback on how well the development and test processes are performing.

Syllabus section 1.2.2

Question 3

Test results are used both in testing and in quality assurance. How are they used in quality assurance?

  1. As feedback on how well the development and test processes are performing
  2. As the basis for fixing the defects that the tests uncovered
  3. As evidence that the agreed exit criteria for the release were met
  4. As a measure of how thoroughly the test basis has been covered
Show answer
  • Correct answer: As feedback on how well the development and test processes are performingIn QA the results give feedback on how well the processes are performing.
  • As the basis for fixing the defects that the tests uncoveredFixing defects is how test results are used in testing, not in QA.
  • As evidence that the agreed exit criteria for the release were metEvaluating exit criteria belongs to test completion, not to quality assurance.
  • As a measure of how thoroughly the test basis has been coveredCoverage of the test basis is evaluated through traceability, not by QA.

Test results are used by both QA and testing. In testing they are used to fix defects, while in QA they provide feedback on how well the development and test processes are performing. That difference follows from QA being a process-oriented, preventive approach, whereas testing is product-oriented and corrective.

Syllabus section 1.2.2

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