CTFL 1.5.1: Give examples of the generic skills required for testing
K2Syllabus section 1.5.1
3 original PrepBench practice questions for learning objective 1.5.1 of the CTFL 4.0 syllabus. Try the examples below and check each answer against its syllabus reference.
Practice questions
Question 1
A tester must report that a release planned for tomorrow still has several severe open defects, knowing the project manager will not welcome the news. Which of the generic skills required for testing is MOST relevant here?
- Technical knowledge, to increase the efficiency of testing by using appropriate test tools
- Good communication skills, to convey information to others and to be understood
- Domain knowledge, to understand and communicate with end users and business representatives
- Analytical thinking, critical thinking and creativity, to increase the effectiveness of testing
Show answer
- Technical knowledge, to increase the efficiency of testing by using appropriate test toolsTechnical knowledge increases the efficiency of testing, for example through test tools.
- Correct answer: Good communication skills, to convey information to others and to be understoodConveying information and being understood is what this situation demands.
- Domain knowledge, to understand and communicate with end users and business representativesDomain knowledge serves understanding and communicating with users and business representatives.
- Analytical thinking, critical thinking and creativity, to increase the effectiveness of testingAnalytical and critical thinking and creativity increase the effectiveness of testing.
Testers are often the bearers of bad news, and it is a common human trait to blame the bearer of bad news, which makes communication skills crucial for testers. Communicating test results may be perceived as criticism of the product and of its author, so information about defects and failures should be communicated in a constructive way. The other three options are also named generic skills, but each serves a different purpose.
Syllabus section 1.5.1
Question 2
Which example best illustrates how technical knowledge contributes to testing?
- A tester applies a suitable test technique to increase testing effectiveness
- A tester uses an appropriate test tool to perform testing more efficiently
- A tester uses domain knowledge to communicate with business representatives
- A tester uses thoroughness to identify a defect that is difficult to find
Show answer
- A tester applies a suitable test technique to increase testing effectivenessThis illustrates testing knowledge, which increases testing effectiveness through techniques.
- Correct answer: A tester uses an appropriate test tool to perform testing more efficientlyUsing an appropriate test tool illustrates technical knowledge increasing efficiency.
- A tester uses domain knowledge to communicate with business representativesThis illustrates domain knowledge, which supports communication with business representatives.
- A tester uses thoroughness to identify a defect that is difficult to findThis illustrates thoroughness and attention to detail, not technical knowledge.
Technical knowledge can increase testing efficiency by enabling the use of appropriate test tools. The other examples illustrate testing knowledge, domain knowledge, and thoroughness rather than the contribution of technical knowledge.
Syllabus section 1.5.1
Question 3
A tester who has just joined an insurance product cannot judge whether the partial-settlement workflow behaves sensibly, and does not recognize several terms the business representatives use in refinement meetings. Which generic skill required for testing does this tester most need?
- Technical knowledge, to increase the efficiency of testing by using appropriate test tools
- Analytical thinking, critical thinking, and creativity, to increase the effectiveness of testing
- Domain knowledge, to understand and communicate with end users and business representatives
- Thoroughness and attention to detail, to identify defects that are especially hard to find
Show answer
- Technical knowledge, to increase the efficiency of testing by using appropriate test toolsTechnical knowledge raises the efficiency of testing through suitable test tools; no tool problem is described.
- Analytical thinking, critical thinking, and creativity, to increase the effectiveness of testingAnalytical and critical thinking raise test effectiveness, but the gap here is understanding the business.
- Correct answer: Domain knowledge, to understand and communicate with end users and business representativesDomain knowledge is what lets a tester understand and talk to end users and business representatives.
- Thoroughness and attention to detail, to identify defects that are especially hard to findThoroughness helps identify hard-to-find defects, but it cannot supply the missing understanding of the domain.
Domain knowledge is listed as a generic skill that is particularly relevant for testers, so that they are able to understand and to communicate with end users and business representatives. The tester's difficulty is neither with tools, nor with reasoning about tests, nor with care and detail: the business domain under test is not yet understood.
Syllabus section 1.5.1
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