ISTQB CT-TAE Certified Tester Test Automation Engineer Exam Practice Test

Both the time to execute automated tests and the speed and efficiency of TAS components are considered internal TAS metrics. Internal metrics are those that relate directly to the performance and effectiveness of the Test Automation System (TAS) itself, rather than its impact on external processes or outcomes. The time to execute automated tests measures how long the TAS takes to run a set of tests, which is a key factor in assessing the efficiency and performance of the automation. Similarly, the speed and efficiency of TAS components are directly related to how well the internal parts of the TAS are functioning. These metrics are crucial for understanding and improving the internal workings of the TAS, making them both internal metrics.

In a keyword-driven framework, especially when dealing with a web application, having a large set of highly specific keywords can lead to redundancy and inefficiency. Implementing keywords with a higher level of granularity can help reduce the number of repeated instances of identical sequences of keywords, as identified by the static analysis tool. This approach promotes reusability and maintainability of test scripts, making the test automation suite more robust and easier to manage. It also aligns with the principles of modularity and abstraction, which are key in test automation engineering.

References = The ISTQB CT-TAE materials emphasize the importance of maintaining a manageable level of abstraction in keyword-driven frameworks to ensure that the automated tests are efficient, maintainable, and provide clear insights into the SUT’s behavior12.

When encountering issues with the identification of GUI elements of third-party components within an automated testing framework, the initial step should be to verify the testability support with the providers of those components. This is because the third-party components may not adhere to the same standards or methods of identification that the primary testing tool uses. By contacting the providers, you can determine whether there are known issues or workarounds, or if they offer their own tools or methods for enabling test automation. This approach is proactive and can save time by addressing the compatibility issue at its source, rather than attempting to implement potentially inefficient or unreliable solutions.

References = The answer is supported by the ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the test automation tool’s capabilities and the system under test (SUT), including any third-party components that may be integrated12. Additionally, the resources provided by softwaretestinghelp.com discuss the challenges and considerations when dealing with test automation, including the interaction with third-party elements34.

The key challenge in this context is ensuring that the automated solution is compatible with mobile devices. Since the website must be “mobile friendly,” it is crucial that the automation covers the functionality on mobile platforms. However, automating tests for mobile browsers can be more complex due to the variety of devices, screen sizes, and operating systems. This complexity can make it challenging to ensure that the automation is effective across all potential user scenarios.

References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer (CT-TAE) documents and training resources provide comprehensive information on the challenges and considerations for test automation in a mobile-friendly context. These resources emphasize the importance of designing automation that is adaptable to different environments and can handle the intricacies of mobile platforms.

 In the context of using a gTAA for creating a TAS, particularly for automating a suite of existing manual test cases for standalone desktop applications with interfaces from the CUI of the application, the focus should be on the Test Adaption layer. This layer is crucial as it deals with adapting the test cases to the specific interfaces of the System Under Test (SUT). It involves creating the necessary mappings and interactions with the CUI, ensuring that the automated tests can effectively communicate with the application as a user would through the CUI.

References = The importance of the Test Adaption layer in the gTAA is highlighted in resources that discuss the Generic Test Automation Architecture and its application in test automation projects12. These resources provide insights into how each layer of the gTAA serves a specific purpose in the development of a TAS, with the Test Adaption layer being key for interfacing with the SUT3.

 In the context of a keyword-driven framework, especially when tests are based on low-level identifiers of web page components, significant changes to the SUT due to maintenance and new features can lead to false positive errors. This is because the identifiers used in the test scripts (like class indexes, tab sequence indexes, and coordinates) may change, causing the automated tests to interact incorrectly with the SUT or fail to interact at all. The keyword-driven approach, while offering reusability and abstraction, relies on the stability of the object identifiers; significant changes in the SUT can invalidate these identifiers, leading to false positives if the tests are not updated accordingly.

References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus and related documents highlight the importance of choosing the right framework and the potential impact of SUT changes on automated tests1234.

 The most significant risk for the Test Automation System (TAS) in this scenario is related to the level of abstraction and the departure of the automation architect. The architect’s role is crucial in designing and maintaining the architecture of the TAS. Their departure can lead to challenges in understanding the system’s design and making necessary updates or changes. The level of abstraction means that the system is designed in a way that may not be easily understood without the architect’s insight, which can make maintenance difficult. This risk is compounded when the TAS is used across several projects, each with its own library of keywords, which requires a deep understanding of the system’s architecture to manage effectively.

References = This answer is based on the principles outlined in the ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus, which discusses the importance of maintainability and the risks associated with high levels of abstraction in test automation architectures12. The syllabus also emphasizes the role of the automation architect in ensuring the long-term success of the TAS2.

The design for reuse of a Test Automation Solution (TAS) should primarily occur at the Test Automation Architecture (TAA) level. This is because the TAA defines the overall structure and design patterns that will be used throughout the TAS lifecycle. By focusing on reuse at the TAA level, it ensures that the test automation is designed with reuse in mind from the outset, which can increase the ability for reuse across different layers of the TAA.

References = The ISTQB® Test Automation Engineer (CT-TAE) certification materials emphasize the importance of designing for reuse at the TAA level. It is noted that while reuse aspects are already settled when the TAA is defined, the TAS can help increase the ability for reuse. This information is corroborated by discussions and consensus in the professional community, as seen in the resources provided by ISTQB and other educational platforms12.

When a Test Automation System (TAS) uses dedicated test interfaces added to the APIs of a System Under Test (SUT), one specific risk is the occurrence of false alarms during testing. These are test failures that do not necessarily signify defects in the SUT but are caused by the test interfaces or the test environment itself. Such false positives can lead to wasted effort in investigating non-issues and can obscure genuine defects, thus posing a significant risk to the accuracy and efficiency of the testing process.

References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus discusses the importance of evaluating risks associated with the test automation environment and tools. It highlights the need to analyze deployment risks and identify technical issues that could lead to failure of the test automation project, including the risk of false positives due to dedicated test interfaces123.

Abstraction in Test Automation Architecture (TAA) is primarily advantageous because it allows for flexibility in the test automation framework, making it easier to reuse and improve upon. Abstraction helps in encapsulating the complexity of tests, which means changes in the system under test (SUT) may require minimal changes in the test scripts themselves. This level of abstraction also supports the scalability of the test automation, allowing for the addition of new tests or features with less effort.

References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer documents highlight the importance of abstraction in creating a maintainable and scalable test automation framework. The principles of abstraction align with the goals of test automation, which include efficiency, reusability, and ease of maintenance123.

 The best internal metric to measure the quality of the Test Automation System (TAS) and the number of problems associated with it would be the defect density within the TAS automation code. This metric provides insight into the robustness and reliability of the automation code itself. A lower defect density indicates higher quality and fewer problems, while a higher defect density may signal the need for improvements in the automation code. This metric is internal because it pertains directly to the quality of the TAS rather than its impact on external processes. References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus and other ISTQB materials emphasize the importance of internal metrics such as defect density to assess the quality and effectiveness of the TAS123.

 The most crucial first step after an abnormal termination is to take a backup of the database in its current state. This ensures that you have a snapshot of the system at the point of failure, which is invaluable for a thorough post-mortem analysis. Without this, you may lose critical information about the state of the system that could help identify the root cause of the failure. Once the backup is secured, you can proceed with restoring the system to a consistent state and continue with subsequent tests or rerun the test suite as needed.

References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus and best practices highlight the importance of error recovery processes and the preservation of test artifacts for analysis. Taking a backup aligns with these guidelines as it allows for an accurate assessment of the failure and aids in improving the

The SUT code coverage metric is crucial in determining whether the test suite has been updated to cover new functionalities. If the code coverage does not increase or remains the same after new functionalities are added, it suggests that the test suite has not been adequately updated to include tests for the new code. This is because code coverage measures the extent to which the source code of the program is executed when a particular test suite runs. A test suite that is not updated for new functionalities will not execute the new parts of the code, hence the code coverage will not reflect the new additions.

References = The answer is verified using the ISTQB Test Automation Engineer documents and training resources, which emphasize the importance of maintaining code coverage with the evolution of the SUT to ensure that the test suite remains effective over time123.

For a pilot project, it’s advisable to select a project that is manageable in scope and has a significant, but not critical, impact on the business. Project C fits this description well. It is a short, one-month project, which means the pilot can be conducted and evaluated quickly. Although it is an important project, it is not of such critical business importance that any issues arising from the pilot would cause significant disruption. This allows for a thorough evaluation of the new tool in a real-world setting without the pressure and risk associated with projects of higher business criticality or visibility.

References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus suggests that pilot projects should be selected based on criteria such as project size, criticality, and the ability to manage risks effectively. Project C allows for a controlled environment to assess the tool’s capabilities and make necessary adjustments before scaling up to more critical projects123.

For the scenario of automating functional tests at the system test level via the Command Line Interface (CLI) of the SUT, with the requirements for fast and cheap maintenance, low cost for adding new tests, and high independence from the automation tool, the most suitable scripting technique is Data-driven scripting. This approach externalizes test data from the scripts into separate data files or repositories, allowing for the reuse of test scripts with different sets of data. Data-driven scripting is ideal for meeting the specified requirements because it enables rapid execution of a large number of test cases by merely changing the input data, without the need to alter the scripts themselves. This significantly reduces maintenance costs and the effort required to add new tests, as the core script remains the same. Moreover, this technique enhances the independence of the automated tests from the specific tools used, as the focus is on the data and the generic actions performed by the scripts, making it the most suitable choice for the described needs.

 In the context of a CRM application with a GUI delivered through Internet Explorer using proprietary Active X and Java controls, keyword-driven scripting is the most suitable technique. This approach separates the test automation code from the test data, allowing for the creation of high-level keywords that represent user actions on the GUI. It is particularly effective in environments where specific commercial automation tools are necessary, as it enables non-technical testers to write automated test cases using a set of predefined keywords. This method enhances the maintainability and reusability of test scripts, making it easier to adapt to changes in the GUI controls or the underlying application.

References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus and materials provide guidance on selecting appropriate scripting techniques based on the characteristics of the application under test and the test automation tools available. It discusses the advantages of keyword-driven scripting in scenarios where rich client capabilities are implemented and specific automation tools are required12.

 When evaluating the impact of new features on the Test Automation Solution (TAS), it would not be appropriate for the Test Automation Engineer (TAE) to gather feedback from Business Analysts to determine if the current TAS will meet the needs of the new features (Option A). While Business Analysts provide valuable insights into business requirements and the intended functionality of new features, their feedback may not directly inform the technical suitability or readiness of the TAS to handle these new features. Instead, the TAE should focus on technical evaluations such as reviewing existing keywords for necessary modifications (Option B), running existing automated tests against the updated SUT to identify any changes in operation (Option C), and assessing compatibility with existing test tools or identifying alternative solutions (Option D). These actions directly address the technical implications of new features on the TAS, ensuring that the automated testing remains effective and aligned with the evolving requirements of the SUT.

Test automation does not inherently find more defects than manual testing; it executes pre-scripted tests against the software. The effectiveness of finding defects is determined by the quality of the test cases, whether automated or manual. Automated tests run the same steps consistently every time they are executed, which means they are not designed to find new defects unless the test scripts are updated to reflect changes in the test cases or the system under test.

References = The information is synthesized from the ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus and various resources that discuss the benefits and risks of test automation. Specifically, the ISTQB emphasizes the efficiency, repeatability, and coverage that test automation provides, as well as the challenges such as the initial investment and ongoing maintenance required1.

The re-occurrence of a defect that has been previously resolved and validated can be attributed to issues in the configuration management process. If the configuration management process is not robust, it may fail to maintain proper synchronization between software archives. This can lead to situations where the defect re-emerges in future releases because the software components are not correctly integrated or updated with the defect fix. Effective configuration management is crucial for ensuring that all software artifacts are correctly versioned and that changes are properly tracked and integrated across all versions of the software. References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus outlines the importance of configuration management in relation to test automation and defect management. It emphasizes the need for proper control and synchronization of software archives to prevent the re-occurrence of defects123.

The business case for the pilot project set a very ambitious target: reducing the execution time by 90% for all tests in the regression suite. However, at the end of the pilot, only 40% of the tests were automated with a 60% reduction in execution time. This indicates that the initial target may have been unrealistic within the given timeframe and resources. It’s important for business cases to set achievable goals to ensure that the project can meet its objectives and provide a clear return on investment. Setting realistic targets also helps maintain stakeholder confidence and support for the project. References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus and related materials discuss the importance of realistic planning and setting achievable targets in the context of test automation projects. These resources emphasize that while test automation can significantly improve efficiency, the extent and speed of these improvements must be realistically assessed based on the specific context of the project12345.

For a Test Automation Solution (TAS) that utilizes a third-party capture-replay tool, it is crucial to ensure that: a) The tool is placed under configuration management control. This is important to maintain consistency across different environments and versions, and to manage changes effectively. c) Information about updates and new versions of the tool is obtained and applied. Keeping the tool up-to-date ensures that the latest features and fixes are utilized, which can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the TAS.

Placing the tool under configuration management control and staying informed about updates are essential practices for maintaining the reliability and integrity of the TAS.

References = The answer is based on the best practices for test automation as outlined in the ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus, which includes the management of test tools and the importance of keeping software up-to-date as part of configuration management123.

When planning the pilot for an in-house developed Test Automation Solution (TAS), it is essential to conduct training workshops for new users (Option C) and develop a detailed project plan while reserving the necessary budget and resources (Option D). Training workshops ensure that the users are adequately prepared to use the TAS effectively, contributing to the success of the pilot by minimizing user-related issues and enhancing the adoption rate. A comprehensive project plan with allocated budget and resources establishes a structured framework for the pilot, ensuring that all necessary aspects, such as objectives, scope, timeline, and success criteria, are clearly defined and understood. These steps are critical in preparing the organization for the pilot, mitigating risks, and setting a clear path toward evaluating the TAS's effectiveness and potential benefits for the organization.

In this scenario, where the main goal is to verify the compatibility of the automation tool with the application and its ability to recognize objects and controls, capture-replay scripting would be the most suitable technique. This approach allows you to record manual test cases as they are performed in the browser and then replay them automatically. It’s a quick way to convert manual tests into automated ones without requiring extensive programming knowledge. Capture-replay tools can help validate that the tool can interact with the application as expected and identify any potential issues with object recognition.

References = The ISTQB Test Automation Engineer syllabus covers the different scripting techniques and their appropriate usage scenarios. For a detailed understanding of capture-replay scripting and its benefits for initial automation efforts, refer to the official ISTQB Test Automation Engineer documents and training resources12.

In the context of a state-based and event-driven system that is described by a finite-state machine and exposes its functionality via an API, it is crucial to adopt a test definition strategy that can handle the dynamic nature of the system. Use case/exception case coverage is important because it ensures that all the functional paths and the exceptions are tested. This is particularly relevant when the behavior of the system under test (SUT) depends on hardware and communication links that can be unreliable. By focusing on use case/exception case coverage, the Test Automation Architecture (TAA) can be designed to validate the SUT’s behavior across all possible states and transitions, including handling exceptions and errors that may occur due to unreliable hardware or communication links.

References = The ISTQB CT-TAE materials emphasize the importance of a test definition strategy that covers use cases and exception cases, especially for systems that are state-based and event-driven12345. This approach aligns with the best practices for test automation, ensuring comprehensive coverage and robust testing of the SUT.