Effective Study Techniques for the ISTQB CTFL-Foundation Exam

A technical review is a formal type of review that focuses on discussing, making decisions, evaluating alternatives, finding defects, solving technical problems, and checking conformance to specifications, plans, regulations, and standards. It is typically conducted by a team of experts and aims to ensure the technical quality of the product.

Typically, exit criteria may consist of various metrics that indicate whether testing has been sufficiently thorough. Estimates of defect density or reliability measures are common exit criteria used to decide if the software is ready for the next stage or release. These criteria help in assessing the quality and stability of the software based on the number and severity of defects found during testing​​.

Testing support tools are typically used to automate activities that are resource-intensive when done manually, repetitive tasks, and repetitive inspections. However, they are not usually designed to automate activities that cannot be executed manually at all, as such activities may require complex and sophisticated human intervention or decision-making.

The selection of a software development model should be based on the specific characteristics of the product and project. Factors such as project size, complexity, requirements stability, and team expertise influence the choice of the most suitable development model. The ISTQB syllabus explains that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the decision should be tailored to the context and needs of the project​​.

A valid objective of testing is to prevent defects. While correcting defects and locating defects in the code are part of the testing process, the primary goal is often to prevent defects by identifying issues early in the development cycle and improving the overall quality of the software. Ensuring no defects are present is an unrealistic objective, as testing can demonstrate the presence of defects but not their absence.

For a review process to be successful, several factors must be in place. According to the ISTQB syllabus, successful reviews generally have clearly defined objectives (a), involve the right people who understand the objectives of the review (c), and place an emphasis on learning and process improvement (d). These elements ensure that the review is focused, effective, and contributes to the overall improvement of the software development process​​.

Decision table testing is a black-box test design technique used to test system requirements and to ensure that different combinations of inputs result in appropriate outputs. It is especially useful for testing complex business logic and rules where various combinations of conditions need to be verified.

Equivalence partitioning divides input data into partitions where each partition is expected to be treated the same way by the system. The values $2,000 (no duty), $2,001 (taxed at 10%), and $10,000 (partially taxed at 12%) fall into three different equivalence classes based on the provided tax brackets, ensuring different behaviors for each class.

Static analysis is a technique used to find defects in software source code and software models without executing the code. It involves reviewing the code or models to identify potential issues, such as syntax errors, logical errors, or security vulnerabilities. Static analysis helps improve code quality and maintainability by catching defects early in the development process​​.

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Statement testing is a structure-based (white box) testing technique. It involves executing all the executable statements in the code at least once. This technique requires knowledge of the internal structure of the code, making it a white box testing method.