K-Level wise topics for CTAL Test Analyst Exam as per the CTAL syllabus
ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus had been updated in 2007.
Following K-Level wise topics recommended for study for the Test Analyst exam are based upon this latest syllabus.
(A) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 1: Basic Aspects of Software Testing
Testing in the Software Lifecycle
Level K2: Describe how testing is a part of any software development and maintenance activity
Level K4: Analyze software
life-cycle models and outline the most appropriate tasks/test activities to be executed. (distinguish between test and development activities)
Specific Systems
Level K2: Explain by giving examples the specifics of testing systems of systems
Level K2: Explain why the three main outcomes of testing safety critical systems are required to demonstrate compliance to regulations
Metrics & Measurement
Level K2: Describe and compare the standard testing related metrics
Level K3: Monitor testing activities by measuring the test object(s) and the test process
(B) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 2: Testing Processes
Test Analysis & Design
Level K2: Explain the causes of functional testing taking place in specific stages of an application�s life cycle
Level K2: Exemplify the criteria that influence the structure and level of test condition development
Level K2: Describe how test analysis and design are static testing techniques that can be used to discover defects
Level K2: Explain by giving examples the concept of test oracles and how a test oracle can be used in test specifications
Test implementation & execution
Level K2: Describe the pre-conditions for test execution, including: testware; test environment; configuration management; and defect management
Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting
Level K3: Determine from a given set of measures if a test completion criterion has been fulfilled.
(C) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 3: Test Management
Risks Based Testing
Level K3: Prioritize test case selection, test coverage and test data based on risk and document this appropriately in a test schedule and test procedure
Level K2: Outline the activities of a risk based approach for planning and executing domain testing
(D) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 4: Test Techniques
Specification based
Level K2: List examples of typical defects to be identified by each specific specification-based techniques, provide corresponding coverage criteria
Level K3: Write test cases from given software models using the following test design techniques
(The tests shall achieve a given model coverage)
a) Equivalence partitioning
b) Boundary value analysis
c) Decision tables
d) State Transition Testing
e) Classification Tree Method
f) Pairwise testing
g) Use cases
Level K4: Analyze a system, or its requirement specification, in order to determine which specification-based techniques to apply for specific objectives, and outline a test specification based on IEEE 829, focusing on functional and domain test cases and test procedures
Defect and Experience Based
Level K2: Describe the principle and reasons for defect-based techniques and differentiate its use from specification- and structure-based techniques
Level K2: Explain by examples defect taxonomies and their use
Level K2: Understand the principle of and reasons for using experienced-based techniques and when to use them
Level K3: Specify, execute and report tests using exploratory testing
Level K2: Classify defects to be identified by the different types of software fault attacks according to the defects they target
Level K4: Analyze a system in order to determine which specification-based defect-based or experienced-based techniques to apply for specific goals.
(E) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 5: Test of Software Characteristics
Quality Attributes for Domain Testing
Level K4: Explain by examples what testing techniques listed in chapter 4 are appropriate to test of accuracy, suitability, interoperability, functional security, and accessibility characteristics.
Level K3: Outline, design, specify and execute usability tests using appropriate techniques and covering given test objectives and defects to be targeted.
Quality Attributes for Technical Testing
Level K2: Explain the reasons for including efficiency, reliability and technical security tests in a testing strategy and provide examples of defects expected to be found
Level K2: Characterize non-functional test types for technical testing by typical defects to be targeted (attacked), its typical application within the application life-cycle, and test techniques suited to used for test design.
(F) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 6: Reviews
Level K3: Use a review checklist to verify code and architecture from a testers perspective
Level K3: Use a review checklist to verify requirements and use cases from a testers perspective
Level K2: Compare review types with each other and show their relative strengths, weaknesses and fields of use.
(G) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 7: Incident Management
Level K4: Analyze, classify and describe functional and non-functional defects in understandable defect reports
(H) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 9: Test Tools & Automation
Test Tool Concepts
Level K2: Compare the elements and aspects within each of the test tool concepts “Benefits & Risks”, “Test Tool Strategies”, “Tool Integration”, “Automation Languages”, “Test Oracles”, “Tool Deployment”, “Open Source Tools”, “Tool Development”, and “Tool Classification”
Test Tool Categories
Level K2: Summarize the test tool categories by objectives, intended use, strengths, risks and provide examples
Level K2: Map the tools of the tool categories to different levels and types of testing
(I) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 10: People Skills � Team Composition
Communication
Level K2: Describe by example professional, objective and effective communication in a project from the tester perspective. You may consider risks and opportunities..
Note: CTAL Syllabus Chapter 8 on “Standards & Test Improvement Process” is not applicable for the Test Analyst exam.
Best of Luck for the Prestigious CTAL � TA Certification ! ! ! !
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