TAE Syllabus v2.0

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Questions and Answers

What is a major benefit of using Test-Driven Development (TDD)?

Simplifies the UX design process

Reduces the necessity for test case development

Improves communication between developers, business representatives, and testers (correct)

Increases the time needed to develop each functionality

What negative aspect is associated with improperly following TDD?

Ensures optimal performance of the application

Can lead to false confidence in code quality (correct)

Reduces the need for refactoring

Improves the initial speed of code development

In data-driven testing (DDT), what primarily enables quick test case expansion?

Structure of test scripts and data feeds (correct)

Increased number of developers

User interface enhancements

Decreased complexity of test cases

What is a key requirement for successful data-driven testing?

Proper test data management Signup and view all the answers

How does keyword-driven testing primarily derive its test cases?

From keywords and associated test data derived from a user’s perspective Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the advantages of TDD regarding defect propagation?

It ensures fewer defects reach higher testing levels Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of testing can be significantly reduced when using data-driven testing?

The cost of creating new automated tests Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of adopting TDD at the beginning of a project?

Can initially take more time to get accustomed to the methodology Signup and view all the answers

What should be checked first when analyzing a test execution failure?

If the same failure occurred in previous executions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of logging historical test results in the Test Automation System (TAS)?

To aid in the identification of known defects Signup and view all the answers

Which approach should be taken when unexpected results in a test execution occur?

Log a defect while ensuring relevant logs are included Signup and view all the answers

When should audit logs for user interactions be utilized?

During results analysis to enhance understanding of user behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of utilizing web logs to monitor software usage?

To identify patterns in system resource consumption Signup and view all the answers

What should be the first step in identifying the root cause of a defect when a test case fails?

Check for environmental outages during the test run Signup and view all the answers

In what situation is it likely for many test cases to fail simultaneously?

When the test environment is partially or entirely unavailable Signup and view all the answers

How can defect management be streamlined during testing?

By ensuring all necessary defect information is logged Signup and view all the answers

What information should be logged when a defect in the SUT is identified?

Date and time stamps, source location of the defect, and error messages Signup and view all the answers

Why is synchronization of various test logs important?

It facilitates correlation of events that occur when a failure is reported. Signup and view all the answers

How can information from automated test cases be utilized in third-party tools?

Through existing test tool functionality or customized reporting. Signup and view all the answers

What visualization technique can help communicate test results effectively to management?

Colored icons such as traffic lights for overall status Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered primary data during the analysis of test results?

Data collected from the TAS Signup and view all the answers

What role does visualization of test results play in stakeholder communication?

It allows for better understanding of complex issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is typically included in the configuration information logged at system startup?

Different software and firmware versions Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of analyzing test results in relation to failures found?

Using both TAS and SUT data to identify potential failures Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) Syllabus

This syllabus is for the CTAL-TAE qualification, a certification offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB).
Version 2.0 was released on 2024/05/03.
The syllabus covers the advanced level of test automation engineering.
Copyright of the syllabus is held by ISTQB, and extracts can be made for non-commercial use with proper acknowledgment.
Accredited training providers can use the syllabus as a basis for courses, but any training course advertisements must cite official ISTQB accreditation.
Individuals can use the syllabus as a basis for creating articles/books, acknowledging ISTQB as the source.
Any other use requires explicit written approval from ISTQB.
ISTQB-recognized member boards can translate the syllabus, provided they include the copyright notice.

Revision History

The 2016 syllabus was updated to the 2024 v2.0
The 2024 v2.0 syllabus was a major update to the 2016 version.

Outlines all topics, subsections, and their corresponding page numbers within the syllabus.
- e.g., Introduction, Test Automation Engineering in Software Testing, Career Path for Testers and Test Automation Engineers, Examinable Learning Objectives, and Cognitive Level of Knowledge.
Provides a detailed structure for studying the advanced level of test automation engineering.

Introduction

Explains the purpose of the CTAL-TAE syllabus.
Covers the career path for testers and test automation engineers.
Outlines business outcomes expected from certification.
Defines the examinable learning objectives at different cognitive levels (e.g., understand, apply, analyze).
Details the certification exam structure and prerequisites.
e.g., a candidate must have an interest in software testing and test automation, ideally with a six-month background in software testing/development or course accreditation.

Examinable Learning Objectives and Cognitive Level of Knowledge

The syllabus content is generally examinable at levels K2, K3, and K4 (understand, apply, analyze), except for introductory chapters and appendices.
All keywords listed are examinable.

Accreditation

ISTQB® member boards can accredit training providers whose course materials adhere to the syllabus.

Handling of Standards

The syllabus references standards like IEEE and ISO as frameworks or supplemental information but not material for examination.

Keeping It Current

The ISTQB® working groups provide updates on the website to keep the syllabus current and aligned with industry standards.

Level of Detail

Details the general structure of the syllabus.
Explaining the general instructional objectives and learning objectives.
Describes the use of learning objectives to target a certain cognitive level of understanding.

How This Syllabus Is Organized

Explains how the syllabus organizes its 8 chapters with specific timings for each.
- e.g., 45 minutes for introduction; 180 minutes for preparing for test automation.
Introduces topics like Test Automation, Test Automation Development, Risks Associated with Test Automation Development, and Test Automation Solution Maintainability, among other topics.

Test Automation Architecture

Discusses the overall design of a test automation architecture.
Outlines design principles, design patterns, and concepts leveraged in test automation.
Topics like "Explain the Major Capabilities in a Test Automation Architecture" and "Apply Layering of Test Automation Frameworks."

Implementing Test Automation

Covers pilot project deployment, risk analysis, and mitigation.
Explains how to analyze risks associate with test automation development.
Details important factors for maintainability of test automation tools.

Implementation and Deployment Strategies for Test Automation

Describes how to integrate test automation into continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
Covers configuration management for testware
Explains dependencies of test automation for an API infrastructure.

Test Automation Reporting and Metrics

Discusses techniques for data collection, analysis, and reporting in test automation.
Highlights how test progress reports are structured and published.

Verifying the Test Automation Solution

Covers planning and verifying the test automation environment, focusing on tools.
Explains how tests should behave and identify anomalies in results.
How static code analysis can enhance the code quality of an automation system.

Continuous Improvement

Offers practical recommendations for continuously improving test cases, test automation solutions, and test frameworks.

Appendix A - Learning Objectives/Cognitive Level of Knowledge

Gives further details about the different cognitive levels used for learning objectives in the syllabus.
Explains the types of learning objectives, relevant action verbs, and gives examples for each objective

Appendix B - Business Outcomes traceability matrix with Learning Objectives

A matrix showing the relationship between Business Outcomes and Learning Objectives for the CTAL-TAE certification.

Appendix C - Release Notes

Contains information about the syllabus release (2024).
States this version is a significant update of an earlier release (2016) and details how this version differs from the earlier version.

Appendix D - Domain Specific Terms

Defines important terms relevant to test automation, like DevSecOps, flow model pattern, user journey, page object, and version control.

Index

Provides a comprehensive index of all terms mentioned in the syllabus, linking references to the relevant pages.

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