In a platformer level, players can jump onto a series of floating platforms to reach a high ledge. However, during playtesting, testers find that when they land on the edge of the third platform, they sometimes fall through the surface and die. The collision mesh appears correct in the editor. What should the level designer investigate first?

Reduce the number of floating platforms to simplify the level.

Increase the jump height of the player character to make the platform easier to land on.

Add a visual indicator to show players where to land on the platform.

Check if the platform's collision mesh has a gap or is misaligned with the visual mesh.

A level has a boss fight that is intended to be challenging. However, testers find that the boss can be defeated by standing in a specific corner where the boss's attacks cannot reach, making the fight trivial. The corner is not visible to players and is not an intended safe spot. What is the best course of action?

Reduce the boss's damage to make the fight easier.

Add a visual indicator to show players the safe corner.

Increase the boss's health to make the fight longer.

Modify the boss's attack patterns to cover the corner, or add a collision barrier to block access to the corner.

Players frequently get lost in a level because there are no distinctive features to orient themselves. Which type of defect is this?

Navigation and wayfinding defect

In a puzzle level, the player must push a block onto a pressure plate to open a door. However, the block is too heavy and the player character cannot push it, making the level unbeatable. What is the most likely defect and the best solution?

Accessibility defect; add a tutorial on how to push blocks.

Visual defect; make the block look lighter.

Gameplay flow defect; adjust the block's push speed or weight to match the player's ability.

Navigation defect; add an arrow pointing to the pressure plate.

In a maze-like dungeon level, playtesters frequently get lost and cannot find the exit, even though the path is straightforward. The level has no unique landmarks and all corridors look identical. What is the primary defect and the best solution?

Navigation/wayfinding defect; add distinctive landmarks and visual cues at decision points.

Accessibility defect; add a minimap to the HUD.

Visual defect; increase the brightness of the corridors.

Gameplay flow defect; remove all dead ends to make the path linear.

Certified Tester Game Testing

Domain 5Objective 2

Understanding the Types of Defects in Level Design CT-GAME Practice Questions (Page 4)

Part of the Game Level Testing domain, which makes up ~9% of our current practice bank. ISTQB does not publish an official question count, but from its 60-minute exam (~25–40 total, ~2–4 in this domain), expect 1–1 from this objective — we provide 33 practice questions to prepare you well beyond it. (estimate)

33questions here

7free pages

8concepts

Questions 16–20

16application · medium
In a platformer level, players can jump onto a series of floating platforms to reach a high ledge. However, during playtesting, testers find that when they land on the edge of the third platform, they sometimes fall through the surface and die. The collision mesh appears correct in the editor. What should the level designer investigate first?
Select an answer first
17expert · hard
A level has a boss fight that is intended to be challenging. However, testers find that the boss can be defeated by standing in a specific corner where the boss's attacks cannot reach, making the fight trivial. The corner is not visible to players and is not an intended safe spot. What is the best course of action?
Select an answer first
18foundation · easy
Players frequently get lost in a level because there are no distinctive features to orient themselves. Which type of defect is this?
Select an answer first
19application · medium
In a puzzle level, the player must push a block onto a pressure plate to open a door. However, the block is too heavy and the player character cannot push it, making the level unbeatable. What is the most likely defect and the best solution?
Select an answer first
20application · medium
In a maze-like dungeon level, playtesters frequently get lost and cannot find the exit, even though the path is straightforward. The level has no unique landmarks and all corridors look identical. What is the primary defect and the best solution?
Select an answer first

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Understanding the Types of Defects in Level Design CT-GAME Practice Questions (Page 4)

Questions 16–20

Players frequently get lost in a level because there are no distinctive features to orient themselves. Which type of defect is this?

In a puzzle level, the player must push a block onto a pressure plate to open a door. However, the block is too heavy and the player character cannot push it, making the level unbeatable. What is the most likely defect and the best solution?

In a maze-like dungeon level, playtesters frequently get lost and cannot find the exit, even though the path is straightforward. The level has no unique landmarks and all corridors look identical. What is the primary defect and the best solution?

Keep studying — Game Level Testing