A team is using specification by example to define a new feature. The business representative provides an example, but the developer and tester interpret it differently, leading to a heated debate. What is the most effective way to resolve this conflict and ensure the test basis is improved?

The tester writes a test case based on their interpretation and the developer codes to the other interpretation, then they compare results.

The team schedules another meeting to discuss the example further, hoping a consensus will emerge.

The team agrees to disagree and moves on, allowing each to implement their own interpretation.

The product owner makes the final decision on the correct interpretation, and the team documents it.

What is the purpose of a feedback loop in the context of improving test basis quality?

To use findings from testing and development to continuously improve requirements and user stories

To ensure that testers are assigned to the most critical stories

To provide a final report to stakeholders at the end of the project

To automate the execution of all test cases

During sprint planning, the team reviews a user story. It has acceptance criteria, but they are vague (e.g., 'the system should be fast'). The team is about to commit to the story. What should the tester do to ensure the story meets the Definition of Ready?

Write a test case that checks for 'fast' and mark the story as ready.

Suggest the team use a different technology stack to make the story faster.

Reject the story and ask the product owner to make the acceptance criteria measurable (e.g., 'response time under 2 seconds for 95% of requests').

Accept the story and plan to clarify the criteria during the sprint when the developer starts working on it.

Which of the following is a static testing technique used to find defects in test basis artifacts?

Executing test cases against the software

Measuring the response time of the system

Running a regression test suite

A formal review of a requirements document

What is the primary purpose of an inspection as a static testing technique?

To find defects in a document or artifact through a structured, formal process

To verify that the software meets user expectations through user acceptance testing

To measure the performance of the software under load

To automate the execution of test cases

Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester

Domain 4Objective 1

Using Shift Left to Improve Test Basis Quality CTAL-AT Practice Questions (Page 2)

Part of the Shift Left domain, which makes up ~13% of our current practice bank. ISTQB does not publish an official question count, but from its 90-minute exam (~35–60 total, ~5–8 in this domain), expect 3–4 from this objective — we provide 28 practice questions to prepare you well beyond it. (estimate)

28questions here

6free pages

7concepts

Questions 6–10

6expert · hard
A team is using specification by example to define a new feature. The business representative provides an example, but the developer and tester interpret it differently, leading to a heated debate. What is the most effective way to resolve this conflict and ensure the test basis is improved?
Select an answer first
7foundation · easy
What is the purpose of a feedback loop in the context of improving test basis quality?
Select an answer first
8application · medium
During sprint planning, the team reviews a user story. It has acceptance criteria, but they are vague (e.g., 'the system should be fast'). The team is about to commit to the story. What should the tester do to ensure the story meets the Definition of Ready?
Select an answer first
9foundation · easy
Which of the following is a static testing technique used to find defects in test basis artifacts?
Select an answer first
10foundation · easy
What is the primary purpose of an inspection as a static testing technique?
Select an answer first

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