A function has a cyclomatic complexity of 6. The test analyst has designed 6 test cases, each targeting a different basis path. After execution, the coverage report shows 100% branch coverage but only 90% statement coverage. What is the most likely cause of this discrepancy?

Some statements in the code are unreachable and were not included in the control flow graph

The basis paths were not truly independent

The test cases were not executed correctly

The cyclomatic complexity was calculated incorrectly; it should have been lower

What coverage criteria does basis path testing aim to satisfy?

Path coverage (all possible paths)

Both statement and branch coverage

A test analyst is considering whether to use basis path testing for a newly developed module. The module has a cyclomatic complexity of 8. What is the primary reason to use basis path testing for this module?

To measure the performance of the module under different conditions

To reduce the number of test cases needed compared to statement coverage

To automatically generate test data for the module

To ensure that all independent paths through the module are executed at least once

A function has a cyclomatic complexity of 5. The test analyst has designed test cases for 5 independent basis paths. After executing all 5 test cases, the coverage report shows that 100% of statements are covered, but only 80% of branches are covered. What is the most likely explanation?

The test cases were executed in the wrong order

The cyclomatic complexity was calculated incorrectly; it should have been higher

The basis paths were not truly independent; some paths were duplicates

The function contains a loop that was not accounted for in the basis paths

Certified Tester Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst

Domain 2Objective 6

Basis Path Testing CTAL-TTA Practice Questions (Page 4)

Part of the Domain 2: White-Box Test Techniques domain, which makes up ~19% of our current practice bank. ISTQB does not publish an official question count, but from its 120-minute exam (~50–80 total, ~10–15 in this domain), expect 1–2 from this objective — we provide 21 practice questions to prepare you well beyond it. (estimate)

21questions here

5free pages

5concepts

Questions 16–20

16expert · hard
A test analyst is constructing a control flow graph for a function with a CASE statement that has 4 possible values (1, 2, 3, and default). How many independent basis paths would this CASE statement contribute to the cyclomatic complexity?
Select an answer first
17expert · hard
A function has a cyclomatic complexity of 6. The test analyst has designed 6 test cases, each targeting a different basis path. After execution, the coverage report shows 100% branch coverage but only 90% statement coverage. What is the most likely cause of this discrepancy?
Select an answer first
18foundation · easy
What coverage criteria does basis path testing aim to satisfy?
Select an answer first
19application · medium
A test analyst is considering whether to use basis path testing for a newly developed module. The module has a cyclomatic complexity of 8. What is the primary reason to use basis path testing for this module?
Select an answer first
20application · hard
A function has a cyclomatic complexity of 5. The test analyst has designed test cases for 5 independent basis paths. After executing all 5 test cases, the coverage report shows that 100% of statements are covered, but only 80% of branches are covered. What is the most likely explanation?
Select an answer first

Finished these 5 questions?

Review the revealed explanations, or continue through the curriculum.

Next 5 questions →Back to CTAL-TTA

Free Basic Practice is a study aid with revealable answers — not a scored exam. Examers.io is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by ISTQB. “CTAL-TTA” is a trademark of its owner, used for identification only.