ISTQB Advanced Test Management Exam v 3.0 – ISTQB ATM Exam Dumps: Updated Questions & Answers (October 2025)

Cost of Quality Analysis:

The given table lists costs for defect prevention, appraisal, internal failure, and external failure.

Defect prevention cost is $50,000, while costs for appraisal, internal failures, and external failures are $250,000, $200,000, and $200,000, respectively.

The combined cost of internal and external failures is significantly high compared to defect prevention costs.

Defect Detection and Prevention (DDP):

DDP measures the effectiveness of defect prevention activities and early detection mechanisms.

In this case, 1,000 defects were caught before release (appraisal) and 100 defects escaped to production.

DDP = (Defects found before release / Total defects) = 1000 / (1000 + 100) = 90.91%.

While this DDP is relatively high, the costs of appraisal and failures indicate that prevention strategies need more investment.

Key Cost Drivers:

High internal and external failure costs indicate inefficiencies in earlier stages of quality assurance.

Shifting investments from appraisal and failure costs towards defect prevention would reduce the overall cost of quality.

Evaluating Options:

Option A ("More testing needed because DDP < 90%") is invalid since DDP is above 90%.

Option C ("The cost of testing is justified") does not address the imbalance between high failure costs and low prevention spending.

Option D ("More effort on appraisal") contradicts the cost-benefit focus of investing in prevention.

Option B is correct because enhancing defect prevention strategies will reduce downstream costs.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

This conclusion aligns with the ISTQB Advanced Test Management syllabus section on "Cost of Quality" and strategies to optimize testing investments. Specifically, prevention is emphasized as more cost-effective than appraisal and failure management​​​.

Context Analysis:

Developers want to close defects unilaterally, while testers are concerned about unresolved or misunderstood issues being overlooked.

Defect closure requires validation that the fix is implemented and verified to prevent recurrence of the issue.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Only testers should be allowed to close defect reports:

Incorrect. This creates a bottleneck and removes shared accountability for quality.

B. Only management should be allowed to close defect reports:

Incorrect. Management involvement adds unnecessary delays and complexity.

C. No one should close a defect report until the release is completed and the product is successfully deployed to production:

Incorrect. Defects should be closed as they are fixed and tested to ensure progress is tracked.

D. Closure should only occur when a defect is fixed and tested:

Correct. Ensures collaboration between developers and testers to verify the resolution.

Syllabus Alignment:

The ISTQB syllabus emphasizes clear defect management processes, including closure after verification (TM-2.3.4).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-2.3.4)​

Context Analysis:The question involves integrating an existing test automation framework into a CI/CD pipeline. The integration requires modifications to the framework and results reporting. This aligns with ISTQB Advanced Test Management concepts focusing on evaluating and adapting test tools for specific project needs (Syllabus reference: TM-1.6.1 and TM-1.6.4).

Evaluation of Options:

A. Investigation that the tool will be fit for purpose:

Correct. Before integrating the framework, a thorough investigation is necessary to confirm whether the tool can support the required modifications and functionality. This aligns with the emphasis on ensuring tools meet both current and future needs as per the ISTQB syllabus section TM-1.6.1​​​.

B. Training regarding how to make the framework modifications so the integration is possible:

Incorrect. While training might be useful later, it is not the first step or the primary requirement to ensure the integration is feasible.

C. A review to determine if this is the best tool to use for the integration with the CI/CD pipeline:

Incorrect. This step might be relevant in an earlier phase of tool selection, but the question assumes the tool has already been chosen.

D. Investigation of the licensing models of the tool and an understanding of any potential costs:

Incorrect. Licensing investigation is part of tool selection and budgeting, not directly related to technical integration feasibility.

Syllabus Alignment:The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management syllabus emphasizes the importance of ensuring the selected tools and technologies align with organizational requirements and technical feasibility. This is outlined in the "Test Tools" section of the syllabus (TM-1.6.1, TM-1.6.4).

Conclusion:The correct answer isA. Investigation that the tool will be fit for purpose, as this stepensures the technical requirements for integration are met before proceeding with modifications or training.

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-1.6.1 and TM-1.6.4)​​​

ISTQB CTAL-TM Sample Exam Questions​​

ISTQB CTAL-TM Sample Exam Answers​

Test Process Improvement Models:

TMMi® (Test Maturity Model Integration)has five maturity levels: Initial, Managed, Defined, Measured, and Optimization.

Other models, likeTPI® NEXT, focus on key areas but do not use a maturity-level framework.

CMMi® (Capability Maturity Model Integration)applies broadly to process improvement but is not specific to testing.

GQM (Goal-Question-Metric)is a measurement approach, not a maturity model.

Evaluation of Options:

A (TMMi®)is correct as it directly incorporates a five-level maturity framework for test process improvement.

Other options are not aligned with the question context.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

TMMi is referenced in the ISTQB syllabus under "Improving the Test Process" (TM-1.5.1) as a standard for maturity models​​​.

Role of Risk Analysis in Test Analysis:

Risk analysis identifies areas with the highest likelihood and impact of failure, enabling the test team to focus on critical functionalities.

It is used to determine test conditions that must be addressed to mitigate risks effectively.

Evaluation of Options:

Ais incorrect as determining test execution order happens during test execution, not analysis.

Bis correct because selecting test conditions is part of test analysis influenced by risk levels.

Crelates to reporting and is unrelated to test analysis.

Dpertains to defect management, not test analysis.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

This aligns with risk-based testing as described in "Risk Analysis and Risk-Based Testing" (TM-1.3.1)​​.

Context Analysis:

Heavyweight risk-based techniques involve thorough, detailed analyses to identify and mitigate potential risks comprehensively.

Hazard analysis is a structured method to identify and address risks, commonly used in safety-critical domains.

Evaluation of Options:

A. Systematic software testing:

Incorrect. While methodical, it is not inherently a risk-based technique.

B. Pragmatic risk analysis:

Incorrect. This is a lightweight technique emphasizing practical application over detailed analysis.

C. Brainstorming:

Incorrect. While useful for generating ideas, it is not detailed enough to qualify as heavyweight.

D. Hazard analysis:

Correct. It is a formal and comprehensive approach, qualifying as a heavyweight technique.

Syllabus Alignment:

ISTQB highlights hazard analysis as a detailed, structured risk-based technique (TM-1.3.4).

References:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Management Syllabus (TM-1.3.4)​

Understanding SMART Goals:

SMART goals must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

The goal "automate 90% of the manual regression tests before the product release date" may not beachievabledepending on the time constraints and resources available.

Evaluation of Options:

Ais correct because the issue lies in whether automating 90% is feasible within the timeline.

Bis incorrect as the goal is specific.

Cis incorrect because automating regression tests is relevant to reducing regressions.

Dis incorrect since the goal is measurable by the percentage of automation achieved.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

Aligned with ISTQB Advanced Test Management guidelines on goal setting and test automation strategies (TM-1.6.2)​​​.

Competency in Mentoring:

Mentoring focuses on developing interpersonal skills, such as communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution, which fall under thesocial competencydomain.

While other competencies (e.g., professional or methodological) may benefit, the primary focus of mentoring is improving the ability to interact and support team members.

Evaluation of Options:

Ais correct as mentoring enhances social skills critical for team collaboration.

BandCare incorrect because they relate to knowledge and methodologies rather than interpersonal dynamics.

Dis irrelevant.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

This aligns with "Test Team Dynamics" and "Stakeholder Relationships" in the ISTQB syllabus (TM-3.1.1)​​​.

Operations Team Role in Testing:

The operations team ensures that the system meets operational requirements such as deployment, maintenance, and disaster recovery, which are validated duringOperational Acceptance Testing (OAT).

Evaluation of Options:

Ais correct because OAT is typically conducted by the operations team.

B(User acceptance testing) is conducted by end-users, not the operations team.

C(Security testing) is typically handled by security experts.

D(End-to-end transactional testing) is a functional testing activity, not specific to the operations team.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

OAT is highlighted under "Acceptance Testing" in the ISTQB syllabus (TM-1.2.7)​​

Experience-Based Testing:

This testing approach relies on the testers' knowledge, experience, and intuition about the system and its usage rather than formal requirements or models.

It is often used when documentation is incomplete or time constraints limit more structured approaches.

Evaluation of Options:

A(Detailed requirements) andB(Usage models) are associated with structured testing techniques.

Cis correct as experience-based testing depends on the testers' understanding of the system.

D(Full risk assessment) supports risk-based testing, not experience-based testing.

References and Syllabus Alignment:

Experience-based testing is detailed under "Test Techniques" (TM-1.4.1) in the ISTQB syllabus​​.