K-Level wise topics for CTAL Test Analyst Exam as per the CTAL syllabus

ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus had been updated in 2007. 


Following K-Level wise topics recommended for study for the Test Analyst exam are based upon this latest syllabus.

(A) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 1: Basic Aspects of Software Testing

Testing in the Software Lifecycle
Level K2: Describe how testing is a part of any software development and maintenance activity

Level K4: Analyze software

Specific Systems
Level K2: Explain by giving examples the specifics of testing systems of systems

Level K2: Explain why the three main outcomes of testing safety critical systems are required to demonstrate compliance to regulations

Metrics & Measurement
Level K2: Describe and compare the standard testing related metrics

Level K3: Monitor testing activities by measuring the test object(s) and the test process

(B) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 2: Testing Processes 



Test Analysis & Design

Level K2: Explain the causes of functional testing taking place in specific stages of an application’s life cycle

Level K2: Exemplify the criteria that influence the structure and level of test condition development

Level K2: Describe how test analysis and design are static testing techniques that can be used to discover defects


Level K2: Explain by giving examples the concept of test oracles and how a test oracle can be used in test specifications



Test implementation & execution

Level K2: Describe the pre-conditions for test execution, including: testware; test environment; configuration management; and defect management

Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting
Level K3: Determine from a given set of measures if a test completion criterion has been fulfilled.

(C) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 3: Test Management

Risks Based Testing 
Level K3: Prioritize test case selection, test coverage and test data based on risk and document this appropriately in a test schedule and test procedure

Level K2: Outline the activities of a risk based approach for planning and executing domain testing

(D) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 4: Test Techniques

Specification based
Level K2: List examples of typical defects to be identified by each specific specification-based techniques, provide corresponding coverage criteria

Level K3: Write test cases from given software models using the following test design techniques
(The tests shall achieve a given model coverage)

a) Equivalence partitioning

b) Boundary value analysis

c) Decision tables

d) State Transition Testing

e) Classification Tree Method

f) Pairwise testing

g) Use cases

Level K4: Analyze a system, or its requirement specification, in order to determine which specification-based techniques to apply for specific objectives, and outline a test specification based on IEEE 829, focusing on functional and domain test cases and test procedures


Defect and Experience Based

Level K2: Describe the principle and reasons for defect-based techniques and differentiate its use from specification- and structure-based techniques



Level K2: Explain by examples defect taxonomies and their use

Level K2: Understand the principle of and reasons for using experienced-based techniques and when to use them


Level K3: Specify, execute and report tests using exploratory testing



Level K2: Classify defects to be identified by the different types of software fault attacks according to the defects they target



Level K4: Analyze a system in order to determine which specification-based defect-based or experienced-based techniques to apply for specific goals.

(E) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 5: Test of Software Characteristics

Quality Attributes for Domain Testing
Level K4: Explain by examples what testing techniques listed in chapter 4 are appropriate to test of accuracy, suitability, interoperability, functional security, and accessibility characteristics.

Level K3: Outline, design, specify and execute usability tests using appropriate techniques and covering given test objectives and defects to be targeted.

Quality Attributes for Technical Testing
Level K2: Explain the reasons for including efficiency, reliability and technical security tests in a testing strategy and provide examples of defects expected to be found

Level K2: Characterize non-functional test types for technical testing by typical defects to be targeted (attacked), its typical application within the application life-cycle, and test techniques suited to used for test design.

(F) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 6: Reviews

Level K3: Use a review checklist to verify code and architecture from a testers perspective

Level K3: Use a review checklist to verify requirements and use cases from a testers perspective

Level K2: Compare review types with each other and show their relative strengths, weaknesses and fields of use.

(G) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 7: Incident Management

Level K4: Analyze, classify and describe functional and non-functional defects in understandable defect reports




(H) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 9: Test Tools & Automation

Test Tool Concepts
Level K2: Compare the elements and aspects within each of the test tool concepts "Benefits & Risks", "Test Tool Strategies", "Tool Integration", "Automation Languages", "Test Oracles", "Tool Deployment", "Open Source Tools", "Tool Development", and "Tool Classification"

Test Tool Categories
Level K2: Summarize the test tool categories by objectives, intended use, strengths, risks and provide examples

Level K2: Map the tools of the tool categories to different levels and types of testing

 
(I) CTAL Test Analyst Exam Syllabus Chapter 10: People Skills – Team Composition

Communication
Level K2: Describe by example professional, objective and effective communication in a project from the tester perspective. You may consider risks and opportunities..

Note: CTAL Syllabus Chapter 8 on "Standards & Test Improvement Process" is not applicable for the Test Analyst exam.