ISTQB 연습문제 풀이 - Exam A : Q#2

ISTQB Foundation: Test Activities that Contribute to Success

Reading time: 4–6 minutes

1. Introduction

In ISTQB Foundation Level, you will often see questions about what makes testing really help a project. Not all testing activities contribute to success in the same way.

Some activities are based on myths, like “testers should stay out of the way of developers.” Others are based on proven good practices, like involving testers early in the lifecycle.

요약 (Korean): ISTQB 기초 레벨에서는 “어떤 테스트 활동이 실제로 프로젝트 성공에 기여하는가?”를 자주 묻습니다. 테스터를 SDLC 초기에 참여시키는 것은 좋은 예이고, 개발을 방해하지 않으려고 테스트를 늦추는 것은 좋지 않은 예입니다.

2. What Does ISTQB Say About Successful Test Activities?

According to ISTQB, testing contributes best to success when:

• Testers are involved early in the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Testers review requirements, design, and other work products, not only the final code.
• There is good communication between testers, developers, and business stakeholders.
• Testers use structured approaches and clear defect reports to support decision making.

This idea is often called “shift-left testing”: move testing earlier, toward the left side of the timeline.

요약 (Korean): 성공적인 테스트 활동의 핵심은 “초기 참여, 산출물 리뷰, 좋은 커뮤니케이션, 체계적인 결함 보고”입니다. 이를 흔히 Shift-left 테스트라고 부릅니다.

3. Exam-Style Practice Question

Let’s look at a practice question that is similar in style to the ISTQB Foundation exam. (문제는 이해를 돕기 위해 의역 및 재구성한 것입니다.)

3.1 Reworded Practice Question

Question:
Which of the following options is a good example of test activities that contribute to project success?

1. Testers participate in different SDLC activities, such as reviewing requirements and design, so that defects in work products can be found early.
2. Testers avoid contacting developers while they are coding so developers can “focus and write better code.”
3. Testers mainly rely on end users to improve the quality of defect reports during integration and system testing.
4. The organization assumes that certified testers will always design much better test cases than non-certified testers.

Correct answer: a)

3.2 Explanation of Each Option

a) Testers involved in various SDLC activities

When testers join reviews of requirements, design, and other work products, they can:

• Find defects before coding starts.
• Reduce the cost of fixing defects.
• Improve shared understanding between business, developers, and testers.

This matches ISTQB principles and is a clear example of test activities that contribute to success.

요약 (Korean): 테스터가 요구사항, 설계 등 다양한 산출물 리뷰에 참여하면 결함을 조기에 발견할 수 있고 비용을 줄일 수 있습니다. ISTQB에서 말하는 “성공에 기여하는 테스트 활동”에 정확히 해당합니다.

b) Testers trying not to disturb developers

This sounds polite, but it is not a success factor. Testing should not be delayed just to “protect” developers.

Instead, developers and testers should communicate often and work in parallel where possible.

요약 (Korean): 개발자를 방해하지 않으려고 테스트를 늦추는 것은 좋은 전략이 아닙니다. 개발과 테스트는 병행되며, 커뮤니케이션이 중요합니다.

c) Relying on end users to improve defect reports

End users can provide useful feedback about business needs and usability. However, defect report quality should come mainly from trained testers using:

• Clear defect templates
• Reproducible steps
• Expected vs. actual results

So this is not a good example of an effective test activity.

요약 (Korean): 사용자(UAT)는 좋은 피드백을 줄 수 있지만, 결함 보고서의 품질은 테스터의 스킬과 프로세스에 더 크게 의존합니다.

d) Assuming certified testers are always better

ISTQB certification shows knowledge of terms, concepts, and basic techniques. However, it does not guarantee that every certified tester will always write better test cases.

Experience, domain knowledge, and critical thinking are also very important. So this statement is too absolute and is not a correct success factor.

요약 (Korean): 자격증은 지식을 증명하지만, “항상 더 좋은 테스트 케이스를 만든다”는 보장은 아닙니다. 경험, 도메인 지식도 매우 중요합니다.

4. Study Tips for This Topic

• Remember that early tester involvement is a keyword for exam questions.
• Watch out for answers that sound like “magic” (e.g., certification alone guarantees success).
• Check if the option supports collaboration and early defect detection.
• Practice rewording questions in your own words to understand the concept, not just memorize answers.

요약 (Korean): “초기 참여, 협업, 조기 결함 발견”이라는 키워드를 기억하세요. 자격증이나 사용자에게 과도하게 기대하는 선택지는 보통 오답일 가능성이 큽니다.

5. Summary & Call to Action-FL-1.2.1

In ISTQB Foundation exam questions about success factors in testing, look for options where:

• Testers are involved early in the SDLC.
• Testers help review and improve work products, not only code.
• Communication and collaboration are emphasized.

In our practice question, the correct answer was the option where testers join different SDLC activities to detect defects early in work products. This aligns perfectly with ISTQB’s view of effective test activities.

If you found this helpful, try taking another ISTQB-style question and ask yourself: “Does this activity help us find defects earlier and improve communication?” If yes, it’s probably a good candidate for the correct answer.

요약 (Korean): ISTQB 문제에서 “성공에 기여하는 테스트 활동”을 찾을 때는 테스터의 초기 참여, 산출물 리뷰, 커뮤니케이션이 강조된 선택지를 우선적으로 보세요.

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Related: More ISTQB posts | More English practice posts