TM3 Sample Questions Answers

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

InPeople Skills – Team Composition, the syllabus distinguishes four competence areas.Personal competencecovers attributes such asself-confidence,resilience, self-management, and ownership—traits related to how an individual conducts themselves. “Ability to act with confidence” is therefore categorized underpersonal competence, not methodological (techniques), professional (domain/technical knowledge), or social (interaction with others).

(ISTQB CTAL-TM v3.0 — Chapter “People Skills – Team Composition”: competence categories and examples; self-confidence falls underpersonal competence.)

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

Per the syllabus, when building abusiness caseusing thecost of qualitymodel, compare theavoided external failure costswith thesum of relevant pre-release costs(prevention, detection/appraisal, and internal failure). For 50 expected defects found in testing:

Avoided external failure cost= 50 × €2,500 =€125,000

Pre-release costsper defect = €200 (prevention) + €400 (detection) + €150 (internal failure) =€750

Total pre-release costs= 50 × €750 =€37,500

Net benefit (cost-benefit)= €125,000 − €37,500 =€87,500

This computation follows the syllabus’ guidance to quantify bothcosts(prevention, detection, internal failure) andbenefits(external failures avoided) to demonstrate the economic value of testing.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

Using thecost of qualityperspective in the syllabus, compute the savings from moving defects fromexternal failuretointernal discovery(prevention + appraisal + internal failure).

Internal discovery cost per defect:€200 + €400 + €150 = €750.

External failure cost per defect:€2,500.

Net saving per defect moved inside:€2,500 − €750 = €1,750.

For50defects:€1,750 × 50 = €87,500→Answer: €87,500.The syllabus directs test managers to articulate testing’s value by quantifyingavoided external failure costsagainstprevention, detection, and internal failure costs, supporting investment decisions and demonstrating ROI for testing initiatives (Chapter: Test Management in the Organization – economics/cost of quality; business case and benefit evaluation).

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

The syllabus onTest Tool and Automationlistsgood practices for tool adoption and rollout, including establishingusage guidelines/standardsso teams apply the tool consistently, effectively, and in alignment with the defined process and objectives. WhileBandCare also sensible activities in a broader adoption plan, thegeneric, universally applicable good practiceemphasized in ISTQB materials is todefine and communicate clear guidelines for tool use(roles, workflows, conventions, quality gates), backed by training and a measured rollout.D(licensing considerations) is a procurement detail and not a core “generic” practice highlighted for successful rollout.

Relevant syllabus areas:Test Tool and Automation—Tool selection, introduction, and successful deployment practices(guidelines, training, pilot, measured rollout, integration with process).

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

In the ISTQB CTAL-TM v3.0 syllabus (Chapter:Testing Process, section onTest Completion), the Test Completion activity includes producing thetest summary report, capturinglessons learned, and finalizing/archiving testware. Thetest summary report and lessons learned are specifically identified as key inputs to test process improvement, enabling organizations to refine their approach, improve efficiency, and address gaps revealed during the test effort. This makesTest Completionthe activity that delivers the document(s) most directly used for ongoingtest process improvement.

(Reference: CTAL-TM v3.0 Syllabus — Chapter “Testing Process”, subsection “Test Completion”: responsibilities include creating the test summary report, collecting lessons learned, and providing input to process improvement.)

According to theISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 Syllabus (Chapter 3: Test Planning, Monitoring, and Control), the choice oftest estimation techniquedepends on several influencing factors, including data availability, expert availability, and knowledge of historical information or models.

“The selection of a suitable estimation approach (metrics-based or expert-based) depends on factors such as the availability of relevant historical data, the availability of experts with appropriate experience, the time available to perform estimation, and the knowledge of applicable models.”

(ISTQB CTAL-TM v3.0 Syllabus, Chapter 3 – Test Planning, Section: Test Estimation)

Analysis for this scenario:

The organization isadding a test management toolto anexisting productusing thesame team and technology— implyingavailability of previous project datafrom similar development work.→Data availability(B) is a significant factor, enabling the use ofmetrics-based estimation.

Thesame experienced teamis working on the project, meaningdomain and technical expertsare available.→Expert availability(C) also influences estimation and may support anexpert-based estimationapproach for new, customer-driven increments.

Therefore, the combination ofdata availability (B)andexpert availability (C)most strongly influences the estimation technique to be applied in this scenario.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Estimation error– This is a result of estimation, not a factor influencing the choice of estimation technique.

D. Knowledge in modelling– While useful, modelling is not central to this specific context because data and experts are readily available.

E. Time constraints– Not highlighted as a limiting factor in this scenario; estimation can be planned adequately given the context.

References (from ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 Syllabus):

Chapter 3: Test Planning, Monitoring, and Control

Section:Test Estimation

Lists influencing factors for selecting estimation techniques:availability of historical data, expert knowledge, applicable models, and time available for estimation.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

The syllabus positionsproduct risk analysisas a core activity for test managers toprioritize testing and allocate effort. Performingproduct risk identification and analysisdrives the selection of features, levels, and test types to focus on, informs coverage depth, and guides where to automate for maximum value. While defining acceptance criteria (A) is important and often handled during backlog refinement, and automation (D) is valuable, withoutrisk analysisthe team cannot ensure efforts target the most critical quality risks—especially forhigh-impact, customer-facing mobile applications(CTAL-TM v3.0 Syllabus, chapter on Risk-Based Testing: risk identification, analysis, and applying risk to test prioritization and coverage).

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

In the stakeholder power–interest matrix used by test managers, stakeholders withhigh power but low interestare categorized asLatents. They generally “do not have a strong interest in day-to-day tasks,” yet theirdecisions are critical for resources and strategic direction. Promoters are high power/high interest; Defenders are low power/high interest; Apathetics are low power/low interest. This mapping guides how test managers engage and communicate with each stakeholder group (CTAL-TM v3.0 Syllabus, chapter on organizational aspects of test management and stakeholder engagement).

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

The syllabus classifies improvement approaches includinganalytical approaches(e.g.,root cause analysis,GQM, andanalysis of measures/metrics/indicators) that derive improvements byanalysing project/team data.

Model-basedapproaches (e.g.,TMMi,TPI NEXT) are a distinct category that evaluate practicesagainst a reference modelrather than primarily deriving improvements from project data analysis.

Hence,B (Quantitative TPI NEXT assessment)ismodel-based, not ananalyticalapproach;A, C, and Dare analytical.

(References: CTAL-TM v3.0 Syllabus — Chapter 2 “Test Management in the Organization” – improvement approaches: analytical vs. model-based vs. other; examples provided for each category.)

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

For effectivedefect management and control, the report needs information that supportsprioritization and scheduling of fixes. The syllabus emphasizes fields such aspriority/severity, status, environment, and reproducibility to supportplanning, monitoring, and controldecisions. In the described process, addingpriorityis most critical to drivetimely assignment and fixing order(Chapter 5: Test Monitoring, Control, and Reporting – defect reporting to support control; Chapter 3: Test Planning – using priorities to allocate effort).

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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

InTest Tool and Automation, the syllabus states that determining thebusiness case/ROIfor a tool requires identifying and quantifyingall relevant costs(acquisition, maintenance,training,pilot/rollout,integration,customization) andbenefits(e.g.,effort reductionacross activities, quality and cycle-time gains), then comparing them over a defined period within the organization’s context. A % effort reduction alone is insufficient without knowing thebaseline effort/cost, number of users, training/transition costs, and implementation scope. Therefore, ROI cannot be accurately computed with the given data.

(Reference: CTAL-TM v3.0 —Test Tool and Automation: tool selection and introduction; establishing a business case/ROI by quantifying costs and benefits; considering acquisition, maintenance, training, pilot, integration, process changes, and productivity gains.)

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager v3.0 syllabus:

The syllabus emphasizes applyingappropriate test design techniquesbased onriskandtest level. In an Agile, shift-left context where developers already performcomponent testingwithcoverage and reviews, the incremental risk mitigation forcritical business featuresatsystem levelcomes from applyingsystem-appropriate formal test design techniques(e.g.,equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, decision tables) to ensure thorough functional coverage of critical logic and business rules.

Option A (strict entry/exit criteria) is a control mechanism but does not directly enhance thoroughness for critical features.

Option B (IEC 61508) is asafetystandard not appropriate for a tax application and would be disproportionate.