Struggling with unreliable automated test results during ISTQB CTAL-TAE preparation? Learn how to verify test script validity and ensure consistent outcomes with expert guidance. When automated test scripts provide inconsistent results—passing at one time and failing at another—it indicates a reliability issue.
Table of Contents
Question
You are about to verify an automated test suite. During the verification process you have found that some test scripts pass one time and fail at another, therefore not providing reliable test results. What should you do to verify the validity of your test scripts?
A. This is due to the parallel execution of the test scripts; synchronization would solve the problem
B. Re-execute the automated test suite and analyze the test results again
C. Remove the test scripts from the automated test suite and analyze them separately
D. This happens because several test scripts are using the same test data, so the separation of test data for each test script would resolve the problem
Answer
C. Remove the test scripts from the automated test suite and analyze them separately
Explanation
Unreliable test results often stem from issues within specific test scripts, such as:
- Environmental Dependencies: Scripts might depend on external factors (e.g., system state, network latency) that vary between executions.
- Concurrency Problems: If multiple scripts access shared resources simultaneously, it could lead to race conditions.
- Improper Synchronization: Timing issues in interacting with the application under test (AUT) may cause intermittent failures.
To address this:
- Isolate the Problematic Scripts: Removing them from the suite allows you to focus on debugging these specific scripts without affecting the entire suite.
- Analyze Separately: Examine the scripts for issues like shared data conflicts, environmental dependencies, or incorrect assumptions about the AUT’s state.
- Resolve Identified Issues: Once fixed, re-integrate them into the suite and validate their stability through repeated executions.
Why Not Other Options?
Option A: While synchronization issues may cause some failures, not all intermittent problems are due to parallel execution. This approach does not address broader script-specific flaws.
Option B: Simply re-executing the suite without deeper analysis will not resolve the root cause of instability.
Option D: Although shared test data can lead to failures, it is only one potential cause. A more comprehensive approach (as in Option C) is necessary.
By isolating and analyzing problematic scripts individually, you ensure that your automated test suite provides reliable and actionable results—a critical skill for ISTQB CTAL-TAE certification and real-world automation engineering.
ISTQB CTAL-TAE certification exam assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump including multiple choice questions (MCQ) and objective type questions, with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the ISTQB CTAL-TAE exam and earn ISTQB CTAL-TAE certification.