Which of the following could lead to inconsistent performance test results?
Answer : C
If multiple virtual users execute the same script while logged in as the same user, it can cause data conflicts, session collisions, or cache interference, leading to inconsistent performance test results.
Option A (Concurrent scripts accessing the same data) may cause data locking issues, but this is a test setup concern rather than an inconsistency issue.
Option B (Sequential scripts accessing the same data) does not typically cause inconsistencies since they execute in order.
Option D (Verification with management) is unrelated to technical inconsistencies.
Which of the following is a best practice to include in performance test scripts when verifying results?
Answer : B
One of the best practices in performance test scripting is to validate that correct data is recorded in the database after execution. This ensures that performance issues do not impact data integrity.
Option A (Increasing the number of scripts) may provide more coverage but does not verify accuracy.
Option C (Adding transaction timers) is useful for performance monitoring but does not ensure correct data entry.
Option D (Holding the development team accountable) is a management responsibility, not a scripting best practice.
What challenge must be considered when using crowds to emulate load generation?
Answer : A
Crowd-based load generation relies on real users from different locations, making test conditions highly variable. This makes it difficult to reproduce the same test scenario multiple times under identical conditions.
Option B (Less sensitive to changes) is incorrect because crowd-based load is highly sensitive to external conditions (network, device types, etc.).
Option C (Suitable for mainframe applications) is incorrect because crowd-based load testing is typically used for web and cloud applications, not mainframes.
Option D (More precise than other methods) is incorrect because crowd-based load testing lacks precision due to real-world inconsistencies.
You are managing the testing efforts of an existing distributed system that manages inventories of automobile and light truck tires from multiple warehouses across the country. The system is being enhanced to track incoming restocking shipments at the point of entry to the warehouse and outbound sales shipments at the point of shipment from the warehouse, all of which are executed in real-time. System loads traditionally peak on Mondays due to built-up demand from the previous weekend.
You are constructing an operational profile that emulates entities that submit large, bulk orders of greater than or equal to 1600 tires per transaction. You feel the profile you are constructing accurately reflects this type of power purchaser.
Which of the following steps must you take to ensure your operational profile is accurate?
Answer : B
To ensure an accurate operational profile, it is crucial to validate and adjust it with key stakeholders before executing tests. This step ensures that the workload realistically represents actual user behavior.
Option A (Executing the test first and adjusting later) is incorrect because adjustments should be made before execution to avoid misleading results.
Option C (Aggregating profiles into a single generic profile) removes important distinctions between different user types, reducing test accuracy.
Option D (Creating separate profiles and using equal proportions) does not match the actual power purchaser behavior, which requires a realistic representation of their higher-volume transactions.
What is the primary purpose of a load generator?
Answer : B
A load generator is responsible for simulating virtual users and applying workloads to a system as defined by an operational profile. This allows testers to analyze how the system behaves under different load conditions.
Option A (Background load) is incorrect because load generators create simulated user interactions, not just background noise.
Option C (Record and analyze behavior) is the role of monitoring tools, not a load generator.
Option D (Support root cause analysis) is incorrect because root cause analysis is done after the load test, using monitoring tools.
Which of the following performance script types measures network response times?
Answer : D
Protocol-level scripts measure the actual response times of network requests, making them ideal for analyzing network latency, bandwidth issues, and server response times.
Option A (GUI scripts) measure user interactions, not network timing.
Option B (API scripts) measure API interactions but do not provide detailed network response time analysis.
Option C (HTTP scripts) measure web requests but lack low-level network insights.
During performance testing, in addition to the transaction response time, which of the following is needed to accurately reflect the total time to complete a transaction?
Answer : B
Wait time is the period a transaction spends waiting for resources, database responses, or external services before completing. It is critical for understanding real-world transaction durations.
Option A (Think time) refers to user delays, not system delays.
Option C (Action time) focuses on execution time only.
Option D (User time) is not a standard performance metric.