CTFL-v4 Static Testing Practice Question
Which of the following is an example of an 'informal' review?
⚠ Common exam trap
Examinees often look for formal documentation processes or entry/exit criteria, mistakenly ruling out casual peer reviews because they lack structured management oversight.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A developer asking a colleague to look over their code for simple errors.
Informal reviews are characterized by a lack of a formal process, documentation, or defined roles. They are often performed as simple peer-to-peer checks, such as two developers discussing a piece of code before a commit. This flexibility makes them very effective for quick feedback on small changes where the overhead of a formal process would be disproportionate to the risk or size of the task.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A structured inspection with a designated moderator and scribe.
Why it's wrong here
This is the definition of a formal inspection, which is the most rigorous form of review. It requires a predefined process, specific roles, and formal documentation of results, which is the exact opposite of an informal, ad-hoc review process.
- ✗
A technical review conducted by a team with a predefined checklist.
Why it's wrong here
Using a checklist and conducting a technical review implies a degree of formality and structure. While not as rigorous as an inspection, it is still a structured activity, which differentiates it from an informal review that relies on casual, unscripted peer interaction.
- ✓
A developer asking a colleague to look over their code for simple errors.
Why this is correct
This is the classic example of an informal review. It is quick, involves no formal documentation, lacks defined roles like moderator or scribe, and is performed as an ad-hoc collaboration between peers, which is perfectly suited for small or low-risk development tasks.
- ✗
A formal walkthrough where the author explains the design to a group.
Why it's wrong here
A walkthrough is a formal, planned activity where the author leads participants through the document. It has a specific purpose and structure, distinguishing it from an informal review, which has no such prescribed requirements or planning phases.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every CTFL-v4 question from scratch — 144 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISTQB exam blueprint
This CTFL-v4 practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISTQB certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CTFL-v4 exam.