CFPS practice questions: 10 free samples from the Function points mock exam

10 questions in the style of the IFPUG Certified Function Point Specialist exam, with their answer options. They are 10 of the 34 in the pool the mock draws from; answers and explanations come back when you sit it, and every question is marked against its domain so you can see where you stand.

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  1. 1. Two teams build the same specification, one in Java and one in Python. How do the function point counts compare? What is being measured

    1. AThe Python count is lower, because there is less code
    2. BThe Java count is lower, because the language is more verbose
    3. CThey cannot be compared across languages
    4. DThey are the same — the count depends on the functionality, not the implementation

  2. 2. Function points measure the quality of the software. What is being measured

    1. 3. Why does the boundary have to be settled before counting? What is being measured

      1. AIt determines which programming language weights to apply
      2. BIt decides whether data is internal or external, and whether a transaction crosses in or out
      3. CIt fixes the number of general system characteristics
      4. DIt sets the effort per function point

    2. 4. Your application reads a currency rate table that a different system updates nightly. What is it? Data functions

      1. AAn ILF, because it is in your database
      2. BAn EI, because the data comes in
      3. CNeither; reference data is not counted
      4. DAn EIF — you reference it but do not maintain it

    3. 5. One EIF in your count can be an ILF in someone else's count of their own system. Data functions

      1. 6. What is a RET? Data functions

        1. AA file referenced by a transaction
        2. BA field that repeats
        3. CA user-recognisable subgroup of data elements within a file
        4. DA database table

      2. 7. What is an average-complexity ILF worth in unadjusted function points? Data functions

        1. A5
        2. B10
        3. C7
        4. D15

      3. 8. A screen that lists orders exactly as stored, with no calculation, is which type? Transactional functions

        1. AILF
        2. BEQ
        3. CEI
        4. DEO

      4. 9. What distinguishes an EO from an EQ? Transactional functions

        1. AThe EO contains derived data, a calculation, or maintains an ILF or alters behaviour
        2. BThe EO is larger than the EQ
        3. CThe EO is a printed report and the EQ is on screen
        4. DThe EO crosses the boundary and the EQ does not

      5. 10. A transaction reads two files and updates a third. How many FTRs? Transactional functions

        1. A2
        2. B1
        3. C0
        4. D3

      Check your answers

      The mock marks every answer on submit, explains it and breaks the result down by domain. It draws its questions in the published domain weights, and passes at 90% — IFPUG requires 90% overall and at least 80% in each section. This mock checks the overall figure only.

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      Not ready yet? The Function points course covers the same domains in short lessons, each with its own questions.

      Exam facts are taken from the official page: ifpug.org. Questions here are written for practice and are not from the real exam.