Chapter 3 – Static Testing
Anomaly – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
Any condition that deviates from expectation.
In simple words
Anything unexpected the reviewer or tester notices — may or may not be a real defect.
Exam tip
Anomaly is broader than defect — it becomes a defect only after analysis confirms it.
Related terms
- DefectA flaw in the product — code, requirement, or design — that could cause a failure when executed.
- FailureThe visible symptom — the app crashed, the calculation was wrong, the button did nothing.
- ReviewSomeone reads or discusses a document (requirements, code, test cases) to find problems before running the software.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
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