Free UML 2 FOUNDATION EXAM Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the UML 2 FOUNDATION EXAM practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1In a class model, boxes denote classes and a line connects two of those boxes. At this level of representation, what does the connecting line denote?

   1. A.A relationship between the represented classesCorrect answer: A
   2. B.The execution order of operations in the represented classes
   3. C.The current attribute values of individual instances
   4. D.The number of instances created from each class

   Explanation: IBM’s The Value of Modeling states, "For object-oriented software, boxes typically denote classes and lines between boxes denote relationships between those classes." The line therefore denotes a relationship between the classes. Operation execution order is behavioral information, current attribute values describe particular instances, and an instance count needs additional information; the connecting line alone does not express those alternatives.

   Reference: IBM Software Group — The Value of Modeling — printed p. 5, Code visualization and visual editing

2. 2A UML Activity has two InitialNodes. What happens to their control flows when the Activity is invoked?

   1. A.Only the first InitialNode in the drawing is used.
   2. B.The modeler must select one InitialNode as an alternative.
   3. C.A concurrent control flow starts at each InitialNode.Correct answer: C
   4. D.The second InitialNode waits for the first to finish.

   Explanation: The UML excerpt states, "invoking the Activity starts multiple concurrent control flows, one for each InitialNode." Thus both InitialNodes start flows concurrently. Drawing order neither selects one nor makes the second wait, and the modeler need not choose an alternative.

   Reference: Sparx Systems — initial — HTML subheading Initial in Activity Diagrams; InitialNode definition paragraph

3. 3In standard sequence-diagram lifeline notation, where is information identifying the participant displayed?

   1. A.In the rectangular lifeline headCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Only on the first outgoing message
   3. C.Only on an execution rectangle
   4. D.In the destruction cross

   Explanation: The tutorial states, "A lifeline will usually have a rectangle containing its object name." The rectangular head identifies the participant. Message labels identify communications, execution rectangles indicate activations, and a destruction cross marks the end of the instance.

   Reference: Sparx Systems — Sequence Diagram tutorial — Lifelines

4. 4A model shows relationships relevant to an architectural decision while leaving out source-code details irrelevant to that decision. Which modeling principle is being applied?

   1. A.Inheritance
   2. B.AbstractionCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Synchronization
   4. D.Instantiation

   Explanation: IBM's The Value of Modeling states, "selectively exposing certain information while suppressing details deemed unnecessary or unwanted." Abstraction selects relevant information at a chosen level of detail. Inheritance transfers classifier features, synchronization coordinates flows or artifacts, and instantiation concerns instances; those do not name this selective representation.

   Reference: IBM Software Group — The Value of Modeling — printed p. 6, Code visualization and visual editing

5. 5What may be associated with the outgoing Transition of an initial Pseudostate under UML's initial-pseudostate semantics?

   1. A.A trigger and a guard, with no effect
   2. B.An effect Behavior, with no trigger or guardCorrect answer: B
   3. C.A trigger only
   4. D.A guard only

   Explanation: The UML excerpt states, "may have an associated effect Behavior, but not an associated trigger or guard." An effect is allowed on this initial transition. Every alternative containing a trigger or guard violates the stated restriction.

   Reference: Sparx Systems — initial — HTML subheading Initial in State Machine Diagrams; initial Pseudostate paragraph

6. 6An underlined label order7 : Order appears in an object diagram. What do the two names identify?

   1. A.An instance name followed by its classifier nameCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A superclass followed by its subclass name
   3. C.A package followed by an imported package name
   4. D.An operation name followed by its return parameter name

   Explanation: The guide states, "if you name the object it becomes <ObjectName>:<ClassifierName>". Thus order7 names the instance and Order names its classifier. The label is not a generalization, package import, or operation return declaration.

   Reference: Sparx Systems — Classifiers and Instances — Opening example; object and classifier names

7. 7Which elements belong to a UML Package's namespace membership?

   1. A.Only elements physically owned by the Package
   2. B.Owned or contained elements and imported elementsCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Only the Package's nested Classes
   4. D.Only elements whose instances have been created

   Explanation: The UML excerpt states, "A Package is a namespace for its members, which comprise those elements associated via packagedElement (which are said to be owned or contained), and those imported." Membership includes both owned and imported elements. It is not restricted to physically owned elements, nested Classes, or types with existing instances.

   Reference: Sparx Systems — Package — HTML heading OMG UML Specification; Package namespace and members paragraph

8. 8One person interacts with a system as both Purchaser and Approver at different times. How may Actors represent that situation?

   1. A.One physical person must correspond to exactly one Actor.
   2. B.Each Actor must be represented by an internal implementation class.
   3. C.The person may play the roles of both Actors.Correct answer: C
   4. D.The two Actors must be merged because their user is the same person.

   Explanation: The UML excerpt states, "a single physical instance may play the role of several different Actors". The same person may therefore play Purchaser and Approver. Actor identity follows the role, not a one-person/one-Actor rule; the roles need not be merged or represented by internal implementation classes.

   Reference: Sparx Systems — Actor — HTML heading OMG UML Specification; NOTE on physical instance versus Actor roles

9. 9X, Y and Z are UML Classes with no features or additional constraints. Which proposed set of Generalization relationships is permitted by UML's constraint on classifier ancestry?

   1. A.X specializes Y; Y specializes Z; X specializes Z.Correct answer: A
   2. B.X specializes Y; Y specializes Z; Z specializes X.
   3. C.X specializes Y; Y specializes X; Z specializes Y.
   4. D.X specializes Y; Y specializes Z; Z specializes Z.

   Explanation: The UML 2.5.1 normative metamodel expresses the ancestry constraint as "not allParents()->includes(self)". A classifier must not be its own ancestor. A gives X two paths to Z without returning to X, Y or Z. B forms a three-class cycle, C forms an X–Y cycle, and D makes Z its own parent. Only A is acyclic.

   Reference: OMG UML 2.5.1 normative metamodel (UML.xmi) — Classifier-no_cycles_in_generalization: constrainedElement Classifier, ownedComment and specification/body; XML lines 15487–15498

10. 10One branch of an Activity must consume its arriving token while leaving the other flows in the Activity unaffected. Which node is appropriate?

    1. A.FlowFinalNodeCorrect answer: A
    2. B.ActivityFinalNode
    3. C.JoinNode
    4. D.ForkNode

    Explanation: The UML excerpt states, "All tokens accepted by a FlowFinalNode are destroyed. This has no effect on other flows in the Activity." FlowFinalNode therefore consumes this branch token without ending the other flows. ActivityFinalNode stops the Activity, JoinNode synchronizes flows, and ForkNode splits flows.

    Reference: Sparx Systems — flowfinal — HTML heading OMG UML Specification; FlowFinalNode paragraph, token destruction and other flows