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Twelve Top Questions about ISTQB Certification
(Article Recently Updated on 10th Sept 2010)
Q. 1: What is ISTQB?
ISTQB stands for "International Software Testing Qualifications Board". It is Belgium based International body legally established in the year 2002.
Software testing professionals from all over the world joined hands in formulating standardized contents for further education in the field of Software Testing. It is a multiple-choice exam & is an education program offered in 38 countries
ISTQB Website
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Q. 2: How many Levels of Certification are provided by ISTQB?
The ISTQB has come out with an International Qualification Scheme called "ISTQB Certified Tester".
Presently there are two levels of exams leading to the specific levels of certification.
1) Foundation Level Certification: Name of this certification is "Certified Tester Foundation Level" (CTFL). This is the only one foundation level exam. This is an entry-level certification meant for people entering the field of testing and for experienced professionals desiring to move up the ladder of ISTQB certifications.
Foundation Level Certification offers evidence that the certified person has a broad understanding of the key concepts & fundamental best practices of software testing.
2) Advanced Level Certification: This is the intermediate level certification. Name of this certification is "Certified Tester Advanced Level" (CTAL).
Advanced Level Certification offers evidence that the certified person is a committed testing professional and has thorough understanding of key concepts & advanced best practices of software testing.
The prerequisites for applying for the Advanced level exam are as under:
A) For Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) Holders in Computer Science or related fields
1) Must have passed the Foundation Level Exam
2) 24 Months of Testing Experience in IT, Testing, Development, QA, Engineering or related fields (For any 2 sub-levels)
3) Min. 36 Months of experience mandatory for Advanced Level Complete Certification (For all 3 sub-levels)
B) For Non Bachelor ’s Degree (or higher) Holders in Computer Science or related fields
1) Must have passed the Foundation Level Exam
2) 60 Months of Testing Experience in IT, Testing, Development, QA, Engineering or related fields
Sub Levels of Advanced Level certifications : The Advanced Level certification exam has following three inter-related sublevels. Candidate can go in for either or all of these advanced level certifications.
Sub Level -1: Technical Test Analyst
Sub Level -2: Test Analyst
Sub Level -3: Test Manager
Key Features of the 3 - Advanced Sublevel exams
a) A single syllabus exists for all the three sublevels.
b) There is a separate paper for every sub-level and every exam is of 180 Minutes Duration.
c) Sub-Levels can be taken up in any order.
d) An individual Certificate is granted on successful completion of every sublevel exam.
Additional Advanced Level Certification: After completing the above three advanced level certifications, one can go in for an additional Advanced Level Certification by the name "Advanced Level (CTAL) – Full Advanced Level". This is an exam of 1.5 hours duration.
3) Expert Level Certification: Has not started yet. Expert Level Certification is meant for leaders of the field of software testing with eight or more years of experience.
Expert Level Certification offers evidence that the certified person is a seasoned testing professional and has consistent understanding & execution of proven cutting edge techniques in testing.
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Q. 3: Who provides the ISTQB Certification?
Almost all-major countries are the member of the parent body i.e. ISTQB. These member countries have their local Software Testing Qualification Boards. These local boards provide their inputs to the syllabus and question papers for various exams including the process of examination.
Such boards conduct the exams strictly in accordance with the common syllabus defined by ISTQB & provide necessary certification.
In India, ITB (Indian Testing Board) is the ISTQB approved national board & provides the "ISTQB Certified Tester" Certification in India.
ITB (Indian Testing Board) Website
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Q. 4: What is the period of validity of ISTQB Certifications?
1) ISTQB Certified Tester - Foundation Level Certificate (CTFL): Valid for whole Life.
2) ISTQB Certified Tester - Advanced Level Certificate (CTAL): Valid for whole Life.
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Q. 5: What are the Advantages of ISTQB Certifications?
1) It is a known fact that the common practices generally lag behind the best practices by around 25 - 30 years. Basic advantage of ISTQB certifications is that these are aimed at bringing the common practices to the level of best practices.
2) ISTQB certifications are of International nature, whose certificate is recognized in several countries across various continents.
3) Since the syllabus of ISTQB certification exams is targeted to various concepts & techniques having real-world application, the ISTQB certification carries respect of the highest order among the International community.
4) ISTQB certification means an automatic certificate of sound practical knowledge & high caliber of the certified professional. This is certainly regarded as a golden feather in the cap of the certified person.
5) Due to great respect commanded by the ISTQB certification in the trade, it helps the aspirants in shaping their career path.
6) ISTQB certification provides a rock solid foundation for professional growth to the certified person.
7) ISTQB delivers value to the software testing profession itself.
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Q. 6: What are the Salient Features of the Foundation Level (CTFL) Exam?
1) It is a Knowledge Based Exam.
2) The aspirant need not have any prior experience.
3) No re-certification is required after some time, since the certificate remains valid for the whole life.
4) The Syllabus is very well structured & easy to understand.
5) This certification signifies that the:
a) Aspirant is committed to the software testing as a profession
b) Aspirant is very well conversant with various concepts and terminology of testing.
c) Aspirant is able to use the specialized techniques like code coverage analysis, boundary values analysis & Equivalence partitioning etc.
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Q. 7: What is the Structure of Foundation Level Exam conducted by ITB?
This exam is designed to evaluate the aspirant’s knowledge & understanding of the entire syllabus of Foundation level exam.
All ISTQB Foundation exams use the same format with following features:
1) This is a Closed Book Exam – Requiring you to darken the appropriate circle with the help of a pencil.
2) Exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions each carrying 1 point for the correct answer (Total 40 Points)
3) Each question presents 4 possible answers, out of which only one is the correct one.
4) Time allowed for finishing the test: 75 Minutes
5) Passing Score: More than 65% (Minimum 26 Points are required to pass)
6) There is no negative marking.
7) %age breakup of questions in the exam:
a) 50% Questions – K1 Level (To check basic knowledge & remembering ability of a concept)
b) 30% Questions – K2 Level (To check the ability to compare, classify & summarize)
c) 20% Questions – K3 Level (To check the ability to analyze, apply the knowledge. Can include Numericals as well)
Explanation of various Knowledge Levels or K-Levels
8) Tentative Breakup of Syllabus for Foundation Level Certification (CTFL).
The syllabus covers following six major topics
|
No. |
Chapter |
Topics covered |
No. of Questions Expected in the Exam |
|
1. |
The principles of testing |
Terminology; why testing is necessary; fundamental test process; psychology of testing; re-testing and regression testing; expected results; prioritization. |
7 |
|
2. |
Testing throughout the life cycle |
Models for testing; economics of testing; high level test planning; acceptance testing; integration testing in the large; functional and non-functional system testing; integration testing in the small; component testing; maintenance testing. |
6 |
|
3. |
Static testing |
Reviews and the test process; types of review; static analysis. |
3 |
|
4. |
Test design techniques |
Dynamic testing techniques, Black and white-box testing techniques; error guessing, BVA etc. |
12 |
|
5. |
Test management |
Organization; configuration management; test estimation, monitoring and control; incident management; standards for testing. |
8 |
|
6. |
Tool support for testing |
Types of CAST tool (Computer-Aided Software Testing); tool selection and implementation. |
4 |
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Q. 8: What is the Syllabus for various ISTQB certifications Exams?
Download the syllabus from the following links:
1) ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL) Syllabus - 2007
2) ISTQB Advanced Level (CTAL) Syllabus - 2007
The Advanced Level syllabus is divided into three areas like:
a) Advanced behavioral testing or Black Box testing & testing standards for business oriented testing professionals.
b) Test automation and advanced structural testing or White Box testing for programmers & software testers.
c) Sophisticated test management concepts for Professional Managers.
The Advanced Level syllabus covers following topics:
a) Basic Aspects of Software Testing
b) Testing Processes
c) Test Management
d) Test Techniques
e) Testing of Software Characteristics
f) Reviews
g) Incident Management
h) Standards & Test Improvement Process
j) Test Tools & Automation
k) People Skills - Team Composition
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Q. 9: How do I Prepare for the ISTQB Exams? Is there any exam guide available?
There is no study material supplied by ITB.
There are four main options to prepare for the ISTQB exams:
1) Self-guided Self-study: The process can begin with downloading the Foundation Level Syllabus and Advanced Level Syllabus and Glossary of Terms Ver. 2.0 Dec. 2007 & using these documents to guide your preparation.
The use of the syllabus and glossary is extremely essential no matter what mode of preparation you choose.
2) Use of Books: Pick up a few books, along with copies of the relevant standards, and study them. The use of syllabus and glossary is again essential here as well.
You can have one of the best book that is entirely focused on ISTQB Certification – i.e. Foundations of Software Testing - ISTQB Certification : By Dorothy Graham, Erik van Veenendaal, Isabel Evans & Rex Black
Three types of guides for preparing for different Exams on "ISTQB Certified Tester" covering varying levels of expertise are available from Rex Black Consulting Services.
a) ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Test Analyst Exam Preparation Guide.
Cost of the Guide 319 $
Order the Guide Book Online
b) ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Test Manager Exam Preparation Guide.
Cost of the Guide 319 $
Order the Guide Book Online
c) ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level Exam Preparation Guide.
Cost of the Guide 279 $
Order the Guide Book Online
3) E-learning Material: Offered by websites like SoftwareTestingGenius
a) Over Six Hundred Unique Sample Question Papers
Download the Largest Database of Unique Sample Question Papers
b) Many E-books & MS Powerpoint Presentations especially prepared by ISTQB Trainers. To get your absolutely free copy by mail, please write to
software.testing.genius@gmail.com
4) Instructor lead training courses: Offered by many ISTQB accredited Institutes available on the internet. These training providers are bound to maintain course material aligned to the syllabus prescribed by ISTQB
Matrix of syllabus for ISTQB Training: The syllabus is organized & guided by following Five "Learning Objectives"
1) Learning Objective –1: General Instructional objectives.
2) Learning Objective –2: List of information to teach like various descriptions & references – if any.
3) Learning Objective –3: Learning objectives for each knowledge area describing cognitive learning outcome & mindset the students must have.
4) Learning Objective –4: Definitions of major concepts to teach – i.e. coming from standards & accepted literature.
5) Learning Objective –5: List of terms the students must store in their mind & recollect as & when a situation calls for it.
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Q. 10: Whether certification exam is same everywhere?
1) Every country’s testing board follows the same format for exams conducted by them
2) Exams at different countries may contain different questions. However the questions are selected from an international pool of questions.
3) Even if the questions are different at different countries, their difficulty level is similar or comparable.
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Q. 11: How to register for the Foundation Level Exam (CTFL) with ITB?
1) Check the examination schedule for your city.
2) Fill the Online Enrolment Form
3) If you have any queries fill Online Enquiry Form
4) You would immediately receive a confirmation mail in your Personal ID along with further instructions
5) Make a payment of the specified amount to the "Indian Testing Board"
6) You will be informed of the timing and procedure of the examination.
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Q. 12: Whether ITB / ISTQB certification can be taken Online?
The exam is not available online, thus the aspirant need to take the exam at the designated examination Center.
Useful Tips & Tricks for success in ISTQB exam:
ISTQB foundation level certification (CTFL) exam is the simplest of all. Software testers can cross this bridge quite comfortably by using following tips to the best of their advantage.
Before the Exam:
1) Read the syllabus thoroughly.
2) Do your own self-assessment by solving as many sample papers as possible & that too, without jumping to their answers. Answers should be used as a final check only.
During the Exam:
1) Objective type questions are quite simple but confusing, since answers have great similarity. Chose the answer that appears more appropriate by the process of elimination.
2) It is best to read the question twice or thrice or even more to understand the actual gist of the question (Be careful do not spend too much time on just one question itself - simultaneously keep an eye on the clock all the time). The idea of repeated reading of the question is to grab the important key words deliberately inserted in the question to judge the ability & presence of mind of the aspirant.
3) Never try to hastily jump to the answer – reason being you may fail to notice some typical catch in the question due to your haste. Thus the best way is to check all options before making your selection.
ISTQB Certification Schemes at a Glance
| |
Feature |
Foundation Level (Common for ISTQB & ISEB) |
ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level: Test Manager |
ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level: Test Analyst |
ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level: Technical Test Analyst |
|
1 |
Pre -requisites |
None |
Foundation |
Foundation |
Foundation |
|
2 |
Exam Duration |
1 Hr. |
3 Hrs. |
3 Hrs. |
3 Hrs. |
|
3 |
Learning Levels |
K1, K2, K3 |
K1, K2, K3,K4 |
K1, K2, K3,K4 |
K1, K2, K3,K4 |
|
4 |
Examining Body (s) |
ISEB |
ITB / Local Testing Board |
ITB / Local Testing Board |
ITB / Local Testing Board |
|
5 |
Current syllabus issued on |
12th April 2007 (v2007) |
Oct 2007 (v2007) |
Oct 2007 (v2007) |
Oct 2007 (v2007) |
|
6 |
Exam format |
Multiple Choice |
Multiple Choice |
Multiple Choice |
Multiple Choice |
|
7 |
Number of Questions |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
|
8 |
Type of Questions |
Independent Multiple Choice |
Pick ‘N’ Mix & Scenario Based |
Pick ‘N’ Mix & Scenario Based |
Pick ‘N’ Mix & Scenario Based |
|
9 |
Min. %age to Pass |
65% |
65% |
65% |
65% |
|
10 |
Exam Compa - rability across different countries |
Each ISTQB Testing Board and ISEB prepare their own exam papers |
Each ISTQB Testing Board and ISEB prepare their own exam papers |
Each ISTQB Testing Board and ISEB prepare their own exam papers |
Each ISTQB Testing Board and ISEB prepare their own exam papers |
|
11 |
What to do After this |
ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level or ISEB Intermediate |
None at the moment – Expert Level not Available yet |
None at the moment – Expert Level not Available yet |
None at the moment – Expert Level not Available yet |
|
12 |
Availability on Public Schedule |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
13 |
Exam Fee per person |
Defined by ITB / Local Testing Board |
Defined by ITB / Local Testing Board |
Defined by ITB / Local Testing Board |
Defined by ITB / Local Testing Board |
Related Useful Articles on ISTQB Certification:
A Practical Roadmap to ISTQB Certification
Link to Download Five Chapters of Help Guide
ISTQB Advanced Level Certification - Key Topics to Learn
ISTQB Advanced Level Certification - Study Guide- 8 Parts
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Comments :
is ISTQB advanced level a computer based exam, can some one take it in one the the test center here in UK.
Thanks _ George
Tx/kishore
I will answer your question like this:
1) CSQA - (Certified Software Quality Assurance): This Certification from (Quality Assurance Institute ) is suitable for Senior Testers / Test Leads engaged as Quality Coordinators
Its Major Focus is on Software Quality Assurance. This is very well recognized Internationally. It requires recertification after 3 years
No training is Provided for CSQA Certification
2) CSTE - (Certified Software Test Engineer): This Certification also from (Quality Assurance Institute ) is Suitable suitable for experienced testers with at least 3 Years of experience + thorough knowledge of complete Testing Lifecycle.
Its Major coverage is on Areas of Testing. Its Major Focus is on practical approaches as against testing the theoretical knowledge of the candidate.
This is also very well recognized Internationally. It also requires recertification after 3 years
No training is Provided for CSTE Certification but CBOK is useful for its preparation.
I hope now you can decide out of the two depending upon your profile.
Yogindernath
I would invite you to visit http://istqbfoundationlevel.blogspot.com for more information on and mock exam papers for ISTQB Foundation Level exam.
Best Regards,
Raja
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