There is a sharp increase in the demand for certified software testers among software and app development companies. One such globally recognized accreditation is ISTQB certification.
From small tech firms to big enterprises, all want to hire certified quality assurance testers for their software and mobile app products. Consequently, professional certification holders get shortlisted faster than non-certified testers. Sounds interesting?
Read on to learn about the ISTQB certification program, its offerings, and some resources to pass the exam faster than your competitors.
What Is ISTQB Certification?
ISTQB is the abbreviation for International Software Testing Qualifications Board. This global body oversees software testers certification among its member countries. Currently, there are 69 member countries of ISTQB. These member countries are known as member boards.
Throughout these member countries and in some other offshore countries, the ISTQB certificate is one of the top-tier professional accreditation for software testers. Globally, software test engineers, testers, quality auditors, and test managers prefer this accreditation.
ISTQB accreditation is a three-tiered professional development exam series. These tiers are as follows:
#1. The “Core” tiers are valid for any application, methodology, and technology. It has been built on the Foundation Level for software testers.
#2. The “Agile” tiers of exams focus on testing mainly for the Agile framework.
#3. The “Specialist” tiers of exams provide a deep dive into specific industry domains, quality characteristics, and certain test activities.
Who Needs the ISTQB Certification?
#1. Software engineer freshers can opt for this certification, especially the Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) exam from ISTQB, for easy shortlisting in any software tester vacancies.
#2. Those from a non-technical background but possess hands-on experience in software testing can also opt for the CTFL test of ISTQB. It enables them to get a professional accreditation that various companies accept.
#3. If you possess a few years of experience as a software tester and want to secure a high-paying job in a big IT company, you must also get an ISTQB certification. You should go for exam tiers like Core Advanced, Specialist, Agile, Expert Level-Improving the Test Process, or Expert Level-Test Management.
In a nutshell, if you are looking for a software testing certification with portability, credibility, and value, you must review the ISTQB accreditation offerings before going for other options.
ISTQB Exam Overview
Since ISTQB offers a range of certifications, we can simplify the accreditations in the following categories:
#1. Foundation Level Certification is a 60-minute test. The passing criteria are 26 correct out of 40 questions.
#2. Once you obtain the above certification, you can appear for any Advanced Level Certifications. The test consists of 60 questions, and the total exam time is 120 minutes. You need to give correct answers to 45 questions to get the accreditation.
#3. The Expert Level Certifications are the top-tier exams with three specialized competencies: Strategic, Managing the Test Team, and Operational. You will get 180 minutes for all the modules, and the score you need to achieve is 65%.
All the ISTQB certification tests are multiple-choice exams except for the Expert Level Certifications. The Expert Level exams contain both essay and multiple-choice questions.
Some other facts about the ISTQB accreditation:
#1. You can train yourself from one of the ISTQB Accredited training partners to increase the chance of passing the exams. You can look for a training provider based on your Country, Language, Board, Course, etc.
#2. Once you go through adequate learning and training, it is time to attempt the exam. The exam is computer-based and delivered online. You can choose the exam provider by visiting ISTQB’s Find an Exam Provider portal.
Certifications Fees
There are specific fees attached to the certifications from ISTQB. The following is a list of approximate costs which may vary at the time of actual exam scheduling:
#1. ISTQB Foundation Level test costs $229.
#2. Special exams like Agile Testing, Model-Based Testing, etc., costs $199.
#3. ISTQB Advanced Level Certification tests like ISTQB Technical Test Analyst, ISTQB Test Automation Engineering, etc., are priced at $249.
#4. Expert Level exams from ISTQB costs $575.
Various ISTQB Certifications
From fresh computer science graduates to experienced testers, ISTQB has a host of certifications (24) for everyone.
Your ISTQB accredited tester journey starts with the Core Foundation or CTFL certification. Then, you can gradually get Advanced, Specialist, Agile, and Expert Level certifications.
Some of the popular certifications are:
- CTFL for basics of software testing like vocabulary, report-making, established testing processes, etc.
- CTAL-TA or Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst for prioritization of testing activities, documentation, usability testing, etc.
- CT-TAE or Certified Tester Test Automation Engineer for automated testing, performance metrics, reporting, etc.
- CTAL-ATT or Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Technical Testers mainly applies the Agile software development and testing methodologies.
The Benefits of ISTQB Certification
Benefits for Employers
#1. Introduce cost-effective and efficient software and app testing processes by utilizing ISTQB-certified professionals.
#2. Increase consumers’ trust in apps and tools when you onboard a professional tester in the development project.
#3. IT consulting businesses can offer top-tier testing consultancy services to business clients.
#4. Improve working practices, standards, and collaboration through a common understanding and language for testing.
Benefits for Professionals
#1. Portable proof of skills for both future and current employment.
#2. Advanced testing skills obtained through the training syllabus of ISTQB assist vertical movement along the hierarchy.
#3. Use the “Certified Tester” logo from ISTQB certification to gain an edge over non-certified testers.
After ISTQB accreditation basics, it is time to discover some gem resources for the upcoming test:
ISTQB Foundation Level 2022: Udemy
This ISTQB Foundation Level Udemy course is one of the best ways to prepare and train for the CTFL test. Key course highlights are:
- White Box testing techniques for software and apps.
- Black Box testing of applications and tools.
- Static Testing
- Dynamic Testing
- ISTQB Foundation level syllabus covered
- Course content is constantly updated when ISTQB revises its syllabus
The course is helpful for people who possess knowledge of computers and English, without any technical background. Also, if you are an experienced software tester and want to get a globally recognized accreditation, you should try this course.
Certified Tester ISTQB CTFL: Udemy
Yet another highly rated and acclaimed online training course by Udemy for Certified Tester ISTQB CTFL certification course. Apart from English, the course is available in seven other languages Spanish, German, Portuguese, Indonesian, Italian, etc.
The notable course highlights are:
- Comprehensive course content for exam preparation.
- Learn software testing key issues and how to resolve those.
- Hands-on training in test designing according to business requirements.
- Its advanced testing content increases your confidence in workplaces.
- 8 hours 14 minutes of self-paced learning resources.
- 87 lectures spanning ten sections.
The course is not suitable for genuinely non-tech candidates. Before signing up for the course, you must know basic software programming, software development life cycle, and testing.
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level: Udemy
This ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level course by Udemy is another option for you to become a CTFL expert before appearing for the actual exam. Though the course title mentions the ISTQB syllabus of 2018, it has been updated to the latest syllabus of 2022.
Here is a list of notable features of this course:
- It starts from basic level software testing lessons.
- One resource to prepare for the entire CTFL level exam.
- Offers a strategy for the study plan.
- Tips on the focused study.
- To the point and bite-sized lectures for working professionals.
- Neutral English accent for global candidates.
Experts from the testing fraternity and ISTQB certifies professionals highly recommend this course to non-technical testers, business analysts, software engineers, software developers, software testers, and fresh graduates.
CTFL Certification Training: Simplilearn
This ISTQB certification on CTFL training is essential for those who dwell in the software testing and development domains. The Simplilearn foundation level resource is ISTQB accredited. Hence, you can expect course content in line with the exam syllabus.
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It will provide you with the essential learnings of software testing, including testing principles, vocabulary, testing management, testing support tools, and test process design techniques. You will also benefit from the course in your workplace when you carry out testing in a DevOps, Agile, or continuous delivery framework.
Moreover, Simplilearn has specifically designed this course to target corporates. Hence, it has options like self-paced, instructor-led, blended learning dashboard, and corporate learning management system (LMS).
ISTQB Certified Tester: Udemy
It is an ISTQB accredited training course for CTFL examination available on Udemy. The resource is highly recommended for fresh graduates and non-tech professionals who want to explore career opportunities in the software testing spectrum.
Course highlights:
- Course completion timing is 11 hours and 41 minutes.
- Suitable for working professionals.
- 77 lectures spanning 10 sections.
- Access course content on tablets, mobiles, Android TVs, and computers.
- CTFL exam tricks and tips.
- Chapter-end exercise questions.
- Latest ITSQB syllabus.
Developers, business managers, senior testers, junior testers, etc., who want to learn basic software testing principles, should sign up for this course.
Foundation Of Software Testing: Amazon
Books are the ultimate resource for learning and training. Hence, we also introduce you to this ISTQB Certification book from Amazon. The book is available in paperback copy. Those who crave physical books for better study must check out the item on Amazon.
Notable features and sections of the book are:
- Sample exam questions.
- Background tests.
- Content revision and quizzes.
- Elaborated information on the certification exam.
- Software testing glossary.
- The complete ISTQB syllabus for CTFL.
It is the one-stop guide for successfully passing the Foundation Level certifications from ISTQB. If you own this book, you get to learn from specialists who have spent many years in the software development and testing industry.
A Guide to ISTQB Foundation Certification: Amazon
It is yet another paperback and Kindle version book on Amazon for ISTQB Foundation Certification. Apart from texts in eBook or paperback version, you also get bonus video content for intuitive learning. Thus, owning the book gives you online and offline learning options.
The book covers all the latest software testing training content suggested by ISTQB for the CTFL test. Each section consists of elaborate texts and section quizzes to evaluate your skills. Another cool thing is you will find vital software testing terms in highlighted boxes with concise definitions. It is specifically helpful in answering MCQ questions.
Furthermore, you get access to free practice paper for confidence building and a glossary of terms too. Moreover, by simply scanning a QR code, you can access high-quality video content via the internet.
ISTQB Foundation Exam Prep: LinkedIn Learning
Check out this ISTQB Foundation Exam Prep course if you can access LinkedIn Learning through corporate or individual subscriptions. The Foundation Level exam may seem difficult to fresh graduates or non-technical software testers. However, you can overcome this huddle by diligently studying the learning content available in this course.
Highlighted course features are:
- Seamlessly access the content from laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
- Six chapters with chapter-end quizzes.
- Get a digital certificate from LinkedIn on successful course completion.
- ISTQB CTFL exam terminologies.
- Process, principles, and psychology of software/app testing.
- Software development lifecycle (SDLC).
Finally, you shall learn some excellent tips on cracking the ISTQB certification exam from the course author.
ISTQB Training: MindMajix
A panel of industry-recognized trainers has designed this Mindmajix ISTQB training. The course outline follows all the latest developments in the software testing spectrum and ISTQB updates. With the help of real-world projects and cases, you learn foundation-level software testing concepts like test management, design techniques, tools, etc.
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Highlighted course features:
- 15 hours of lab training
- 24 hours of theory classes
- Doubt clearing for individual candidates
Depending on your job status, you can choose between self-paced delivery and online classes. However, since the course has live projects, experts recommend the instructor-led type over the self-paced version.
Conclusion
So far, you have learned about the ISTQB certification, test overview, different types of accreditation, and their benefits. You have also gone through some handy resources that will come in handy in your quest to become a globally certified tester.
We have also covered you if you are a software engineer and want to become the central person of any DevOps, Agile, and Scrum-based software development projects. Start your SDET training journey by reading our Software Development Engineer in Test article.
