ISTQB Software Testing Foundation & Advanced Test Analyst Blended Learning

ISTQB Software Testing Foundation

The business outcomes expected of a candidate who has achieved the 2018 Foundation Level certification are as follows:

• Promote efficient and effective communication by using a common vocabulary for software testing.
• Understand fundamental concepts of software testing.
• Demonstrate understanding of how different development and testing practices, and different constraints on testing, may apply in optimizing testing to different contexts.
• Contribute effectively in reviews.
• Use established techniques for designing tests at all test levels.
• Interpret and execute tests from given test specifications. Report on test results.
• Understand test management principles for resources, strategies, planning, project control and risk management
• Write and communicate clear and understandable defect reports
• Understand the project factors that drive the test priorities and test approach
• Understand the value that software testing brings to stakeholders
• Appreciate how testing activities and work products align with project objectives, measures and targets
• Assist in the selection and implementation process of testing tool

In addition, after successfully completing the course and passing the exam, delegates should be able to:

• Use a common language for efficient and effective communication with other testers and project stakeholders
• Understand established testing concepts, the fundamental test process, test approaches, and principles to support test objectives
• Design and prioritize tests by using established techniques
• Analyse both functional and non-functional specifications (such as performance and usability) at all test levels for systems with low to medium levels of complexity
• Execute tests according to agreed test plans, and analyze and report on the results of tests
• Write clear and understandable incident reports
• Effectively participate in reviews of small to medium-sized projects
• Be familiar with different types of testing tools and their uses; and assist in the tool selection and implementation process

ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst

After successfully completing the course and passing the exam, delegates should be able to demonstrate the following business-based outcomes 

• Perform the appropriate testing activities based on the software development lifecycle being used;
• Determine the proper prioritization of the testing activities based on the information provided by the risk analysis; 
• Select and apply appropriate test techniques to ensure that tests provide an adequate level of confidence, based on defined coverage criteria; 
• Provide the appropriate level of documentation relevant to their testing activities; 
• Determine the appropriate types of functional testing to be performed; 
• Work effectively in a usability testing team; 
• Effectively participate in requirements / user story reviews with stakeholders, applying knowledge of typical mistakes made in work products; 
• Improve the efficiency of the test process with the use of tools. 

In addition, the newly qualified ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst should be able to demonstrate their skills in the following areas once they have completed the course and passed the exam: 

• Explain how and why the timing and level of involvement for the Test Analyst varies when working with different software development lifecycle models. 
• Summarize the appropriate tasks for the Test Analyst when conducting analysis and design activities. 
• Explain why test conditions should be understood by the stakeholders. 
• For a given project scenario, select the appropriate design level for test cases (high-level or low-level). 
• Explain the issues to be considered in test case design. 
• Summarize the appropriate tasks for the Test Analyst when conducting test implementation activities. 
• Summarize the appropriate tasks for the Test Analyst when conducting test execution activities. 
• For a given situation, participate in risk identification, perform risk assessment and propose appropriate risk mitigation. 
• Analyze a given specification item(s) and design test cases by applying equivalence partitioning. 
• Analyze a given specification item(s) and design test cases by applying boundary value analysis. 
• Analyze a given specification item(s) and design test cases by applying decision table testing. 
• Analyze a given specification item(s) and design test cases by applying state transition testing. 
• Explain how classification tree diagrams support test techniques. 
• Analyze a given specification item(s) and design test cases by applying pairwise testing. 
• Analyze a system, or its requirement specification, in order to determine likely types of defects to be found and select the appropriate black-box test technique(s). 
• Explain the principles of experience-based test techniques, and the benefits and drawbacks compared to black-box and defect-based test techniques. 
• Determine exploratory tests from a given scenario. 
• Describe the application of defect-based test techniques and differentiate their use from black-box test techniques. 
• For a given project situation, determine which black-box or experience-based test techniques should be applied to achieve specific goals. 
• Explain what test techniques are appropriate to test functional completeness, correctness and appropriateness. 
• Define the typical defects to be targeted for the functional completeness, correctness and appropriateness characteristics. 
• Define when the functional completeness, correctness and appropriateness characteristics should be tested in the software development lifecycle. 
• Explain the approaches that would be suitable to verify and validate both the implementation of the usability requirements and the fulfillment of the user’s expectations. 
• Explain the role of the test analyst in interoperability testing including identification of the defects to be targeted. 
• Explain the role of the test analyst in portability testing including identification of the defects to be targeted. 
• For a given set of requirements, determine the test conditions required to verify the functional and/or non-functional quality characteristics within the scope of the Test Analyst. 
• Identify problems in a requirements specification according to checklist information provided in the syllabus. 
• Identify problems in a user story according to checklist information provided in the syllabus. 
• For a given scenario, determine the appropriate activities for a Test Analyst in a keyword-driven automation project. 
• Explain the usage and types of test tools applied in test design, test data preparation and test execution. 

ISTQB Software Testing Foundation level e-learning

• Fundamentals of testing 
• Testing throughout the software development cycle
• Static testing
• Test techniques
• Test management
• Total support for testing

Advanced Test Analyst three day workshop

• The test analyst tasks in the test process
• The test analyst tasks in risk-based testing
• Test techniques
• Testing software quality characteristics
• Reviews
• Test tools and automation

• 12 months access to our accredited Software Testing Foundation online learning
• Software Testing exam voucher (must be taken within 12 months of purchase)
• Three-day Advanced Test Analyst (virtual) (must be taken within 12 months of purchase)
• Advanced Test Analyst exam voucher (must be taken within 12 months of purchase)

Optional extra

• Pass Protect exam insurance - A cost effective solution, providing insurance and peace of mind if things don’t go to plan with your first exam attempt. For more information and terms and conditions click here

Exam format

ISTQB Software Testing Foundation

To qualify as an internationally-recognized Certified Foundation Level Tester and be issued with an ISTQB® Foundation Level Certificate, delegates must successfully pass the exam:

• The examination consists of a one-hour exam with 40 multiple choice questions.
• It will be a ‘closed book’ examination i.e. no notes or books will be allowed into the examination room.
• Duration of 60 minutes (or 75 minutes for candidates taking examinations that are not in their native language)
• The pass mark is 65% (26 out of 40).

ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst

To qualify as an internationally-recognized Certified Advanced Level Test Analyst and be issued with an ISTQB® Advanced Level Certificate, delegates must successfully pass the exam administered by the relevant National Board or Examination Provider.   

• 45 multiple choice pick ‘n’ mix questions which consist of the questions followed by a list of options  
• Duration of 120 minutes (or 150 minutes for candidates taking examinations that are not in their native language)  
• A candidate must score at least 65% to pass 

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level is principally aimed at anyone directly involved in software testing, who needs to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts, such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test leads, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers.

The ISTQB Certified Test Analyst Advanced Level is principally aimed at test practitioners who have achieved an advanced point in their careers in software testing and are expecting to be actively involved in the analysis, specification, design and execution aspects of software testing, and who want to increase their knowledge and skills beyond the levels covered by the Foundation and Intermediate qualifications.  This includes people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers.  This Advanced Level qualification is also appropriate for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts and management consultants. 

The entry requirements for the Software Testing Foundation are that the candidate should have a basic working knowledge of IT. 

The entry requirements for the Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst qualification are that the candidate must hold the ISTQB Foundation certificate and it is also suggested that candidates have a minimum of 2 years testing experience. 

Note that it is recommended that you attend an accredited training course run by an accredited training provider, as the overall exam pass rates are notably higher for candidates attending such courses.