ISTQB Software Testing Foundation & Advanced Test Automation Engineer 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

Advanced Test Automation Engineer

Advanced Level testers who have passed the “Advanced Test Automation Engineer” module exam should be able to accomplish the following Business Objectives:

• Contribute to the development of a plan to integrate automated testing within the testing process
• Evaluate tools and technology for automation best fit to each project and organization.
• Create an approach and methodology for building a test automation architecture (TAA).
• Design and develop (new or modified) test automation solutions that meet the business needs.
• Enable the transition of testing from a manual to an automated approach.
• Create automated test reporting and metrics collection.
• Manage and optimize testing assets to facilitate maintainability and address evolving (test) systems.

Certified Advanced Test Automation Engineers should be able to demonstrate their skills in the following areas:

• Explain the objectives, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of test automation.
• Identify technical success factors of a test automation project.
• Analyse a system under test to determine the appropriate automation solution.
• Analyse test automation tools for a given project and report technical findings and recommendations.
• Understand "design for testability" and "design for test automation" methods applicable to the SUT.
• Explain the structure of the Generic Test Automation Architecture.
• Analyse factors of implementation, use, and maintenance requirements for a given Test Automation Solution.
• Explain the factors to be considered when identifying reusability of components.
• Apply guidelines that support effective test tool pilot and deployment activities.
• Analyse deployment risks and identify technical issues that could lead to failure of the test automation project, and plan mitigation strategies.

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

 ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer three day workshop

• Test automation
• Preparing for test automation
• The generic test automation architecture
• Deployment risks and contingencies
• Test automation reporting and metrics
• Transitioning manual: Testing to an automated environment
• Verifying the TAS
• Continuous improvement 

• 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 Automation Engineer (virtual) (must be taken within 12 months of purchase)
• Advanced Test Automation Engineer 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).

Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer

The Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer exam is comprised of 40 multiple choice questions, with a pass mark grade of 65% to be completed within 90 minutes. Participants that take the exam not in their spoken language, will receive additional 25% time, and will have 23 minutes more, or a total of 113 min.

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 Advanced Test Automation Engineer 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 technical aspects of software testing, including test automation, non-functional testing, white-box 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 Automation Engineer qualification is that the candidate must hold the ISTQB Foundation certificate and it is also suggested that candidates have a minimum of 3 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.