ISTQB in a Nutshell

Some Context

• Test certifications have been around since the late 1980’s (QAI CQA) c. 1995 – CSTE (QAI)

c. 1999 – CSTP (IIST)

c. 1999 - ISEB

• Not everyone likes test certification, but is has been highly successful around the world

• Certification does not guarantee proficiency of practice, but it indicates the attainment of knowledge.

Vision “To continually improve and advance the software

testing profession by:

• defining and maintaining a Body of Knowledge which allows testers to be certified based on best practices,

• connecting the international software testing community, and

• encouraging research.”

International Software Testing Qualifications Board

48 boards in 72 countries

The countries in which ISTQB® operates contribute to over 90% of the world-wide GDP

About the ASTQB

• ASTQB is the national board for ISTQB Software Tester Certification

• These board members are a group of highly experienced experts in software testing who volunteer their time to the development, maintenance, and promotion of the ISTQB Certified Tester program in the U.S.

• The ASTQB is a non-profit organization

• ASTQB promotes and facilitates ISTQB certification in the US

March 31, 2013 ISTQB and ASTQB are registered trademarks

ISTQB ®

• Creation of new syllabi

• Definition of world-wide rules

• Working Group activities

Examination Body

• Administers exams

• Issues certificates

Member Board

• Translation/Release of new syllabi

• Accreditation of training providers

• Creation and release of exam questions

• Adoption of ISTQB rules

• Contribution to ISTQB Working Groups

Accredited Training Provider

• Creation of course materials

• Delivery of courses

Certified

tester

World Trend of Certifications

As of April 2013, the ISTQB has over 300,000 certificates issued

US Trend of Certifications

At the end of 2012, the ASTQB had 12,734 certificates issued

= basis for both training offerings and exams

Based on established Body of Knowledge, including Glossary

Syllabus chapters indicate proportional distribution of emphasis on topics.

Syllabi

Learning Objectives stated in terms of specified knowledge levels:

Learning Objectives

… for the Technical Test Analyst's Tasks in Risk-Based Testing

(K2) “Outline the activities of the Technical Test Analyst within a

risk-based approach for planning and executing technical testing.”

… for Structure-Based Testing

(K3) “Write test cases from a given specification item by applying the

condition testing test design technique to achieve a defined

level of coverage.”

… for Using Checklists in Reviews

(K4) “Analyze a section of code or pseudo-code and identify problems

according to a syllabus-referenced checklist.”

[Advanced Level Syllabus: Technical Test Analyst]

Advanced Test Analyst

Advanced Test Manager

Advanced Technical Test

Analyst

Foundation Level Certification

Expert Level Certifications

Test Manager

Test Automation

Improving the Test Process

Security Testing

Certified Tester Foundation Level

Certified Tester Advanced Level

Foundation

Test Manager Test Analyst

Expert Improving the Test Process

Expert Test

Management

Technical Test Analyst

Expert Test

Automation

Full Advanced

Expert Security Tester

Multiple-choice questions for Foundation and Advanced Level

For Expert Level, an essay is also required

Foundation exams: 40 questions, 1 hour

Advanced, Expert exams: 65 questions, 3 hours

Proportional distribution of questions on the basis of

syllabus topics, timing, and/or learning objectives

Distribution of questions on the basis of knowledge levels

in syllabus

Advanced exams have proportional points for questions

based on learning objective

Exams

For More Information

• www.astqb.org

Syllabi and glossary

Exam schedules

Training providers

White paper on the Value of ISTQB Certification

• www.istqb.org

• National board links

• International conferences and events

www.astqb.org

www.istqb.org

Your Questions and Comments

Thank You!