Are you considering taking the ISTQB entry-level software testing certification exam but would like to know more about the topics it covers? This article provides an overview of the knowledge required to satisfy the entry-level certification requirements.
The certification exam is based on a syllabus that is regularly updated by the International Software Testing Qualification Board (ISTQB). The curriculum is freely available for download and is what training providers base their courses on. By reviewing the syllabus, we can understand what topics will be covered on the exam and what we need to know to have the knowledge required for the entry-level certification.
Since the basic level is intended for those who may not have prior knowledge of testing, the curriculum begins by covering the fundamentals of testing. This includes being able to explain why testing is necessary and the basic testing process from planning through execution and closure.
The syllabus then covers how the testing activities fit into the software development life cycle and the software development methodology being used in the project. You should be familiar with the different levels of testing, from component or unit testing to integration, system, and user acceptance (UAT) testing. You should also understand the different types of tests, for example, functional and non-functional, and if the test is related to a change, understand what a regression test is.
It then covers how static techniques fit into the testing process. Static techniques include automated reviews or analysis that are performed without actually running the software. For example, reviews of system-related documentation, including functional specifications, design documents, software code, and test plans. Automated analysis refers to the checks that tools can perform on the software source code to find any defects against predefined rules or standards.
The next topic is test design techniques. Here it is necessary to know the difference between specification-based or black-box techniques, structure-based or white-box techniques, and experience-based techniques. With this knowledge, you need to know how to choose the appropriate testing techniques for your testing level and project situation. You need to understand what is required to manage the testing process. You should be able to answer the following questions: how to organize a test team, plan and estimate test activities, and monitor progress. How to ensure that all project outputs are version controlled and tracked to avoid any ambiguity (configuration management). How to determine, identify and manage project and product risk. How will incidents be managed?
The last topic covered is the tools that can be used to support the testing process. This covers not just the tools that can support test execution, but the entire test process, including test management, test specification, test performance, and monitoring. Also, understand the risks associated with using a tool and what to consider before introducing a new tool to an organization.
We have briefly covered here the topics that are part of the ISTQB syllabus for the Foundation Level Software Testing Certification Exam. As the exam is syllabus based, you need to be clear about what topics are covered and what you need to study in order to have the knowledge you need to pass the exam. This article is based on information from the 2007 ISTQB Foundation Level Syllabus. The syllabus is copyrighted by the ISTQB and its authors, Thomas Müller, Dorothy Graham, Debra Friedenberg and Erik van Veendendal.