ISTQB Foundation Level Certification

ISTQB Foundation Level Certification

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) is a software testing qualification certification organization. It was founded in Edinburgh in November 2002, ISTQB is legally registered in Belgium.The ISTQB is responsible for the international qualification scheme called "ISTQB Certified Tester". The qualifications are based on a syllabus, and there is a hierarchy of qualifications and guidelines for accreditation and examination.

What is ISTQB certification?

ISTQB certification is the certification exam conducted by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). ISTQB certification exams are conducted internationally.

ISTQB provides 3 levels of certification:

1. ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL)
2. ISTQB Advanced Level (CTAL)
3. Expert Level (CTEL)

In order to get certified, you must successfully pass the ISTQB certification exams. In order to pass the test you must acquire professional knowledge in the field of testing, and be familiar with the basics and work processes of software testing. For all three levels of certification, international working groups of ISTQB develop and maintain internationally uniform curriculum and exams.

The ISTQB Certification syllabus for Foundation Level comprises of the following categories of knowledge areas that are part of the exam:

Syllabus Breakup for ISTQB Preparation Material

• The principles of testing: Terminology; why testing is necessary; fundamental test process; psychology of testing; re-testing and regression testing; expected results; prioritization.
• Testing throughout the life-cycle: Models for testing; economics of testing; high level test planning; acceptance testing; integration testing in the large; functional and non-functional system testing; integration testing in the small; component testing; maintenance testing.
• Static testing: Reviews and the test process; types of review; static analysis.
• Test design techniques: Dynamic testing techniques, Black and white-box testing techniques; error guessing, BVA etc.
• Test management: Organization; configuration management; test estimation, monitoring and control; incident management; standards for testing.
• Tool support for testing: Types of CAST tool (Computer-Aided Software Testing); tool selection and implementation.

Reference link for ISTQB syllabus download:  http://www.istqb.org/downloads/syllabi/foundation-level-syllabus.html

Question breakup

• 50% K1 (remember, recall type)
• 30% K2 (Compare, contrast type)
• 20% K3 (Analyze, apply type. Numerical type as well)
• See syllabus for details on K levels

Number of Questions Expected from each chapter

• The principles of testing = 7
• Testing throughout the life-cycle = 6
• Static testing = 3
• Test design techniques = 12
• Test management = 8
• Tool support for testing = 4

Foundation Level ISTQB certification exam format:

• Number of Questions: 40
• Question types: multiple-choice questions, with a scoring of 1 point for each correct answer
• Passing marks: 65% (26 or more points)
• ISTQB Certification Exam time: 60 minutes
• Negative Marking: No

ISTQB Sample papers:

ISTQB Foundation Level Certification: Sample Paper 1
ISTQB Foundation Level Certification: Sample Paper 2
ISTQB Foundation Level Certification: Sample Paper 3

ISTQB Foundation Level Certification: Sample Paper 4
ISTQB Foundation Level Certification: Sample Paper 5

ISTQB Chapter wise Questions:

Chapter 1 - Fundamentals of Testing
     ISTQB Practice Questions 1
     ISTQB Practice Questions 2

Chapter 2 - Testing throughout Software life cycle

     ISTQB Practice Questions

Chapter 3 - Static Techniques

     ISTQB Practice Questions

Chapter 4 - Test Design Techniques
     ISTQB Practice Questions

Chapter 5 - Test Management
     ISTQB Practice Questions

Chapter 6 - Tool Support for Testing
     ISTQB Practice Questions