ISTQB® (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) is a not-for-profit association that has become the worldwide leader in the certification of competencies in software testing.
If you are searching for a new job in QA, or if you want to get a project, develop yourself further, or confirm that you are proficient and competent in the QA field, you should get the ISTQB certificate. More and more clients/companies ask for the ISTQB certificate. In some cases, the ISTQB certificate is an advantage, but in many cases, it is mandatory.
ISTQB Certificates
There are a bunch of certificates but first you need to pass the Certified Tester (Foundation Level).
The Foundation Level qualification is suitable for anyone who needs to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts of software testing including people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers.
Afterward, you have several options in which you can further develop yourself. If you aim for the position of a test manager or a test analyst, you can take one of the following certificates:
Advanced level:
- Test manager
- Test analyst
- Technical test analyst
Expert level:
- Test management
- Improving the test process
If you are more interested into the agile testing you can take:
Foundation level:
- Agile tester
Advanced level:
- Agile technical tester
- Agile test leadership at scale (in beta from 2021).
If you want a certificate from an Advanced/Expert level, first, you need to get a certificate from the Foundation/Advanced level. All information and requirements can be found in the syllabus for the specific certificate.
If you don’t find yourself in anything from the latter, you can specialize in one of the following areas:
- AI testing
- Security tester
- Test automation engineer
- Model-based tested
- Usability testing
- Automotive software tester
- Gambling industry tester
- Mobile application testing
- Performance testing
- Acceptance testing
You can see all ISTQB levels and modules on their website.
How to prepare yourself for the exam
In order to get a certificate, you need to be persistent and willing to give up some of your free time. First, you need to decide which certificate you want and when you will take the exam. Give yourself enough time to prepare for the exam. You can take the exam online or at the test center.
If your native language is not the examination language, you are given additional time. In case you are taking an exam in the test center, first, you need to send the request for the extra time, and then you can apply for the exam.
The next step is to find learning materials. You can find them on the ISTQB website. Every certificate has its own materials which you can find in the download section. The association also provides a few examples of the exam so that after you’re finished with learning, you can try to solve them and see what’s your score.
You can also find learning materials on YouTube, Udemy, Pluralsight, or Scribd. You know what’s best for you and how you will learn most efficiently. Some of the platforms provide quizzes so you can practice your knowledge. You can also find examples of the exams online, on the ASTQB (American Software Testing Qualifications Board) website or you can find mobile apps which are specialized for the ISTQB exams.
Conclusion
If you would like to develop your career, improve your skills or increase your salary, I suggest getting an ISTQB certificate. It will also improve your and the company’s image, and finally, it will look great in your resume or LinkedIn profile. That’s proof that you are competent and willing to invest in yourself to learn new things. Give yourself enough time to prepare, and good luck!