What is ISTQB® Certification?
ISTQB® (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) is a non-profit association that provides a globally recognized software testing certification. The ISTQB® certification is designed to ensure that certified individuals have a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts of software testing, as well as the ability to apply these concepts in practice. The certification is available at three levels: Foundation, Advanced, and Expert. Each level builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired at the previous level, allowing individuals to progress through the certification levels as their knowledge and experience grow. The ISTQB® certification is designed to provide a foundation level of knowledge in software testing that can be used to improve testing practices within organizations. This certification is widely recognized and can be a valuable asset for professionals working in the software testing industry.
ISTQB®Certification is one of the most popular certification exams that exist today for software testers. This widely accepted certification scheme is conducted by International Software Testing Qualification Board (ISTQB) worldwide.
- Universal Syllabus – ISTQB® releases one single syllabus for all its National Certification Boards
- National Boards – Each participating country has or can have its own National Certification Board
- Worldwide Acceptance – ISTQB® exam taken with any National Board or Exam Vendor is valid worldwide
The ISTQB® body is responsible for managing, administering, conducting exams, and releasing syllabus etc. among other various activities related to software testing.
785,000 Exams Conducted
ISTQB® has so far conducted 785,000 exams worldwide as of December 2017.
570,000 Certifications
More than 570,000 certificates have been issued to success ISTQB® exam aspirants.
120 Member Countries
ISTQB® has its presence in over 120 Countries worldwide. The number is increasing.
Million Opportunities
More and more number of hiring managers prefer software testers with ISTQB® certification these days.
ISTQB® Exam Levels
The current scheme of ISTQB® Exam provides 3 levels of proficiency. Foundation, Advanced, and Expert Level. We will discuss each level in detail in this section.
- Foundation Level – The first exam level, suitable for beginners.
- Advanced Level – The second levels of exam, requires Foundation level.
- Expert Level – The final level, requires Advanced level.
Apart from the core exam vertical, as you can see on the chart on right side, there are two additional verticals Agile and Specialist. Some exam schemes and syllabus are currently being developed by The ISTQB® General Assembly.
Eligibility Criteria for ISTQB Exams
The Foundation Level Core exam has no pre-requisites. Preparation on the syllabus topics (obtained either through attending a course provided by an accredited Training Provider, and/or through self-study) is recommended. It is suggested that candidates for the Foundation Level certification have at least six months’ practical experience in a professional testing role.
Holders of the Foundation Level Core certificate are eligible to continue on to higher level software testing qualifications, certifying themselves at Core Advanced level, and then at the Expert level, as well as sitting in the Agile Tester exam or certifying themselves at one of the Specialist certifications.
To take a specialist exam, as well as the Foundation Level Agile Tester exam, the candidate must hold a Foundation Level Core certificate, obtained by passing the Foundation Level Core exam.
To take an Advanced Level exam (Core or Specialist), the candidate must hold the relevant Foundation Level Certificate (Core or Specialist) obtained by passing the relevant Foundation Level exam. The possession of the Foundation Level Certificate may have to be proven by the candidate. ISTQB® also recommends practical experience before taking any advanced exam.
To take the Expert Level exam, the candidate must hold the appropriate Advanced Level Certificate as stated for that specific Expert Level exam. For the currently released Expert syllabi (“Improving the test process” and “Test Manager”) the Advanced Level Test Manager certificate is required. Required certificates for Expert Level are shown in the “Expert Level Module Overview” document. ISTQB® also recommends at least 7 years of practical experience.
Are ISTQB certifications worth it?
Whether or not an ISTQB® certification is worth it depends on your individual goals and circumstances. In general, the ISTQB® certification can be a valuable asset for professionals working in the software testing industry, as it provides a standardized approach to testing and is widely recognized by organizations around the world. However, it is important to keep in mind that obtaining an ISTQB® certification requires a significant investment of time and effort, and it may not always lead to a direct improvement in your career prospects or salary. Ultimately, whether or not an ISTQB® certification is worth it for you will depend on your specific goals and the value that you place on the certification.