The certificate is principally aimed at anyone involved in software testing. This includes people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers.

This Foundation Level certificate is also appropriate for anyone who wants a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants. Entry Requirements

There are no formal requirements for entry to the course although the candidate should have a basic working knowledge of IT and it is recommended that all candidates attend a training course run by an accredited training provider.

Access to the Learntesting virtual learning environment portal is provided for 1-year for all candidates taking this course. Candidates may commence it at any time during the year, but once started they are required to complete it within 90-days.

The course provides a complete learning service for candidates wishing to achieve certification in ISEB/ISTQB foundation.

Using a blended learning model, the course provides:

Tutor-videos;

• Full transcript of online presentation;
• Interactive exercises and sample questions
• Sample exam paper;
• Full tutor support.

Those taking the course are also provided with 1-year’s access to:

• A number of testing and related discipline books from the Skillsoft library;
• Other value-add products, information and regular opinion pieces from industry-experts.

Learning Outcomes

The following learning objectives are defined as applying to the syllabus. Each topic in the syllabus will be examined according to the learning objective for that topic.

• Level K1: Remember - Recognise, remember and recall a term or concept.
• Level K2: Understand - Select the reasons or explanations for statements related to the topic, and can summarise, compare, classify and give examples for the testing concept.
• Level K3: Apply - Select the correct application of a concept or technique and apply it to a given context.
• Level K4: Analyse - Separate information related to a concept or technique into its constituent parts for better understanding, and can distinguish between facts and inferences.

Syllabus - the key points

The fundamentals of testing:

• Why testing is necessary; harm caused by defects in software; root causes; testing and quality assurance; what testing is; general testing principles; fundamental test process and the psychology of testing.

Testing throughout the software life cycle:

• Software development models; relationship between development, test activities and work products in the development life cycle, project and product characteristics and context; test levels, objectives, typical objects and targets of testing; functional, non-functional, structural and change-related testing; confirmation and regression testing; maintenance testing; regression testing and impact analysis in maintenance.

Static techniques:

• Reviews and the test process; software work products and the different static techniques; importance and value of static techniques; difference between static and dynamic techniques; typical formal review process; different types of review: informal review, technical review, walkthrough and inspection; explain the factors for successful performance of reviews; static analysis by tools; defects and errors identified by static analysis; typical benefits; typical code and design defects identified.

Test design techniques

• Identifying test conditions and designing test cases; categories of test design techniques; specification-based (black-box) and structure-based (white-box) approaches; equivalence partitioning; boundary value analysis; decision tables; state transition diagrams, use case testing; structure-based or white-box techniques; code coverage; statement and decision coverage; control flows using statement testing and decision testing; coverage; experience based techniques; choosing techniques.

Test management

• Test organization; independent testing; tasks of typical test leader and tester; test planning and estimation; ‘Standard for Software Test Documentation’ (IEEE 829); typical factors that influence the effort related to testing; estimation approaches (metrics-based and expert-based); test preparation and execution tasks; exit criteria; test progress monitoring and control; metrics and reporting; configuration management; risk and testing; incident reporting and management;

Tool support for testing

• Types of test tool; effective use of tools; potential benefits and risks; introducing a tool into an organization.

Information:  

The Exam

The examination lasts one hour and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. It's a 'closed book' examination i.e. no notes or books are allowed into the examination room. The pass mark is 26/40.

Entry Requirements

• The candidate should have a basic working knowledge of IT.
• It is recommended that you attend an ISEB approved training course run by an accredited training provider.
• The overall public exam pass rates are notably higher for candidates who have attended an accredited training course.

Next steps

• The candidate The next step from this qualification is the Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing, although this is not a pre-requisite for the ISTQB Advanced courses
• There is also the Advanced level qualifications which compromise of Test Analyst, Test Manager and Technical Test Analyst

How to buy

• Call TSG +44 (0)20 7469 1500
• Visit our website at http://testing-solutions.com/training/courses

The ISTQB/ISEB Foundation in software testing course is also available as a public course or as a private in house course.