ISTQB Certification: How to Prepare and Why Take It

For many aspiring certified testers who wish to develop their career path, the exam begs the question of whether there is real value in it and whether the knowledge gained is applicable for daily work. I would like to start with the basics of certification, tell about the structure of the exam, and also share my own experience and thoughts on preparation and life after certification.

What is ISTQB

ISTQB is a non-profit organization that deals with the development of the software testing field. ISTQB Tester Certification is a program that allows professionals to obtain an international certification in testing. As of December 2018, the ISTQB organization has:

• conducted over 830,000 exams;
• issued more than 605,000 certificates recognized in 126 countries.

Exam structure

Each advanced exam has a different number of questions. Their length depends on the language one speaks. In the case of non-native English speakers, the exam length receives a +25% extension. I would recommend passing the exam in English since you will find more high-quality materials.

It is imperative to be very careful, as questions might have one or several correct answers. In addition to mere attention, there are a number of tips and recommendations I'd like to share — they helped me to pass the exam successfully, and hopefully, others would find them useful too.

My path to certification

When I was a junior QA, friends of mine who lived in one of the EU countries told me about one reputable international certification for testers. I was immediately interested. Given that I did not have a technical background, I was looking for opportunities to prove my knowledge. I became acquainted with all the materials that were available to me on ISTQB—information about the exam itself, what the procedure is. The official website contains open-source material.

In 2014, I successfully passed the Foundation Level exam. After some time, I was invited to work in Romania, Bucharest. During the work visa application process, a request came from the Romanian Office for Immigration to confirm my qualification in software testing with a document with international recognition. By that time, I had already passed the Advanced Level Test Analyst exam. Both certificates came in handy to get a work visa.

After a year and a half in Romania, I returned to Kyiv. As I saw my career path growing vertically, I took the next challenge to pass the AL Test Manager exam. Afterward, I did not consider the possibility of stopping there. In 2018, I received my fully advanced certificate passing the Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst exam, and since then, I have been constantly applying the knowledge I gained in practice.

Preparation: useful resources and tips

When I passed the exam, there were no training providers or courses, or videos on YouTube.  First, I got prepared using the materials from the downloads section of the ISTQB official website. Also, there are three specific books intended for advanced levels, all written by Rex Black.

Additionally, A Practitioner's Guide To Software Test Design by Lee Copeland is a comprehensive handbook.

All in all, today, there is a great variety of educational content in various forms. However, you have to make sure the course or training provider is of high quality.

Now, I would like to share some tips on preparing for the exam:

• Set a deadline to help you to motivate yourself. The advanced exam took me two months to get ready for, provided I had a full-time job and a child. The foundation level could take around three weeks.
• Identify the scope of the study. Read the chapter from the syllabus and related terms from the glossary, and then read a corresponding chapter from a book. Create notes, draw diagrams or other visuals that will help you remember the material.
• Make sure you understand the structure of the exam, number of questions, exam length, etc.
• Analyze the official sample exam questions and answers to see the logic of how the exam is built.
• Revise your notes and focus.

Now, let's talk about the advantages of certification and its value.

Theory or applicable knowledge?

From the point of view of a QA specialist, certification means:

• Validation of qualifications and professional suitability by global experts in the domain of testing, which, in turn, opens access to new labor markets.
• Competitive advantage in the labor market, confidence in the future and boosting self-esteem, and a way to show that you are eager to learn.
• Expansion and systematization of knowledge in the field of QA. Certification is a great way for QA specialists to build up and enrich their testing knowledge. As a seasoned tester, you will update and streamline knowledge in the subject area, including international standards and industry methodologies. In many IT companies, career development requires certification.

All the material described in the syllabus can be applicable, depending on the project, domain, and team. There are techniques and approaches, however, that one can apply in daily work. As an experienced tester, you must find ways and apply your knowledge as much as possible. Therefore, certification is a solid foundation for career development and new opportunities. Believe in your success, use high-quality resources, and achieve your goals with no fear.

In this article, Ganna Bort, Senior QA Manual at Innovecs, tells about the basics of certification, the structure of the exam, and also shares her own experience and thoughts on preparation and life after certification.