Software Testing

There are two levels of ISEB qualification in Software Testing. The Foundation Certificate is for software developers, testers (both technical and user acceptance testers), test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, and managers including test managers, project managers, quality managers, - anyone with an interest in testing. This certificate provides visible evidence that the individual understands the basics of software testing.

The Practitioner Certificate is for experienced testing practitioners. This certificate demonstrates a depth of knowledge of testing topics and the ability to perform testing activities in practice.

The objectives of the qualifications in Software Testing are:

• To gain recognition for testing as an essential and professional software engineering specialisation by industry.
• To enable professionally qualified testers to be recognised by employers, customers and peers, and raise the profile of testers.
• To promote consistent and good testing practice within all software engineering disciplines.
• To enable software suppliers to hire certified testers and thereby gain commercial advantage over their competitors by advertising their tester recruitment policy.
• To provide an opportunity for testers or those with an interest in testing to acquire an industry recognised qualification in the subject.

To find out how you can benefit from a software testing qualification, please follow the link to access our latest case study.

On completion candidates should be able to:

• perform effective testing of software
• be aware of techniques and standards
• have an awareness of what testing tools can achieve
• where to find more information about testing
• establish the basic steps of the testing process

The Foundation Certificate in Software Testing is aimed at anyone with an interest in testing.

The Foundation Certificate in Software Testing now has dual accreditation with the ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) and successful candidates will receive certification with both ISEB and ISTQB recognition at Foundation level.

This certificate provides visible evidence that the individual understands the basics of software testing. This examination is available as a Computer Based Exam.

• describe strategies for the software testing of both new development and the maintenance of existing systems
• describe different strategies for the testing for both complete life cycles and individual phases
• plan the testing needed at any level from component to user acceptance testing and document it in compliance with IEEE Std. 829-1998
• analyse risks and use the results to prioritise the testing
• specify and design test cases
• define requirements for an appropriate test environment
• run tests using defined test procedures
• log, analyse and report incidents
• interact effectively with others such as users, developers and managers
• participate in reviews
• select and implement tools to support testing activities
• assess testing and development activities for possible improvement

The testing skills acquired by attending courses run to this syllabus will be applicable to a wide range of testing challenges that the test practitioner might face. The general approach taught will provide a basis for the formal testing of software systems in general.