In recent months the syllabus of the ISEB Practitioner Certificate in Software Testing has been undergoing a review. At the same time the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) has been working on a Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus. Both syllabi are soon to be released. However it is our intention to move toward courses run to the syllabus offered by the ISTQB. The statement below highlights the differences between the two schemes and the reasoning behind this decision.
FUTURE QUALIFICATIONS IN SOFTWARE TESTING
The current ISEB Practitioner exam will be phased out at the end of 2007, with the final(re-sit) exam in March 2008.
There are two options for future qualifications, based on different Syllabuses. Both will be available through ISEB.
New ISTQB Advanced Level qualification
Three exams, all multiple-choice with a certificate for each, and an additional ‘Full
Advanced Level Testing Professional’ certificate awarded on gaining all 3.
One 100+ page Syllabus, covering the 3 qualifications, currently called:
• Advanced Level Test Management professional
• Advanced Level Domain* Testing professional
• Advanced Level Technical Testing professional
* Note Business Testing/Functional Testing naming also considered
New ISEB qualification
Three exams based on 3 Syllabuses:
• Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing, (26-page Syllabus)
1-hour 25 question scenario-based multiple-choice exam
A certificate is awarded, and this is a pre-requisite for the other two certificates.
• Practitioner Certificate in Software Test Management (16-page Syllabus)
2-hour essay exam, choosing 4 half-hour questions out of 6
• Practitioner Certificate in Software Test Analysis (15-page Syllabus)
2-hour essay exam, choosing 4 half-hour questions out of 6
The two schemes are quite different, and it has not been possible to merge them. We recommend supporting the ISTQB Syllabus for the following reasons:
• ISTQB is the international standard for software testing qualifications, and was
developed by an international team of testing experts
• the ISTQB Syllabus aligns with the ISTQB Foundation Syllabus adopted by ISEB, all
ISTQB Boards (33 to date) and supporting examination boards
• the ISTQB Syllabus, through Learning Objectives and detailed description, makes it
clear what should be taught and what will be examined
• ISEB will support the ISTQB Syllabus, so accreditation and exams will be provided
using their known expertise and reputation for high quality qualifications
• our international clients prefer an international qualification
• ISTQB recognise existing ISEB Practitioner Certificates as equivalent to the full
Advanced Level Testing Professional certificate
15th June 2007
