FAQs - ISTQB Software Testing Foundation Exam
Q. What is the exam based on?
A. The exam is based on the ISTQB Software Testing Foundation Syllabus 2007 which can be downloaded at http://www.anztb.org/certification/foundation/
Q. What is the ISTQB?
A. The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) is a governing body for software testing. Their purpose is to support a single, universally accepted, international qualification scheme for software and system testing professionals, by providing the core syllabi and by setting guidelines for the exams which are set by the regional/national boards. The certificate is called "ISTQB Certified Tester". The contents of each syllabus are taught as courses by training providers that have been accredited by regional/national boards. Guidelines for accreditation are set by the ISTQB so each accredited course is recognised by every regional/national board. The ISTQB is composed of representatives from each existing national board, such as the ANZTB and ISEB. Working parties within the ISTQB are responsible for developing and maintaining the Foundation and Advanced Level syllabi. As with the ANZTB, all members are volunteers. Please see http://www.anztb.org/about/
Q. How does ISEB relate to ISTQB and ANZTB?
A. The Information Systems Examining Board (ISEB) is the national examining board for the UK and is part of the British Computer Society. ISEB created and managed a professional certification scheme for software testers several years before ISTQB was formed. The ISEB Foundation Level syllabus and exam have now been superseded by the ISTQB Foundation Level syllabus and exam, and ISEB is the UK administrator for the ISTQB Foundation Level exam. However, a pass in the original ISEB Foundation exam is considered to be equivalent to a pass in the ISTQB Foundation exam. The ISEB Practitioner Level syllabus and exam continue to be provided by ISEB and are recognised by the ISTQB, but the syllabus and exam will be superseded by the ISTQB Advanced Level syllabus and exam when they are released in 2007.
Q. I have an ISEB Foundation Level certificate. Is this recognised by the ISTQB?
A. Yes. To obtain a certificate that includes an ISTQB logo, you will need to contact the British Computer Society and send a copy of your certificate (scanned or in the post) with a fee of £5.00 to Katrina Holder, ISEB Examinations Officer, email:Katrina.holder@hq.bcs.org.uk
Q. What does an ISTQB Foundation certificate tell me about the skills of a software tester?
A. The Foundation Level exam tests for knowledge, not skill. It provides information about the certificate holder's level of familiarity with the most common concepts of software testing and the associated terminology. It does not require work experience. The Foundation Level exam is a stepping stone toward the Advanced Level, which is more in-depth and much more practice-oriented.
Q. If I pass this exam, how long is the certification valid for?
A. The ISTQB Certified Tester, Foundation Level is valid for life, but you need to be aware that both the Syllabus and the Glossary will be amended from time to time and it is prudent to keep up to date by visiting www.istqb.org regularly.
Q. Who can I go to for training?
A. Absolute Learning at www.absolutelearning.com.au, Equinox at www.equinox.co.nz, HEDLOC at www.hedloc.com.au, PlanIt at www.planit.net.au, Revolution IT at www.revolutionit.com.au, Software Education at www.softed.com or The Testing Consultancy at www.testingconsultancy.co.nz
Q. How do I register if I want to sit the exam without doing a training course?
A. Please send an email to the ANZTB at exam@anztb.org
Q. Can I take the exam online?
A. No. Currently, the exam is not available online. The ASTQB and ISTQB are looking into ways to make the exam available online.
Q. How much does the exam cost?
A. In Australia the exam fee is AUD$330 including GST and in New Zealand it is NZ$300 plus GST.
Q. What is the format of the exam?
A. The exam is a 1 hour, closed book. You will be given 40 multiple choice questions for which there is only one correct answer for each question.
Q. What percentage do I need to answer correctly to achieve a pass?
A. You need to score 65% or better to pass.
Q. How many questions do I need to answer correctly to achieve a pass?
A. 26 out of 40.
Q. Are some questions more difficult than others?
A. Yes, there are three levels of questions. Approximately half of the questions will be at the simplest level.
Q. Will these questions be clearly identified as being more difficult?
A. No
Q. Do the questions relate to the glossary as well as the syllabus, or do I only need to learn the syllabus?
A. Questions relate to the syllabus but you will need to learn the glossary as well as the syllabus.
Q. Are the questions spread evenly among all areas of the syllabus?
A. The exam questions relate to the volume of content in each chapter of the syllabus, e.g. there will be twice as many questions relating to Chapter 4 than to Chapter 2
Q. When can I expect to receive the result?
A. Results are posted within 3 weeks of the date of the exam, but there will be a delivery delay if you are living in New Zealand because the exams are marked in Australia.
Q. Who do I contact if I do not receive a result within 4 weeks?
A. Please send an email to exam@anztb.org
Q. Does everybody in the world take the same exam?
A. No. The questions come from a pool of questions and are being combined differently so that the exam itself changes constantly while the level of difficulty remains comparable. New questions are constantly being developed by the members of all national boards and the various working parties.
Q. If I fail, will you provide feedback as to which areas of the syllabus I need to study more?
A. Currently we do not have a policy or procedures in place to enable any feedback.
Q. Are you able to supply sample exam papers, to enable me to prepare for the exam?
A. Currently we are not able to supply sample exam papers.
Q. How many ISTQB certified testers are there world-wide?
A. Over 82,000 software testers currently hold ISTQB-compliant certificates.
Q. When will the Advanced Level exam be available?
A. The ISTQB Advanced Level Syllabus has being released by the ISTQB Working Party. The Advanced Test Analyst exam will be available from August 2008, with the Advanced Test Manager to follow soon after. ANZTB are the first national board to offer the new Advanced Test Analyst exam against the new syllabus.