Course Overview
Using the ISTQB Foundation Level as a base, the BCS Professional Certification – Software Tester syllabus develops and supplements core testing principles by considering the typical circumstances that anyone involved in testing encounters in the workplace. The BCS Professional Certificate – Software Tester exam demonstrates that candidates can apply software testing knowledge and skills to practical real-life situations through scenario-driven questions.
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This three-day tutor-led course includes lectures, exercises and practical work. At the end of day three delegates prepare and take the examination. It is fully-accredited by BCS Professional Certifications and they have rated it as SFIAplus level 4.
Who is it for?
This BCS Professional Certificate Software Testing course is for anyone involved in practical software testing activities. It is not role-specific and considers the typical cross-skills required for a tester at any level working in a collaborative software development environment. The BCS Professional Certificate – Software Tester exam bridges the gap between the ISTQB Foundation and the role-based ISTQB Advanced Certificates and prepares candidates for more complex and in-depth role-based syllabi and scenario-driven examinations.
About BCS Professional Certification & ISTQB
BCS Professional Certifications have been established for over 25 years, and, until recently, were marketed under the ISEB (Information Systems Examination Board) portfolio. During this time they have gained worldwide recognition and are delivered in over 200 countries and are mapped to SFIAplus.
Founded in 2002, ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) is a not-for-profit association, comprising 47 national boards (including the UKTB) covering 71 countries worldwide. It is responsible for the international software testing qualification scheme called ‘ISTQB Certified Tester’ which with over 240,000 certifications, has become the de facto world-wide standard for software testing qualifications.
The ‘Certified Tester’ scheme:
- provides a set of professional qualifications widely-recognised by employers, customers and peers;
- enables software suppliers to hire and train certified testers and thereby gain commercial advantage over their competitors by advertising their tester recruitment and development policies; and
- enables comparison of testing skills across different countries, testers to move across country borders more easily, and multi-national/international projects to have a common understanding of testing issues.
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Entry Requirements
The entry criteria for candidates taking the BCS Software Testing examination are as follows:
- Candidates must hold the ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing; and
- We recommend at least 2-years’ experience in software testing.
The Exam
To qualify as the holder of a BCS Certificate in Software Testing, delegates must successfully pass the exam administered by the BCS;
- The 90-minute exam has 40 scenario-based multiple choice questions.
- It will be a ‘closed book’ examination i.e. no notes or books will be allowed into the examination room.
- Duration of 60 minutes (or 75 minutes for candidates taking examinations that are not in their native language)
- The pass mark is 60% (26 out of 40).;
Course Objectives
The objectives for the BCS Software Testing Certificate qualification are to:
- provide a sound basis for candidates intending to register for ISTQB Advanced Level examinations;
- ensure that candidates for any one of the ISTQB Advanced Level Examinations have a broad understanding of the other specialist areas;
- cover specific topic areas that the three specialisations (Test Managers, Test Analysts and Technical Test Analysts) should understand.
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 testing of software systems in general.
Syllabus – Key points
Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding, application and analysis of Software Testing processes, practices and techniques in the following areas:
Testing Activities in Development Life cycles
- Understand the characteristics of software architecture that impact on software testing in the development lifecycle
- Understand the core testing knowledge, skills and behaviours common to multi-skilled roles in the development lifecycle
- Analyse project scenarios to choose appropriate testing activities
Testing and Risk
- Apply risk analysis for a given testing scenario
- Analyse project scenarios to choose testing types and activities to address specific product and project risks
Test Management
- Analyse testing scenarios to select appropriate test entry and exit criteria to meet given testing objectives
- Analyse defect management processes to determine improvements that address given issues
Test Analysis and Design
- Understand the criteria, benefits and pitfalls for selecting and deploying test techniques.
- Analyse a testing scenario to select appropriate test techniques.
- Understand the relationship between typical test measures and the effectiveness of information traceability.
- Analyse a testing scenario to select appropriate coverage measures.
Software Product Quality Characteristics
- Understand key product risks relating to Security, Performance Efficiency, Usability, User Experience (UX), Accessibility, Installability, Adaptability and Replaceability.
- Apply a high-level testing approach which addresses risks in Security, Performance Efficiency and Usability.
Test Automation Characteristics
- Understand the role of test automation and the objectives for each level in the development lifecycle with respect to test automation activities.
Understand the characteristics of tests to make them suitable for test automation.
Eve Rogers| SDET|IBM –
Great, friendly presenter. Would like to have more group participation talks.
Adam Lake| Software Test Engineer|IBM –
I found this course much more engaging than previous courses because it was easier to follow to and relate to the content having already covered different parts of this course in previous courses. It brings together the ISTQB courses and testing knowledge very well, and Angelina makes the course very interactive and interesting. It was a slight annoyance due to how new the exam is, and the lack of practice exams, but apart from this the course delivery was excellent.
Eloise Borderick| Junior Test Engineer|IBM –
The course followed the syllabus and explained key topics in the hope of preparing us for the exam in the future.
Henry Roberts| Test engineer apprentice|IBM –
Course had lots of good info and resources. There could be additional sample papers for the course for practise.
Geetanjalie chadee| software tester|IBM –
The course content was good timing was also good
Tom Woodason| Test Engineer Apprentice|IBM –
Very interactive and informative with a lot of helpful exercises.
Jack Cooke| Software Test Engineer|IBM –
Content was all covered however with virtual delivery it is difficult to stay engaged and focus.
Toni Lampert|Apprentice Software Tester|Booking.com –
Angelina was an excellent trainer. Given the course is so new and we are one of the first ones to do the exam, she has helped us along the way and given us pointers towards exam techniques, and thoroughly explained any areas we were unsure about. It’s always a pleasure to be trained by Angelina.
Robert Reid|Test Analyst|Utility Warehouse –
I was very lucky to have my course 1:1 with the trainer which gave me a great benefit.
Keise Marcelino|Business Analyst|Arum Systems Limited –
The course was very good, although there was alot things to cover. I would certainly recommend doing the Foundation course before this one, I would have struggled if I hadn’t done it beforehand.