Software Testing Certification ISTQB ASTQB CTFL: ISTQB Syllabi

ISTQB Foundation Level Syllabi

8. Appendix A - Syllabus background

History of this document
This document was prepared between 2004 and 2011 by a Working Group comprised of members appointed by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). It was initially reviewed by a selected review panel, and then by representatives drawn from the international software testing community. The rules used in the production of this document are shown in Appendix C.

This document is the syllabus for the International Foundation Certificate in Software Testing, the first level international qualification approved by the ISTQB (www.istqb.org).

Objectives of the Foundation Certificate qualification

To gain recognition for testing as an essential and professional software engineering specialization
To provide a standard framework for the development of testers' careers
To enable professionally qualified testers to be recognized by employers, customers and peers, and to raise the profile of testers
To promote consistent and good testing practices within all software engineering disciplines
To identify testing topics that are relevant and of value to industry
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 and those with an interest in testing to acquire an internationally recognized qualification in the subject

Objectives of the International Qualification (adapted from ISTQB meeting at Sollentuna, November 2001)

To be able to compare testing skills across different countries
To enable testers to move across country borders more easily
To enable multinational/international projects to have a common understanding of testing issues
To increase the number of qualified testers worldwide
To have more impact/value as an internationally-based initiative than from any country-specific approach
To develop a common international body of understanding and knowledge about testing through the syllabus and terminology, and to increase the level of knowledge about testing for all participants
To promote testing as a profession in more countries
To enable testers to gain a recognized qualification in their native language
To enable sharing of knowledge and resources across countries
To provide international recognition of testers and this qualification due to participation from many countries

Entry Requirements for this Qualification
The entry criterion for taking the ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing examination is that candidates have an interest in software testing. However, it is strongly recommended that candidates also:

Have at least a minimal background in either software development or software testing, such as six months experience as a system or user acceptance tester or as a software developer
Take a course that has been accredited to ISTQB standards (by one of the ISTQB-recognized National Boards).

Background and History of the Foundation Certificate in Software Testing

The independent certification of software testers began in the UK with the British Computer Society's Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB), when a Software Testing Board was set up in 1998 (www.bcs.org.uk/iseb). In 2002, ASQF in Germany began to support a German tester qualification scheme (www.asqf.de). This syllabus is based on the ISEB and ASQF syllabi; it includes reorganized, updated and additional content, and the emphasis is directed at topics that will provide the most practical help to testers.

An existing Foundation Certificate in Software Testing (e.g., from ISEB, ASQF or an ISTQB-recognized National Board) awarded before this International Certificate was released, will be deemed to be equivalent to the International Certificate. The Foundation Certificate does not expire and does not need to be renewed. The date it was awarded is shown on the Certificate.

Within each participating country, local aspects are controlled by a national ISTQB-recognized Software Testing Board. Duties of National Boards are specified by the ISTQB, but are implemented within each country. The duties of the country boards are expected to include accreditation of training providers and the setting of exams.