ISTQB® is the leading global certification scheme in the field of software testing with over 1.1 million exams worldwide. An ISTQB certificate will help you demonstrate your knowledge and professionalism in software testing. ISTQB certification makes you eligible to get testing jobs in any country, unlike other certifications that are only recognized in specific countries. And finally, the certificate itself never expires.
With the ISTQB Foundation certificate:
There are two types of exams: online and offline
- Format: 40-question multiple-choice
- Language: English
- Certification score: 26/40 (65% or more).
- Exam time: 60 minutes for the online test, 90 minutes for the offline test.
Step 1: Eead the leading textbook and syllabus
Main course: “Foundation of Software Testing_ISTQB Certification” by Rex Black, Dorothy Graham. This is the complete explanation of concepts, meanings, examples, and exercises.
Syllabus: “ISTQB_Foundation Level Syllabus_2011”. This abridged version of the Foundation of Software Testing summarizes knowledge, defining concepts concisely.
Step 2: Consult GLOSSARY (the dictionary of terms)
When you read the leading textbook or Syllabus, you will encounter a lot of confusing terms and definitions, so please refer to the Glossary book. Not only will this help you understand the material correctly, but it will also help you score points on the test, as there are a few definition questions in the exam.
Step 3: Take Notes, Create Mind Maps, Read Back Regularly and Test Yourself
Not all of you are good at English, so reading, like chanting a book full of English and confusing terms, is too time-consuming and tiring. So how can I remember all the knowledge in that thick book? Try the steps below.
Absolutely NO ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Read each sentence carefully, understand its meaning and underline its main idea.
Use the Xmind application to make a mnemonic tree diagram.
Read and re-read the chart every day.
Step 4: Do all the end-of-chapter exercises of the leading textbook
Many people often skip the activities at the end of the chapter because they think about what to do at the end and often go online to search for online exams, hoping to win. The exam will look like the exercises at the end of that chapter. Not to mention that some online tests with incorrect self-solved answers will cause confusion and waste time.
To be SURE RED, you need:
- Master all the knowledge in Syllabus
- Complete the exercises at the end of the chapters of the main textbook. Do so much that you can memorize both the question and each answer. Not just doing it once but doing it over and over again.
- Understand why you chose this answer over the other responses to each question.
- Once you have ensured all the above, you can do more online topics. But it would help if you only chose questions from trusted sites, it's best to take sample exams given by ISTQB.
Step 5: Don't spend all your time doing homework.
Focus less on reviewing the exercise questions that ignore the theory questions, in the exam, only about 2-3 questions are exercises; the rest are all theoretical questions.
The exercise mainly involves determining the number of test cases that cover branch, path, and statement coverage. Try to understand the concepts well; it will make it easier for you to give the correct answer.
Above are five self-study steps to achieve ISTQB Foundation certification, drawn from the experience of reviewing and preparing for the exam of many Software Testing experts at NTQ Solution. Passing the ISTQB Foundation level exam is easy if you already have a solid route and a high level of determination and hard work.
