Software Testing Qualifications and Training

Software Testing Foundation exam format

One hour ‘closed book’
40 multiple choice questions
Pass mark is 65% (26/40)

Software Testing Intermediate exam format

One hour ‘closed book’
25 scenario-based questions
Pass mark is 60% (15/25)

Pre-requisite for the Software Testing Intermediate

Candidates must hold the Foundation Level qualification and have at least 18 months experience in software testing and / or have completed a BCS accredited training course for the Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing.

BCS, the Chartered institute for IT Software Testing Syllabi

BCS Foundation in Software Testing Syllabus Overview (level K3)*

The syllabus covers the following areas:

· Principles of testing

· Testing throughout the life-cycle

· Dynamic testing techniques

· Static testing

· Test management

· Tool support for testing

BCS Intermediate in Software Testing Syllabus Overview (level K4)*

The syllabus covers the following areas:

· Testing Fundamentals

· Reviews

· Testing and Risk

· Test Management

· Test Analysis

Software Testing Learning objectives / levels of knowledge

Level 1: Remember (K1)

The candidate will recognise, remember and recall a term or concept.

Example: can recognise the definition of "failure" as:

· "non-delivery of service to an end user or any other stakeholder" or

· "actual deviation of the component or system from its expected delivery, service or result".

Level 2: Understand (K2)

The candidate can select the reasons or explanations for statements related to the topic, and can summarise, compare, classify and give examples for the testing concept.

Example: can explain the reason why tests should be designed as early as possible:

· To find defects when they are cheaper to remove.

· To find the most important defects first.

Can explain the similarities and differences between integration and system testing:

· Similarities: testing more than one component, and can test non-functional aspects.

· Differences: integration testing concentrates on interfaces and interactions, and system testing concentrates on whole-system aspects, such as end to end processing.

Level 3: Apply (K3)

The candidate can select the correct application of a concept or technique and apply it to a given context.

Examples:

· Can identify boundary values for valid and invalid partitions.

· Can select test cases from a given state transition diagram in order to cover all transitions.

Level 4: Analyse (K4)

The candidate can separate information related to a concept or technique into its constituent parts for better understanding, and can distinguish between facts and inferences.

Examples:

· Can understand the various options available for risk identification.

· Can describe which portions of an incident report are factual and which are inferred from the results.

To take a look at our current selection of Software Testing courses, click here