ISTQB Foundation Level Certification Syllabus - Version 2007
Certified Tester
Foundation Level Syllabus
Version 2007
International Software Testing Qualifications Board
Copyright © 2007 the authors for the update 2007 (Thomas Müller (chair), Dorothy Graham, Debra Friedenberg and Erik van Veendendal)
Copyright © 2005, the authors (Thomas Müller (chair), Rex Black, Sigrid Eldh, Dorothy Graham,
Klaus Olsen, Maaret Pyh[1]ärvi, Geoff Thompson and Erik van Veendendal).
All rights reserved
The authors are transferring the copyright to the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). The authors (as current copyright holders) and ISTQB (as the future copyright holder) have agreed to the following conditions of use:
1) Any individual or training company may use this syllabus as the basis for a training course if the authors and the ISTQB are acknowledged as the source and copyright owners of the syllabus and provided that any advertisement of such a training course may mention the syllabus only after submission for official accreditation of the training materials to an ISTQB-recognized National Board.
2) Any individual or group of individuals may use this syllabus as the basis for articles, books, or other derivative writings if the authors and the ISTQB are acknowledged as the source and copyright owners of the syllabus.
3) Any ISTQB-recognized National Board may translate this syllabus and license the syllabus (or its translation) to other parties.
Revision History
Version Date Remarks
ISTQB 2007 01-May-2007 Certified Tester Foundation Level Syllabus
Maintenance Release – see Appendix E – Release
Notes Syllabus 2007
ISTQB 2005 01-July-2005 Certified Tester Foundation Level Syllabus
ASQF V2.2 July-2003 ASQF Syllabus Foundation Level Version 2.2
"Lehrplan
„Grundlagen des Softwaretestens"
ISEB V2.0 25-Feb-1999 ISEB Software Testing Foundation Syllabus V2.0
25 February 1999
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction to this syllabus
Purpose of this document
The Certified Tester Foundation Level in Software Testing
Learning objectives/level of knowledge
The examination
Accreditation
Level of detail
How this syllabus is organized
1. Fundamentals of testing (K2)
1.1 Why is testing necessary (K2)
1.1.1 Software systems context (K1)
1.1.2 Causes of software defects (K2)
1.1.3 Role of testing in software development, maintenance and operations (K2)
1.1.4 Testing and quality (K2)
1.1.5 How much testing is enough? (
1.2 What is testing? (K2)
1.3 General testing principles (K2)
1.4 Fundamental test process (K1)
1.4.1 Test planning and control (K1)
1.4.2 Test analysis and design (K1)
1.4.3 Test implementation and execution (K1)
1.4.4 Evaluating exit criteria and reporting (K1)
1.4.5 Test closure activities (K1)
1.5 The psychology of testing (K2)
2. Testing throughout the software life cycle (K2)
2.1 Software development models (K2)
2.1.1 V-model (sequential development model) (K2)
2.1.2 Iterative-incremental development models (K2)
2.1.3 Testing within a life cycle model (K2)
2.2 Test levels (K2)
2.2.1 Component testing (K2)
2.2.2 Integration testing (K2)
2.2.3 System testing (K2)
2.2.4 Acceptance testing (K2)
2.3 Test types (K2)
2.3.1 Testing of function (functional testing) (K2)
2.3.2 Testing of non-functional software characteristics (non-functional testing) (K2)
2.3.3 Testing of software structure/architecture (structural testing) (K2)
2.3.4 Testing related to changes (confirmation testing (retesting) and regression testing) (K2)
2.4 Maintenance testing (K2)
3. Static techniques (K2)
3.1 Static techniques and the test process (K2)
3.2 Review process (K2)
3.2.1 Phases of a formal review (K1)
3.2.2 Roles and responsibilities (K1)
3.2.3 Types of review (K2)
3.2.4 Success factors for reviews (K2)
3.3 Static analysis by tools (
4. Test design techniques (K3)
4.1 The TEST DEVELOPMENT PROCESS (K2)
4.2 Categories of test design techniques (K2)
4.3 Specification-based or black-box techniques (K3)
4.3.1 Equivalence partitioning (K3)
4.3.2 Boundary value analysis (K3)
4.3.3 Decision table testing (K3)
4.3.4 State transition testing (K3)
4.3.5 Use case testing (K2)
4.4 Structure-based or white-box techniques (K3)
4.4.1 Statement testing and coverage (K3)
4.4.2 Decision testing and coverage (K3)
4.4.3 Other structure-based techniques (K1)
4.5 Experience-based techniques (K2)
4.6 Choosing test techniques (K2)
5. Test management (K3)
5.1 Test organization (K2)
5.1.1 Test organization and independence (K2)
5.1.2 Tasks of the test leader and tester (K1)
5.2 Test planning and estimation (K2)
5.2.1 Test planning (K2)
5.2.2 Test planning activities (K2)
5.2.3 Exit criteria (K2)
5.2.4 Test estimation (K2)
5.2.5 Test approaches (test strategies) (K2)
5.3 Test progress monitoring and control (K2)
5.3.1 Test progress monitoring (K1)
5.3.2 Test Reporting (K2)
5.3.3 Test control (K2)
5.4 Configuration management (K2)
5.5 Risk and testing (K2)
5.5.1 Project risks (K2)
5.5.2 Product risks (K2)
5.6 Incident management (K3)
6. Tool support for testing (K2)
6.1 Types of test tool (K2)
6.1.1 Test tool classification (K2)
6.1.2 Tool support for management of testing and tests (K1)
6.1.3 Tool support for static testing (K1)
6.1.4 Tool support for test specification (K1)
6.1.5 Tool support for test execution and logging (K1)
6.1.6 Tool support for performance and monitoring (K1)
6.1.7 Tool support for specific application areas (K1)
6.1.8 Tool support using other tools (K1)
6.2 Effective use of tools: potential benefits and risks (K2)
6.2.1 Potential benefits and risks of tool support for testing (for all tools) (K2)
6.2.2 Special considerations for some types of tool (K1)
6.3 Introducing a tool into an organization (K1)
7. References
Standards
Books
8. Appendix A – Syllabus background
History of this document
Objectives of the Foundation Certificate qualification
Objectives of the international qualification (adapted from ISTQB meeting at Sollentuna, November 2001)
Entry requirements for this qualification
Background and history of the Foundation Certificate in Software Testing
9. Appendix B – Learning objectives/level of knowledge
Level 1: Remember (K1)
Level 2: Understand (K2)
Level 3: Apply (K3)
10. Appendix C – Rules applied to the ISTQB
Foundation syllabus
General rules
Current content
Learning Objectives
Overall structure
11. Appendix D – Notice to training providers
12. Appendix E – Release Notes Syllabus 2007
ISTQB Advanced Level Certification Syllabus - Version 2007
ISTQB Advanced Level Syllabi
Certified Tester Advanced Level Syllabus
Version 2007
International Software Testing Qualifications Board
Copyright Notice
This document may be copied in its entirety, or extracts made, if the source is acknowledged.
Copyright © International Software Testing Qualifications Board (hereinafter called ISTQB®).
Advanced Level Working Party: Bernard Homès (chair), Graham Bath, Rex Black, Sigrid Eldh,
Jayapradeep Jiothis, Paul Jorgensen, Vipul Kocher, Judy McKay, Klaus Olsen, Randy Rice, J�rgen
Richter, Eric Riou Du Cosquer, Mike Smith, Geoff Thompson, Erik Van Veenendaal; 2006-2007.
Revision History
Version Date Remarks
ISEB v1.1 04 SEP01 ISEB Practitioner Syllabus
ISTQB 1.2E SEP03 ISTQB Advanced Level Syllabus from EOQ-SG
V2007 12OCT07 Certified Tester Advanced Level syllabus version 2007
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
0. Introduction to this syllabus
0.1 The International Software Testing Qualifications Board.
0.2 Expectations
0.2.1 Advanced Level Test Manager.
0.2.2 Advanced Level Test Analyst.
0.2.3 Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst
0.3 Learning Objectives / Level of Knowledge
0.4 Learning Objectives for Test Managers
0.5 Learning Objectives for Test Analysts
0.6 Learning Objectives for Technical Test Analysts
1. Basic Aspects of Software Testing
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Testing in the Software Lifecycle
1.3 Specific Systems
1.3.1 Systems of Systems
1.3.2 Safety Critical Systems
1.4 Metrics & Measurement
1.5 Ethics
2. Testing Processes
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Test Process Models
2.3 Test Planning & Control
2.4 Test Analysis & Design
2.4.1 Identification of Test Conditions
2.4.2 Creation of Test Cases
2.5 Test Implementation & Execution
2.5.1 Test Implementation
2.5.2 Test Execution
2.6 Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting
2.7 Test Closure Activities
3. Test Management
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Test Management Documentation
3.2.1 Test Policy
3.2.2 Test Strategy
3.2.3 Master Test Plan
3.2.4 Level Test Plan
3.3 Test Plan Documentation Templates
3.4 Test Estimation
3.5 Scheduling Test Planning
3.6 Test Progress Monitoring & Control
3.7 Business Value of Testing
3.8 Distributed, Outsourced & Insourced Testing
3.9 Risk-Based Testing
3.9.1 Introduction to Risk-Based Testing
3.9.2 Risk Management
3.9.3 Risk Management in the Lifecycle
3.10 Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
3.10.1 Areas of Application
3.10.2 Implementation Steps
3.10.3 Benefits & Costs
3.11 Test Management Issues
3.11.1 Test Management Issues for Exploratory Testing
3.11.2 Test Management Issues for Systems of Systems
3.11.3 Test Management Issues for Safety Critical Systems
3.11.4 Other Test Management Issues
4. Test Techniques
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Specification-based
4.3 Structure-based
4.4 Defect- and Experience-based
4.4.1 Defect-based techniques
4.4.2 Experienced-based techniques
4.5 Static Analysis
4.5.1 Static Analysis of Code
4.5.2 Static Analysis of Architecture
4.6 Dynamic analysis
4.6.1 Overview
4.6.2 Detecting Memory Leaks
4.6.3 Detecting Wild Pointers
4.6.4 Analysis of Performance
5. Testing of Software Characteristics
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Quality attributes for domain testing
5.2.1 Accuracy Testing
5.2.2 Suitability Testing
5.2.3 Interoperability Testing
5.2.4 Functional Security Testing
5.2.5 Usability Testing
5.2.6 Accessibility Testing
5.3 Quality attributes for technical testing
5.3.1 Technical Security Testing
5.3.2 Reliability Testing
5.3.3 Efficiency Testing
5.3.4 Maintainability Testing
5.3.5 Portability Testing
6. Reviews
6.1 Introduction
6.2 The Principles of Reviews
6.3 Types of Reviews
6.3.1 Management review and audit
6.3.2 Reviews of particular work products
6.3.3 Performing a formal review
6.4 Introducing Reviews
6.5 Success Factors for Reviews
7. Incident Management
7.1 Introduction
7.2 When can a Defect be detected?
7.3 Defect Lifecycle
7.3.1 Step 1: Recognition
7.3.2 Step 2: Investigation
7.3.3 Step 3: Action
7.3.4 Step 4: Disposition
7.4 Defect Fields
7.5 Metrics & Incident Management
7.6 Communicating Incidents
8. Standards & Test Improvement Process
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Standards Considerations
8.2.1 General Aspects on Standards
8.2.2 International Standards
8.2.3 National Standards
8.2.4 Domain Specific Standards
8.2.5 Other Standards
8.3 Test Improvement Process
8.3.1 Introduction to Process Improvement
8.3.2 Types of Process Improvement
8.4 Improving the Test Process
8.5 Improving the Test Process with TMM
8.6 Improving the Test Process with TPI
8.7 Improving the Test Process with CTP (CTP)
8.8 Improving the Test Process with STEP
8.9 Capability Maturity Model Integration, CMMI
9. Test Tools & Automation
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Test Tool Concepts
9.2.1 Cost benefits and Risks of Test Tools and Automation
9.2.2 Test Tool Strategies
9.2.3 Integration & Information Interchange Between Tools
9.2.4 Automation Languages: Scripts, Script Language
9.2.5 The Concept of Test Oracles
9.2.6 Test Tool Deployment
9.2.7 Usage of Open Source Test Tools
9.2.8 Developing Your Own Test Tool
9.2.9 Test Tool Classification
9.3 Test Tools Categories
9.3.1 Test Management Tools
9.3.2 Test Execution Tools
9.3.3 Debugging & Troubleshooting Tools
9.3.4 Fault Seeding & Fault Injection Tools
9.3.5 Simulation & Emulation Tools
9.3.6 Static and Dynamic Analysis Tools
9.3.7 Keyword-Driven Test Automation
9.3.8 Performance Testing Tools
9.3.9 Web Tools
10. People Skills – Team Composition
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Individual Skills
10.3 Test Team Dynamics
10.4 Fitting Testing Within an Organization
10.5 Motivation
10.6 Communication
11. References
11.1 Standards
11.1.1 Per chapter
11.1.2 Alphabetical
11.2 Books
11.3 Other references
12. Appendix A – Syllabus background
13. Appendix B – Notice to the Readers
13.1 Examination Boards
13.2 Candidates & Training Providers
14. Appendix C – Notice to Training Providers
14.1 Modularity
14.2 Training Times
14.2.1 Training per module
14.2.2 Commonality
14.2.3 Sources
14.3 Practical Exercises
15. Appendix D – Recommendations
15.1 Recommendations for Industrialization
