Testing qualifi cations | 41
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need to progress to a more in-depth questions at each level. ISEB has
understanding of how testing works. adopted an assessment strategy
The syllabus is maintained on a regular that begins with a relatively broad
basis and the programme continues examination at the Foundation level,
to attract many participants. The the examination, lasts one hour and
Foundation certificate is by far the contains 40 multiple choice questions
most popular, also in comparison with a defined mixture of questions
with some other software testing at the lower (K1 – K3) levels and a
qualifications available in the market. balance of syllabus topics.
ISEB has accredited over 30 training The Intermediate level is a one hour
providers to offer the foundation level examination with 25 multiple choice
training for software testing. scenario-based questions. There is
a defined structure of questions at
The higher levels of the the K2 – K4 levels and a balance of
software testing programme syllabus topics. The scenarios provide
The training on the Foundation level context for practical questions
is very much an introduction. Those requiring some analysis of the
interested in more in-depth knowledge scenario to select correct answers.
and a practical perspective will find At the current highest level, the two
the ISEB Intermediate Certificate a Practitioner qualifications are each
great next step. The Intermediate examined in a two hour written
Certificate explains how the principles examination at the K2 – K6 levels.
of testing are actually applied in the At the ISTQB Advanced level the
context of real software projects. required knowledge is in the K2 – K4
The Intermediate Certificate prepares band and is examined during a three
its holders with a sound practical hour multiple choice examination with
knowledge of the testing discipline 65 weighted questions, some of which
from which it is possible to develop are scenario-based.
the skills and knowledge of a software
testing professional. Unmatched experience
The Intermediate level was launched ISEB’s long and unmatched experience
in Autumn 2007 and since then across a spectrum of IT disciplines,
2,700 candidates have taken the coupled with its commitment to
examination. software testing certification and a
The Practitioner level currently strong desire to enhance and extend
provides the knowledge and skills that its certification scheme in cooperation
effectively define the more senior roles with the corporate market, the training
in software testing. providers and organisations such as
ISTQB has introduced the advanced ISTQB, make ISEB a powerful partner
certificate for software testing which for any organisation.
includes three specialist disciplines
within software testing. The Advanced Leading the IT profession
level covers all three of these These are exciting and important
disciplines. times for us. As the natural leader
In time, the various streams of of the IT profession, responsible for
These are exciting and
software testing certification for the awarding the much sought-after
important times for us. As
higher professional levels are likely Chartered IT Professional (CITP) the natural leader of the
to be harmonised so that valuable status, we must stand up and act, as
IT profession, responsible
experience can be harnessed for the a hugely respected and independent
benefit of testers around the world. professional body, for the benefit of
for awarding the much
the entire industry.
sought-after Chartered IT
The exams This now embraces all professionals Professional (CITP) status,
In setting the objectives for its and practitioners from software
we must stand up and act,
certificates, ISEB has made extensive engineers to business analysts, and
as a hugely respected and
use of Bloom’s taxonomy, a scale of the critical world of academia with
six levels of knowledge labelled K1 its computer science foundations
independent professional
to K6, which provides criteria to for all technology. Across the globe. body, for the benefit of the
David Clarke
Chief Executive
characterise each level and offer Join us in enabling the information
entire industry.
BCS
www.bcs.org
guidance for examiners setting society.
www.testmagazineonline.com September 09 | T.E.S.T
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