Intended Audience
The Expert Level qualification is aimed at those who have already achieved an advanced point in their careers in software testing and wish to develop further their expertise in a specific area. The modules offered at the Expert Level cover a wide range of testing topics.
A testing expert is one who has a broad knowledge of testing in general, and an in depth understanding in a special test area. An in-depth understanding is defined as having sufficient knowledge of testing theory and practice to be able to influence the direction that an organization and/or project takes when creating, implementing and executing testing processes.
1. To participate in the Expert Level exam in the module “Improving the Testing Process”, candidates must hold the Advanced Level certificate in test management.
2. In addition to passing the exam, proof needs to be provided of practical working experience in the testing field in general and specifically in the field represented by the Expert Level module before the Expert Level certificate is awarded. In addition to passing the exam the following requirements apply:
- at least five years of practical testing experience (CV needs to be submitted including two references).
- at least two years of experience in the Expert Level module topic (CV needs to be submitted including two references).
- at least one paper written and published, OR a presentation is given at a testing conference covering an Expert Level module topic.
Persons that formally comply with the criteria defined above will receive the formal ISTQB Expert Level certificate for the underlying module. Those that possess an ISTQB Expert Level certificate will also be allowed to use the Certified Tester Expert Level (CTEL) acronym.
Exam Content
- Introduction to this Syllabus.
- The Context of Improvement 285mins.
- Model-based Improvement 570mins.
- Analytical-based Improvement 555mins.
- Selecting the Approach for Test Process Improvement 105mins.
- Process for Improvement 900mins.
- Organization, Roles and Skills 465mins.
- Managing Change 285mins.
- Critical Success Factors 300mins.
- Adapting to Different Life Cycle Models 60mins.
Business Outcomes
The expert test process improver is able to perform each of the following tasks:
- Lead programs for improving the testing process within an organization or project and can identify and manage critical success factors;
- Take appropriate business-driven decisions on how to approach improvement to the test process;
- Assess the current status of a test process, propose step-wise improvements and show how these are linked to achieving business goals;
- Set up a strategic policy for improving the testing process and implement that policy;
- Analyze specific problems with the test process and propose effective solutions;
- Create a test improvement plan which meets business objectives;
- Develop organizationals concepts for improvement of the test process which include required roles, skills and organizational structure;
- Establish a standard process for implementing improvement to the test process within an organization;
- Manage the introduction of changes to the test process, including co-operation with the sponsors of improvements;
- Understand and effectively manage the human issues associated with assessing the test process and implementing necessary changes.
Exam Mode
A certification scheme at Expert Level must meet the expectations and perceptions of its stakeholders and has to be seen to be truly “expert”. This is the principal factor considered in establishing the structure of the exam, which consists of two sections:
- Multiple-choice question component.
- Candidates must score 65% or above overall to pass the exam.
- Essay question component.
- The following parameters apply to the essay section of the exam:
- An exam contains three essay questions.
- Each essay question can consist of one to several questions/tasks.
- Two of the three essay questions must be answered.
- Each essay question is nominally allocated 45 minutes.
- No extra credit is given for answering the third essay question.
Certificate Template
