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ISTQB CTFL Syllabus 2011
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C ertified Tester
Found atio n Level Sy llabu s
R eleased
Version 201 1
Internatio nal Software Testin g Qualification s Board
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Copyrig ht Notice
This document may be copied in its entirety, or extracts m ade, if the s ource is ack nowledged.
Copyrig ht Notice © International Software Testing Qualifications Board (hereinaft er called ISTQB®) ISTQB i s a registered trademark of the Intern ational Soft ware Testing Qualifications Board,
Copyrig ht © 2011 th e authors for the update 2011 (Thomas Müller (c hair), Debra Friedenberg, and the ISTQ B WG Foun dation Level)
Copyrig ht © 2010 th e authors for the update 2010 (Thomas Müller (c hair), Armin Beer, Martin Klonk, Rahul Verma
Copyrig ht © 2007 th e authors for the update 2007 (Thomas Müller (c hair), Dorothy Graham, D ebra Friedenb erg and Eri k van Veenendaal)
Copyrig ht © 2005, th e authors (T homas Müller (chair), R ex Black, Sig rid Eldh, Dorothy Graham, Klaus Olsen, Maaret Pyhäjärvi, G eoff Thompson and Erik van Veenendaal).
All rights reserved.
The auth ors hereby transfer the copyright to the Internati onal Software Testing Q ualifications Board (ISTQB). The authors (as current copyright holders) and ISTQB (as th e future cop yright holder) have agreed to the f ollowing conditions of use:
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Any individual or training co mpany may |
use this sylla bus as the b asis for a tr aining course if the |
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authors and the ISTQB are acknowledged as the so urce and co pyright owners of the s yllabus |
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and provided th at any adve rtisement of such a train ing course may mentio n the syllabu s only |
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after submissio n for official accreditatio n of the tr aining materials to an ISTQB recognized |
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National Board. |
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2) |
Any individual or group of individuals m ay use this s yllabus as the basis for articles, bo oks, or |
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other derivative writings if the authors |
and the ISTQB are acknowledged as the sour ce and |
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copy right owner s of the syllabus. |
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3) |
Any ISTQB-recognized Nati onal Board |
may translat e this syllab us and license the sylla bus (or |
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Version 2 011 |
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Foundation Level Syllabus |
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Revision Hist ory |
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ISTQB 2 011 |
E ffective 1-A pr-2011 |
Certified Tester Foundation Level Syllabus |
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Maintena nce Releas e – see App endix E – Release |
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Notes |
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ISTQB 2 010 |
E ffective 30- Mar-2010 |
Certified Tester Foundation Level Syllabus |
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Maintena nce Releas e – see App endix E – Release |
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Notes |
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ISTQB 2 007 |
0 1-May-2007 |
Certified Tester Foundation Level Syllabus |
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Maintena nce Releas e |
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ISTQB 2 005 |
0 1-July-2005 |
Certified Tester Foundation Level Syllabus |
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ASQF V2.2 |
July-2003 |
ASQF Sy llabus Foundation Level Version 2.2 |
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“Lehrpla Grundlage n des Softwa re-testens“ |
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ISEB V2.0 |
2 5-Feb-1999 |
ISEB Software Testin g Foundation Syllabus V 2.0 |
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25 February 1999 |
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Table of Contents |
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Acknowledgements. |
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Introduction to this Syllabus........ |
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Purpo se of this D ocument...... |
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The C ertified Tester Foundati on Level in S oftware Testing................................. |
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Learning Objectives/Cognitive Level of Knowledge............................................. |
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The E xamination |
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Accreditation....... |
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Level of Detail..... |
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How this Syllabus is Organized............................................................................ |
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1. |
Fundamentals of Testing (K 2).......................................................................... |
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1.1 |
Why is Te sting Necessary (K2)............................................................... |
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1.1.1 |
Software Systems Context (K1) .......................................................... |
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1.1.2 |
Cause s of Softwar e Defects (K 2) ....................................................... |
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1.1.3 |
Role of Testing in S oftware De velopment, M aintenance and Operations (K2)............... |
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1.1.4 |
Testing and Quality (K2) ..................................................................... |
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1.1.5 How Much Testing is Enough? (K2) ................................................... |
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1.2 |
What is Testing? (K2) |
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1.3 |
Seven Testing Principles (K2)................................................................. |
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1.4 |
Fundamental Test Pro cess (K1) ............................................................. |
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1.4.1 |
Test Planning and Control (K1) .......................................................... |
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1.4.2 |
Test A nalysis and |
Design (K1) ........................................................... |
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1.4.3 |
Test Im plementation and Execu tion (K1)............................................ |
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1.4.4 |
Evaluating Exit Criteria and Re porting (K1)........................................ |
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1.4.5 |
Test Closure Activities (K1) ................................................................ |
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1.5 |
The Psychology of Testing (K2) .............................................................. |
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1.6 |
Code of E thics ........... |
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2. Testing Throughout the Software Life Cycle (K2)............................................ |
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2.1 |
Software Developmen t Models (K2) ....................................................... |
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2.1.1 |
V-model (Sequenti al Development Model) (K2) ................................. |
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2.1.2 |
Iterative-increment al Development Models ( K2) ................................ |
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2.1.3 |
Testing within a Lif e Cycle Model (K2) ............................................... |
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2.2 |
Test Leve ls (K2) ........ |
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2.2.1 |
Compo nent Testin g (K2)..................................................................... |
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2.2.2 |
Integration Testing (K2) ...................................................................... |
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2.2.3 |
System |
Testing (K 2) ........................................................................... |
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2.2.4 |
Acceptance Testin g (K2)..................................................................... |
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2.3 |
Test Type s (K2)......... |
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2.3.1 |
Testing |
of Function (Functional Testing) (K2 ) .................................... |
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2.3.2 |
Testing |
of Non-fun ctional Software Characteristics (Non-functional T esting) (K2) ......... |
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2.3.3 |
Testing |
of Software Structure/Architecture (Structural .T esting) (K2) ............................. |
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2.3.4 |
Testing Related to Changes: R e-testing and Regression Testing (K2 )........................... |
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2.4 |
Maintena nce Testing (K2) ....................................................................... |
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3. |
Sta tic Techniqu es (K2)....... |
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3.1 |
Static Tec hniques and |
the Test Process (K2)......................................... |
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3.2 |
Review Process (K2). |
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3.2.1 |
Activiti es of a Formal Review (K 1)...................................................... |
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3.2.2 |
Roles |
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3.2.3 |
Types of Reviews (K2)........................................................................ |
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3.2.4 |
Succes s Factors for Reviews ( K2)...................................................... |
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3.3 |
Static An alysis by Too ls (K2) .................................................................. |
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4. |
Test Design Te chniques (K4) .......................................................................... |
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4.1 |
The Test Developmen t Process (K 3)...................................................... |
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4.2 |
Categories of Test Design Techni ques (K2) ........................................... |
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4.3 |
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Specification-based or Black-box Techniques (K3) ................................ |
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4.3 |
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Equivalence Partiti oning (K3) .. |
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4.3 |
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Bound ary Value An alysis (K3) . |
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4.3 |
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Decisio n Table Tes ting (K3) .... |
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4.3 |
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State T ransition Testing (K3) ... |
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4.3 |
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Use C ase Testing ( K2)............. |
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4.4 |
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Structurebased or W hite-box Techniques (K4 )..................................... |
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4.4 |
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Statement Testing and Covera ge (K4) ............................................... |
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4.4 |
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Decisio n Testing a nd Coverage (K4).................................................. |
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4.4 |
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Other Structure-ba sed Techniques (K1)............................................. |
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Experienc e-based Te chniques (K 2)........................................................ |
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4.6 |
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Choosing Test Techniques (K2)... |
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5. |
Test Management (K3) ......................... |
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5.1 |
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Test Orga nization (K2) ................. |
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5.1.1 |
Test Organization and Independence (K2)......................................... |
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5.1.2 |
Tasks of the Test Leader and Tester (K1).......................................... |
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5.2 |
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Test Planning and Es timation (K3 |
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5.2 |
.1 |
Test Planning (K2) ................... |
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5.2 |
.2 |
Test Planning Activities (K3).... |
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5.2 |
.3 |
Entry C riteria (K2) .................... |
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5.2 |
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Exit Criteria (K2)....................... |
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5.2 |
.5 |
Test E stimation (K 2) ................ |
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5.2 |
.6 |
Test Strategy, Test Approach ( K2) ..................................................... |
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5.3 |
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Test Progress Monito ring and Con trol (K2) ............................................ |
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5.3 |
.1 |
Test P ogress Monitoring (K1). |
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5.3 |
.2 |
Test Reporting (K2).................. |
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5.3 |
.3 |
Test Control (K2)...................... |
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5.4 |
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Configuration Manage ment (K2) .. |
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5.5 |
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Risk and Testing (K2)................... |
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5.5 |
.1 |
Project Risks (K2) .................... |
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5.5 |
.2 |
Product Risks (K2) ................... |
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5.6 |
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Incident M anagement (K3)........... |
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6. |
Tool Support fo r Testing (K2)................ |
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6.1 |
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Types of Test Tools ( K2).............. |
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6.1.1 |
Tool S upport for Te sting (K2) .. |
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6.1.2 Test T ool Classific ation (K2).... |
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6.1.3 |
Tool S upport for M anagement of Testing an d Tests (K1) .................. |
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6.1.4 Tool S upport for Static Testing (K1) ................................................... |
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6.1.5 |
Tool S upport for Te st Specification (K1)............................................. |
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6.1.6 |
Tool S upport for Te st Execution |
and Logging (K1) ............................ |
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6.1.7 Tool S upport for Pe rformance a nd Monitori ng (K1)............................ |
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6.1.8 |
Tool S upport for Sp ecific Testin g Needs (K 1) .................................... |
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6.2 |
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Effective Use of Tools: Potential |
Benefits and Risks (K2) ..................... |
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6.2 |
.1 |
Potential Benefits a nd Risks of Tool Support for Testing (for all tools) (K2) ................... |
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6.2 |
.2 |
Special Considerations for Som e Types of Tools (K1)....................... |
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6.3 |
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Introducin g a Tool into an Organization (K1) .......................................... |
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7. |
References............................................ |
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Stand ards .................................................. |
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Book s.................. |
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8. Appendix A – S yllabus Background...... |
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Histor y of this Do cument ........................... |
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67 |
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Objec tives of the Foundation Certificate Qualification ......................................... |
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67 |
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Objec tives of the International Qualificatio n (adapted fr om ISTQB meeting at Sollentuna, |
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Nove mber 2001)........................................ |
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Entry Requiremen ts for this Qualification.......................................................................................... 67 |
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Version 2 011 |
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31-Mar-2011 |
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© Internationa l Software Testing Q ualifications Board |
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![](/html/2706/299/html_0u3PMz8bIA.A775/htmlconvd-3pJMok6x1.jpg)
Certified Test er |
International |
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Software Te sting |
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Foundation Level Syllabus |
Q ualifications Board |
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Back ground and History of the Foundation Certificate in Software Testing |
..................................... 68 |
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9. |
Appendix B – Learning Objectives/Cog nitive Level o f Knowledg e.................. |
............................. 69 |
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Level 1: Remember (K1) ...................................................................................... |
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Level 2: Understand (K2) ..................................................................................... |
............................. 69 |
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Level 3: Apply (K3 ) ............................................................................................... |
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Level 4: Analyze (K4) ........................................................................................... |
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10. |
Appendix C – Rules Applied to the IS TQB.................................................. |
............................. 71 |
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Foun dation Syllab us............................................................................................. |
............................. 71 |
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10.1.1 |
Gener al Rules ..................................................................................... |
............................. 71 |
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10.1.2 |
Current Content .................................................................................. |
............................. 71 |
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10.1.3 |
Learni ng Objectives ............................................................................ |
............................. 71 |
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10.1.4 |
Overall Structure ................................................................................. |
............................. 71 |
11. |
Appendix D – Notice to T raining Pro iders ................................................. |
............................. 73 |
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12. |
Appendix E – Release Notes....................................................................... |
............................. 74 |
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Relea se 2010 ....................................................................................................... |
............................. 74 |
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Relea se 2011 ....................................................................................................... |
............................. 74 |
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13. |
Index ............................................................................................................ |
............................. 76 |
Version 2 011 |
Page 6 of 7 8 |
31-Mar-2011 |
© Internationa l Software Testing Q ualifications Board
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Certified Test er |
International |
Software Te sting |
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Foundation Level Syllabus |
Q ualifications Board |
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Ackn owledgements
International Software Testing Qualifications Board Working Group F oundation Le vel (Edition 2011): Thomas Müller (chair), Debra Friedenberg. The core tea m thanks the review team (Dan Almog, Armin B eer, Rex Black, Julie Ga rdiner, Judy McKay, Tuula Pääkkönen, Eric Riou du Cosquier Hans Schaefer, Stephanie Ulrich, Erik van Veenendaal) and all National Boards for the suggestions for the curre nt version of the syllabus.
International Software Testing Qualifications Board Working Group F oundation Le vel (Edition 2010): Thomas Müller (chair), Rahul Verma, Martin Klonk and Armin Beer. The core tea m thanks the review t eam (Rex Black, Mette Bruhn-Peders on, Debra Friedenberg, Klaus Olsen, Judy McKa y, Tuula P ääkkönen, Meile Posthu ma, Hans Schaefer, Stephanie Ulrich, Pete Williams, Erik van Veenen daal) and all National Boards for their suggestion s.
International Software Testing Qualifications Board Working Group F oundation Le vel (Edition 2007): Thomas Müller (chair), Dorothy Graham, Deb ra Friedenberg, and Eri k van Veenendaal. The core team tha nks the review team (Ha ns Schaefe r, Stephanie Ulrich, Meile Posthuma, Anders Pettersson, and Wo nil Kwon) an d all the National Boards for their sug gestions.
International Software Testing Qualifications Board Working Group F oundation Le vel (Edition 2005): Thomas Müller (chair), Rex Blac k, Sigrid Eld h, Dorothy Graham, Klaus Olsen, Maaret Pyhäjärvi, Geoff Th ompson an d Erik van V eenendaal and the revie w team and all National Boards for their suggestions.
Version 2 011 |
Page 7 of 7 8 |
31-Mar-2011 |
© Internationa l Software Testing Q ualifications Board
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Certified Test er |
International |
Software Te sting |
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Foundation Level Syllabus |
Q ualifications Board |
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Introduction to this Syllabus
Purpose of this Docum ent
This syllabus forms the basis for the International Software Testing Qualification a t the Found ation Level. T he International Software Testing Qualifications B oard (ISTQ B) provides it to the Nati onal Boards for them to accredit the training provi ders and to derive examination questions in their local languag e. Training providers will determine appropriate t eaching met hods and pr oduce cours eware for accre ditation. The syllabus w ill help candidates in their preparation for the exa mination. Information on the history and ba ckground of the syllabus can be fou nd in Appen dix A.
The Certified T ester Foundation Level in Software Testing
The Foundation Lev el qualificatio n is aimed a t anyone in volved in software testing . This includ es people i n roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user accepta nce testers a nd software developers. This Foundation Level q ualification is also appro priate for anyone who wants a basic un derstanding of software testing, suc h as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business an alysts, IT directors and management consultants. Holders of the Foundation Certificate will be able to go on to a higher-level softwa re testing qualification.
Learning Obje ctives/Cognitive Level of Knowledge
Learning objectives are indicated for each section in this syllabus and classified as follows: o K1: remember
o K2: understand o K3: apply
o K4: analyze
Further details and examples of learning obje ctives are given in Appendix B.
All terms listed under “Terms” jus t below chapter headings shall be remembered ( K1), even if not explicitly mentioned in the learni ng objectives .
The Examination
The Foundation Lev el Certificate examinatio n will be based on this syllabus. Answ ers to examination questio ns may require the use of material ba sed on mor e than one section of this syllabus. All sections of the sylla bus are exa minable.
The form at of the examination is multiple choice.
Exams may be take n as part of a n accredited training co urse or taken independe ntly (e.g., at an examination center o r in a public exam). Co mpletion of an accredited training cou rse is not a prerequisite for the exa m.
Accreditation
An ISTQ B National Board may accredit training providers whose course material follows this syllabus. Training providers shou ld obtain accreditation guidelines from the board or body tha t perform s the accreditation. An ac credited co urse is recognized as co nforming to this syllabus, and is allowe d to have a n ISTQB examination as part of the course.
Further guidance for training pro viders is give n in Append ix D.
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© Internationa l Software Testing Q ualifications Board
![](/html/2706/299/html_0u3PMz8bIA.A775/htmlconvd-3pJMok9x1.jpg)
Certified Test er |
International |
Software Te sting |
|
Foundation Level Syllabus |
Q ualifications Board |
|
|
Level of Detail
The leve l of detail in this syllabus allows internationally co nsistent teaching and e xamination. In order to achieve this goal, the syllabus consi sts of:
o General instructional objectiv es describin g the intention of the Foundation Le vel
oA list of information to teach, including a description, and referenc es to additio nal sources if requ ired
oLearning objecti ves for each knowledge area, describ ing the cog nitive learning outcome and min dset to be achieved
o A list of terms that students must be able to recall an d understan d
oA de scription of the key conc epts to teach, including sources suc h as accepte d literature or standards
The syll abus content is not a des cription of th e entire knowledge area of software testing; it reflects the level of detail to be covered in Foundatio n Level training courses.
How this Sylla bus is Organized
There are six major chapters. The top-level heading for each chapter shows the highest level of learning objectives t hat is covered within the chapter and specifies th e time for th e chapter. Fo r example:
2. Tes ting Throughout the Software Life Cycle (K2) |
115 min utes |
This hea ding shows that Chapte r 2 has learning objective s of K1 (assumed when a higher level is shown) and K2 (but not K3), and it is intended to take 11 5 minutes to teach the material in the chapter. Within each chapter there are a num ber of secti ons. Each se ction also h as the learning objective s and the a mount of time required. S ubsections that do not h ave a time g iven are included within the time for the section.
Version 2 011 |
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31-Mar-2011 |
© Internationa l Software Testing Q ualifications Board
![](/html/2706/299/html_0u3PMz8bIA.A775/htmlconvd-3pJMok10x1.jpg)
Certified Test er |
International |
Software Te sting |
|
Foundation Level Syllabus |
Q ualifications Board |
|
|
1. Funda mentals of Test ing (K2 ) |
1 55 minu tes |
Learning Obje ctives for Fundamentals of Testing
The obje ctives identify what you will be able to do followi ng the completion of each module.
1.1 Wh y is Testing Necessary? (K2)
LO-1.1.1 Describ e, with examples, the way in which a defect in software can c ause harm to a person, to the environment or to a company K2)
LO-1.1.2 Distinguish between the root cause of a defect and its effects (K2) LO-1.1.3 Give reasons why testing is nece ssary by giving example s (K2)
LO-1.1.4 Describ e why testing is part of q uality assurance and giv e examples of how testing contributes to higher quality (K2)
LO-1.1.5 Explain and compar e the terms e rror, defect, fault, failure, and the corresponding terms mistake and bug, using examples (K2)
1.2 Wh at is Testing? (K2)
LO-1.2.1 Recall th e common objectives of testing (K1)
LO-1.2.2 Provide examples for the objecti ves of testin g in different phases of th e software life cycle (K2)
LO-1.2.3 Different iate testing from debugging (K2)
1.3 Se ven Testin g Principles (K2)
LO-1.3.1 Explain the seven principles in te sting (K2)
1.4 Fu ndamental Test Pro cess (K1)
LO-1.4.1 Recall th e five fundamental test activities and respective tasks from planning to closure (K1)
1.5 Th e Psychology of Testing (K2)
LO-1.5.1 Recall th e psycholog ical factors that influence the success of testing (K1) LO-1.5.2 Contrast the mindset of a tester and of a developer (K2)
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© Internationa l Software Testing Q ualifications Board