Introduction (20%)

• 0.1 Purpose of this Syllabus
• 0.2 The Certified Tester Foundation Level in Software Testing
• 0.3 Examinable Learning Objectives and Cognitive Levels of Knowledge
• 0.4 The Foundation Level Certificate Exam
• 0.5 Accreditation
• 0.6 Level of Detail
• 0.7 How this Syllabus is Organized

1 Fundamentals of Testing

• 1.1 What is Testing?
  • 1.1.1 Typical Objectives of Testing
  • 1.1.2 Testing and Debugging
• 1.2 Why is Testing Necessary?
  • 1.2.1 Testing’s Contributions to Success
  • 1.2.2 Quality Assurance and Testing
  • 1.2.3 Errors, Defects, and Failures
  • 1.2.4 Defects, Root Causes and Effects
• 1.3 Seven Testing Principles
• 1.4 Test Process
  • 1.4.1 Test Process in Context
  • 1.4.2 Test Activities and Tasks
  • 1.4.3 Test Work Products
  • 1.4.4 Traceability between the Test Basis and Test Work Products
• 1.5 The Psychology of Testing
  • 1.5.1 Human Psychology and Testing
  • 1.5.2 Tester’s and Developer’s Mindsets

2 Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle

• 2.1 Software Development Lifecycle Models
  • 2.1.1 Software Development and Software Testing
  • 2.1.2 Software Development Lifecycle Models in Context
• 2.2 Test Levels
  • 2.2.1 Component Testing
  • 2.2.2 Integration Testing
  • 2.2.3 System Testing
  • 2.2.4 Acceptance Testing
• 2.3 Test Types
  • 2.3.1 Functional Testing
  • 2.3.2 Non-functional Testing
  • 2.3.3 White-box Testing
  • 2.3.4 Change-related Testing
  • 2.3.5 Test Types and Test Levels
• 2.4 Maintenance Testing
  • 2.4.1 Triggers for Maintenance
  • 2.4.2 Impact Analysis for Maintenance

3 Static Testing

• 3.1 Static Testing Basics
  • 3.1.1 Work Products that Can Be Examined by Static Testing
  • 3.1.2 Benefits of Static Testing
  • 3.1.3 Differences between Static and Dynamic Testing
• 3.2 Review Process
  • 3.2.1 Work Product Review Process
  • 3.2.2 Roles and responsibilities in a formal review
  • 3.2.3 Review Types
  • 3.2.4 Applying Review Techniques
  • 3.2.5 Success Factors for Reviews

4 Test Techniques

• 4.1 Categories of Test Techniques
  • 4.1.1 Choosing Test Techniques
  • 4.1.2 Categories of Test Techniques and Their Characteristics
• 4.2 Black-box Test Techniques
  • 4.2.1 Equivalence Partitioning
  • 4.2.2 Boundary Value Analysis
  • 4.2.3 Decision Table Testing
  • 4.2.4 State Transition Testing
  • 4.2.5 Use Case Testing
• 4.3 White-box Test Techniques
  • 4.3.1 Statement Testing and Coverage
  • 4.3.2 Decision Testing and Coverage
  • 4.3.3 The Value of Statement and Decision Testing
• 4.4 Experience-based Test Techniques
  • 4.4.1 Error Guessing
  • 4.4.2 Exploratory Testing
  • 4.4.3 Checklist-based Testing

5 Test Management

• 5.1 Test Organization
  • 5.1.1 Independent Testing
  • 5.1.2 Tasks of a Test Manager and Tester
• 5.2 Test Planning and Estimation
  • 5.2.1 Purpose and Content of a Test Plan
  • 5.2.2 Test Strategy and Test Approach
  • 5.2.3 Entry Criteria and Exit Criteria (Definition of Ready and Definition of Done)
  • 5.2.4 Test Execution Schedule
  • 5.2.5 Factors Influencing the Test Effort
  • 5.2.6 Test Estimation Techniques
• 5.3 Test Monitoring and Control
  • 5.3.1 Metrics Used in Testing
  • 5.3.2 Purposes, Contents, and Audiences for Test Reports
• 5.4 Configuration Management
• 5.5 Risks and Testing
  • 5.5.1 Definition of Risk
  • 5.5.2 Product and Project Risks
  • 5.5.3 Risk-based Testing and Product Quality
• 5.6 Defect Management

6 Tool Support for Testing

• 6.1 Test Tool Considerations
  • 6.1.1 Test Tool Classification
  • 6.1.2 Benefits and Risks of Test Automation
  • 6.1.3 Special Considerations for Test Execution and Test Management Tools
• 6.2 Effective Use of Tools
  • 6.2.1 Main Principles for Tool Selection
  • 6.2.2 Pilot Projects for Introducing a Tool into an Organization
  • 6.2.3 Success Factors for Tools

7 References

• Standards
• ISTQB documents
• Books and Articles
• Other Resources (not directly referenced in this Syllabus)

8 Appendix A – Syllabus Background

• History of this Document
• Objectives of the Foundation Certificate Qualification
• Objectives of the International Qualification
• Entry Requirements for this Qualification
• Background and History of the Foundation Certificate in Software Testing

Certified Tester Foundation Level Syllabus Course Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of IT and software development
• Understand fundamental concepts of software testing
• Basic understanding of test design, test execution and bug reporting
• Familiarity with key concepts such as test levels, test types, test techniques and test planning
• No specific professional experience or education required