ISTQB Advanced Level Certification in Software Testing - Advanced Technical Test Analyst Module

Course Objectives

To provide an understanding of technical testing issues that goes beyond the ISTQB Foundation level. It will provide the necessary skill set required for the tester to conduct technical testing activities and analyse the internal structure of the system in sufficient detail to meet the expected quality level. Explanation of the various functional-based, structural-based, defect-based and experienced-based test design techniques that are applicable for this qualification.

Emphasis will be made on technical testers, and spreadsheets, templates and utilities will be provided to help students to devise tests that are both effective and efficient, giving best value for the testing being done in the time given.

Who Will Benefit

This 3-day course is appropriate for test managers, test team leaders, development managers, project managers and anyone wishing to gain the ISTQB Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst Qualification.  It is one third of the “Full Advanced Certified Testing Professional” qualification.

Skills Gained

• Identify and choose appropriate test design techniques for different applications
• Ability to analyse internal system structure in sufficient detail to meet expected quality levels
• Understand the differences between test conditions, test cases, test procedures and test scripts and identify when and when not to produce them.
• Understand and use appropriate functional-based, structural-based, defect-based and experienced-based test design techniques.
• Evaluate and apply suitable techniques to test quality characteristics such as performance, reliability, accessibility and usability.
• Gaining knowledge of static and dynamic analysis and the tools that support them.
• Application and use of keyword-driven scripting techniques for automated testing.

Course Content

Test Techniques
Specification-Based

This section will explain and demonstrate how to use and apply the following test design techniques:

• Equivalence Partitioning
• Boundary Value Analysis
• Decision Tables
• State Transition Testing

Structural-Based

This section will explain and demonstrate how to use and apply the following test design techniques:

• Statement Testing
• Decision Testing
• Condition Determination Testing
• Multiple Condition Testing

Defect and Experienced-Based

This section describes the principles and reasons for defect-based techniques and differentiates its use from specification-based and structure-based techniques. This section also explains, using examples, the importance of defect taxonomies and their uses.

The following defect and experienced-based techniques will be described and used to generate tests:

• Error Guessing
• Checklist-based
• Exploratory Testing
• Attacks

Delegates will analyse various systems in order to determine which specification-based and defect-based techniques best fit the application being tested.

Static Analysis

Delegates will be able to understand and differentiate between control flow and data flow defects and how static analysis tools can assist the tester in this task.

Dynamic Analysis

This explains what dynamic analysis is and the importance of this in determining various memory related defects.

Test of Software Characteristics

Testing the system’s functionality is an important aspect for every tester, focusing on what the system does. Another vital area for every tester is to test the software’s characteristics – how well it behaves. Analysis of suitable techniques is provided to ascertain what characteristics are tested by technical testers. Quality characteristics for technical testers include:

• Technical Security
• Reliability
• Efficiency
• Performance, load, stress and scalability testing
• Maintainability
• Portability

Test Automation

Specific tools will be described that will assist the technical tester. This section provides valuable insight into the production of keyword-driven scripting for use in test execution tools and how performance tools work, providing the tester with information about efficiency characteristics of the application.

The Exam

This course will provide the delegate with the necessary knowledge and skills to sit the ISTQB Advanced Technical Test Analyst Certificate multiple-choice exam. Delegates will be given the opportunity to sit the examination at the end of the course.

Information about the certification can be found on the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) website: http://www.istqb.org/

Course Details

• Prerequisites

Delegates wishing to take the ISTQB Advanced Technical Test Analyst Certificate must hold the ISTQB/ISEB Foundation Certificate and have completed the ISTQB Advanced Level Core Module.  If you wish to sit the course without taking the exam, there are no prerequisites.

• Course presentation and duration

The course is presented by an experienced software testing practitioner. The course duration is three days. It runs from 8:00 to 17:30. This includes a lunch and two tea breaks daily.

• Course Structure

The ISTQB Advanced Level qualification is divided into three streams: Test Manager,
Test Analyst and Technical Test Analyst. Test and Data Services have taken out the concepts that relate to all three streams into this 2-day core module. This module must be completed by anyone wanting to attain the ISTQB Advanced Certificate before specialising in their appropriate stream.

• Training style

The course is conducted in a classroom style. Candidates use practical tasks to layer theoretical concepts.

• Comprehensive and accredited course materials, certification and assessment

Test and Data Services have licensed training material from Grove Consultants. Comprehensive course notes are provided. During the course several practical worksheets will be issued. These will assist candidates in their preparation for the final exam. The training material that Test and Data Services uses is accredited by the UKTB.

• Accreditation

Test and Data Services is fully accredited by SASTQB to train this course.

• Training Venues

Test and Data Services presents courses at several well-established training facilities in Midrand (near Johannesburg and Pretoria), Cape Town and Durban. Training can be arranged at the client’s premises, depending on adequate facilities and candidate numbers.

Training courses can also be provided internationally.

SAVE 4 DAYS TRAINING with Test and Data Services

The structure of the ISTQB Advanced course contains a common core module of 2 days which can be followed by 3 days for each of any selected Certified Tester modules.  This saves the candidate 4 days of training (and cost) to become a “Full Advanced Certified Tester.”  This full certification takes 11 days with Test and Data Services, rather than the 15 it typically requires.

SAVE 4 DAYS TRAINING with Test and Data Services

The structure of the ISTQB Advanced course contains a common core module of 2 days which can be followed by 3 days for each of any selected Certified Tester modules.  This saves the candidate 4 days of training (and cost) to become a “Full Advanced Certified Tester.”  This full certification takes 11 days with Test and Data Services, rather than the 15 it typically requires.

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