ISTQB Foundation Level Exam: Comprehensive Preparation Course & Guide

This is the ISTQB Theory Summary; A Comprehensive Guide to ISTQB Exam Preparation. I have meticulously broken down the ISTQB theory based on the official syllabus to create a comprehensive guide on the key elements essential for the ISTQB exam. While studying the theory book and syllabus is vital, the process can be time-consuming. This guide is an excellent supplementary resource to refresh your knowledge of the test fundamentals and best software testing practices.

Look at the list of articles below, each covering essential topics for the ISTQB exam. I suggest thoroughly reviewing each of them and then taking the quiz associated with each chapter to assess your understanding and retention of the software testing process.

Don’t forget to watch the video for an insightful introduction to the course!

Course Introduction

Welcome to the ISTQB preparation and pass on the foundation-level exam! During the lectures, you will be able to learn the key elements that will help you pass the ISTQB exam foundation level and secure the job or the promotion you’ve wanted.

If you have read or have at least a junior-level experience in software testing, this course will help you focus on the questions and answers that almost certainly help you pass the exam.

Full syllabus details can be downloaded from the ISTQB website. I’ll suggest other books and reads at the end of this lecture.

What is ISTQB?

• ISTQB – International Software Testing Qualification Board.
• Founded in 2002.
• It is a wide world leader in the certification of software testing.
• ISTQB aims to improve and advance the software testing profession continually.
• Certification knowledge is based on best practices, the community of software testers and continuous research in a subject manner.

What are the objectives?

Foundation-level professionals should be able to:

• Use a common language for efficient and effective communication with other testers and project stakeholders.
• Understand established testing concepts, the fundamental test process approaches, and principles supporting test objectives.
• Design and prioritise tests by using established techniques.
• Analyse both functional and non-functional specifications at all test levels for systems with low to medium-level complexity.
• Execute tests per agreed test plans, analyse and report on the result of tests.
• Write clear and understandable incident reports.
• Effectively participate in reviews of small to medium-sized projects.
• Be familiar with different types of testing tools and their uses.
• Assist in the selection and implementation process.

Course Structure

The course is divided into six sections following the ISTQB syllabus structure, which consists of 6 chapters.

At the end of each chapter, there’s a quiz related to the section, so you don’t have to wait until the end to do just the quiz and the simulation paper for the actual exam.

At the end of all the chapters, there’s a practical exam and two sample papers so you can practice with questions and answers based on what we will review taken from the ISTQB syllabus.

Learning Objectives

Studying the syllabus, there are indicators for each section classified as follows:

• K1: Remember – Recognise and recall a term or concept.
• K2: Understand – Can select the reasons or explanations for statements related to the topic and summarise, differentiate, classify and give examples.
• K3: Apply – Select the correct application of a concept or technique and apply it to a given context.
• K4: Analyse – Separate information about a procedure or technique into its constituent parts to better understand and distinguish between facts and inferences.

Booking The Exam

There is an exam provider worldwide. The ISTQB exams are offered through member boards and exam providers. An exam provider is an organisation licensed by a member board to offer exams locally and internationally, including online exams.

You can search for an exam provider near you on the ISTQB website or Pearson VUE.

• ISTQB
• Pearson VUE

You can book an exam in the UK via BCS or UKTB.

• BCS
• UKTB

The Exam

At the exam centre of your choice, make sure you take a suitable photographic identification; this is a must to be able to take the exam. Verification will be carried out there and then. Failure to comply means the examination board will withhold the candidate’s result until satisfactory evidence has been provided and authenticated.

A representative from the ISTQB, if you are in UK BCS or the exam centre, will conduct the exam if it is on paper, some centres still provide it like that, and if it is computer-based, you will be undertaken to the desk where you will be logged in specifically to your exam, there are maybe cameras to observe you, in case you are tempted to cheat. A brief introduction to how the exam works, and off you go.

The examination is a one-hour, closed book multiple choice exam with 40 questions and four options per question. You need 26/40 to pass (65%). In the UK, it is administered by BCS to the ISTQB syllabus.

If your prime language is not English, you may have an extra 15 minutes. If you have a condition or disability that requires extra time, then prior approval of the BCS is required. For information on eligibility criteria, please visit BCS and ISTQB websites.

To help you prepare for the exam, there’s a quiz related to the chapter at the end of each chapter, so you don’t have to wait until the end to do just the quiz and the simulation paper for the actual exam.

At the end of all the chapters, there’s a practical exam and two sample papers so you can practice with questions and answers based on what we will review taken from the ISTQB syllabus.

Further Reading

• Certified Tester Foundation Level Syllabus – ISTQB International Software Testing Qualifications Board by Thomas Muller, Debra Friedenberg, Erik van Veenendaal and many others
• Software Testing: An ISTQB-BCS Certified Tester Foundation Guide by Angelina Samaroo, Geoff Thompson and Brian Hambling
• Foundations of Software Testing ISTQB Certification by Dorothy Graham, Erik Van Veenendaal and Rex Black
• Software Testing by Ron Patton

ISTQB, Foundation Level Exam, Software Testing, Exam Preparation, ISTQB Certification, Test Process, Test Approaches, Test Principles, Testing Tools, Test Design Techniques, Practical Exam, Sample Papers

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