Certified Tester

Foundation Level Syllabus

Version 2011
Page 4 of 81
31-Mar-2011
International Software Testing Qualifications Boa
rd
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements...................................
...................................................
............................................ 7
Introduction to this Syllabus......................
...................................................
............................................ 8
Purpose of this Document ...........................
...................................................
..................................... 8
The Certified Tester Foundation Level in Software T
esting .............................................
................... 8
Learning Objectives/Cognitive Level of Knowledge ...
...................................................
...................... 8
The Examination ....................................
...................................................
.......................................... 8
Accreditation......................................
...................................................
............................................... 8
Level of Detail....................................
...................................................
............................................... 9
How this Syllabus is Organized.....................
...................................................
................................... 9
1.
Fundamentals of Testing (K2).......................
...................................................
............................. 10
1.1
Why is Testing Necessary (K2) ......................
...................................................
................... 11
1.1.1
Software Systems Context (K1)......................
...................................................
.............. 11
1.1.2
Causes of Software Defects (K2) ....................
...................................................
............. 11
1.1.3
Role of Testing in Software Development, Maintenanc
e and Operations (K2) ............... 11
1.1.4
Testing and Quality (K2) ...........................
...................................................
.................... 11
1.1.5
How Much Testing is Enough? (K2) ...................
...................................................
.......... 12
1.2
What is Testing? (K2)..............................
...................................................
.......................... 13
1.3
Seven Testing Principles (K2) ......................
...................................................
..................... 14
1.4
Fundamental Test Process (K1) ......................
...................................................
................. 15
1.4.1
Test Planning and Control (K1) .....................
...................................................
............... 15
1.4.2
Test Analysis and Design (K1) ......................
...................................................
............... 15
1.4.3
Test Implementation and Execution (K1).............
...................................................
......... 16
1.4.4
Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting (K1) ........
...................................................
.......... 16
1.4.5
Test Closure Activities (K1).......................
...................................................
.................... 16
1.5
The Psychology of Testing (K2) .....................
...................................................
................... 17
1.6
Code of Ethics (K1) ................................
...................................................
........................... 19
2.
Testing Throughout the Software Life Cycle (K2)....
...................................................
.................. 20
2.1
Software Development Models (K2) ...................
...................................................
.............. 21
2.1.1
V-model (Sequential Development Model) (K2) ........
...................................................
... 21
2.1.2
Iterative-incremental Development Models (K2)......
...................................................
..... 21
2.1.3
Testing within a Life Cycle Model (K2) .............
...................................................
............ 21
2.2
Test Levels (K2) ...................................
...................................................
............................. 23
2.2.1
Component Testing (K2).............................
...................................................
.................. 23
2.2.2
Integration Testing (K2) ...........................
...................................................
..................... 23
2.2.3
System Testing (K2) ................................
...................................................
..................... 24
2.2.4
Acceptance Testing (K2)............................
...................................................
................... 25
2.3
Test Types (K2)....................................
...................................................
............................. 27
2.3.1
Testing of Function (Functional Testing) (K2)......
...................................................
......... 27
2.3.2
Testing of Non-functional Software Characteristics
(Non-functional Testing) (K2) ......... 27
2.3.3
Testing of Software Structure/Architecture (Structu
ral Testing) (K2) .............................. 28
2.3.4
Testing Related to Changes: Re-testing and Regressi
on Testing (K2)................