Comparison of ISTQB vs ISEB Certification

I get lots of queries regarding the difference between ISTQB and ISEB Certifications.
So I decided to post this topic. Hope this helps.

Foundation Level of both exams is same

The foundation levels of both certifications are transferable as ISEB have adopted the
syllabus from the ISTQB Foundation level. This is a positive situation as it provides the
candidate with alternative options (i.e. once a candidate has completed the Foundation
level, he/she can choose to start either certification).

What is the difference then?

Once the Foundation level is complete the differences between the certifications become
clear. ISEB has an Intermediate level preceding its practitioner level, while the ISTQB
syllabus does not.

Both certifications changed in 2008, with the schemes having a new structure,
composition and order in which students attend and sit the examinations.

ISTQB Advanced Level

The ISTQB was founded as an International Software Testing Qualifications Board in
Edinburgh in November 2002. The ISTQB's role is to support a single, universally
accepted, international qualification scheme, by providing the core syllabi and by setting
guidelines for accreditation and examination for national boards.

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The International Software Testing Qualification Board (ISTQB) is a fast growing and
democratic organization which is made up of an assembly of member boards, with each
board representing major software and system developing countries and regions. There
are currently 45 member boards.

The ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualification Board) has developed a new
Advanced Level Certification which is seen as an alternative to the ISEB Practitioner
level. A key difference from the ISEB model is that there is no intermediary level
required from Foundation to Advanced level.

Following on from the foundation level, the ISTQB Advanced Level Certification has
one syllabus which has been divided into three core areas:

 Advanced Level Functional Tester

 Advanced Level Technical Tester
 Advanced Level Test Manager

The exam for each area is in multiple-choice format, with a certificate being awarded for
each area. An additional ‘Advanced Level Testing Professional’ certificate is awarded for
gaining all three.

Testing professionals, having achieved the Full Advanced Level Testing professional
level will then be able to proceed to the ISTQB Expert level, which aligns with the ISEB
Practitioner Diploma level as mentioned below.

ISEB Practitioner Certificate

The Information Systems Examinations Board (ISEB) is a division of the British
Computer Society. ISEB was created in 1990 from the Systems Analysis examinations
Board (which was set up in 1967). ISEB administers examinations and issues certificates
in a variety of subjects in the field of information systems engineering.

In 2008, ISEB made changes to its Practitioner Certificate based on feedback from
candidates and training providers. There were two key problems that ISEB aimed to
solve with the changes-

Firstly, that the transition from the foundation level exam to an all encompassing
practitioner level with one exam was far too steep, and it was recommended that the gap
be bridged in order to assist candidates with their progression.
Secondly, it became apparent that as testers tend to specialize in either the management
of testing or in test analysis but seldom both disciplines; many candidates who had taken
the exam recommended in their feedback that it would be beneficial to develop separate
exams for each.

Therefore, in order to cater of candidate needs, ISEB has redeveloped the original
qualification to address all of these issues. ISEB now offer four qualifications, one
foundation, one -general and two -role based.

Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing

Practitioner Certificates-
- Practitioner Certificate in Test Management
- Practitioner Certificate in Test Analysis

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Diploma in Software Testing
ISEB is continuing to develop a higher level qualification with the aim for it being
available in 2010.

Which one is better?

I would love to go for ISTQB exams. The reasoning behind my recommendation is as
follows:
 ISTQB is the international standard for the software testing qualifications and
was developed by an international team of testing experts
 The qualification is formally recognized in around 45 countries where the ISTQB
has a constituent organization
 The ISTQB Advanced syllabus, aligns with the ISTQB Foundation syllabus
adopted by ISEB
 The ISTQB Syllabus, through Learning Objectives and detailed description
makes it clear what should be taught and what will be examined.
 There is a lot of international support for this qualification. Our international
clients prefer an international qualification
 The route to attaining Advanced level in one of the core areas i.e. Test
Management, Test Analysis or Technical Test Analysis is more straightforward
and direct than the ISEB route, involving only one exam and fewer training days
 Multiple choice exam questions enable non-English speaking candidates to
complete the exams more easily
 ISTQB currently does not recognize the new revised ISEB Practitioner
Certificates as equivalent to the full Advanced Level Testing Professional
certificate. This means that the expert level in ISTQB cannot be reached through
the ISEB Practitioner qualification but instead requires ISTQB Advanced as a
pre-requisite.

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