ISTQB® Certified Tester - Foundation Level

This is not a read-out of the syllabus as is the case in many other courses as I do not see that as a proper course. The information from the syllabus is used in this course, mentioned, explained and wherever necessary examples are given in native-level English. Each chapter contains a quiz at the end which contains actual exam questions in order for you to get used to the way questions are asked on the exam. In each chapter we will also solve several questions together to get you used to the way questions are asked in the ISTQB® Exam. This is an important part as both the questions and answers are sometimes formulated to throw you off.

This course has been written to help (aspiring) software testers, developers and other people interested in software testing grasp the basics and fundamentals of software testing. This course is both accredited for V4.0 AND V3.1. The entire syllabus is covered and some extra bonus material is also included. All terminology matches the terminology used in the online ISTQB® glossary.

Besides getting you ready for the ISTQB®-CTFL exam with the course, sample exams and tips and tricks, I would really like to teach you about software testing; things that you can use in your day-to-day work.

As you can see on Udemy, there are various courses already on this subject; so why would you take this course?

1. The course has been written on the latest version (2023 - V4.0) AND and some interesting and valuable subjects from the 2011 and 2018 versions are also included;

2. The material is ISTQB® accredited and is the same material as if you would come in and join one of my classroom trainings;

3. There are more than 130 questions included in the course that will help you greatly; sample questions are also constantly added;

4. We will go through questions together in each chapter;

5. Examples and exercises form a vital aspect of this course;

6. No false promises about you being a great software tester after you finish this course; however, this course is a very good starting point;

7. You will learn the basics and should be able to pass the exam without problems in the first go (if you pay attention of course);

8. Besides getting ready for the exam and most likely passing it on your first attempt, you will get a solid understanding of software testing fundamentals.

If you have any questions or remarks during the course, please post it on the discussion board and I will answer as fast as possible.

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will get a basic understanding on software testing
You will be able to discuss with other software testers using the same terminology
You have paved the road for further learning and advancement in the istqb® certification scheme

With this course you will be able to pass the istqb® - ctfl exam (v4.0 and v3.1)
You will have a high level overview on all parts included in software testing

You will get a basic understanding on software testing
You will be able to discuss with other software testers using the same terminology
You have paved the road for further learning and advancement in the istqb® certification scheme
With this course you will be able to pass the istqb® - ctfl exam (v4.0 and v3.1)
You will have a high level overview on all parts included in software testing

Syllabus

Introduction

Fundamentals of Testing

What is Testing?

Why is Testing Necessary

Career center

Learners who complete ISTQB® Certified Tester - Foundation Level - 2025 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Quality Assurance Engineer

A Software Quality Assurance Engineer ensures software quality and reliability. This course provides a foundational understanding of software testing, directly preparing you for this role. You will grasp essential test activities like planning, analysis, design, execution, and completion. The course's focus on ISTQB® terminology enables clear communication in professional settings. By exploring various test levels—component, system, acceptance—and techniques, including black-box and white-box methods, you will develop critical defect identification skills. This accredited course is designed to teach you about software testing, helping build a solid understanding of fundamentals. It serves as an excellent starting point for a successful career as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer.

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Test Engineer

A Test Engineer designs, develops, and implements tests to ensure software functionality and performance. This course provides a crucial foundational understanding of software testing principles directly applicable to a Test Engineer's daily tasks. You will gain a basic understanding of testing fundamentals, including why testing is necessary and the seven testing principles. The syllabus covers test activities like analysis, design, and implementation, alongside various test techniques such as equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, and exploratory testing. This accredited course's practical examples and problem-solving focus will help you prepare for real-world testing challenges, offering a robust starting point for advancing your skills and career as a Test Engineer.

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Quality Analyst

A Quality Analyst assesses software products for defects and ensures they meet specified requirements. This course offers a strong foundation in software testing, which is central to the responsibilities of a Quality Analyst. You will learn the basics of software testing, distinguishing between errors, defects, and failures, and understanding their root causes. The course covers the full spectrum of test activities, from planning and monitoring to test completion, providing a high-level overview of all parts included in software testing. By mastering various test techniques and understanding test levels, you will be equipped to provide insightful analysis, making this accredited course an excellent starting point for a career as a Quality Analyst.

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Manual Tester

A Manual Tester meticulously executes tests without automation to ensure software quality. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of software testing, making it highly valuable for aspiring Manual Testers. You will learn essential concepts such as test activities, testware, and various black-box test techniques, including equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, and use case testing, which are core to manual testing. The course’s emphasis on examples and solving sample questions helps you grasp practical application. Understanding test design and execution processes, along with different test types like confirmation and regression testing, will provide a solid framework for effective manual testing. This accredited course is a very good starting point for a career as a Manual Tester.

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User Acceptance Tester

A User Acceptance Tester validates software from an end-user perspective to ensure it meets business requirements. This course provides a foundational understanding of software testing, which is particularly relevant for a User Acceptance Tester. The syllabus explicitly covers 'Acceptance Testing' as a key test level, detailing its purpose and activities. You will learn about designing test cases using acceptance test-driven development and writing effective acceptance criteria, directly enhancing your ability to define and execute user-centric tests. Understanding the overall software development lifecycle and the role of different test types helps prepare you to bridge the gap between development and user needs, making this accredited course a valuable starting point in this specialized testing field.

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Technical Tester

A Technical Tester employs a deeper understanding of system architecture and code to design and execute tests. This course, while foundational, introduces critical concepts relevant to a Technical Tester. You will explore various test techniques, including white-box testing methods such as statement, decision, and branch coverage, which delve into code structure. The syllabus also covers understanding errors, defects, and root causes, alongside the impact of different software development lifecycles like Agile and DevOps on testing. This knowledge helps build a foundation for analyzing system internals for testability. This accredited course serves as a very good starting point for developing the technical mindset necessary for a specialized role as a Technical Tester.

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Software Developer

A Software Developer builds and maintains software applications. This course may be helpful for a Software Developer by instilling a strong quality mindset from the outset. Developers often write unit tests and participate in quality activities, benefiting greatly from a basic understanding of software testing fundamentals. The course covers concepts such as the 'Shift-Left Approach', where testing occurs earlier, and 'Good Testing Practices', which can directly improve a developer's code quality and testing habits. An understanding of defects, test techniques, and the 'Whole-Team Approach' fosters better collaboration with dedicated testing teams, making this accredited course relevant for enhancing your development practices and contributing to higher quality software.

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DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer integrates development and operations, focusing on automating and streamlining the software delivery pipeline. This course may be useful for a DevOps Engineer by providing a foundational understanding of testing within this continuous process. The syllabus explicitly covers 'DevOps and Testing' and 'Continuous Integration,' highlighting the importance of embedding quality throughout the pipeline. Understanding test activities, test levels, and concepts like 'Shift-Left Approach' helps in designing effective automated testing strategies and ensuring faster, more reliable deployments. This accredited course will help you understand how testing integrates into modern development practices, proving valuable for optimizing continuous delivery as a DevOps Engineer.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst acts as a bridge between business needs and technical solutions, gathering requirements and ensuring solutions align. This course may be helpful for a Business Analyst by providing insight into the quality assurance process. The syllabus includes specific topics such as 'Work products Examinable by Static testing' and 'Writing Acceptance Criteria,' which are directly relevant to defining clear and testable requirements. Understanding the fundamentals of testing, different test levels, and defect identification helps a Business Analyst anticipate potential issues, communicate more effectively with development and testing teams, and ensure robust solutions from the outset. This accredited course may be useful for enhancing your ability to deliver high-quality business solutions.

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Product Owner

A Product Owner defines the product vision, manages the backlog, and ensures the delivered product meets user needs. This course may be helpful for a Product Owner by providing a foundational understanding of quality assurance perspectives. Learning about 'Acceptance Testing' and 'Writing Acceptance Criteria' directly supports a Product Owner's role in defining what 'done' means for features. Understanding errors, defects, failures, and the seven testing principles helps in prioritizing work, managing expectations, and making informed decisions about product quality. This accredited course may be useful in fostering a quality-first mindset, enabling you to guide development teams more effectively towards delivering a high-quality product as a Product Owner.

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Scrum Master

A Scrum Master facilitates agile processes and removes impediments for the development team. This course may be helpful for a Scrum Master by offering a foundational understanding of testing within an agile context. The syllabus discusses 'Agile Software Development' and the 'Whole-Team Approach,' aligning with Scrum principles. Understanding test activities, the importance of continuous integration, and retrospectives helps a Scrum Master guide the team in embedding quality throughout the sprints. While not a testing role, familiarity with test levels and techniques allows for more effective coaching on quality practices and understanding potential challenges related to testing. This accredited course may be useful for enhancing your ability to support agile teams effectively.

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System Analyst

A System Analyst analyzes, designs, and implements information systems to meet organizational needs. This course may be useful for a System Analyst by providing a foundational understanding of software testing and quality. It covers 'Verification vs Validation' and the impact of different 'Software Development Lifecycle' models, crucial for system design. Understanding how systems are tested, including test levels and techniques like use case testing, helps in designing more robust and testable systems from the start. Learning about errors, defects, and root causes helps in anticipating and mitigating system flaws. This accredited course may be useful for enhancing your ability to design resilient and high-quality information systems as a System Analyst.

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Release Manager

A Release Manager oversees the planning, scheduling, and control of a software release throughout the software development lifecycle. This course may be useful for a Release Manager by providing a foundational understanding of software testing's role in ensuring release readiness. The syllabus covers 'Test Activities' like test planning, monitoring, and control, as well as crucial concepts such as 'Entry & Exit Criteria' for test levels, which are paramount for release gates. Understanding regression and confirmation testing helps in assessing the impact of changes. This accredited course provides a high-level overview of testing, offering insights into quality assurance processes that are valuable for orchestrating successful and stable software deployments as a Release Manager.

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IT Project Coordinator

An IT Project Coordinator helps manage IT projects, ensuring they stay on track and meet objectives. This course may be useful for an IT Project Coordinator by providing a foundational understanding of software testing, a critical phase in most IT projects. You will gain a high-level overview of all parts included in software testing, from planning and analysis to execution and completion. Understanding test roles, testware, and the importance of traceability benefits project planning and risk management. Familiarity with the software development lifecycle and quality assurance concepts helps in better managing project timelines, resources, and stakeholder communication. This accredited course may be useful for enhancing your capabilities in coordinating complex IT initiatives.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates clear and concise documentation for software products and processes. This course may be useful for a Technical Writer by providing a foundational understanding of software functionality and potential user challenges. The syllabus covers 'Work products Examinable by Static testing,' which can include documentation, and the importance of stakeholder feedback in reviews. Understanding errors, defects, and failures helps in anticipating user pain points and writing more effective user manuals or help guides. Familiarity with test techniques and software development lifecycles offers context for describing features accurately. This accredited course may be useful for enhancing your ability to produce high-quality, user-centric documentation.

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