ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst

Course details

This Advanced Level qualification is appropriate for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of software testing. This includes people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers.

The Advanced Test Analyst certificate is for those people involved in the identification, creation and execution of test cases. The course focuses mainly on a range of black box test design techniques.

Business Outcomes

• A candidate who has achieved the Advanced Test Analyst certification should be able to do the following:
• Perform the appropriate testing activities based on the software development lifecycle being used.
• Determine the proper prioritisation of the testing activities based on the information provided by the risk analysis.
• Select and apply appropriate testing techniques to ensure that tests provide an adequate level of confidence, based on defined coverage criteria.
• Provide the appropriate level of documentation relevant to the testing activities.
• Determine the appropriate types of functional testing to be performed.
• Assume responsibility for the usability testing for a given project.
• Effectively participate in formal and informal reviews with stakeholders, applying knowledge of typical mistakes made in work products.
• Design and implement a defect classification scheme.
• Apply tools to support an efficient testing process.

Course content

The course follows the ISTQB Advanced Level – Test Analyst syllabus and covers the following:

1. Testing Process

• 1.2 Testing in the Software Development Lifecycle
• 1.3 Test Monitoring, Planning and Control
• 1.4 Test Analysis
• 1.5 Test Design
• 1.6 Test Implementation
• 1.7 Test Execution
• 1.8 Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting
• 1.9 Test Closure Activities

2. Test Management: Responsibilities for the Test Analyst

• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Test Progress Monitoring and Control
• 2.3 Distributed, Outsourced and Insourced Testing
• 2.4 The Test Analyst’s Tasks in Risk-Based Testing

3. Test Techniques

• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 Specification-Based Techniques
• 3.3 Defect-Based Techniques
• 3.4 Experience-Based Techniques

4. Testing Software Quality Characteristics

• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Quality Characteristics for Business Domain Testing
• 4.3 Accuracy Testing
• 4.4 Suitability Testing
• 4.5 Interoperability Testing
• 4.6 Usability Testing

5. Reviews

• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Using Checklists in Reviews

6. Defect Management

• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 When Can a Defect be Detected?
• 6.3 Defect Report Fields
• 6.4 Defect Classification
• 6.5 Root Cause Analysis

7. Test Tools

• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 Test Tools and Automation
• 7.3 Test Design Tools
• 7.4 Test Data Preparation Tools
• 7.5 Automated Test Execution Tools