Certified Software Tester (CSTE) Certificate
 About CSTE
The Certified Software Tester (CSTE) certification is intended to establish standards for initial qualification and provide direction for the testing function through an aggressive educational program. Acquiring the designation of Certified Software Tester (CSTE) indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality control in the IT profession. CSTEs become members of a recognized professional group and receive recognition of their competence by business and professional associates, potentially more rapid career advancement, and greater acceptance in the role as advisor to management.
The Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK) for the CSTE is designed to cover the challenges faced by today’s software testers. The CBOK’s knowledge categories have been selected to address these challenges. It is recognized that many software testers do not need to be competent in all of the categories to fulfill their current job responsibilities.
Categories one to six should be common to all test assignments and therefore most of the certification examination will focus on categories one to six. However, the candidate should have a basic knowledge of categories seven to ten to ensure correctness of test competencies and candidates will be examined at a high level on these categories.
What you learn
The 2006 Common Body of Knowledge for the software tester certificate includes these ten knowledge categories:
  1. Software Testing Principles and Concepts
  2. Building the Test Environment
  3. Managing the Test Project
  4. Test Planning
  5. Executing the Test Plan
  6. Test Status, Analysis and Reporting
  7. User Acceptance Testing
  8. Testing Software Developed by Outside Organizations
  9. Testing Software Controls and the Adequacy of Security Procedures
  10. Testing New Technologies
Examination
Candidates for certification must pass a four-part written examination in order to obtain certification. The examination tests the candidate's knowledge and practice of the skill areas defined in the CSTE Body of Knowledge.
The examination reflects state-of-the-art principles and practices from the disciplines included in the associated Body of Knowledge for the certification specialty. The exam expects that familiarity with current industry topics via experience, periodicals, and textbooks is continually being maintained. It is the philosophy of the Software Certifications Board that knowledge of significant developments in the information services industry, as well as a basic understanding of the various disciplines affecting software quality assurance, be current. For this reason the examination instrument is continually reviewed and revised to implement these factors into the testing process.
Professional certification is a significant undertaking. Sufficient time and energy should be allocated by the candidate toward preparation. Most of the needed preparation involves reviewing and brushing up on the various knowledge domains in the certification’s respective Body of Knowledge.
Examination takes 3-4 times each year in Toronto.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certified Software Quality Analyst(CSQA)
I. What you will learn from this course
  • Fundamental software quality principles and concepts incorporated into the CSQA Common Body Of Knowledge.
  • Exam preparation strategy and sample CSQA exam
  • QA role and responsibility in different stage of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
  • Various of software verification and validation skills
  • Build testing environment
  • How to prepare test plan and test cases
  • Plan and test case exaction and reporting
  • QA work process in the company
  • Interview prepared questions for software QA position
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II. Skill Categories for CSQA:
  • Quality Principles and Concepts
  • Quality Leadership
  • Quality Baselines (Assessments and Models)
  • Quality Assurance
  • Quality Planning
  • Define, Build, Implement and Improve Work Processes
  • Quality Control Practices
  • Metrics and Measurement
  • Internal Control and Security
  • Outsourcing, COTS and Contracting Quality
III Benefit to be certified CSQA professional
The individual obtaining the CSQA certification receives the following values:
  • Increased Confidence in Personal Capabilities
Eighty-five percent (85%) of the CSQAs stated that passing the examination increased their confidence to perform their job more effectively. Much of that confidence came from studying for the examination.
 
  • Recognition by IT Management for Professional Achievement
Most CSQAs stated that their management greatly respects those who put forth the personal effort needed for self-improvement. IT organizations recognize and reward individuals in the following ways:
Thirteen percent (13%) received an immediate average one-time bonus of $610, with a range of $250 to $2,500. Twelve percent (12%) received an immediate average salary increase of 10%, with a range of 2% to 50%.
 
  • Non-monetary recognitions were:
Thirty-six percent (36%) were recognized in staff meetings. Twenty percent (20%) in newsletters or email. Many received rewards, management visits or calls, and lunch with the boss. Within the first 18 months after receipt of the CSQA certification, of the successful candidates:
Twenty-seven percent (27%) received an average salary increase of 23%, with a range of 2% to 100%. Twenty-three percent (23%) were promoted, 25% received a better assignment and 13% a new assignment.
 
Etobicoke Civic Centre,City of Toronto;
399 The West Mall
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M9C 2Y2
 
Driving Directions:
1. Southwest corner of Hwy 427 and Burnhamthorpe Rd.
2. Exit northbound or southbound from hwy 427 to Burnhamthorpe west.
 
Parking Information:  Free parking at front or rear of building.
 
CSQA Examination Overview:
The four and a half hour examination consists of four written parts, including multiple-choice and essay questions. A typical CSQA examination is comprised of two parts for Quality Assurance Theory and two parts for Quality Assurance Practice:
 
Quality Assurance Theory
Part 1 Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions Complete within 45 minutes
Part 2 Approximately 10 essay questions Complete within 1 hour, 15 minutes
 
Quality assurance theory evaluates your understanding of quality principles, practices, vocabulary and concepts. In other words, do you have a solid foundation in quality basics? For example, can you differentiate between quality assurance and quality control?
 
Quality Assurance Practice
Part 3 Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions Complete within 45 minutes
Part 4 Approximately 10 essay questions Complete within 1 hour, 15 minutes
 
Quality assurance practice evaluates whether you can apply quality basics to real-world situations. For example, a question may be: “What methods of quality control would you use to reduce defects for a software system under development? During which phase of development would you use those methods?” You cannot bring any study or supporting materials to the examination site other than a pencil. Each individual will have an assigned seat. You may take a 10-minute break between each examination part, but not during the examination. Proctors for the examination are not enquired to be certified. If not certified, they are ineligible to take the examination for at least two years after proctoring. Proctors follow specific instructions to conduct the examination. Software Certifications’ policies and procedures enforce confidentiality.All examinations are for about 100 marks for each part.http://www.softwarecertifications.org/ for more details.