Software testing and quality assurance are methods that are used to monitor software engineering processes and ensure quality in doing so.
Quality assurance in its ambit has the following activities:
- Identification of weaknesses in a software development process.
- Correction of those weaknesses and continual improvement of processes.
Later last year, Infosys Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, estimated that the global software testing business would reach $13 Billion by 2020.
Several upcoming trends mark the advancements in Software Testing:
- Rapid growth in mobile application testing
- Testing on Virtualization and cloud computing
- Agile development testing
- Context-driven testing
- Security testing
- Crowd sourced testing
- Escalation in open-source testing tools
- Tester certifications
Certifications, out of all these trends, stand out for the simple reason that they help establish knowledge of all the other aspects. For a holistic approach towards learning and practice, certifications are a must.
Best practices and popular conventions are known better to a person when he gets certified, and that, in turn, leads to a rise in their credibility as an expert in the field.
Here are some of the most widely popular and known certifications that can add the extra charm to your resume and give a boost to your career:
Certified Associate in Software Testing from Quality Assurance Institute, Florida, USA
For a fee of $ 100, this certificate is for you if you are a beginner in software testing and QA. The examination poses 100 multiple choice questions to be answered in 75 minutes. The passing cut-off for this exam is 70 percent.
Eligibility to sit for this certification includes a 3 or 4-year degree from a recognized institution, a 2-year degree in a college with one year experience, or 3 years experience in the IT industry.
Check out more about the certification: Here
ISTQB - Foundation Level from International software testing qualification board
It is another certification for the beginner level professional for a fee of 4500 INR or $250.
The ISTQB is the golden standard in the industry and will add a foundation level certificate will add a feather to your cap for sure. There are no eligibility conditions to apply for this certification. There are 40 multiple choice questions to answer in 60 minutes.
You may know more: Here
CSTE - (Certified Software Test Engineer) from Quality Assurance Institute – Florida, USA
For a fee of $ 350 including a PDF format knowledge book or $ 420, which includes a PDF book and a CD, this certificate is best for an intermediate level professional. The book provided along with the registration fee is required and is sufficient for the preparation of the certificate.
The exam happens in two phases- 100 MCQs to be answered in 75 minutes and 12 essay format questions to be given in 75 minutes. An average of 70% in both tests is required to clear the exam and gain the certification.
Check out this for more information: Here
HP HP0-M102 for UFT version 12.0 from HP
This certification costs $350 approximately and requires an HP Learner ID, which can be obtained: Here
After obtaining the learner ID, create an account with PearsonVUE: Here
A total of 69 questions need to be answered and a minimum 75% score is crucial for success in this exam.
ISTQB - Advanced Level - Test Analyst, ISTQB - Advanced Level - Technical Test Analyst from ISTQB
This certification is tailor-made for the advanced level professionals who want to pursue the career graph for the role of a Test Architect. Enroll yourself in the ISTQB site for this certification for a fee of 4500 INR or $250 for each sub-paper.
Register here for Indian Board: https://enroll.istqb.in/Advance_Registration.php
Register here for US Board: https://astqb.org/registration/
Register here for UK Board: https://www.bcs.org/qualifications-and-certifications/certifications-for-professionals/software-testing-certifications/#structure
For Test Analyst, 65 MCQs need to be tackled in 180 minutes.
For Technical Test Analyst 45 MCQs in 120 minutes.
The passing percent for both is 75%.
If you have the right blend of the technical and non-technical skills, Software Testing Company cannot reject you and your skills!
Great analytical skills, a flair for communication, Time Management and organization skills, and a positive attitude contribute as equally as a certification does in becoming a successful software tester or quality assurance professional.
