Today, getting the ISTQB certificate (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) is undoubtedly one of the best ways to present yourself as a specialist with up-to-date knowledge in the QA processes. This powerful certification not only increases your resume’s value and lets you land better job opportunities, but it also tells your unique story and shows that you are a true master in using the technologies associated with QA.

If you’re willing to hop into your next great adventure and pass this exam, I would be happy to give you a helping hand. At Tremend, the vast majority of our QA team has already passed the ISTQB exam, and I want to share with you the lessons me and my colleagues learned from the process.

What is the ISTQB certification?

The ISTQB certificate is one of the most widely recognized credentials for software testing professionals. Obtaining this certificate means that you have acquired the necessary testing knowledge and skills and successfully passed the exam.

The ISTQB certification is perfect for any QA specialist who wants to expand their horizons and showcase their skills in this area.

When to take the exam

In my opinion, it is best to schedule yourself for the exam after you have already acquired some knowledge working as a QA engineer. That way, when you start studying the materials you will be able to identify techniques that you have already applied while working on an actual project.

It is much easier to comprehend the information you are learning for the exam when the structure is based on your working experience.

How to prepare for the exam

It is certainly possible to prepare for the exam on your own. Nevertheless, in my own experience, what I think helped me the most in passing it are the learning circles and preparation courses organized by Tremend. 

The way the course was run included an in-depth study of each chapter, usually one-course session corresponded to one chapter. If there were any questions or doubts left during the self-study session, they could be easily addressed in the next course.

Another factor that made a big difference to me was that the training set was casual, all participants were feeling relaxed, and could prepare at their own pace.  It was much more convenient to participate in these courses, as the chapters were explained in great detail and accompanied by appropriate examples from current projects, but it is certainly necessary to study on your own as well. 

After a chapter was completed, I would always read the later chapters again to keep the information fresh and solve a few simulation questions.

My tips for passing the ISTQB Foundation Level Certification exam

I think the most important advice I received was to read the requirements/questions carefully. The exam is not difficult, but you should not underestimate it because most questions are tricky, and you might answer them incorrectly.

Keep your eyes open for the words like NOT, NEVER in the questions, or else there is a serious chance that you may lose points for simple mistakes. The same applies to the options as well. The questions in the ISTQB certification have answer options presented in such a way that they all look similar. Read the question at least two times before you mark your answers.

Remember that every question carries only one mark. Do not waste too much time figuring out an answer to a difficult question. You can keep it aside and try to solve it after completing more straightforward and easy questions. There is absolutely no reason to answer the questions in the order they are printed in the exam. You can start with the ones that you know.

Finally, while you are deciding which date to book for the exam, what I would recommend is to just think carefully and allocate enough time to study. Be aware that the preparation time for the exam takes around 3-4 weeks if you study for 2-3 hours a day.