ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level Agile Tester (CTFL-AT)

The Agile Tester Foundation level course is suitable for those who are, or expect to be, working on agile projects. It is aimed at those who seek a practical application of the core software testing material covered at ISTQB Foundation level to agile projects.

This course is also appropriate for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of agile development that specifically contains coverage of the options for including software testing as an integrated part of the agile development approach. This includes Scrum Masters, project managers, release managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts and management consultants.

After successfully completing the course and passing the exam, delegates should be able to demonstrate the following business-based outcomes:

• Collaborate in a cross-functional Agile team being familiar with principles and basic practices of Agile software development.
• Adapt existing testing experience and knowledge to Agile values and principles.
• Support the Agile team in planning test-related activities.
• Apply relevant methods and techniques for testing in an Agile project.
• Assist the Agile team in test automation activities.
• Assist business stakeholders in defining understandable and testable user stories, scenarios, requirements and acceptance criteria as appropriate.
• Work and share information with other team members using effective communication styles and channels.

In general, a Certified Tester Foundation Level – Agile Tester is expected to have acquired the necessary skills to working effectively within an Agile team and environment.

In addition, Foundation level Agile Testers should be able to demonstrate their skills in the following areas once they have completed the course and passed the exam:

• The Fundamentals of Agile Software Development
• The different agile approaches
• The Differences between Testing in Traditional and Agile Approaches
• Testing in Agile Projects
• Roles and skills of a tester in Agile Projects
• Agile testing techniques and methods
• Assess product quality risks within an Agile project
• Estimate testing effort based on iteration content and quality risks
• Tools in Agile Projects

ISTQB Agile Tester

There are three chapters with examinable content. The top-level heading for each chapter specifies the time for the chapter; timing is not provided below chapter level. The syllabus is distributed across the three chapters as follows: 

- Chapter 1: 150 minutes Agile Software Development

- Chapter 2: 105 minutes Fundamental Agile Testing Principles, Practices, and Processes

- Chapter 3: 480 minutes Agile Testing Methods, Techniques, and Tools

The entry requirements for the ISTQB Agile Foundation Extension qualification are that the candidate must hold the ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing.

Note that it is recommended that you attend an accredited training course run by an accredited training provider, as the overall exam pass rates are notably higher for candidates attending such courses.

To qualify as an internationally-recognized Certified Foundation Agile Extension Level Tester and be issued with an ISTQB® Agile Foundation Extension Level Certificate, delegates must successfully pass the exam administered by the relevant National Board or Examination Provider.

The exam will be taken on the afternoon of the last day of the course.

• The examination consists of a one-hour exam with 40 multiple choice questions.
• It will be a ‘closed book’ examination i.e. no notes or books will be allowed into the examination room.
• Duration of 60 minutes (or 75 minutes for candidates taking examinations that are not in their native language). The pass mark is 65% (26 out of 40).

At Foundation Level:

- ISTQB Agile Tester

- ISTQB Mobile App Tester

- ISTQB Model Based Tester

- ISTQB AI for Testers

- ISTQB Acceptance Tester

At Advanced Level

- ISTQB Test Analyst

- ISTQB Technical Test Analyst

- ISTQB Agile Technical Tester

- ISTQB Automation Engineer

- ISTQB Test Manager

- ISTQB Security Tester

Founded in 2002, ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) is a not-for-profit association comprising 47 national boards (including the UKTB) covering 71 countries worldwide.

ISTQB has defined the Advanced certification as part of their ‘Certified Tester’ scheme that, with over 240,000 certifications, has become the de facto world-wide standard for software testing qualifications.

The ‘Certified Tester’ scheme:

• provides a set of professional qualifications widely-recognised by employers, customers and peers;
• enables software suppliers to hire and train certified testers and thereby gain commercial advantage over their competitors by advertising their tester recruitment and development policies; and
• enables comparison of testing skills across different countries, testers to move across country borders more easily, and multi-national/international projects to have a common understanding of testing issues.