ISTQB Foundation Course Content

Fundamentals of Software Testing

• Grasping the software systems context
• Identifying causes of software defects
• Bug
• Defect
• Error
• Failure
• Fault
• Mistake
• Quality
• Risk

Ensuring Software Success Through Testing

The key objectives of testing

• Finding defects during development
• Providing confidence and information

Adhering to seven testing principles

• Presence of defects
• Exhaustive testing
• Early testing
• Defect clustering
• Pesticide paradox
• Context dependent
• Absence-of-errors fallacy

Applying common sense processes

• Planning and controlling
• Analyzing and designing
• Implementing and executing
• Evaluating exit criteria and reporting
• Closing activities

Coping with the psychology of testing

• Contrasting developer vs. tester mindset
• Discerning levels of independence

Testing and the Software Life Cycle

Distinguishing software development models

• Adapting to V-model and iterative models
• Performing tests within a life cycle model

Conducting the main test levels

• Component
• Integration
• System
• Acceptance

Comparing four software test types

• Recognizing functional and structural tests
• Performing non-functional testing
• Analyzing software structure/architecture
• Conducting confirmation and regression tests

Performing maintenance testing

• Identifying reasons for maintenance testing
• Modification
• Migration
• Retirement

Finding Defects with Static Techniques

Comparing static analysis to dynamic testing

• Detection
• Correction
• Improvement

Differentiating various review types

• Informal
• Technical
• Walkthrough
• Inspection

Leveraging Test Design Techniques

Differentiating various "specifications"

• Test design
• Test case
• Test procedure

Applying specification-based techniques

• Equivalence partitioning
• State transition
• Boundary value analysis
• Use case
• Decision table

Utilizing structure-based techniques

• Statement coverage
• Decision coverage

Deploying experience-based knowledge

• Intuition
• Experience
• Knowledge

Managing the Testing Process

Organizing and assigning responsibilities

• Independence
• Test leader
• Tester

Planning and estimating the activities

• Metrics-based vs. expert-based approach
• Justifying exit criteria adequacy
• Standardizing test documentation

Monitoring and controlling test progress

• Applying common metrics
• Interpreting test summary reports

Implementing configuration management

• Ensuring proper version control
• Generating incident reports

Addressing project and product risks

• Contractual
• Organizational
• Technical
• Assess
• Determine
• Implement

Adopting Test Support Tools

Classifying different types of test tools

• Test management
• Static testing
• Test specification
• Executing and logging
• Performance and monitoring
• Other

Introducing a tool into an organization

• Recognizing potential benefits and risks
• Considering special circumstances