ISTQB Test Automation Engineering v2.0

The ISTQB Test Automation Engineering Certificate Course (CT-TAE) is a three-day course explaining the tasks of a test automation engineer in designing, developing, and maintaining test automation solutions. The course includes exercises and practice exams to highlight key aspects of the syllabus and to help participants understand and practice the concepts and methods presented.

Course Objectives

Provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to guide a test automation project. The course focuses on the concepts, methods, tools, and processes for automating dynamic functional tests and the relationship of those tests to test management, configuration management, defect management, software development processes and quality assurance.

Methods described are generally applicable across variety of software lifecycle approaches (e.g., agile, sequential, incremental, iterative), types of software systems (e.g., embedded, distributed, mobile) and test types (functional and non-functional testing).

Who will benefit?

This 3-day course is appropriate for professionals in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, software developers, and anyone wishing to implement or improve test automation solutions, and also gain the ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineering certificate.

The certification is aimed at professionals who are working within a tool supported software testing environment. It is also for professionals who are planning to start working within a tool supported software testing environment in the future, or are working within companies that plan to do so.

People possessing an ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineering certificate may use the Certified Tester Advanced Level acronym: CTAL-TAE.

Prerequisites

Candidates for the ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineering certificate must hold the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate (CTFL).

Skills Gained

Advanced Level testers who have passed the “Advanced Test Automation Engineernig” module exam, can be expected to:

• Describe the purpose of test automation.
• Understand test automation through the software development lifecycle.
• Understand the configuration of an infrastructure to enable test automation.
• Learn the evaluation process for selecting the right tools and strategies.
• Understand design concepts for building modular and scalable test automation solutions.
• Select an approach, including a pilot, to plan test automation deployment within the software development lifecycle.
• Design and develop (new or modified) test automation solutions that meet technical needs.
• Consider scope and approach of test automation and maintenance of testware.
• Understand how automated tests integrate within CI/CD pipelines.
• Understand how to collect, analyse, and report on test automation data in order to inform stakeholders.
• Verify the test automation infrastructure.
• Define continuous improvement opportunities for test automation.

Certified Advanced Test Automation Engineers should be able to demonstrate their skills in the following areas:

• Explain the objectives, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of test automation.
• Identify technical success factors of a test automation project.
• Analyse a system under test to determine the appropriate automation solution.
• Analyse test automation tools for a given project and report technical findings and recommendations.
• Understand “design for testability” and “design for test automation” methods applicable to the SUT.
• Explain the structure of the Generic Test Automation Architecture.
• Analyse factors of implementation, use, and maintenance requirements for a given Test Automation Solution.
• Explain the factors to be considered when identifying reusability of components.
• Apply guidelines that support effective test tool pilot and deployment activities.
• Analyse deployment risks and identify technical issues that could lead to failure of the test automation project, and plan mitigation strategies.
• Understand which factors support and affect maintainability.
• Classify metrics that can be used to monitor the test automation strategy and effectiveness.
• Explain how a test execution report is constructed and published.
• Apply criteria for determining the suitability of tests for automation.
• Understand the factors in transitioning from manual to automation testing.
• Explain the factors to consider in implementing automated regression testing, new feature testing, and confirmation testing.
• Verify the correctness of an automated test environment including test tool setup.
• Verify the correct behaviour for a given automated test script and/or test suite.
• Analyse the technical aspects of a deployed test automation solution and provide recommendations for improvement.

The Exam

The Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering exam comprises 40 multiple choice questions, with a pass mark grade of 65% to be completed within 90 minutes. Participants that take the exam not in their spoken language, will receive additional 25% more time (an additional 23 minutes) so a total of 113 minutes.

The exam can be scheduled for the last afternoon of the course but may also be held on a later date.

Course Content (Overview)

1.              Introduction and Objectives for Test Automation – 45 mins.

2.              Preparing for Test Automation – 180 mins.

3.              Test Automation Architecture – 210 mins.

4               Implementing Test Automation – 150 mins.

5               Implementation and Deployment Strategies for Test Automation – 90 mins.

6               Test Automation Reporting and Metrics – 150 mins.

7               Verifying the Test Automation Solution  – 135 mins.

8               Continuous Improvement – 210 mins.