Description
The Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) qualification is aimed at anyone involved in software testing and test automation. This includes people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test automation engineers, test consultants, test architects, test managers, and software developers. This qualification is also appropriate for anyone who wants a basic understanding of test automation, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors, and management consultants.
The ISTQB® CT - Test Automation Engineering certification is aimed at software professionals with the ISTQB® Foundation certificate who seek a deeper understanding of software testing to become Test Automation Engineers.
The Test Automation Engineer qualification is aimed at people who have already achieved an advanced point in their software testing careers and wish to develop their automation testing expertise further.
Chapter 1: Introduction and Objectives for Test Automation
- The tester learns about the benefits of test automation and its limitations.
- Test automation within different software development lifecycle models is covered.
- The tester learns how a system under test (SUT) architecture impacts the suitability of test tools.
Chapter 2: Preparing for Test Automation
- Design for SUT testability through observability, controllability, and a clearly defined architecture, are covered.
- A tester learns about test automation across different environments.
- Factors required to assess an appropriate test automation solution are covered.
- A tester will learn about the technical considerations needed to develop recommendations on test automation.
Chapter 3: Test Automation Architecture
- Test automation architecture and its components leading to a test automation solution are covered.
- A tester will learn about layers and their application in a test automation framework.
- Multiple approaches to using test automation tools will be covered.
- A tester will learn how design principles and design patterns can be applied to test automation.
Chapter 4: Implementing Test Automation
- How to effectively plan and deploy a test automation pilot project will be covered.
- A tester will learn about deployment risks and mitigate strategies.
- Factors that improve the maintainability of test automation code will be covered.
Chapter 5: Implementation and Deployment Strategies for Test Automation
- A tester will learn about CI/CD pipelines and automated test execution across test levels.
- Configuration management for components of test automation will be covered.
- A tester will learn about dependencies applied to API and contract testing.
Chapter 6: Test Automation Reporting and Metrics
- A tester will learn where data can be collected from a SUT and test automation for analysis and reporting.
- Data analysis from SUT reports and test automation to uncover causes of failures will be covered.
- The use of test reports and dashboards to inform stakeholders will be covered.
Chapter 7: Verification of Test Automation Solution
- The tester will learn how to examine and verify the correct operation of test automation components and environment.
- Ensuring that test scripts and test suites execute correctly will be covered.
- A tester will understand when to perform root cause analysis.
- Techniques to analyze test automation code for quality will be covered.
Chapter 8: Continuous Improvement
- Additional areas of data analysis for test case improvement will be covered.
- A tester will learn how to improve and upgrade a test automation solution and its components.
- Identifying ways to consolidate and streamline test automation will be covered.
- A tester will learn how test automation tools can assist with test support and setup needs.
Business outcomes
Passing this level demonstrates that candidates can:
- 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 the scope and approach of test automation and maintenance of testware
- Understand how automated tests integrate within CI/CD pipelines
- Understand how to collect, analyze, and report on test automation data to inform stakeholders
- Verify the test automation infrastructure
- Define continuous improvement opportunities for test automation
Target Audience
The Test Automation Engineering syllabus targets the test engineer looking to implement or improve on test automation. It defines methods and practices that can support a sustainable solution.
Other guidelines and reference models relating to test automation solutions are software engineering standards for the selected software development lifecycles, programming technologies, and formatting standards. This syllabus does not teach software engineering. However, a test automation engineer is expected to have skills, experience, and expertise in software engineering.
Furthermore, a test automation engineer needs to be aware of industry programming and documentation standards and best practices and use them while developing a test automation solution. These practices can increase the solution's maintainability, reliability, and security. Such standards are typically based on quality characteristics.
Requirements
- Have successfully passed the ISTQB® CTFL Certification exam and hold the certificate.
- Sufficient relevant working experience in the Software Testing industry, generally at least 18 months.
The global exam price vary depending on the certification and your geographical location.
