ISTQB Certified Tester, Advanced Level - Test Management v3.0, Training and optional exam in English

The online course for the ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Management (CTAL-TM) v3.0, based on the current 2024 syllabus, must be completed within 45 days. The access period begins on the preferred start date selected during online booking. Any accompanying printed course materials ordered as an additional option during the online booking process will be sent to you by post.

This course is delivered in English. After completing the e-learning course, you can take the optional certification examination conveniently and securely as a Remote Proctored Exam from your home or office on your preferred date.

For reliable access to the Learning Management System (LMS), we recommend using a current, supported web browser, preferably the latest version of Microsoft Edge.

In this English-language e-learning course, you will acquire the knowledge and practical tools required to work successfully as a professional test manager.

This online course is based on the current ISTQB® Advanced Level Test Management syllabus v3.0 from 2024. It provides a comprehensive overview of the planning, monitoring, control and completion of testing activities throughout the software development lifecycle.

You will learn how to manage test teams, plan and document testing, define an appropriate test approach, estimate testing activities and monitor test progress. The course also explains how to align a project test strategy with the organizational test strategy and the specific project context.

Different test planning documents and the relationships between defect management, risk management and test management are presented and explained in a practical manner. You will learn how to identify and assess quality risks, select suitable risk-based testing activities and use metrics and test reports to support test management decisions.

You will also learn how to improve and adapt test processes using established process-improvement models and retrospectives. Further topics include test estimation, defect workflows, test tools, the cost and benefits of testing and the development of suitable testing competencies within a team.

The course covers the three central areas of the current syllabus: Managing the Test Activities, Managing the Product and Managing the Team.

The course is rounded off by an examination of the role of the test manager within an organization, the specific responsibilities associated with this role and the technical, management and interpersonal skills required, for example when leading, motivating and developing test teams.

This Advanced Level qualification is aimed at anyone involved in the management of software testing. This includes professionals working in roles such as system testers, software testers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, Scrum Masters, project managers or product owners.

The Advanced Level Test Management qualification is also suitable for anyone who wants to acquire an advanced understanding of software testing and test management. This includes, for example, project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.

The course is particularly suitable for professionals who are responsible for planning, monitoring and controlling testing activities, defining test strategies, managing quality risks, coordinating defect management or leading and developing test teams.

Holders of the Advanced Level Test Management certificate can continue with the ISTQB® Expert Level software testing qualifications.

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager or Test Management certificate is valid for life and does not require renewal. It is internationally recognized and demonstrates the holder’s professional competence and credibility in the field of test management.

To obtain the certification, candidates must hold an ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level v4.0 certificate or a certificate based on an earlier version of the Foundation Level and must have sufficient relevant practical experience.

To be admitted to the ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Management examination through the examination process described for this course, candidates must provide evidence of at least 18 months of relevant practical experience and must already hold an ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate.

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level v4.0 certificate as well as certificates based on earlier versions of the Foundation Level are accepted.

The admission application will be sent to you automatically when you register for the examination.

All relevant practical experience acquired by the participant is counted towards the required 18 months. The practical experience does not have to have been acquired exclusively after obtaining the Foundation Level certificate.

Your submitted documents will be reviewed by the certification body for completeness and compliance with the applicable admission requirements. If the required conditions are not met or the necessary supporting documents are incomplete, the certification body may not grant admission to the examination.

The specific practical-experience requirements may depend on the responsible ISTQB® Member Board or Exam Provider. The requirement of at least 18 months stated above applies to the examination admission process described for this course.

A valid photo ID must be presented when taking the examination so that the identity of the examination candidate can be verified.

Participants who successfully complete the course and, where applicable, the optional examination will be able to:

• manage testing in different software development projects by applying the test management processes established for the relevant project team or test organization
• identify the test stakeholders and software development lifecycle models that are relevant in a specific context
• organize sessions for identifying and assessing quality risks within a software development lifecycle and use the results to guide testing so that the defined test objectives are achieved
• define a project test strategy that is consistent with the organizational test strategy and the specific project context
• continuously monitor and control testing in order to support the achievement of the project objectives
• assess test progress and communicate the relevant results and status information to project stakeholders
• identify the skills and competencies required within a test team and support the development of those competencies
• prepare and present a business case for testing in different contexts, including the expected costs and benefits
• lead test process improvement activities within projects or software development product streams and contribute to organizational initiatives for improving the test process
• plan the required test activities, including the necessary test infrastructure, and estimate the effort required to perform the testing
• create defect reports and define a defect workflow that is suitable for the applicable software development lifecycle

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Management v3.0 course covers the following topics:

• Managing the Test Activities
  • The Test Process
    • planning test activities
    • monitoring and controlling test activities
    • completing test activities
  • The Context of Testing
    • identifying test stakeholders and understanding the interests of different stakeholder groups
    • understanding the importance of stakeholder knowledge for effective test management
    • test management within hybrid software development models
    • test management activities for different software development lifecycle models
    • test management activities at different test levels
    • test management activities for different test types
    • comparing test management activities across test levels and test types
    • analyzing a project in order to define the required test management activities, with a particular focus on test planning, test monitoring and test control
  • Risk-Based Testing
    • using testing as an activity for mitigating product quality risks
    • identifying product quality risks
    • assessing quality risks and determining the relevant risk level
    • considering factors that influence the likelihood and impact of product quality risks
    • selecting appropriate test activities to reduce risks according to the identified risk level
    • applying techniques for risk-based testing
    • defining success metrics for risk-based testing
    • recognizing difficulties and challenges associated with risk-based testing
  • Project Test Strategy
    • selecting an appropriate test approach
    • analyzing the organizational test strategy, project context and other relevant factors
    • selecting a test approach that is suitable for the project
    • defining clear and measurable test objectives
    • applying the S.M.A.R.T. method when defining test objectives
  • Test Process Improvement
    • improving the test process using the IDEAL model
    • applying model-based approaches to test process improvement
    • applying analytical approaches to test process improvement
    • conducting project or iteration retrospectives
    • using retrospectives to evaluate testing and identify areas requiring improvement
  • Test Tools
    • good practices for introducing tools into an organization or project
    • technical, business and organizational aspects of tool-related decisions
    • planning and carrying out a structured tool selection process
    • considering risks, costs, expected benefits and return on investment when selecting tools
    • understanding the lifecycle and different phases of a test tool
    • collecting and evaluating metrics with the support of tools
• Managing the Product
  • Test Metrics
    • metrics for test management activities
    • selecting suitable metrics for the relevant project and stakeholders
    • monitoring test progress using metrics
    • using metrics to support test control and test completion
    • preparing test reports to support informed decision-making
  • Test Estimation
    • identifying and estimating the activities required for testing
    • considering factors that influence the required test effort
    • selecting suitable test estimation techniques
    • using estimation results to support planning and decision-making
  • Defect Management
    • the defect lifecycle
    • effective and cross-functional defect management
    • defect management in Agile software development
    • defect management challenges in hybrid software development
    • defining appropriate defect workflows
    • determining the information required in a defect report
    • evaluating defect reports and defect-report statistics
    • using defect-report information to identify and define process improvement actions
• Managing the Team
  • The Test Team
    • identifying the skills required within a test team across different areas of competence
    • analyzing the skills required for individual test team members
    • applying techniques for assessing the existing skills within the team
    • planning and supporting the development of team members’ competencies
    • developing the management skills required to lead a test team
    • recognizing factors that can motivate or demotivate a test team in different situations
  • Stakeholder Relationships
    • understanding and communicating the cost of quality
    • analyzing the cost-benefit relationship of testing
    • demonstrating the value and expected benefits of testing to stakeholders

As preparation for the course and the examination, course and examination participants receive exclusive and free access before and during the training to additional exercises for examination preparation and knowledge consolidation in our Learning Management System. This provides comprehensive support for preparing for the certification examination.

After completing the course, you have the option of taking the ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Management (CTAL-TM) v3.0 certification examination.

The examination is optional and is booked separately. Additional examination fees apply.

You can take the examination as a Remote Proctored Exam on a computer with an internet connection, webcam, microphone and audio output. This allows you to take the examination securely from your home or office under remote supervision.

Please inform us of your preferred examination date at least four working days before the requested examination date so that we can arrange the examination with the certification body.

During online booking, you can select the examination as an additional booking option.

To be admitted to the examination through the examination process described for this course, candidates must provide evidence of at least 18 months of relevant practical experience and must already hold an ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate.

The Foundation Level v4.0 certificate as well as certificates based on earlier Foundation Level versions are accepted. The exact admission and practical-experience requirements are determined by the responsible ISTQB® Member Board or Exam Provider.

The official examination structure is as follows:

• Number of questions: 50
• Total number of points: 88
• Passing score: 58 out of 88 points
• Standard examination duration: 120 minutes
• Additional time: Candidates taking the examination in a language that is not their native language may receive 25% additional time in accordance with the applicable Exam Provider rules.

A valid photo ID must be presented for identity verification when taking the examination.

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Management certificate is internationally recognized, valid for life and does not require renewal.