| Who is ISEB? |
ISEB is an exam body that has been operating for 40 years. ISEB first provided exams in Software
Testing 15 years ago, and were instrumental in the development of the original Software Testing
syllabus that created the ISTQB syllabus. ISEB offer over 40 different exams in IT including IT Project
Management, ITIL and Business Analysis.
ISEB accredit Training Providers to ensure that the company, their trainers and materials maintain
ISEB's high standards. ISEB is part of BCS, the chartered Institute for the IT profession and plays a
large role in role of raising skills and education in IT.
ISEB has delivered over 250,000 exams and has a strong worldwide reputation for quality. |
| Is ISEB International? |
Yes. ISEB has been developing exams for 40 years and has over 140 Training Providers globally.
ISEB courses have been delivered in over 50 countries including South Africa, Brazil, USA, India,
Japan, Australia, across Europe and many others.
We have delivered over 48,000 exams in Software Testing so far and 35% of these have been
delivered internationally. |
| Why was the original ISEB Practitioner exam changed? |
ISEB had been running the original exam since 2002. Feedback from Training Providers and candidates
who had taken the exam confirmed that the step for candidates from Foundation to Practitioner was
too steep. Feedback also confirmed that individuals working in the Software Testing environment either
specialise in the management aspect or the technical analysis, but seldom both.
Therefore, in order to address the needs of candidates, ISEB re-developed the original Practitioner
syllabus and now offers three separate exams instead.
The Intermediate Certificate is a practical, hands-on exam which bridges the gap between Foundation
and Practitioner.
The syllabus for the Intermediate Certificate covers all the key topics which are needed as a
prerequisite for either of the Practitioner level exams. |
What are the major changes between the 'old' style and 'new' ISEB
Practitioner exams? |
The ‘old’ style ISEB Practitioner syllabus covered all aspects of Software Testing. ISEB re-developed
the ‘old’ style Practitioner exam and now offers three separate exams instead.
The first is the Intermediate Certificate, a practical, hands-on syllabus which sits between Foundation
and Practitioner. The syllabus for the Intermediate Certificate covers all the key topics which are needed
as a prerequisite for either of the Practitioner exams. Once a pass has been achieved in the
Intermediate, candidates can progress to the ISEB Practitioner Certificate in Test Management and/or
Test Analysis. |
What’s the difference between the ‘old’ style Software Testing structure and
the ‘new’ Software Testing structure? |
Previously, the ‘old’ style structure offered only one exam.
Candidates previously found the progression from the Foundation Certificate to Practitioner level too
steep. Therefore, the Intermediate Certificate has been introduced to provide a stepping stone to help
candidates with their progression.
Once a pass has been achieved in the Intermediate exam, if the candidate wishes, they can progress
on to Practitioner level in their preferred specialism, Test Management or Test Analysis – or sit both.
In some cases the Intermediate Certificate will be all that candidates require, as it covers all the key
topics which are elementary to a tester. |
| Is the “old” exam at the same level as the “new” ones? |
If a candidate already holds the “old” style ISEB Practitioner Certificate in Software Testing, they will not
be expected to sit the new exams. Some candidates may choose to do so but it is not mandatory.
The progressive route towards a full ISEB Diploma in Software Testing will incorporate the “old” style
Practitioner qualification, meaning that the value of the certification is equivalent to the old one. |
| How have the exams changed? |
The original ‘old’ style exam was a three hour, closed book, written exam. The exams for the ‘new’
style qualifications are as follows:
• ISEB Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing
1 hour, closed book, scenario based multiple choice exam.
• ISEB Practitioner Certificate in Test Management
2 hour, closed book, written exam.
• ISEB Practitioner Certificate in Test Analysis
2 hour, closed book, written exam.
The new exams offer a gradual progression from Foundation towards Practitioner. Candidates can then
choose to specialise in Test Management or Test Analysis, rather than having to pass an exam covering
both areas. Candidates can take both exams if they want. |
| When will the exams be available? |
All of these exams are available now. |
| Why should I take the ISEB Practitioner exams? |
The ISEB Practitioner exams are externally verified and available now. The exams assess candidates to
Level K6 (Bloom's Taxonomy) which involves applying knowledge, thus adding real benefit to candidates
and employers.
ISEB works with leading Software Testing experts to write and mark exams. This means that
candidates can be confident in the validity and credibility of the exam. These exams are based on an
international syllabus and are accepted internationally.
The exams also follow ISEB's rigorous standards in exam writing, peer review and administration. For
example, ISEB has run over 265,000 exams in the last 8 years in a range of IT qualifications. Over
48,000 of these exams were in Software Testing alone – that's over 90% of all Software Testing exams.
The exams are specifically designed for Test Managers and Test Analysts so that they retain more
content that is relevant for their chosen specialism, and less content in the exam that is outside their
specialist area. |
| What is the value of taking an ISEB Software Testing exam? |
The ISEB Software Testing qualifications offer an international benchmark of skills and experience for
Software Testers. The exams offer a stepping stone from Foundation, through Intermediate, Practitioner
and onto the ISEB Diploma in Software Testing. This assists testers with their career development every
step of the way.
Candidates can be confident that the exams have been peer reviewed by subject experts and have
been tested thoroughly to ensure the utmost credibility and reliability. |
| Where can I take these exams? |
ISEB Intermediate Exam:
• The ISEB Intermediate exam is available via quarterly public exam sittings arranged by ISEB
which are normally held in the BCS London Offices near Covent Garden, London.
• The exam is also available on request to ISEB accredited Training Providers who are able to
request the exams to follow their courses.
• ISEB intend to offer the ISEB Software Testing Intermediate exam via Prometric (a global
online testing company) from 2008.
ISEB Practitioner Exams – Test Management and Test Analysis:
• The ISEB Practitioner exams in Test Management and Test Analysis are available via
quarterly public exam sittings arranged by ISEB, which are normally held in the BCS London
Offices near Covent Garden, London.
• The exam is also available to ISEB accredited Training Providers quarterly on request, as
per the current Practitioner exam. |
| Do candidates need to recertify? |
Candidates will not be expected to sit the new exams if they already hold the “old” style ISEB Practitioner
Certificate in Software Testing. Some candidates may choose to do so to keep abreast of changes. |
| Are the ISEB Practitioner exams and ISTQB Advanced exams the same? |
They cover similar topics but examine to different levels of competency. The ISTQB Advanced level exams
will examine up to Level K4 which is the same level of competency as the ISEB Intermediate Certificate in
Software Testing. Whereas the ISEB Practitioner qualifications examine competence at a higher level, up
to Level K6, adding real value for candidates who wish to progress in their chosen specialism. |
| What are the Pass marks for the new ISEB exams? |
For the Intermediate exam the pass mark is 60% – there are 25 questions in all and 15 of these must
be correct.
For the Practitioner exams the pass mark is also 60% and a distinction can be achieved with 80% correct. |
| How do I take ISEB Foundation exam? |
The ISEB foundation is available via Prometric (An online testing company), via public examination and
by attending a Training Provider course. |
| Are the ISEB Practitioner exams and ISTQB Advanced exams the same? |
They cover similar topics but examine to different levels of competency. The ISTQB Advanced level exams
will examine up to Level K4 which is the same level of competency as the ISEB Intermediate Certificate in
Software Testing. Whereas the ISEB Practitioner qualifications examine competence at a higher level, up
to Level K6, adding real value for candidates who wish to progress in their chosen specialism. |
| Why haven’t ISEB and ISTQB created just one exam? |
There are distinct differences between the two qualification routes offered by ISEB and ISTQB. ISEB
has created the higher level product strand to meet the requirements of both UK and international
training providers and customers. As you will see from the structure of the qualifications (above) there
are differences in the levels and content of the different qualifications. ISEB is able to offer a holistic
Intermediate qualification which covers a wide range of Software Testing disciplines, whereas the
ISTQB Advanced offers three separate examinations at this level. In this way, candidates may select
either a more general and wide based single intermediate qualification, or a more selective approach if
they choose to specialise.
ISEB feel that it is important that we provide a wide range of exams to meet the varied needs of our candidates and customers. |
| Will ISEB offer the ISTQB Advanced exams? |
ISEB is committed to work with ISTQB to deliver the ISQTB Advanced qualifications. We are currently
working with both the UK National Executive and ISTQB to ensure that the product and infrastructure
meet the quality and validity standards which are employed within ISEB. We hope to be able to provide
more information about the implementation of these qualifications as soon as the information is available. |
| What is the difference between ISEB and ISTQB? |
ISEB is an awarding body for professional qualifications in computing, IT and communications, we
provide a wide range of qualifications internationally including software testing. ISEB supported the
creation of the ISTQB Foundation syllabus, as well as providing over 90% of all Software Testing
Foundation exams taken world-wide. ISTQB provides a standardised syllabus for software testing and
represents a collection of awarding bodies who provide examinations based on these syllabuses. |
| Training Provider Information |
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| How do I book the exams? Do they need to be booked separately? |
The new ISEB Intermediate or Practitioner exams are ordered in the same way as any other ISEB
Software Testing exam. Accredited Training Providers have access to the ISEB secure website from
which the exams can be requested. Exams can also be ordered by fax, email or by post. |
| How do I apply for accreditation to offer ISEB courses? |
Accreditation is applied for in the same way as any other ISEB qualification. Training materials,
company information, and details of the trainers are submitted to ISEB to assess. ISEB is keen to
ensure that the training materials provided cover all topics in the syllabus, in order to give candidates
the best opportunity to pass the exam.
If you are interested in becoming accredited contact details are below:
Email: iseb_accreditation@hq.bcs.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1793 417655 |
| Can I request an exam before I submit my course materials? |
To ensure that the high standards and reputation of ISEB is maintained, Training Providers must
achieve accreditation status before sending requests for the exam.
Applications for ISEB accreditation usually takes between 4-6 weeks. |
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