Software Certification Overview
•The certification program helps to:
–Define the tasks associated with software testing duties in order to evaluate skill mastery.
–Demonstrate an individual’s willingness to improve professionally.
–Acknowledge attainment of acceptable standard of professional competency.
–Aid organizations in selecting and promoting qualified individuals.
–Motivate personnel having software testing responsibilities to maintain their professional competency.
–Assist individuals in improving and enhancing their organization’s software testing programs.
Program History
•QAI established in 1980.
•First certification began development in 1985.
•First formal examination process launched 1990.
•Since its inception, over 27,000 IT professionals have become certified.
Why Become Certified
•To help management be able to distinguish professional and skilled individuals in the field when hiring.
•Acquiring the designation of CSTE indicates a professional level of competence in software testing.
•Potential for more rapid career advancement.
•Greater acceptance in the role as advisor to management.
Benefits of Becoming a CSTE
•Value provided to the profession
•Value provided to the individual
•Value provided to the employer
•Value provided to co-workers
•How to improve testing effectiveness through CSTE certification
Value Provided to the Profession
•Common body of knowledge
•Examination process to evaluate competency
•Code of ethics
Value Provided to the Individual
•Recognition by peers
•Personal desire for self-improvement
•Increased confidence in personal capabilities
•Recognition by IT management for professional achievement
Value Provided to the Employer
•Increased confidence by IT users and customers
•Improved process to build/acquire/maintain, operate and measure software
•Independent assessment of testing competencies
•Testing competencies maintained through recertification
Value Provided to Co-Workers
•Mentoring of testing staff
•Testing resource to IT staff
•Role model for testing practitioners
How to Improve Testing Effectiveness Through CSTE Certification
•By creating an awareness of the CSTE program and its benefits to your testing practitioners
•By requiring or encouraging your testing practitioners to become certified
•By recognizing and rewarding successful candidates
•Supporting recertification as a means of maintaining testing competency
Meeting CSTE Qualifications
•Prerequisites for Candidacy – must meet one of three credentials
–A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college-level institution
–An associate’s degree and two years of experience in the information services field
–Six years of experience in the information services field
Expectations of the CSTE
•Must be actively engaged in professional practice and seek opportunities to stay aware of and learn emerging practices
•Attend professional conferences
•Take education and training courses
•Develop and offer training to share knowledge and skills with other professionals and the public
•Publish information in order to disseminate personal, project and research experiences
•Participate in the profession through active committee memberships and formal special interest groups
•Be a change agent: be able to change the culture and work habits of individuals
Professional Skill Proficiency Responsibilities
•Three C’s of today’s workplace
–Change
–Complexity
–Competition
•Develop a lifetime learning habit
Code of Ethics
•Purpose – A distinguishing mark of a profession is acceptance by its members of responsibility to the interests of those it serves. Those certified must maintain high standards of conduct in order to effectively discharge their responsibility.
•Responsibility
–Voluntary
–Assumes an obligation of self-discipline
•Professional Code of Conduct
–Refer to page 10 for the code of conduct
•Decertification
Submitting the Initial Application
•Submit your application only if you are prepared to sit and pass the CSTE exam
•All supporting application forms and required fees must be filed with Software Certifications at least 60 calendar days prior to the selected exam date
•The candidate must take the initial exam within 12 months after acceptance
•A second or third sitting, if required, must be completed within 24 months of acceptance of the original application
Arranging to Sit & Take the Exam
•Be prepared
–Study CBOK
–Vocabulary appendix A
–References appendix B
•Receive Confirmation Letter
–Verify exam information
–Bring this letter to the exam site along with a photo ID
•Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled exam start time
Maintain Competency
•Continuing profession education
–You need to earn 40 hours of continuing professional education each year to stay certified
–Attend profession seminars and conferences
–On-the-job training
–Attend professional meetings
–Take e-learning courses
–Attend professional association meetings
Prepare for the CSTE Exam
•Assess your CSTE CBOK competency
•Complete the CSTE skill assessment worksheet
–Assess your competency of each skill listed on the worksheet
–Study those skills you rated “None”
–Reassess those skills you studied after a rating of “None”
•Calculate your CSTE CBOK competency rating
Understand the Key Principles Incorporated into the Exam
•Learn the vocabulary
•Learn how to apply the testing principles to everyday practice
Review the List of References
•Search your library for availability
•Use your assessment results from the previous step to determine which books would help you build your skills in those areas
•Review the list of references from the perspective of the types of materials that might be included on the exam
Initiate a Self-Study Program
•Assess your skills against the CSTE 2006 CBOK and complete the assessment worksheet
•Study the key reference documents from the previous step
•Attend formal courses, seminars, local testing-oriented chapter meetings, and testing conferences to gain a comprehension of the practice of testing
Take the Sample Exam
•CSTE examination overview
•Guidelines to answer questions
•Sample CSTE exam
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