Is It Worth Getting a QA Software Testing Certification?

In the lifespan of a software tester’s career, the question of the value of a QA certification tends to pop up at some point.

For many who are just starting out or are already steeped in the field of software testing, the concept of certification can be both thrilling and intimidating. After eight years in the industry, I finally made the decision to pursue certification – a decision that didn’t come easily.

This piece sheds light on my thought process and research in relation to acquiring a QA software testing certification. I hope it will help those who are grappling with the same predicament.

Table of Contents:

• Who is this article for?
• Why is certification significant?
• Upsides of certification
• Downsides of certification
• The salary aspect of certification
• Qualification types available for QA
• Comparing ISTQB and CSTE certifications
• Wrapping Up

Who is this article for?

This read targets newbies in software testing, hoping to embark on their QA career journey, and seasoned testers torn between choosing to pursue certification or not.

By the conclusion of this article, your decision on whether to seek certification will be replaced with “Am I set for the certification?” given that certification, by all means, seems like a beneficial decision.

Let’s dive in!

Why is certification significant?

• Certification has grown to be a crucial implement for showcasing competence and skill in today’s job market.
• It is helpful in equipping individuals with practical abilities beneficial in their job positions.
• Certification curricula focus on the skills and knowledge vital in today’s working environment.
• Certification aids in filling the gap in theoretical knowledge and laying a foundation for practical application.
• With learning being an on-going process, certification enables professionals to brush up on their basic knowledge and stay in tune with novel techniques and processes.

Upsides of certification:

If you are a newcomer to the software QA realm:

1) It uniquely positions you against other candidates: While practical knowledge is imperative, certification can set you apart from the pack. Having a certification puts you at an advantage because the majority of the candidates vying for testing job roles may not have one.

2) It enhances your probability of being shortlisted during the initial resume screening: A considerable number of hiring managers regard certification as a crucial criterion during preliminary screening. Holding a Foundation Level certification imbues confidence in the candidate before the real interview commences.

The presence of certification ensures that while a candidate may have minimal testing experience, they have a fundamental understanding of testing principles and a familiarity with standard testing vocabulary.

In numerous organizations, the preliminary resume screening is performed by non-technical staff. Having certifications listed on your resume can make a difference and lend to it a more professional appeal.

If you are a seasoned software QA professional:

1) If you are aiming for upward mobility within your current company: Staying ahead of your competitors and consistently honing your skills is always advantageous. Certification boosts your confidence to thrive in your present role. It’s important to a company to have certified testers as it encourages deep testing acumen and methodologies.

The primary advantage is that it enables proficient testers to spot defects effectively.

2) If you are seeking fresh opportunities in the marketplace: After some years working as a software tester, you may opt to seek new chances in the market. Several seasoned testers get constricted to the specific types of testing they carry out routinely.

For instance, one primarily specializing in functional testing may lose touch with other types of testing, which may stifle their career growth eventually. Also, one working in a waterfall model may lack knowledge about agile methodologies. This lack of skill diversity can be critical.

Certification keeps you abreast with standard testing definitions and emerging technologies. Even without first-hand experience in a particular area, certification provides you with knowledge about it.

Downsides of certification:

1) A certification does not assure a well-paying job in QA or comprehensive expertise in software testing.

2) Several HR professionals do not regard certification as the main entry requirement if a candidate has the necessary skills and hands-on experience.

The salary aspect of certification:

There is no clear proof linking certification to salary increases. However, certification certainly contributes to career progress. According to a usefulness survey by ISTQB, test managers prefer about 75% of their staff to be certified at the Foundation Level.

By this point, you might have settled on seeking certification. The next decision is which certification to select.

Qualification types available for QA:

A large number of certifications are available for software testers. Companies including HP provide certification exams for automation tools like UFT and LoadRunner.

You can view an exhaustive list of qualifications with more details in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

Two certification bodies widely recognized in software testing are:

1) International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB): provides three levels of certification.
2) Quality Assurance Institute (QAI): provides certifications including Certified Test Engineer (CSTE), Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA), and Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST).

Let’s narrow down to the Foundation level certificates for a deeper look.

Before pursuing my certification, I examined the alternatives available and prepared the chart below for reference.

This chart will aid you in making an informed decision. Once you acquire the Foundation level certificate, you can always aim for higher levels to boost your knowledge.

Comparing ISTQB and CSTE certifications:

Initial Level of Certification	Certified Tester, Foundation Level (CTFL)	Certified Software Tester (CSTE)	CAST
Body Offering the Certification	International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)	Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)	Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)
U.S. Volunteer Board	American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB)	N/A	N/A
Type of Organization	Non-profit	Private – For-Profit	Private – For-Profit
Number of all-levels-certified individuals	About 200,000 (CTFL and CTAL; as at February 2012)	About 60,000 (CSTE and CSQA; estimated from 35,000 as at October 2008)	Data not available (Given this is a relatively new certification)
Company/Organization providing certification required to take education from?	No	No	No
Offers training courses for their certification?	No	Yes	Yes
Offers free syllabus/body of knowledge and glossary?	Free 76-page syllabus and free 43-page glossary	Free 10-page body of knowledge	Free 10-page body of knowledge
Mandatory Fees	$250.00	$350.00 to $420.00	$100
Recertification Needed for First Level?	No	Yes – every 3 years	Yes – every 3 years
Additonal Certification Levels Available?	Certified Tester, Advanced Level (CTAL): – Test Analyst – Technical Test Analyst – Test Manager	Advanced (ASTE) Master (MSTE)	CSTE
Prerequisites	None. Exam is open to all.	18 months’ experience in software testing + minimal educational experience	– 4-year bachelor’s degree – 2-year degree together with 2 years of IT experience – 4 years of IT experience (most candidates fulfill the 4-year degree prerequisite)
Examination pattern	ISTQB Foundation: 75-minute closed book test comprising approximately 40 multiple-choice questions. Pass: Score of 65% (26 points)	CSTE: Four sections with a total timeframe of 270 minutes. – Two sections with 50 objective questions (45 minutes each) – Two sections with subjective questions (6-10 questions, 75 minutes each)	Multiple choice: 75 minutes. Pass: A score of 70%
Recertification Needed for First Level?	No	Yes – in every 3 years	Yes – in every 3 years

Wrapping Up:

Although certification may not directy influence your salary or boost your remuneration, it unquestionably grants you a leg up in the employment market.

Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes and imagine a scenario where two applicants with parallel skills, profiles, and work experience vie for a single position. Who would you opt to recruit?

Likely, you would pick the certified applicant.

Ultimately, the pursuit of certification hinges on the degree of work you’re willing to invest in.

About the Author: Our guest author, Renuka K., has 11 years of software testing experience under her belt.

In our next piece, we will delve into which software testing certification is the perfect fit for your experience level.

Don’t hesitate to pose any queries relating to software testing QA certifications.

Happy certification!