The Ultimate Guide to ISTQB Advanced Level (CTAL) Exam Preparation

In my personal experience, I have found that individuals pursue certifications for Software Quality Assurance solely to augment their resumes, be it to transition into another company or to secure a notable promotion or appraisal. While I have no issues with this mindset, I perceive the value of certification differently.

While I am aware that there are negative perceptions surrounding testing certifications, I maintain a positive perspective.

In my view, individuals should aspire to obtain certifications to broaden their knowledge and understanding, and most vitally, to apply what they’ve learned to improve their everyday work quality, eventually fostering career progression.

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This academic journal is not intended as a study material for the ISTQB – Advanced Level – Test Manager Examination. This serves as a guide to CTAL Certification, offering readers guidance on preparation. The content is solely based on my personal experience, thus there may be differences in opinions. I have shared whatever came to my mind and felt the need to discuss with a broader audience.

(Note: – If you are preparing for the ISTQB Foundation Level, please sign up here with your email to receive CTFL exam tips and sample papers.)

We’re all caught up in a Rat Race, continuously juggling our projects and work schedules, often forgetting to allocate time for our personal development. Just as exercise and a healthy diet are crucial for our physical well-being, reading, gaining knowledge, and knowledge sharing are essential to our professional lives.

Therefore, my friends, prioritize time to enhance your abilities and take them a notch higher. Don’t just settle at the foundation level; prepare for the advanced module. Keep pushing yourself to climb the ladder by acquiring knowledge and, most significantly, applying it.

Please refrain from saying “I don’t have time”, as having time is seldom; we have to learn how to manage our time. After all, everyone has been granted 24 hours by nature; how we utilize them depends on us.

In subsequent sections of this article, I have attempted to offer guidance and insights into the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager Module. Towards the end, I have incorporated a few sample questions that will aid you in understanding the exam pattern and guide you in your preparations.

Introduction to ISTQB Advanced Level (CTAL) Certification

The Advanced Level Certification is split into three sub-modules:

• Technical Test Analyst
• Test Analyst
• Test Manager

Each module comes with its own syllabus, and the exams for each module can be taken in any order. Your certification will depend on the module you choose to take and successfully pass.

CTAL Certification Eligibility

#1) Foundation Level Certification/Scorecard.

#2) For those holding a degree in computer science or a related field, a minimum of 24 months of testing experience is required to take two sub-modules, and 36 months of experience to take all three sub-modules.

#3) Without a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a minimum of 60 months of experience is required.

How To Apply?

To apply for the advanced module, you need to locate your exam provider and register on the ISTQB site. For instance, if you’re in India, you can enroll here. The registration process is identical to the foundation level.

During the registration process, you would be required to upload the following three documents:

• Your Foundation level scorecard
• Experience certificate
• Educational certificate

Once you have uploaded your documents and completed the registration process, you will need to send a Demand Draft (DD) along with physical copies of your documents. The payment process might slightly vary across countries. The DD details will be stated on the site, and you will also receive an email containing the payment details. A confirmation email will be sent to you upon receipt of the DD.

ISTQB CTAL Certification Exam Pattern

The exam for each module comprises 65 objective type questions that need to be answered within 3 hours.

The questions could either have one correct answer or multiple. The number of correct options will be explicitly specified in the question paper.

The overall marks for the exam are 100 (distributed among 1 mark, 2 marks, and 3 marks questions as specified in the question paper).

The passing percentage is 65 with no provision for negative marking.

The questions are usually based on scenarios. For example, given a scenario “X,” you may be asked about a situation “Y” and what your response would be. Or you might be asked to select the best suitable option(s) from the given alternatives.

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager Syllabus: (Click image to enlarge)

How To Prepare For The CTAL Certification Exam?

There are two ways to prepare:

• Sign up for a training course or workshops at reputable institutions: I have no personal experience of undergoing such a course, so I can’t comment on the quality of instruction. Nonetheless, completing a training course does not guarantee success in the exam; it just offers guidelines and covers the syllabus. You will have to invest time for self-study.
• Self-Study: You can download the study material from the ISTQB site and study independently. When I say study, I mean delve deep into the study material. Don’t leave any topic or entence unread. Try to and study thoroughly.

Tips And Techniques

Tip #1) While the study material provided is adequate for theoretical knowledge, practical experience is of paramount importance.

For instance, there were certain questions related to Agile-Scrum methodology. To answer those questions, one needs practical experience with Scrum. Fortunately, my previous company gave me the opportunity to work with Scrum, so I was able to answer those questions. However, those unfamiliar with Scrum might encounter difficulties.

{Recommendation} Do not confine yourself to your project deliverables or processes. Instead, explore and learn about various methodologies currently in use in the market, and if possible, try implementing them in your projects (even in a simulated manner).

Tip #2) Answers to questions are best attempted by those that have practical experience. I have met many testing professionals who have years of experience but lack practical knowledge. If you haven’t had the opportunity to work on significant projects, it’s wise to update your skills by reading and undergoing training.

{Recommendation} If you haven’t managed to work on extensive projects, reading is a suitable option. The more you read, the more knowledge you acquire about various situations, making it easier for you to answer questions.

Tip #3) Simply understanding concepts is insufficient; we also need to know how to apply those concepts in our everyday work.

For instance, on encountering effective reporting techniques or templates, we should attempt to incorporate them into our routine work. The more we implement, the more exposure we receive to different types of situations.

{Recommendation} Application is the key. Whatever you read or learn, attempt implementing it. This will not only assist you in preparing for your exams but also enhance the quality of your routine work.

Tip #4) The questions in the exam are scenario-based; there are no direct questions. Practice solving scenario-based questions. For a given scenario “X,” a situation “Y” could arise. What would your response be in such a scenario? Or out of the given solutions, which one(s) would be the most appropriate?

{Recommendation} Practice, practice, and continue practicing scenario-based questions.

ISTQB Advanced Level Sample Questions With Answers And Justification

Q #1)

Situation

You are the Test Manager for a company that develops software for ATM machines. The internal test team will conduct on-site usability testing for the project. At the project’s inception, stakeholders decided to outsource functional system testing to an off-site team.

During Usability Testing, the internal test team discovered numerous functional defects. Certain defects even interfered with the continuation of usability tests.

Evaluation of the Test Reports indicated that the