C E R T I F I E D T E S T E R P R O F E S S I O N A L P R O G R A M

Curriculum

Certified Software Tester  (CST) 5-Days

Common Body of Knowledge The Certified Software Tester Program (CST) is appropriate for individuals who want
to enter the testing field or experienced Quality Assurance/Tester professionals seeking
certification. The program focuses on the concepts and application of the essential
• Control Procedures testing principles that are required to perform industry standard quality assurance
practices
• Problem Resolution
The purpose of the program is to provide the pertinent knowledge and skills for
• Reports effective Quality Assurance testing in the client/server and web environments and, to
describe the essentials of Quality, Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC).
• Requirements There is a special emphasis on verification & validation and their relationship to testing.
Topics include such areas as test case execution on GUI and Web applications;
• Test Builds documenting and controlling testing activities with requirements trace ability matrices,
test plans, test procedures and test cases; configuration and management of online
• Test Cases defect tracking applications, categorizing, tracking and documenting software errors and,
building management reports.
• Test Execution

• Test Plans Core Topics

• Essentials of the Quality Assurance Practice
• Test Planning • Principles of Testing
• Test Documentation Techniques
• Testing Concepts
Target Audience:
• Testing Deliverables
If you are exploring new career opportunities or want to stay current in your field,
• Validation & Verification SofTest’s certification program can provide focused career training and skill
development for working professionals, and recent college graduates. Our certification
programs are designed to supplement degree education. Qualified software managers,
Classroom Materials Provided consultants, and software engineers teach the classes.
• CST Student Work Book • Career Change
• Quality Assurance Analysts, Testers, or leads that are updating their testing skills and need to
• CST Practice Test Questions enhance managerial skills
• Anyone interested in improving the quality and maintainability of their software
• Access to Online Prep Exam Site
Prerequisites:
• One Exam Voucher Basic computer skills, capability to access and navigate the Internet, familiarity with
executing software applications, previous exposure to client/server, web, and email
concepts and familiarity with the Windows environment.

Duration/Dates:
Day Class 5 sessions
CERTIFIED TESTER PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

• Describe how system projects begin and how projects are

CST Curriculum: reviewed
• Discuss the various methods used to develop information
Essentials of the Quality Assurance Practice systems
• Explain the overall Testing Life Cycle and how it covers
Module 1.0: Quality Assurance (QA) & Quality Control multiple phases of the SDLC
(QC) Practices • Describe quality assurance and test activities performed in
typical system development projects during the SDLC
This module provides the fundamental concepts and phases
terminologies related to Quality Assurance and the • Discuss the Traditional Project Life Cycle phases, tasks,
relationship between Quality Assurance, Quality Control and deliverables
and Testing. In addition, this module covers the benefits of • Describe Product Management Life cycle phases, inputs
the overall Quality Assurance process for both the and outputs
development and testing teams. It expounds on why the
essential knowledge and discipline is required for all phases Main Topics Covered:
of the development life cycle.
• Systems Development Life Cycles (SDLC)
You Will Be Able To: • Traditional Project Life Cycle
• Product Management Life Cycle
• Discuss the primary objectives of Quality Assurance
• Systems Development Life Cycle and Testing Life Cycle
• Explain the essential activities of Quality Assurance
• Quality Assurance & Test Process Activities
• Distinguish the difference between Quality Assurance and
Quality Control • Test Planning Activities
• Define Quality and Quality Testing • Test Preparation Activities
• Discuss the verification and validation aspects of testing • Unit Test Activities
• System Test Activities
Main Topics Covered: • Integrated System Test Activities
• Acceptance Test Activities
• The Three Principles of Quality • On-Going Maintenance
• Quality in Information Services
• Quality Assurance (QA) and Process Module 1.2: Tracking Software Changes
• Quality Control (QC) and Process
This module describes issues and terminology related to
• Quality Testing tracking software changes. In addition, it explores why
• The Roles of QA/QC managing software changes is a critical part of the systems
• QA/QC Test Planning development and quality assurance functions. Change
control, scope creep, version control and configuration
Module 1.1: Systems Development & Testing Life management are also discussed in detail.
Cycles
You Will Be Able To:
This module introduces the Systems Development Life
Cycle (SDLC), Traditional Project Life Cycle and the • Define “Change Control” and how it is used to monitor
Product Management Life Cycle. It covers the phases, tasks, and manage software changes
inputs, deliverables or outputs for each Life Cycle in detail.
• Define “Scope Creep” and identify ways to prevent it
It also identifies the relationship between the Testing
Process, Testing Life Cycle and the SDLC, and how, in • Explain how “Version Control” manages multiple
some instances, it can overlap multiple phases of the SDLC. versions of software applications
• Describe “System Configuration Management”
The module also covers the initiation and review process of procedures
systems projects.
Main Topics Covered:
You Will Be Able To:
• Software Changes
• Explain the purpose of a mission statement • Tracking Software Changes
• Explain the SDLC structured approach to designing and • Change Control
building application systems • Scope Creep

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CERTIFIED TESTER PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

• Version Control explores the various strategies, categories and types of

• Configuration Management testing that can occur within the testing process. Generally,
testing is the method of executing a program with the
Module 1.3: Reviews and Inspections specific objective of finding errors. A successful test
therefore is a test that uncovers undetected errors.
This module examines quality assurance objectives for
Reviews and Inspections; and the noticeable differences In addition, this module examines the two major objectives
between the two. Also covering the various types of review of the testing process - designing and executing, defined by
and inspection forms and checklists. Reviews and measurement goals, data collection, software reliability and
Inspections are among the most valuable tools available for quality.
quality assurance and play a significant role in the quality
management process when used consistently and correctly. You Will Be Able To:

You Will Be Able To: • Explain the history and purpose of testing
• Define the basic testing principles
• Explain the evolution of the inspection process • Explain the key testing issues
• Explain what inspections are designed to accomplish • Define the three major testing organizations and explain
• Explain who uses inspections and why their test methodologies
• Understand the value that occurs when inspections are • Explain the different testing strategies and how they are
used used
• Explain the similarities between reviews and inspections • Explain the different testing categories, how they are used
• Name the various types of reviews and by whom
• Explain what reviews are designed to accomplish • Explain the different testing types and how they are used
• Discuss “review” critical success factors • Explain the difference between User Interfaces (UI) and
• List and describe test products that can be reviewed User Interface Controls
• List and discuss the roles and responsibilities of review
participants
Main Topics Covered:
• Discuss the basic steps of the reviews and inspections
processes and their objectives
• Six Principles of Testing
Main Topics Covered: • Testing is Fundamental
• Testing Practices and Strategies
• Reviews & Inspections – Differences, Roles & Basic • Black Box Testing
Process Steps • Unit Level Testing Model
• Differences Between Reviews & Inspections • Integration Level Testing Model
• The Inspection Process • System Level Testing Model
• Quality Assurance Inspection Objectives • Acceptance Level Testing Model
• Inspecting the Software Procedures Manual • What is a User Interface (UI)?
• Software Requirements • User Interface Controls
• Inspection Meeting Agenda • Types of Interface Controls
• The Review Process • Windows Compliance Testing (Checklist)
• Types of Reviews • Considerations for Testing User Interaction
• Components of the Review Plan • Checklist for a Good Interface
• Critical Success Factors for Reviews • Considerations for Testing Input Basics, Navigation, and
• Review Checkpoints Viewing Operations
• Considerations for Testing Windows Interface
Components
Principles of Testing • Considerations for Testing Menus, Shortcuts and
Controls
Module 2.0: Fundamentals of Testing
Module 2.1: Defects and Problems Reporting
This module provides the history and fundamentals of This module expounds on the primary goals of the tester, which is to
testing with specific emphasis on Software Testing. It also identify, classify and report errors as early as possible in the development

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CERTIFIED TESTER PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

life cycle. An error (issue) occurs when a program does not operate in the • Disadvantages of Using Automated Testing Tools
manner in which its user expects during the software development life
cycle. • Automated Tool Issues
• Guidelines for What to Automate
You Will Be Able To:

• Define the primary objective of the problem reporting Test Documentation Techniques
process
• Explain the fundamental principles of reporting defects Module 3.0: Project & Requirements Documentation
• Identify when and understand why problem reports
should be submitted This module introduces Project Documentation and its
• Explain what items are included in a problem report criticality within the software development process and the
• Explain why software has defects multiple purposes it serves.
• Define the major categories of software errors
• Explain the concept of severity and priority as they relate This module focuses on the two main reasons for having
to defects Requirements Documentation. The first is that the
• Explain the basic features of the Elementool defect (bug) information contained within the documented requirements
tracking tool drives the Systems Development Life Cycle activities and
these activities are essential for the software development
Main Topics Covered: and Quality Assurance processes. The second is that the
outcome of the requirements definition is a documented
agreement between the customer and the development team
• Tracking and Reporting Defects
that explicitly describes the product to be developed.
• Reporting a Software Problem
• Submitting Problem Reports
• Problem Report Content This module focuses on requirements and their relationship
• Major Categories of Software Errors to the testing and test process. It also explains how
requirements incorporate test conditions and functional
• Severity of Defects checklists to verify correct system functions.
• Priority by Severity
You Will Be Able To:
Module 2.2: Automated Testing Principles
• Explain the importance of project documentation
This module elaborates on how automated testing tools • Define the goals of documentation standards
help organizations optimize and accelerate the delivery of • Explain the various project documentation categories
applications. It also addresses the paradox in purchasing, • Define what a 'Requirement' is and its importance to
setting-up and executing an automated test environment. the QA process
• Explain what a Software Requirements Specification
In addition, this module reviews automated testing methods (SRS) Document and its importance
that allow for the quick capture and reuse of quality • Explain how and where requirements fit into the
activities to share and repeat throughout the testing life (SDLC)
cycle. • Explain how a Requirements Traceability Matrix is
used and its importance
You Will Be Able To: • Define characteristics that make requirements
testable
• Explain the key functions of an automated test tool
• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using an
Main Topics Covered:
automated tool
• Understand the issues surrounding test automation
• Project Management Documentation:
• Understand what to automate and what not to automate
• Software Quality Assurance Documentation
• Software Configuration Management
Documentation
Main Topics Covered:
• Software Verification and Validation
Documentation
• Concepts of Automated Testing
• Requirements Documentation
• Why Automate Testing
• Design and Implementation Documentation
• Functions of Automated Test Tools

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CERTIFIED TESTER PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

• Test Documentation Main Topics Covered:

• User Documentation
• Installation and Checkout Documentation • Test Plan Definitions and Standards
• Operation and Maintenance Documentation • How to Develop a Test Plan
• Requirement Definition and Document • IEEE Standard for Test Documents to the Execution
• Software Requirements Specification (SRS) Process
Document and Checklist • Relationship of Test Documents to the Execution
• Functional / Nonfunctional Requirements Process
• Tracking Requirements and Traceability Matrix • Test Case and Script Definition and Standards
• Requirements Impact on the Software Development Life • How Test Cases Are Generated
Cycle • IEEE Standards for Test Cases
• Characteristics of Testable Requirements • Characteristics of a Good Test Case
• Test Requirements • Basic Test Case Guidelines
• Use Case Concepts and Techniques • Test Case Specification
• Test Case Log Forms
Module 3.1: Industry Standard Test Documentation • Test Execution Log Forms
• Checklists Methodology
This module discusses test documentation as a tool and
how it is used to administer and maintain the testing process
along with how it aids in the planning, monitoring, and
managing of the testing phases. This module also reviews
the three primary layers of test documentation: Test Plan
Definition, Test Plans, and Test Cases.

You Will Be Able To:

• Understand the importance of Test Documentation

• Understand how to develop a Test Plan
• Define the different types of Test Plans
• Explain the differences between a Test Plan and a
Comprehensive Test Plan
• Explain the types of things that are included in a Test
Plan Definition document
• Define what a Test Case is and how it is used
• Explain the differences between Test Cases and Test
Scripts