ISEB vs. ISQTB: which one to choose?
This article aims to compare the ISEB & ISTQB certification schemes for Software Testing and provide important information for those who already hold the ISEB or
ISTQB Foundation certification to choose the next step. The structure of the schemes outlined here demonstrates the link and differences between them.
ISEB Overview
The Information Systems Examinations Board (ISEB) is a division of the British Computer Society. It was created in 1990 from the Systems Analysis Examinations
Board that was set up in 1967. It administers examinations and issues certificates in a variety of subjects in the field of information systems engineering. In 2008,
ISEB made changes to the Practitioner Certificate based on feedback from candidates and training providers.
There were two key problems that ISEB aimed to solve with the changes:
• Firstly, that the transition from the foundation level exam to an all encompassing practitioner level with one exam was far too steep, and it was
recommended that the gap be bridged in order to assist candidates with their progression
• Secondly, it became apparent that as testers tend to specialise in either the management of testing or in test analysis but seldom both disciplines, many
candidates who had taken the exam recommended in their feedback that it would be beneficial to develop separate exams for each.
Therefore, in order to cater for candidate needs, ISEB has redeveloped the original qualification to address all of these issues. ISEB now offer four qualifications,
one foundation, one general and two role based.
1. Foundation.
2. Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing.
3. Practitioner Certificates:
§ Test Management
§ Test Analysis
Diploma in Software Testing (Will be awarded if you pass both the above Practitioner Certificates).
The ISTQB Overview
The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) was founded in Edinburgh in November 2002. ISTQB’s role is to support a single, universally
accepted, international qualification scheme, by providing the core syllabi and by setting guidelines for accreditation and examination for national boards.
It is a fast growing and democratic organisation made up of an assembly of 45 member boards with each board representing major software and system
developing countries and regions.
ISTQB has developed a new Advanced Level Certification which is seen as an alternative to the ISEB Practitioner level. A key difference from the ISEB model is that
there is no intermediary level required from Foundation to Advanced level. Following on from the foundation level, the ISTQB Advanced Level Certification has one
syllabus which has been divided into three core areas.
1. Foundation.
2. Advanced Level
• Test Manager
• Test Analysis
• Technical Test Analysis
Expert Level (Will be awarded if you pass all the above advance level Certificates).
The exam for each area is in multiple choice formats, with a certificate being awarded for each area. An additional ‘Advanced Level Testing Professional’ certificate
is awarded for gaining all three.
ISEB & ISTQB Certifications
The foundation levels of both certification schemes are transferable as ISEB has adopted the syllabus from the ISTQB Foundation level. This situation is positive as
it provides the candidate with alternative options (i.e. once a candidate has completed the Foundation level, he/she can choose to start either certification). Once
the Foundation level is complete the differences between the certifications become clear. ISEB has an Intermediate level preceding its practitioner level, while the
ISTQB syllabus does not.
Once a student passes either Foundation level exam, a decision must be made regarding which "certification path" to pursue. For a UK-based software tester, the
logical decision is to go down the ISEB accreditation route. In this scenario, the next level would be the ISEB Intermediate, followed by either the ISEB Practitioner
in Test Analysis or the ISEB Practitioner in Test Management certifications.
Anyone outside of the UK should pursue the ISTQB path, as this certification has a global appeal and is formally recognised in 45 countries. There is only one
additional ISTQB certification, and that is the ISTQB Advanced certification. The ISTQB Advanced level is equivalent to the ISEB Practitioner certifications (test
analysis or test management). There is no certification akin to the ISEB Intermediate level for ISTQB certifications.
The ISTQB Advanced level exam is split into 3 modules: Technical Test Analyst, Test Analyst and Test Manager. Each has its own exam and accreditation. Students
passing all 3 modules earn the highly desirable ‘Advanced Level Testing Professional' certification.
Testing professionals, having achieved the Full Advanced Level Testing professional level will then be able to proceed to the ISTQB Expert level, which aligns with
the ISEB Practitioner Diploma level.
What’s the difference?
How does the ISTQB certification differ from ISEB?
ISEB certifications are issued by the International Systems Examinations Board (ISEB) which is an UK based international examination body founded in order to
raise the standard of competence and performance of people working in IT. It has higher recognition in UK.
ISTQB certifications are issued by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) which is an UK based institution where software professionals
from all over the world work together to define standardized contents for further education in Software Testing. Hence it has a wider international recognition.
ISTQB currently do not recognise the new revised ISEB Practitioner Certificates as equivalent to the full Expert Level Testing Professional certificate. This means
that the expert level in ISTQB cannot be reached through the ISEB Practitioner qualification but instead requires ISTQB Advanced as a pre-requisite.
ISEB and ISTQB covers 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.
The structure of the two schemes is also different, mainly in the fact that ISEB has three levels and ISTQB has two only levels. Both schemes begin with a
foundation level certification following which ISEB offers an intermediate level certification before the final level. ISTQB does not have the intermediate level and
offers the final level directly after the foundation level certification.
Recommendation
Well I support the ISTQB Advanced Syllabus rather than the ISEB Practitioner course. The reasoning behind this recommendation is as follows:
• ISTQB is the international standard for the software testing qualifications and was developed by an international team. Hence there is a lot of international
support for this qualification.
• International clients prefer the ISTQB qualification.
• ISTQB qualification is formally recognized in around 45 countries where the ISTQB has a constituent organisation.
• The ISTQB Advanced syllabus includes the ISEB Intermediate syllabus also.
• The ISTQB Syllabus, through Learning Objectives and detailed description makes it clear what should be taught and what will be examined.
• The route to attaining ISTQB Advanced level in one of the core areas i.e. Test Management, Test Analysis or Technical Test Analysis is more straightforward
and direct than the ISEB route, involving only one exam and fewer training days.
• Multiple choice exam questions enable non-English speaking candidates to complete the exams more easily.
Conclusion:
ISTQB certifications have only been brought in as an alternative as they are specifically designed for global acknowledgement, 41 countries have so far recognised
it as a valid certificate. However there is no known extra skill gained through ISTQB that is not provided by ISEB, which in plain English means that one will not lose
out if they complete an ISEB instead of an ISTQB certification.
