Snapshot of the New ISEB and ISTQB Foundation Syllabus
The governing board for ISEB software testing a course in miracles, the British Computer Society (BCS), in conjunction with the International Software Testing Standards Board (ISTQB), has issued a revised version of the ISEB / ISTQB Foundation syllabus. The syllabus was made public in March 2010, and is now the basis for both the ISEB Foundation and the ISTQB Foundation (CTFL) exam (as of October 2010).
The changes to the Foundation syllabus were primarily related to altering the emphasis on certain words and concepts. Although the actual syllabus content was largely unchanged, it is still worth highlighting the specific updates. The specific syllabus changes include the following. As you can see, the changes were relatively minor and did not involve altering any concepts. The syllabus was essentially fine-tuned. That being said, if you are getting ready to prepare for your ISEB Foundation / ISTQB Foundation (CTFL) exam, you should ensure that you are using the most up-to-date syllabus. The current version can be downloaded at the BCS website and elsewhere.
Note that studying the syllabus alone is generally not enough to adequately prepare for the exam. At a minimum you must also study the official glossary (also available at the BCS website) and download sample exam questions. Alternatively, you could buy a text book, purchase a self-study course, or attend instructor-led training sessions. The bottom line is that you want to make sure you are adequately prepared, because the exam itself costs a couple hundred dollars and you don’t get a refund for a failing grade.
Although relatively minor, the syllabus changes clearly help clarify and enhance the underlying content. This benefits not only the students but also their employers. Expect more syllabus changes in the next few years as the BCS works with the ISTQB to integrate and further align the ISEB and ISTQB software testing certification paths.
