The Expert Level extends the knowledge and experience obtained at the Advanced Level by providing in-depth, practically-oriented certifications in a range of different testing subjects. With Expert Level ISTQB® offers career paths for testers with clearly defined business outcomes.
Criteria are set to ensure good and consistent quality of the Expert Level.
To obtain Expert Level certification, candidates must have:
Note that the experience criteria may also be attained after taking the exam. It is recommended, however, that the candidate has gained this practical experience before taking the exam. If a non-public exam is to be taken, completion of Expert Level course is mandatory.
An expert is a person with the special skills and knowledge representing mastery of a particular testing subject. Being a testing expert means possessing and displaying special skills and knowledge derived from training and experience and being able to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
A testing expert is one that combines a broad understanding of testing in general with an in-depth understanding in a special test area. An in-depth understanding means sufficient knowledge of testing theory and practice to be able to influence the direction that an organization and/or project takes when creating, implementing and executing testing activities related to the special area.
The Expert Level has a multi-module structure. To ensure a consistent development of skills and expertise, subjects are generally derived from the ISTQB® Advanced Level syllabi, but are not limited to this. The required Advanced Level certification for a particular Expert Level module are explicitly stated so that clear career paths can be identified.
An Expert Level course typically covers at least five days of class training.
The Expert Level currently has two modules:
Further modules will be added in the future.
Each Expert Level module has clear business outcomes. These provide information to businesses concerning the expectations of an expert in a particular subject. The business outcomes map to the individual Learning Objectives in a particular module.
More information is available on the module page:
Each Expert Level module has clear learning objectives.
More information is available in the syllabus document:
Expert Level provides in-depth, practically-oriented certification courses in a range of different testing subjects. Courses provided at Expert Level build on the knowledge and experience obtained at the Advanced Level.
An expert is a person with the special skills and knowledge representing mastery of a particular testing subject. Being a testing expert means possessing and displaying special skills and knowledge derived from training and experience and being able to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
A testing expert is one that combines a broad understanding of testing in general with an in-depth understanding in a special test area. An in-depth understanding means sufficient knowledge of testing theory and practice to be able to influence the direction that an organization and/or project takes when creating, implementing and executing testing activities related to the special area.
Each syllabus defines the expectations of an expert in that specific subject area. The content is supported by explicit Learning Objectives which emphasise the high expectations of a testing expert.
At least 50% of the course time will be spent on practical exercise and discussions.
Further syllabi will be developed according to market needs.
Recommended course durations vary, but are a minimum of 5 days. Each syllabus defines the specific times required to teach and provide practical exercises.
A course does not need to be provided in one continuous block; it may be split up to allow practical application in the work place.
Class sizes are limited to 10 persons to enable personal focus from the lecturer.
As an expert must not only be able to show knowledge, but also in depth practical skills, an exam only using multiple choice questions is not preferred. The exam will therefore consist of essay type questions, partly mixed with some multiple choice questions. The type of essay type questions will be questions that ask the ‘expert’ to look at a given topic from different perspectives, compare and draw conclusions. The specific rules for examination will be defined in the detailed expert level module syllabus. It will in principle also be possible to take the exam, without having followed the training.
The Expert Level exam is expected to last at least 3 hours. A minority of that time consists of multiple-choice questions, but the principal part of the exam consists of written “essay-type” questions.
Once certification at Expert Level has been achieved it is valid for 5 years. At the end of this period, the certification must be renewed. This may be achieved either by re-taking the exam or by demonstrating that particular activities have been performed during that period (e.g. performing relevant professional testing tasks, attending conferences, writing articles etc. ). The rules and criteria which govern this process are defines in the Expert Level Certification Extension Program (CEP) which is overseen by the ISTQB® and may be tailored by National Boards.
A certification scheme at Expert Level must meet the expectations and perceptions of its stakeholders and has to be seen to be truly “expert”. A score above 65% is required to pass.
An expert must not only be able to show knowledge, but also in depth practical skills; as a consequence an exam only using multiple choice questions is not preferred. The exam therefore consists of two parts:
For more details on exam structure please refer to the ISTQB® Expert Level Exam Structure and Rules document
An Expert Level certificate is valid for 5 years.
The Certification Extension Program is published by ISTQB®
Several learning objectives are identified in each syllabus which may be achieved in the workplace. Training Providers agree these exercises with participants before they are performed and must ensure that they have been completed satisfactorily. This concept allows training courses to be split into separate parts with workplace exercises in between and enables maximum practical benefit from the training.