ISTQB CTAL-TAE syllabus, explained

The concepts of the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) syllabus, version 2.0, explained in plain words, with examples from this programme, and ready to teach. It supports Module 5 ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer.

How to use these pages

Each learning objective has a page with: In short, the idea in one or two sentences; Key ideas; In this programme, an example from our JavaScript, Selenium, Mocha, and FHIR practice; Teach it, a session a mentor or trainer can run; and Check yourself, questions to answer without notes. Read them before the course, or use them to revise for the exam.

About the syllabus and the exam

• The syllabus is for anyone who builds or improves test automation: testers, test analysts, test automation engineers, developers, and their managers. It expects some software engineering skill, but does not teach it.
• Entry requirement: the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate (Module 4). ISTQB also recommends at least six months' experience in testing or development, and an accredited course.
• Levels of knowledge: K2 understand, K3 apply, and K4 analyse. Each learning objective has a level. The keywords under each chapter heading must be remembered.
• What is examinable: chapters 1 to 8. The introduction and the appendices are not. Answers can draw on more than one section.
• Business outcomes: the certificate shows that a person can describe the purpose of test automation; place it in the lifecycle; set up the infrastructure; choose tools and strategies; design modular, scalable solutions; plan a pilot and deployment; design and develop solutions; plan maintenance; integrate with CI/CD; collect, analyse, and report data; verify the infrastructure; and improve continuously.

Contents

• 1 Introduction and Objectives for Test Automation
  • 1.1 Purpose of Test Automation
    • 1.1.1 Explain the Advantages and Disadvantages of Test Automation (K2)
  • 1.2 Test Automation in the Software Development Lifecycle
    • 1.2.1 Explain How Test Automation is Applied Across Different Software Development Lifecycle Models (K2)
    • 1.2.2 Select Suitable Test Automation Tools For a Given System Under Test (K2)
• 2 Preparing for Test Automation
  • 2.1 Understand the Configuration of an Infrastructure to Enable Test Automation
    • 2.1.1 Describe the Configuration Needs of an Infrastructure that Enable Implementation of Test Automation (K2)
    • 2.1.2 Explain How Test Automation is Leveraged within Different Environments (K2)
  • 2.2 Evaluation Process for Selecting the Right Tools and Strategies
    • 2.2.1 Analyze a System Under Test to Determine the Appropriate Test Automation Solution (K4)
    • 2.2.2 Illustrate the Technical Findings of a Tool Evaluation (K4)
• 3 Test Automation Architecture
  • 3.1 Design Concepts Leveraged in Test Automation
    • 3.1.1 Explain the Major Capabilities in a Test Automation Architecture (K2)
    • 3.1.2 Explain How to Design a Test Automation Solution (K2)
    • 3.1.3 Apply Layering of Test Automation Frameworks (K3)
    • 3.1.4 Apply Different Approaches for Automating Test Cases (K3)
    • 3.1.5 Apply Design Principles and Design Patterns in Test Automation (K3)
• 4 Implementing Test Automation
  • 4.1 Test Automation Development
    • 4.1.1 Apply Guidelines that Support Effective Test Automation Pilot and Deployment Activities (K3)
  • 4.2 Risks Associated with Test Automation Development
    • 4.2.1 Analyze Deployment Risks and Plan Mitigation Strategies for Test Automation (K4)
  • 4.3 Test Automation Solution Maintainability
    • 4.3.1 Explain Which Factors Support and Affect Test Automation Solution Maintainability (K2)
• 5 Implementation and Deployment Strategies for Test Automation
  • 5.1 Integration to CI/CD Pipelines
    • 5.1.1 Apply Test Automation at Different Test Levels within Pipelines (K3)
    • 5.1.2 Explain Configuration Management for Testware (K2)
    • 5.1.3 Explain Test Automation Dependencies for an API Infrastructure (K2)
• 6 Test Automation Reporting and Metrics
  • 6.1 Collection, Analysis and Reporting of Test Automation Data
    • 6.1.1 Apply Data Collection Methods from the Test Automation Solution and the System Under Test (K3)
    • 6.1.2 Analyze Data from the Test Automation Solution and the System Under Test to Better Understand Test Results (K4)
    • 6.1.3 Explain How a Test Progress Report is Constructed and Published (K2)
• 7 Verifying the Test Automation Solution
  • 7.1 Verification of the Test Automation Infrastructure
    • 7.1.1 Plan to Verify the Test Automation Environment Including Test Tool Setup (K3)
    • 7.1.2 Explain the Correct Behavior for a Given Automated Test Script and/or Test Suite (K2)
    • 7.1.3 Identify Where Test Automation Produces Unexpected Results (K2)
    • 7.1.4 Explain How Static Analysis Can Aid Test Automation Code Quality (K2)
• 8 Continuous Improvement
  • 8.1 Continuous Improvement Opportunities for Test Automation
    • 8.1.1 Discover Opportunities for Improving Test Cases Through Data Collection and Analysis (K3)
    • 8.1.2 Analyze the Technical Aspects of a Deployed Test Automation Solution and Provide Recommendations for Improvement (K4)
    • 8.1.3 Restructure the Automated Testware to Align with System Under Test Updates (K3)
    • 8.1.4 Summarize Opportunities for Use of Test Automation Tools (K2)

Source

Based on the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) syllabus, version 2.0, chapters 1 to 8. The syllabus is © International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®); ISTQB® is a registered trademark of the ISTQB. Copyright © 2024 the authors of the syllabus: Andrew Pollner (Chair), Péter Földházi, Patrick Quilter, Gergely Ágnecz, and László Szikszai. This page explains its concepts in our own words, for teaching, and is not an accredited course or a substitute for the syllabus.

View this document on GitHub materials/modules/module-5-istqb-certified-tester-advanced-level-test-automation-engineer/syllabus/index.md