ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst (CTAL) – Syllabus & Study Guide

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Complete Syllabus along with Links to Study Material to Help You Prepare for the ISTQB CTAL-TA Certification:

ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst Certification adds value to your resume and can help you move forward in your career.

In this article, we have listed all the topics you need to study while preparing for the certification and the link for the study material.

You can review the topics listed and click on the tutorial to learn more about the topic.

#1) Introduction

• 1.1 Testing in the Software Development  Lifecycle
• 1.2 Test Monitoring, and Control
• 1.3 Test Design
• 1.4 Test Implementation
• 1.5 Test Execution
• 1.6 Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting
• 1.7 Test Closure Activities

#2) Test Management: Responsibilities for the Test Analyst

• 2.1 Test Progress Monitoring and Control   
• 2.2 Distributed, Outsourced, and Insourced Testing
• 2.3 The Test Analyst’s Tasks in Risk-Based Testing

More readings in Risk-Based Testing:

• • Types Of Risks
  • Risk Management
  • Failure Mode And Effects Analysis (FMEA)

#3) Test Techniques

• 3.1 Specification-Based Techniques
  • 3.1.1 Equivalence Partitioning
  • 3.1.2 Boundary Value Analysis
  • 3.1.3 Decision Tables
  • 3.1.4 Cause-Effect Graphing
  • 3.1.5 State Transition Testing
  • 3.1.6 Combinational Testing Techniques
  • 3.1.7 Use Case Testing
  • 3.1.8 User Story Testing
  • 3.1.9 Domain Analysis
• 3.2 Defect-Based Techniques
  • 3.2.1 Using Defect-Based Techniques
  • 3.2.2 Defect Taxonomies
• 3.3 Experience-Based Techniques
  • 3.3.1 Error Guessing
  • 3.3.2 Checklist-Based Testing
  • 3.3.3 Exploratory Testing

#4) Testing Software Quality Characteristics

• Glossary of Testing terms

#5) Reviews

• Using Checklists in Reviews
  • Web Application Testing Checklist
  • QA Software Testing Checklists

#6) Defect Management

• 6.1 When Can a Defect be detected?
• 6.2 Defect Report Fields
• 6.3 Defect Classification
• 6.4 Root Cause Analysis 

#7) Test Tools

• 5 Must-Have Non-testing Tools for Testers to Make Life Easier
• Best Test Management Tools for Software Testers
• What is Regression Testing? Regression Testing Tools and Best Practices
• Automated Testing – How to Choose the Best Automation Testing Tool
• List and Comparison of the Best Functional Testing Tools
• Open Source Security Testing Tools
• BEST Performance Testing Tools (Load Testing Tools)
• TestCafe Studio Tool To Automate Your Web Testing Without Writing Code
• Best Automation Testing Tools (Comprehensive List)

Advanced Technical Test Analyst (TTA) Exam

ISTQB Advanced Technical Test Analyst (TTA) is an advanced-level certification for software testing professionals.

The certification is for those who are into the role of Software test architect, automation experts, and professionals with a very strong testing background.

Advanced Level qualification is also appropriate for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors, and management consultants.

High-level topics in Advanced Technical Test Analyst exam syllabus includes:

1. Risk-based testing
2. Structure-based testing
3. Analytical Techniques
4. Quality Characteristics for Technical Testing
5. Reviews
6. Test Tools and Automation

Preparing for any advanced level exam needs dedication and hard work. As the exam is for professionals with typically >2 years of work experience in the IT industry, the preparation is not the same as the ISTQB foundation level exam.

One needs to understand the syllabus content well, refer to the other study materials (mentioned below) and practice as much Sample questions as possible. A professional who likes problems that involve analytical thinking, out of box approach to problems, and love for algorithm and coding would easily pass this exam.

A good positive attitude towards preparation is highly recommended and mental readiness for surprise questions in the exam is important.

How To Apply For ISTQB Advanced TTA Exam?

You must apply for the ISTQB exam only after having adequate preparation. The exam being highly analytical, lack of preparation would mean losing money and time.

You have to apply for the ISTQB Advanced TTA exam from ISTQB country-specific website.

To find the available slots/dates for Advanced TTA examinations, go to ISTQB-advanced exam-dates and check there. Before you start filling the form on the website follow the procedures and make sure that you fulfill all pre-requisites and have the necessary details with you.

Once you enter the ISTQB website, click on Advanced -> Enrollment on the home page and start the enrollment. A new webpage is opened as shown below.

Select the option as Public if you are an individual and corporate if you apply via a company. Select the other options as indicated.

Once the above webpage is filled and submitted, the below webpage Form opens up. You need to fill the necessary details.

In the above form, upload the necessary documents requested. This includes the ISTQB foundation level certificate, experience letter, or HR letter from the company for the experience. After filling the above form, submit it, and follow the instructions further.

Once the Enrollment form is submitted successfully, you can proceed for payment. Payment options are via DD or Online mode. The payment amount is approx. INR 4720 (including GST).

If payment is done via DD, send the DD along with a copy of the foundation level certificate to the below address:

INDIAN TESTING BOARD 
A-108B,  Sector 58
NOIDA – 201301
UTTAR PRADESH

Contact Person: Sonal Garg
Phone: +91-9310273004
Email id: sonal@indiantestingboard.com
Phone: +91-120-4355270, +91-120-4236187
info@indiantestingboard.com

DD is to be made in favor of “SOFTWARE TESTING CERTIFICATION BOARD, payable at ‘NEW DELHI’”.

If Payment is done via the online option, then send the scanned copy of your foundation certificate to jyotika@indiantestingboard.com. Also, include a copy of payment reference detail for quick processing and slot booking. Provide the enrolment number, if any, as well in the email.

Applications From Other Parts Of The World

Click here to navigate to the various ISTQB member boards website. Here you can find the boards that are responsible for the examination of Advanced Technical Test Analyst.

Few of the boards are:

• American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB)
• Australia and New Zealand Testing Board (ANZTB)
• Bangladesh Software Testing Board (BSTB)
• Brazilian Software Testing Qualifications Board (BSTQB)
• Canadian Software Testing Board (CSTB)
• Caribbean Testing Board (CTB)
• Chinese Software Testing Qualifications Board (CSTQB)
• Danish Software Testing Board (DSTB)
• German Testing Board (GTB)
• Indian Testing Board (ITB)
• Japan Software Testing Qualifications Board (JSTQB)
• Kenya Software Testing Association (KENYA-STA)
• Iranian Testing Qualification Board (ITQB)
• Italian Software Testing Qualifications Board (ITA-STQB)
• Korean Software Testing and Qualifications Board (KSTQB)
• Philippines Software Testing Qualifications Body (PhSTQB)
• Pakistan Software Testing Board (PSTB)
• Russian Software Testing Qualifications Board (RSTQB)
• Portuguese Software Testing and Qualifications Board (PSTQB)
• Turkish Testing Board (TTB)
• UK Testing Board (UKTB)

Further, in this article, we will see how to apply for the Advance TTA exam in the UK and the US. For the other boards, readers can follow the respective board links and apply for the exam.

Advanced Technical Test Analyst Application In The UK

For UKTB, Pearson Vue is the authorized exam provider (Pearsonvue). To apply for the exam, go to the above Pearson Vue website and follow the instructions below for booking an examination slot.

Click on create an account and create a new account.

Once the account is created, you can log in and click on View Exam as below.

Now search for Adv. Technical Test Analyst exam.

Once the Adv TTA exam is selected, the below screen will come up.

Now click on Schedule exam and follow the below screenshot.

Select the available time slot on the next page.

Now proceed for payment as shown below.

After making the payment, you will get an email confirmation. Just follow the instruction and appear for the exam.

In case of any confusion please read the below instructions. You can also contact iSQI.

Advanced Technical Test Analyst Application in the USA

ASTQB provides Adv Technical Test Analyst exam from the USA, please follow the below instructions for the application process.

Once the application is done, you will receive an email with the exam details, the venue selected, etc. Follow the email and appear for the exam.

Similarly, apply for the exams from different countries by following the respective country SW Testing boards.

Exam Format

#1) Overview

ISTQB Advanced Technical Test analyst (Adv. TTA) exam is an offline, paper-based, or Computer-based multiple-choice questions. Depending upon the exam provider of ISTQB, a paper or computer-based exam would be organized.

The Adv. TTA exam will have 45 multiple choice questions, with an exam duration of 120 mins. All the questions are compulsory. No negative marking is there in the Advanced TTA exam. The passing percentage is 65% (around 30 questions).

Candidates whose native language is other than the language of the exam paper (Example: A candidate is from a regional language background and has a lesser hold on the English language, on which the exam paper is set), will get an additional 30 minutes for Advanced TTA exam.

Each correct answer to a question would carry marks one, two, or three. One is easy and three is difficult. The marking scheme is based on different K-Levels (described in the section Explanation of the K-Levels).

Questions are in line with the learning objectives of Adv. TTA course present on the ISTQB website.

Learning objectives in the ISTQB exam syllabus is defined as a statement that defines what a candidate is expected to learn or do after going through the course content in the syllabus. Learning objectives are identified under every chapter in the syllabus content. The exam tests the candidate’s achievement of the learning objectives.

Below is a quick reference to the exam structure as per the learning objectives from the Advanced TTA syllabus.

#2) Explanation of K-Levels

K-Levels or Level of Knowledge is the different levels of understanding of the concepts in any ISTQB exam syllabus.

ISTQB has various K-Levels starting from K1 till K6, with K1 being the simplest and most straight forward understanding level of concept and K6 being a complex cognitive level where the candidate’s knowledge level is such that she can create or invent a product using the existing concept.

Below is the explanation of various K-Levels:

For Advanced Technical Test Analyst, K-Levels from K2 to K4 are applicable.

#3) Marks Distribution as per K-Levels

Let us explore how the marks are distributed as per the K- Levels.

For Adv. TTA exam, a K2 question is allocated 1 mark, while a K3 question may be of 1, 2 or 3 marks, and K4 questions may be of either 2 or 3 marks, depending on the difficulty level of the question.

Going by this, we can see that for 45 questions, a maximum of 80 marks will be allocated (as per the ISTQB website). Out of 80 marks, 52 marks (65%) are required to pass the Advanced TTA exam.

Important Tips To Prepare For Advanced TTA Exam

Preparing for the ISTQB Advanced TTA exam is tricky, but not as difficult as many would tell you. One has to be thorough with the ISTQB Foundation level syllabus and this is a precondition to take up the Advanced TTA exam.

After this, one has to make sure that the syllabus course material for Adv. TTA is properly read. Do not miss even one line of the Adv. TTA syllabus course content.

Make sure that you go through the Advanced TTA course syllabus at-least 2-3 times and the preparation should start at least a month before the exam date. The more time you spend in preparation, the better the outcome could be.

The reason behind my emphasis on multiple rounds of revision of Adv. TTA syllabus content is a greater cognitive understanding of the topics. When you go through the course content first time, your understanding of the content would be slightly different when compared to the 2^nd and 3^rd round of revision of the course content.

Few more references one can go through for Advanced TTA exam preparation links listed below:

• Testing standards
• NIST -National Institute of Standards and Technology
• SW Architecture Review
• Portal ACM citation
• Process Impact
• Ifsq
• W3C

The idea behind the preparation is to be able to apply the learning objectives to practical situations. The majority of the questions in the exam are application or situation-based. You get a question on a Branch coverage, but the question would be based on a real-life situation.

An example question is below with the K-Level as K3.

Example: In a railway signaling project, a red light is lit when a train crosses a rail diversion and another train approaches from the opposite direction, or when a red flag is displayed near the railway station.

A green light is shown when a train crosses the rail diversion point and no obstruction is detected on the same rail route. One day a train collides with another due to faulty signaling.

The reason for this could be due to:

1. Incomplete Statement coverage
2. Inefficient branch coverage
3. Incomplete functional testing
4. None

The answer to this question is 2) Inefficient branch coverage. This is due to the reason that, one of the conditions in the question says, “red light is lit when a red flag is displayed near the railway station”.

A case may occur where the red flag was not shown to the train, as no station was nearby, even though there was another train on the same rail. The train continued on the same track and collided with another on the same route.

In the above question, a candidate should have a thorough understanding of Structure-Based Testing. A strong understanding of the fundamental course content helps one to apply them to real-time scenarios.

Besides, the above course content, practicing a lot of sample questions from the web, is equally essential.

Sample Questions for ISTQB Adv. TTA Exam

Advanced TTA sample questions could be obtained from many websites. Below are a few sample questions from the ISTQB website. I followed the same set of questions for my preparation.

I will try to go through a few of those questions and explain the answers in simple terms for your understanding.

Q #1) (K3)

Below is the pseudo-code for a TTA program:

0 program TTA
1 var1, var2, var3: integer
2 begin
3           read (var2)
4           read (var1)
5           while var2 < 10, loop
6                       var3 = var2 + var1
7                       var2 = 4
8                       var1 = var2 + 1
9                       print (var3)
10                     if var1 = 5 then
11                                      print (var1)
12                     else
13                                     print (var1+1)
14                    endif
15                    var2 = var2 + 1
16         endloop
17         write (“That was fun!”)
18         write (“The answer is…”)
19         write (var1+var2)
20 end program TTA

Which of the following statements about the TTA program MOST correctly describes any control flow anomalies in it?

Answer Set:

A. The TTA program contains unreachable code and an infinite loop.
B. The TTA program contains no control flow anomalies.
C. The TTA program contains unreachable code.
D. The TTA program contains a loop with multiple entry points.

Answer with an Explanation:

The answer is A. The TTA program contains unreachable code and an infinite loop. This is due to Step 7 in the program pseudo-code. Once the program code reaches Step 7, there is a reassignment of var2 with value ‘4’. This happens every time the loop is executed, thus else statement is not considered at all.

The else code is unreachable.

Also, endif has counter increment, which is var2, but in every while loop, var2 is reassigned with value ‘4’, thus the infinite loop is executing in the code. Due to this reason, write statements are also unreachable.

Q #2) (K4) – Consider that you are working as a technical test analyst on a project where a new banking system is being developed.

This system will store customer financial data, including personally identifying information, account numbers & balances, and transaction history. Based on this information, which of the following topics do you most likely need to contribute to the test plan?

Answer Set:

A. Testing data encryption.
B. Test data anonymization.
C. Coordination of distributed components.
D. Testing in production.

Answer with an Explanation:

Option A. Testing data encryption is the most suitable answer here. As it is the banking system, customer data privacy & encryption is very important and would be required by government regulation as well.

This also helps in identifying the project as a safety or non-safety based system that will help in identifying the test methods, test types, and test strategies in the test plan.

The other options are not correct. Option B is not possible in the beginning as customer data will not be available. Of course, this has to be tested later. Option C is not possible as there is no information in the question about the project as a distributed system.

Option D is not correct as it is not mentioned clearly in the system that the developed system will be used within the organization which is developing it, or will be sold to another customer. Thus, the production environment is not clear.

Q #3) (K2) – Which TWO of the following test types will be most important for a software control system that will be integrated into a wider system and is expected to generate several variants and undergo many environmental changes over 10 years?

Answer Set:

A. Adaptability testing
B. Maintainability testing
C. Recoverability testing
D. Replaceability testing
E. Security testing

Answer with an Explanation:

Options A and B are the correct answers. The system will be implemented in a new environment, thus adaptability testing is important. Also, maintainability testing is of high importance here due to the involvement of a new environment.

Q #4) (K2) – Identify the Risks that a Technical Test Analyst will identify in the Risk identification phase from the below list.

Answer Set:

A. Reliability Risks.
B. Performance Risk.
C. Human Resource Risk
D. Organizational Business model Risk.

Answer with an Explanation:

Options A and B are the correct answers. Options C and D are not mentioned in the Adv. TTA syllabus course.

Q #5) (K2) – Identify which of the below options are not true.

Answer Set:

A. Test Manager creates a risk-based testing framework within which the Technical test analyst works.
B. Decision Coverage is better than Condition Coverage but it takes more time.
C. Under Functional Safety Standard level IEC-61508, there are 5 Safety Integrated Levels.
D. Testing the system of a banking application for a maximum number of user handling is a functional testing type.

Answer with an Explanation:

Answers are C and D. There are only 4 Safely Integrated Levels and the maximum number if the user being a part of performance testing is a non-functional test.

This set is non-exhaustive but it is quite good to get the feel of the exam questions. Here is the link to the ISTQB website with the Sample questions and answers.

Conclusion

ISTQB Advanced technical test analyst certification tests the analytical and problem-solving skills of the candidates. The exam is neither too tough to prepare, nor too easy to crack.

You can compare this exam with that of the Open book exams of Universities, except that, you will not have a book to refer to in the examination hall.

This complete list provided in this article will help you clearly understand all the topics. Just click the link from the list and start learning.

So, prepare well, stay positive-minded, be ready for surprises in examination questions, and stay confident. No one can stop you from getting a good score in the exam.

We hope this consolidated ISTQB Test Analyst Syllabus and Study Guide was helpful to you!