FAQs

iSQI

iSQI is a global exam provider who has been appointed by many ISTQB® Member Boards to deliver exams. iSQI is a specialist in exam delivery and fully accredited to ISO 17024 and ISO 9001 standards giving reassurance to our customers in Canada that all aspects of exam delivery will meet the high expectations set by you, the CSTB and ISTQB®.

You will receive a certificate that has been fully authorized by the CSTB – it will inlcude the CSTB, ISTQB®, and iSQI logos.

You will recieve your result at the end of the exam followed by a result email within 1 business day, including a link to your certificate if you are successful.

iSQI is based in Germany and your data will be held in accordance with the provisions of GDPR. Where you take an exam with iSQI through Pearson VUE or via remote proctor, your data will also be held in Europe.

You can find the exam price in the iSQI shop at www.isqi.org. You will be able to make payment in Canadian dollars.

iSQI is the only exam provider fully authorized by the CSTB to provide exams in Canada (paper, online, via test centers such as Pearson VUE, and via remote proctor).

Yes, the same rules will apply as would be implemented by the CSTB, and iSQI will manage the extra time process.

No, the CSTB will be responsible for accreditation of training providers. iSQI will be kept up to date with which training providers are accredited.

Yes – if you are successful you will receive a link to an application form in your result email from iSQI.

Yes, you can choose a paper or online exam for a group of candidates on site with an iSQI trained invigilator/proctor. The online exam from iSQI is known as SMEX (the advantage is candidates receive their result at the end of the exam).
To schedule an exam or for more information contact exam@iSQI.org.

iSQI requests 7 days notice for on site exams so that the invigilator/proctor can be confirmed. iSQI will ask you to confirm:

the location (you must have a room that will support delivery of exams with suitable spacing between candidates and with no distractions such as building works)
the date/time
the main contact
the candidate names and email addresses
if extra time is required by any candidate (according to the usual ISTQB rule of 25% for a non-native speaker for the exam language selected)
Online exam results will be given at the end of the exam. Paper exam results will take 7 business days.

Exams

iSQI offers remote proctor exams (known as FLEX), Pearson VUE Test Center exams, and paper or online exams after training. iSQI and CSTB may also agree to offer public exam sessions from time to time.

A test center is a dedicated location where you can take an exam with an invigilator/proctor physically present. There are ~97 Pearson VUE test centers in Canada. You will need to set up an account with Pearson VUE after purchasing your iSQI voucher at the iSQI shop (www.isqi.org). You select the test center, date, and time that suits your needs best. You will recieve your result at the end of the exam followed by email confirmation within 1 business day, including a link to your certificate if you are successful.

CSTB partners with iSQI for all exam services including remote proctoring. iSQI refers to this exam method as FLEX exams. A remote proctor exam is a PC based exam taken via the internet (we recommend a stable connection with a minimum upload speed of 1,5 Mbps). An invigilator/proctor will monitor your exam through your device.

A remote proctor exam is a PC based exam taken via the internet (we recommend a stable connection with a minimum upload speed of 1,5 Mbps). An invigilator/proctor will monitor your exam through your device. iSQI calls remote proctored exams FLEX exams.

To take a FLEX exam will need to have a laptop or desktop with a webcam, microphone, and speakers (Windows and Mac operating systems can be supported). You will need the Google Chrome browser or a browser that supports Chrome extensions, like latest versions of Microsoft Edge. You will also need a mobile device (this provides a second camera). We support devices with Android 5.1 + and iOS 10.0 + (we don´t support Huawei P30, Samsung Galaxy A3, and Google Pixel 3).

You will be able to select your exam date and time (24/7) availability (4 days notice is needed for booking). Please note proctors only speak English. You will recieve your result at the end of the exam followed by a result email within 1 business day, including a link to your certificate if you are successful.

Leave the room until your exam is over
Lean outside of the webcam view
Talk out loud for any reason
Read any part of the exam out loud
Have anyone else in the room other than yourself
Attempt to record, photograph, or write exam questions at any point in the exam

External support materials are strictly prohibited from being used during the test.

To take a FLEX exam will need to have a laptop or desktop with a webcam, microphone, and speakers (Windows and Mac operating systems can be supported). You will need the Google Chrome browser or a browser that supports Chrome extensions, like latest versions of Microsoft Edge. You will also need a mobile device (this provides a second camera). We support devices with Android 5.1 + and iOS 10.0 + (we don´t support Huawei P30, Samsung Galaxy A3, and Google Pixel 3).

Purchases are made from the iSQI Shop. This is accessible through the CSTB Exam pages.

If you have an issue, e.g. the internet disconnects, please stay calm and connect again. The proctor will guide you. If you are unable to reconnect, contact exam@isqi.org and explain the issue (please allow 12 hours for a response).

Yes. Please consult the training providers page to see which companies are offering courses in French.

Online exams are offered in French at Exam Centres.

Taking an CSTB exam is not taxable.

Please review the cancellation policy on https://isqi.org/en/content/3-terms-and-conditions-of-use

A public exam is an exam that is scheduled at a location selected by iSQI/CSTB and where candidates are monitored by an on site invigilator/proctor. Public exam sessions are less popular so its best to check in the iSQI shop if any are scheduled. If you have a group of people and would like to arrange an onsite exam then contact exam@isqi.org.

ISTQB

The ISTQB Certified Tester program provides certification for software testers internationally. There are currently three levels of certification: the Foundation Level, the Advanced Level, and the Expert Level. For each level, international working parties develop and maintain internationally uniform syllabi, exam development procedures, and a Glossary of Terms. One of the core principles of the program is a strict separation between the administration of exams and the training to those who would like to prepare for the exam in ISTQB compliant courses. This is not true of other testing and/or quality assurance organizations.

The Foundation Level exam tests for knowledge, not skill. It provides information about the certificate holder’s level of familiarity with the most common concepts of software testing and the associated terminology. It does not require work experience. The Foundation Level exam is a stepping stone toward the Advanced Level, which is more in-depth and much more practice-oriented.

An ISTQB accredited training provider is someone who has extensive knowledge and experience in testing, and can provide additional insights into testing terminology and the syllabus content, to make it easier to attain the ISTQB certifications.

Since the courses are given by a variety of training providers, the courses will vary. The course syllabus dictates the areas that must be covered in each course, but other details, such as the order of the material, are left to the training provider. The CSTB does not provide course material other than the syllabus and the ISTQB Standard Glossary of Terms.

The cost of training depends on the accredited training provider company you choose. Since all accredited training providers operate independently, their pricing will vary. Each individual pursuing the ISTQB certification should explore the accredited training providers to identify the best match for their needs.

The CSTB will administer the exam independent of any courses. Courses can be taken to prepare for the exam, and ISTQB compliant courses are being offered by ISTQB accredited training providers.

The Foundation Level exam is a 60-minute multiple choice, closed-book exam. The 40 questions making up the exam are designed to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the entire Foundation syllabus. A grade of 65% must be attained in order to pass.

The Advanced Level exams are composed of three sections. They correspond to the three different subject areas: ‘Test Analyst,’ ‘Technical Test Analyst,’ and ‘Test Manager’. Each exam is 3 hours in length. All three areas require a passing grade of 65% in order to receive the full Advanced Level certificate. However, exams for each subject area can be taken with successful candidates receiving a certificate identifying the section(s) that have been completed.

The Expert Level exams are a combination of multiple choice questions and essay questions. An Expert Level certificate is valid for 5 years.

Expert Level certification must be renewed every 5 years using one of the following two options:

Pass the Expert Level exam
Achieve 200 “Certification Extension Credits“ (CECs)
CECs may be achieved in a number of areas. For example:

Perform a professional testing activity
Take a relevant training course
Attend a testing conference
Present at a testing conference
Teach a relevant training course
Write a testing article or book
Actively participate in a Working Group (ISTQB® Member Boards, SIGIST, etc.)
Verifiable evidence of CEC related activity must be submitted to the certifier.

The Expert Level Certification Extension Program is published by the ISTQB.

CTAL-TM is an Advanced Test Manager responsible managing a test effort. CTAL-TA is an Advanced Test Analyst responsible for test case design, using black box test case design techniques. Focus is on functional testing and usability testing.