INFORMATION SYSTEMS EXAMINATIONS BOARD

Foundation Certificate in Software Testing

Training Provider Regulations and Guidelines
Contents

Introduction to BCS and ISEB ................................................................................................... 3

Applying for Accreditation .......................................................................................................... 4
Objective of the Qualification ..................................................................................................... 4
Syllabus ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Candidate Entry to the Course .................................................................................................. 4
The Training Course .................................................................................................................. 4
Staffing Requirements ............................................................................................................... 5
Candidate Eligibility for the Examination ................................................................................... 5
Format of the Examination......................................................................................................... 5
Requesting an Examination....................................................................................................... 5
General Arrangements for the Examination .............................................................................. 6
Candidate Registration for the Examination .............................................................................. 6
Examination Fees ...................................................................................................................... 7
Examination Dates..................................................................................................................... 7
Issuing of Exam Results ............................................................................................................ 7
Certificates................................................................................................................................. 7
Candidate Feedback.................................................................................................................. 7
Appeals...................................................................................................................................... 8
Candidate Complaints ............................................................................................................... 8
Training Provider Complaints .................................................................................................... 8
Copyright of the Exam Papers................................................................................................... 8
Sample Exam Papers ................................................................................................................ 8
Reasonable Adjustments........................................................................................................... 9
Candidate Conduct .................................................................................................................... 9
Examination Statistics................................................................................................................ 9
Contact Details .......................................................................................................................... 9

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Copyright © The British Computer Society 2009

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Introduction to BCS and ISEB

It is hoped that this document will provide potential candidates for the Foundation Certificate in Software
Testing with all the basic information they need regarding eligibility and the format of the examinations.
Further queries should be directed to the Training Provider or the Examinations Officer at
swt@hq.bcs.org.uk

The Information Systems Examinations Board (ISEB) is division of the British Computer Society. ISEB
was created in 1990 from the Systems Analysis Examinations Board (which was set up in 1967). ISEB
administers examinations and issues certificates in a variety of subjects in the field of information
systems engineering.

The supervision of each qualification is delegated to a subject panel and includes representatives from
the BCS, Training Providers, users groups, examiners, and individuals appointed for relevant expertise
in the testing arena.

For all certificates, the emphasis is on providing a professional qualification. To achieve this, ISEB
adopts a two-fold approach to quality: accreditation and examination.

Examinations enable candidates to demonstrate their individual competence. The precise form of
examination varies from certificate to certificate, and may comprise a written examination, course
assessment and oral examinations.

Organisations wishing to offer courses leading to certificates have to be accredited by ISEB. There are
no restrictions as to the nature of establishments which may apply for accreditation: education and
training bodies, public and private, large or small are all eligible. Once accredited, Training Providers are
monitored in a variety of ways to ensure standards are maintained.

The ISEB portfolio offers a large number of IT qualifications in a variety of disciplines.

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Applying for Accreditation

In order to offer training leading to the Certificate, organisations must first be accredited by ISEB. There
are no restrictions relating to the nature of the provider that may run an accredited training scheme.
Education and training establishments, private or public, large or small, are eligible, as are
establishments providing their own in-house training. The venue must be suitable but need not be in
premises owned or managed by the Provider. All details of the requirement for accreditation can be
found on the ISEB website: http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=nav.7808

Objective of the Qualification

The objectives of the qualifications in Software Testing are:

• To gain recognition for testing as an essential and professional software engineering

specialisation by industry.
• To enable professionally qualified testers to be recognised by employers, customers and peers,
and raise the profile of testers.
• To promote consistent and good testing practice within all software engineering disciplines.
• To enable software suppliers to hire certified testers and thereby gain commercial advantage
over their competitors by advertising their tester recruitment policy.
• To provide an opportunity for testers or those with an interest in testing to acquire an industry
recognised qualification in the subject.

Syllabus

The full syllabus can be downloaded from the website at: Foundation Certificate in Software Testing
Syllabus

Candidate Entry to the Course

There are no formal requirements for entry to the course although the candidate should have a basic
working knowledge of IT and it is recommended that all candidates attend an approved training course
run by an accredited Training Provider.

The Training Course

The training may be offered in a variety of formats, but is most commonly available an 18 hour course
run over a minimum period of 3 days to include lectures, workshops, and other teaching formats. These
courses will be a maximum class size of 16.

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Staffing Requirements

ISEB expects that all course tutors should have a demonstrable knowledge of Software Testing skills
and be experienced in training. It is also mandatory for all Course Tutors to hold the ISEB Foundation
Certificate in Software Testing qualification.

The minimum experience requirements for the Foundation Certificate are split in to two categories:

1) A minimum of three years training experience (or professional trainer) with at least ten courses
having been run as well as a minimum of one years testing experience,
2) If the tutor has less than three years training experience or fewer than ten courses then they must
have a minimum of two full years testing experience.

ISEB recommends that there should be a minimum of six candidates on a course and mandates a
maximum of thirty. For courses with thirty or more candidates, it is strongly recommended that a second
course be run. Alternatively, a second 1st level trainer must be present for the entire duration of the
course.

Candidate Eligibility for the Examination

The candidate should have a basic working knowledge of IT and it is recommended that all candidates
attend an approved training course run by an accredited Training Provider.

Format of the Examination

The examination will last one hour and will consist of forty multiple-choice questions. The examination
will be ‘closed book’, i.e. no notes or books will be allowed in to the examination room. The pass mark is
26/40.

Requesting an Examination

ISEB will provide the examination ‘on request’ to accredited training organisations, provided that a
minimum of 5 working days is given (14 working days for overseas venues). Training Providers can also
request an examination with less than the notice stated above, but this is subject to ISEB’s discretion. A
late examination booking request which is accepted by ISEB is subject to an additional fee. For a list of
the current fees, please visit the ISEB website at www.iseb.org.uk

Training Providers are expected to hold the examination on the final day of the course at the site where
the course was held (unless the accreditation approval says differently).

All examinations must now be booked using the on-line examination process and Training Providers
unfamiliar with the process should read the document entitled ‘Booking ISEB Exams – Online’.

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The current process does not allow Training Providers to book extra time for candidates whose first
language is not English, so please contact the Examinations Officer via email or phone to request the
additional 15 minutes.

It may be possible to arrange an examination to take place over a weekend but this will be subject to an
additional charge and ISEB being able to source a suitable invigilator. Please check with the
Examinations Officer prior to booking.

ISEB also holds public examinations for the Foundation Certificate in Software Testing mainly for
candidates who need to re-sit the examination or for candidates who wish to register as a direct entry.
These are held in February, March, May, June, September, October and November normally in London.
Training Providers should not send their candidates to this site unless advance approval is given by
ISEB. Details of these examinations and how direct entry candidates can book are on the ISEB website
Public Examination Dates.

ISEB will charge Training Providers for the number of candidates sitting the examination subject to a
minimum charge for five candidates.

The Provider should recognise that they may be asked to provide assistance sourcing a suitable
invigilator if requesting an examination overseas with. Providers will also be expected to arrange and
pay for the venue.

There is a charge for 2 ½ candidates if an on site Foundation exam is cancelled with less than two
week’s notice. If less than one week is given, the Training Provider will be charged for 5 candidates.

General Arrangements for the Examination

ISEB arranges for invigilators to attend the examination centres to invigilate the exams. ISEB provides
secure delivery of the examination papers and answer booklets to and from the examination venues.

The examination papers and answer booklets are confidential to, and remain the property of ISEB. All
examination papers and answer booklets are to be retained within the examination room(s), and
returned to ISEB and all copies are to be accounted for by the invigilator.

The Foundation Certificate Examination is ‘closed book’; meaning that no external material may be
referred to by candidates during the examination.

Candidate Registration for the Examination

Training Providers must ensure that candidates complete the Candidate Registration Form and all these
forms should then be given to the ISEB Invigilator prior to the commencement of the examination. A full
list of the candidates must also be available. Those wishing to take the central examination should
register direct with ISEB, from whom the entry form may be obtained. Those wishing to take the
computer based examination should contact Prometric directly for registration details.

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Examination Fees

The Training Provider will be responsible for the payment of the fees for all candidates who take the
examination at sittings arranged at the request of the Provider.

There is a minimum fee payable by the Training Provider which is equivalent to the fee for five
candidates. There are also a charge of 2 ½ candidates if an on site Foundation exam is cancelled with
less than two week’s notice. If less than one week is given, the Training Provider will be invoiced for 5
candidates.

A schedule of current fees may be obtained from the ISEB website www.iseb.org.uk

Examination Dates

The examination must normally be held on site at the conclusion of the course. In addition, ISEB will
also arrange central examinations in London. Details may be obtained from the ISEB website
www.bcs.org.uk/iseb/st. Please contact ISEB for confirmation of venue location on your chosen date.

Any candidates wishing to take any of the above public date examinations should register and pay online
by going to Register for the Examination.

Issuing of Exam Results

Examination results will be sent direct to candidates within three weeks of the date of the examination.
Training Providers will also receive a copy of the results of their candidates. The candidate’s exact mark
will only be released to the Training Provider with the candidate’s consent.

Under no circumstances will results be given over the telephone or by facsimile. A copy of the relevant
results will also be sent to Training Providers.

Certificates

Certificates will normally be sent to the successful candidates directly.

Candidate Feedback

No feedback is available for the Foundation Certificate in Software Testing.

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Appeals

Should a candidate wish to an appeal about the examination itself or their result, they should first consult
the ISEB Appeals Procedure then:

• Provide a written request (including candidate number, full title of examination and date taken)
giving reasons for the appeal to the ISEB Examination Manager not later than four weeks after
the release of examination results.
• Enclose documentary evidence where appropriate (e.g. medical report).
• Enclose the correct fee. This will be refunded in the event that the appeal is upheld.

Candidate Complaints

If candidates are unsatisfied with the level of service offered by ISEB candidates can submit their
complaint directly to ISEB for consideration. The ISEB complaints procedure can be found on the ISEB
website: Complaints Procedure. If the complaint is in relation to the Training Provider then the candidate
should be directed to the Training Provider’s Complaints Policy. If the candidate is not satisfied with the
response, then the candidate has right of appeal to ISEB.

Training Provider Complaints

If a Training Provider has a complaint about the level of service offered by ISEB, they should contact
ISEB for redress.

Copyright of the Exam Papers

All papers remain the copyright of ISEB. Copying them is not permitted and all prints of the paper must
be returned to ISEB after the examination has taken place.

Sample Exam Papers

ISEB has sample papers available on request for a fee for both candidates and Training Providers.
Check the ISEB web pages for charges and availability. If not accessible on the web then please contact
ISEB directly.

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Reasonable Adjustments

ISEB endeavours to accommodate the needs of candidates with a particular examination requirement,
according to individual circumstances, ensuring such candidates are not disadvantaged or advantaged in
relation to other candidates and that certificates accurately reflect candidate attainment. Candidates
should complete the Reasonable Adjustments Form available on the website and submit the form no
later than two weeks prior to the examination date: Reasonable Adjustments Policy.

Candidate Conduct

If ISEB has sufficient evidence to demonstrate that a particular candidate’s behaviour is adversely
affecting any candidates during an assignment / examination, ISEB reserve the right to disqualify them
and withhold their result. The candidate may then reapply and re-sit the examination at ISEB’s
discretion. A further examination fee will be applicable.

Examination Statistics

ISEB will issue examination statistics showing the overall pass rate (updated each financial year). This
information will be placed on the ISEB website. Training Providers may make public the overall pass
rates for their own candidates, and may use these in conjunction with ISEB’s overall statistics. Under no
circumstances however, may they publish, or in any other way reveal examination statistics of other
Training Providers.

Contact Details

Examination queries should be directed to the Foundation Certificate in Software Testing Exams Officer
at swt@hq.bcs.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1793 417 586

Fax: +44 (0) 1793 417 559

The postal address is:

ISEB (FCSWT)
First Floor Block D
North Star House
North Star Avenue
Swindon, Wiltshire
SN2 1FA

Detailed syllabus information, and information on accredited Training Providers, exam dates and pass
rates can be found on the ISEB web site www.iseb.org.uk. This also contains information about other
ISEB qualifications.

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Copyright © The British Computer Society 2009

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