Certified Associate in Software
Testing [CAST]
 As
the IT industry becomes more competitive, the ability for
management to distinguish professional and skilled individuals
in the field becomes mandatory. CAST Certification demonstrates
a foundation-level understanding of quality testing principles
and practices.
Acquiring the designation of Certified Associate in Software
Testing (CAST) indicates a professional level of competence in
the principles and practices of software testing in the IT
profession. CASTs become members of an acclaimed professional
group, receiving recognition of their competence by business and
professional associates, and are afforded potentially more rapid
career advancement.
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Checking Prerequisites
To qualify for candidacy, each applicant must meet one of three
prerequisites:
1. A 3 year degree or 4 year degree from an accredited
college-level institution
2. A 2 year degree from an accredited college-level institution
and 1 years experience in the information services field
3. Three years experience in the information services field
Depending upon a compliance sample selected according to program
criteria, the applicant may be required to provide detailed
education and/or employment documentation supporting the
prerequisite option selected on the application. If selected for
verification, the applicant must supply the documentation to the
program. Applicants who fail to provide the requested
documentation will not be allowed to sit for the exam or, if the
exam has been taken and passed, may be subject to
de-certification.
Filing the Initial Application
A completed Certification Candidacy Application must be
submitted through the Customer Portal for entrance to Software
Certifications as a candidate for any particular certification.
It should be submitted by individuals who:
1. Have reviewed the Associate in Software Testing Common Body
of Knowledge
2. Are prepared to take the required examination and therefore
desire to establish candidacy
The initial application fee is as follows:
* $200.00 (includes PDF version of CBOK). All fee paid in USD
Fees in this program are non-refundable or non-transferable
Candidates for certification who rely only on limited
experience/education or too few/specific study materials
typically do not successfully obtain certification. Do not apply
unless you feel confident that your work/education activities
and past experience have prepared you for the examination.
Applicants already holding a certification from Software
Certifications must submit a new application when deciding to
pursue an additional certification.
Once a new application is accepted and approved, the Candidacy
begins the date the application fee was processed. The candidate
then has 12 months from the date the application fee was
processed to take their initial exam. If after the 12-month
period the candidate has yet to take the initial exam their
candidacy will expire. The candidate must then reapply for
candidacy and pay the current application fee to begin the
process again.
If the initial exam is taken inside that 12-month period, a
second or third sitting, if required, must be completed within
24 months from the date the original application fee was
processed. After the 24-month period has elapsed their candidacy
will expire. The candidate must then reapply for candidacy and
pay the current application fee to begin the process again.
Examination
Candidates for this certification must pass a two-part
examination which includes multiple-choice items in order to
obtain certification. The one and one half hour examination
tests the candidate’s knowledge of the skill areas defined in
the Associate in Software Testing Common Body of Knowledge.
Exams are now being offered either through a Prometric Testing
Center (paper-based exam) or a Sponsored Site (paper-based
exam). The location where you plan to take your exam will
determine whether you take it at a Prometric Testing Center or
Sponsored Site.
Common Body of Knowledge
Knowledge Category 1 ~ Software Testing Principles
and Concepts
This skill category focuses on the “basics” of software testing
as represented by the vocabulary of testing, testing approaches,
methods and techniques as well as the materials used by testers
in performing their test activities.
Knowledge Category 2 ~ Building the Test Environment
The test environment is comprised of all the conditions,
circumstances, and influences surrounding and affecting the
testing of software. This category’s discussions include
assuring the test environment fairly represents the production
environment to enable realistic testing to occur.
Knowledge Category 3 ~ Managing the Test Project
Software testing is a project with almost all the same
attributes as a software development project. This category
discusses project planning, project staffing, scheduling and
budgeting, communicating, assigning and monitoring work and
ensuring that changes to the project plan are incorporated into
the test plan.
Knowledge Category 4 ~ Test Planning
This skill category explores the skills testers need to plan
tests, including the selection of techniques and methods to be
used to validate the product against its approved requirements
and design. Test planning assesses the software application
risks, and then develops a plan to determine if the software
minimizes those risks. Testers must understand the development
methods and environment to effectively plan for testing.
Knowledge Category 5 ~ Executing the Test Plan
The test plan should be executed as designed. If the plan cannot
be executed as designed it should be changed, or notations made
as to what aspects of the plan were not performed. Testing
according to the test plan should commence when the project
commences and conclude when the software is no longer in
operation. Portions of the test plan can be performed while the
test plan is being written. This category focuses on the many
skills needed to carry out the test plan, like design test cases
and test scripts, use test tools, execute tests, record test
results, and manage defects.
Knowledge Category 6 ~ Test Status, Analysis and Reporting
In this category, the tester’s ability to develop testing
status reports is discussed. These reports should show the
status of the testing based on the test plan. Reporting should
document what tests have been performed and the status of those
tests. The test reporting process is a process to collect data,
analyze the data, supplement the data with metrics, graphs and
charts and other pictorial representations which help the
developers and users interpret that data. The lessons learned
from the test effort should be used to improve the next
iteration of the test process.
Knowledge Category 7 ~ User Acceptance Testing
As much as possible, once the acceptance criterion has been
established, they should be integrated into all aspects of
development. This category discusses how the same process can be
used by software testers when users are unavailable for test;
when diverse users use the same software; and for beta testing
software. Although acceptance testing is a customer and user
responsibility, testers normally help develop an acceptance test
plan, include that plan in the system test plan to avoid test
duplication; and, in many cases, perform or assist in performing
the acceptance test.
Knowledge Category 8 ~ Testing Software Developed by Outside
Organizations
This skill category reviews the many challenges faced when
testing software developed by a contractor, or an external
organization. It is management’s responsibility that acquired
software meets the needs of their organization. Contractors will
test the software they build, but that does not relieve
management from their quality responsibilities.
Knowledge Category 9 ~ Testing Software Controls and the
Adequacy of Security Procedures
This category’s discussions focus on testing internal
control as it is a key issue for software testers Security is a
component of internal control that warrants special attention of
testers. Interest in internal control has been highlighted by
publicized penetrations of security and the increased importance
of information systems and the data contained by those systems.
Knowledge Category 10 ~ Testing New Technologies
Testers require skills in their organization’s current
technology, as well as a general understanding of the new
information technology that might be acquired by their
organization. The new technology skills are required because the
test plan needs to be based on the types of technology used.
This skill category addresses why new IT technology, as well as
any technology new to the testers or the organization must be
addressed in the test plan.
Code of Ethics
A distinguishing mark of a profession is the acceptance
of responsibility by its members to the interests of those it
serves. Those certified must maintain high standards of conduct
in order to effectively discharge their responsibility. An
applicant for certification must adhere to the Software
Certifications Code of Ethics that outlines the ethical
behaviors expected of all certified professionals. Software
Certifications includes processes and procedures for monitoring
certificant adherence to these policies. Failure to adhere to
the requirements of the Code is grounds for decertification of
the individual by the Software Certifications Board. |
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