Testing Certification. A method of improving knowledge or just a plain money grab?

As an experienced tester, the thought of needing to undergo international certification of my skills has crossed my mind many times.

Key arguments for:

Many have already passed it, and you'd like to look serious in comparison. Especially when you're a senior QA, and the mid-levels have passed the certification.

It seems employers are more willing to hire you with a certificate.

And of course, the counterarguments:

Certification costs are biting. And here comes the question: what are you paying for, if you have to learn on your own using their materials to pass?

There is a lot of work for QA, and the key factor, first of all, is successful experience in the required testing segment, while certificates are considered no more than a plus to the resume.

Well, before making any personal decision, I'd like to consult the opinion of the testing guru and find out what they think about this delicate question. Here's what I found: Don’t bend to pressure to become a commodity. Certification means that you’re spending money to become indistinguishable from a hundred thousand other people. Make your own mark.

Do not succumb to the pressure of public opinion to become a product. Certification means (referring to ISTQB and ISEB) that you spend money just to become indistinguishable from tens of thousands of other people with similar papers. Better create your own criteria.

Michael Bolton, QA expert

And to avoid forming a biased opinion and a one-sided view on the topic, let's see what benefits the curators of the certification see:

Test experts from various countries are constantly working towards defining and refining the syllabus, the exam pattern, the examination questions and compiling the valuable information on testing around the World.

The non-profit nature of ISTQB® ensures that nobody has a vested interest in promoting a particular Body of Knowledge (BOK) or a particular book. All material developed by ISTQB® is developed on a voluntary basis and are made available for free by ISTQB®.

Experts in testing from different countries constantly work on creating and refining the curriculum, exam templates, exam questions, and gathering valuable information about testing around the world. The non-profit nature of ISTQB® ensures that no one has an interest in promoting a specific body of knowledge (BOK) or a specific book. All materials developed by ISTQB® are developed on a voluntary basis and are provided by ISTQB® free of charge.

And to wrap up, the authors' opinion:

Galaxy QA Academy teaches its students not by standard concepts, but to think "out of the box" and be a tester in every moment of their lives. We follow a policy of individual development based on practical assignments, each of which is a unique step. Overcoming each of them, the future tester grows. Studying routine processes and classical models, a person does not learn to think and apply their knowledge in practice. In contrast, a model of immediate application of knowledge in practice gives results instantly.

May the testing force be with you. Also attached is a detailed presentation by Mikhail Bolton on certification.

#ISEB #ISTQB #Сертификациятестироващиков #Нуженлисертификаттестеру