Most Asked Questions:
1) What is software certification?
Certification is formal recognition of a level of proficiency in the information technology (IT) quality assurance, testing, and software business analysis industry. The recipient is acknowledged as having an overall comprehension of the disciplines and skills represented in a comprehensive body of knowledge for a respective software discipline.
2) Why become certified?
As the IT industry becomes more competitive, the ability for management to distinguish professional and skilled individuals in the field becomes mandatory. Certification demonstrates a level of understanding in carrying out quality assurance principles and practices. The certifications supported by the International Software Certification Board (ISCB) are as follows:
Software Testing
Foundation Level: Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
Practitioner Level: Certified Software Tester (CSTE)
Manager Level: Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST)
Software Quality Assurance
Foundation Level: Certified Associate in Software Quality (CASQ)
Practitioner Level: Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA)
Manager Level: Certified Manager of Software Quality (CMSQ)
Software Business Analysis
Foundation Level: Certified Associate Business Analyst (CABA)
Practitioner Level: Certified Software Business Analyst (CSBA)
Acquiring the designation for any of the above listed certifications indicates a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality assurance in the IT profession as well as gain recognition as software quality profession, achieve potentially more rapid career advancement, and gain greater acceptance in the role as advisor to management.
3) What is the cost of the certification?
The price of certification depends on the level of certification.
The foundation levels CAST, CASQ and CABA are $100.
The practitioner level CSTE, CSQA and CSBA is $350.
The Managerial level CMST and CMSQ is $450.
4) How can I Pay?
All payments must be in United States Dollars ($US).
Credit card payments are accepted using Visa, MasterCard, and American Express and can be done through the Customer Portal account.
Payments are accepted using check or money order, drawn in $US dollars, payable to Software Certifications and sent to the address below along with a copy of the invoice.
Software Certifications
5728 Major Boulevard
Suite 602
Orlando, FL 32819
Payments can be made by wire transfer drawn in $US dollars. The account information for a wire transfer can be found on the invoice.
Program fees paid are NOT refundable or transferable.
All fees are subject to change.
5) Where/How do I register for the Exam?
To schedule a CASQ – CAST – CABA – CSQA – CSTE – CSBA – CMST – CMSQ certification exam at a Pearson VUE Testing Center a candidate MUST first complete the application process online through the Customer Service Portal and pay the application fee before they can start the scheduling process.
Once the fee has been paid for new candidates their eligibility details will be sent to Pearson VUE automatically and within 24 hours you will receive two emails (Web Account Created & Authorization to Test) from Pearson VUE.
The email will contain a user name and temporary password assigned by Pearson VUE. After receiving the email, follow the instructions below to access your account.
Follow the instructions at the following link:
http://www.softwarecertifications.org/process/scheduling-an-exam/
6) How long is the certification valid?
Your certification is valid for three years. Recertification is required every three years before the anniversary date of the current certification. Multiple email reminders will be sent out to the default email address entered in the Portal starting 180 days out, with the final going out 30 days from the expiration date. It is the certificant’s responsibility to ensure their email address in the Portal is correct and up-to-date so that they will receive the recertification reminders.
To view your certification’s expiration date, login to your Customer Portal account and visit the My Certification page.
7) What is the passing score?
The passing mark is 70%. If the exam has two parts (CSTE, CMST, CSQA, CMSQ, CSBA), you take the average of the two scores. So, for an exam with a 65% on part 1 and a 75% on part 2, the average would be 70% which is a passing score. All exams at Pearson VUE Testing Centers are computer-based.
8) Is there a facility near me?
The exams are delivered worldwide at Pearson Vue Testing Centers. To find a testing center near you follow this link.
http://www.pearsonvue.com/softwarecertifications/
Click on the “Find a test center” on the far right of the website page.
Exams are offered daily at Pearson VUE Testing Centers and seats for the exams are based on availability at each site which depends on when you are planning to schedule an exam. The farther out you attempt to schedule an exam the better the chances are of finding a seat so plan accordingly.
As a general rule most Pearson VUE Testing Centers are open Monday – Friday, however in some locations that may vary. The majority of test centers are open in the morning and late afternoon and a handful have opted to stay open on the weekends.
Waiting until the last minute to try and schedule an exam is not recommended, especially if your application is about to expire as there is no guarantee you will be able to find a seat at a center before the application does expires. If you are unsure of the application expiration status email certify@softwarecertifications.org
9) How can I reschedule the Exam?
To Reschedule / Cancel an existing appointment follow the instructions found at the bottom of the page of the following link: http://www.softwarecertifications.org/process/scheduling-an-exam/
10) How do I recertify?
The certified professional must recertify every three years. During that three-year period the certified professional must complete ONE of the following:
1. Submitting a Recertification Journal of qualified Continuing Professional Education (CPE) activities
OR
2. Taking a Recertification Examination to demonstrate the maintenance of the certification. OR
3. Become certified in a higher level certification within the current certification domain (software testing, software quality assurance, software business analysis). Example, an individual who is a Certified Software Tester (CSTE) who applies for and passes the Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) exam will have the CSTE automatically recertified and in each subsequent certification cycle will only need to recertify the CMST to maintain both CSTE and CMST certifications.
11) Why do I need to recertify?
Knowledge within a profession doesn’t stand still. Having passed the certification examination, a certificant has demonstrated knowledge of the designation’s Body of Knowledge at the point in time of the examination. In order to stay current in the field as knowledge and techniques mature, the certificant must be actively engaged in professional practice, and seek opportunities to stay aware of and learn emerging practices.
Certified professionals are generally expected to:
• Attend professional conferences to stay aware of activities and trends in the profession,
• Take education and training courses to continually update skills and competencies,
• Develop and offer training to share knowledge and skills with other professionals and the public,
• Publish information in order to disseminate personal, project, and research experiences, and,
• Participate in the profession through active committee memberships and formal special interest groups.
Follow the link for details: http://www.softwarecertifications.org/process/recertification/
12) What is the cost of recertification?
If selecting to recertify by Journal, a $100 USD administrative fee (subject to change), per certification, will be due at the same time as your Recertification Journal. Payment MUST be included to process your submission.
If selecting to recertify by examination, a $200 USD administrative and examination fee (subject to change), per certification, will be due at the time you apply for the recertification exam. You MUST pass the exam to become recertified.
If selecting to recertify by becoming certified in a higher level certification, the certification application fee associated with the higher level certification will apply. If you apply for a higher level certification, your current certification will not expire during the one-year period provided to prepare for and take the higher level exam.
Follow the link for details: http://www.softwarecertifications.org/process/recertification/