How is the process of the «Software Testing: Basics and Practice» course proceeded?

We all have a lot of questions when we choose a course or make the decision about participating in the courses:

• How does the course run?
• What basic knowledge is required?
• What software should be installed?
• What criteria are applied during the assessment of homework assignments?
• What does the scary concept of the test include?

There is an FAQ informational section where we collected all the most popular questions about training in our course. However, we decided to write an article in the form of a step-by-step guide where we will tell how the process runs from applying for the application to getting the desired certificate.

So, let us start!

What software is required to be installed before the training starts?

You will need:

• a PC or laptop with the OS version no less than Windows 7 or macOS for Apple devices;
• the program for making screenshots and videos (for example, Snagit, Jing, Clip2net, Bandicam, Fraps, Shutter — for Ubuntu or any other one.) The instrument to make screenshots can be found in the «Tools for making screenshots» article;
• at least three browsers for testing (with the last or second-to-last version). For example, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge for Windows or Safari for macOS;
• the program to work with electronic spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets or any other one);
• mobile device with Android OS or iOS for testing a mobile application or the testing site;
• the program to make videos on a mobile device (for example, DU Recorder, AZ Screen Recorder, Mobizen Screen Recorder, etc.);
• Steam, the online service where you can find games to test; The program with the last update version is better to download from the Steam official site.

What is the process of online course training?

The course structure is as follows:

8 webinars + 8 homework blocks + the test = the certificate

Let us talk about every item in more detail.

Webinars

The webinars (online lectures) are held twice a week (from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. EEST) on the GoToWebinar platform. How to join a webinar and what to do next? Detailed instructions can be found here.

Be active, ask questions and do the assigned tasks by the lecturer. Your engagement in the process of studying will make it more exciting and informative.

Homework

Checking the assignments in Mantis

You will know about the «bug» and «bug-tracker» concepts in the first lecture and then report bugs in the Mantis bug tracker throughout the course.

During reporting bugs, the status item is given with the «assigned» one and assigned to the training center in the «Assigned To» item.

If the training center specialists find mistakes in the checking process, they leave a corresponding comment that shows the mistakes made and the report will be assigned with the «Feedback» status. After this, you must make corrections according to the comments and save the report. Then the «assigned» status will automatically be given to the bug report and is again directed to the «Training Center». Finally, the training center specialists make the last check and accept the report assessing it depending on required corrections and new mistakes. The bug report is assigned with the «accepted» status.

You can find in detail about the bug report life cycle here.

TestRail

On the course, you will find out about the TestRail system. This is the system to create, edit and pass test cases. With its help, you can practice working with test cases: create them and add them to the test run. The TestRail system will be available after the fifth lecture.

Examples of properly designed test cases can be found in your personal account in the "Documents" section. After completing the tasks, you will need to take screenshots and send them for checking through the "Tests" section in your personal account. After checking the task, a corresponding letter with comments on the task or with information about the assignment will be sent to the mail.

Checklist

The concept of checklists is discussed in the second lecture. For a more detailed review, we offer examples of checklists in your personal account in the «‎Documents» section.

To complete the task of creating a checklist, you need:

• download the template provided in the task;
• add new items;
• go through both old and new points;
• add links to bug reports in items with bugs;
• upload the file with a checklist in the «‎Tests» section in your personal account.

After checking the checklist, you will receive a letter with a comment. The «‎The task has been evaluated and does not require revision» comment is left if there are no mistakes. In case of mistakes, you will get corresponding comments and the opportunity to send the task again after correction (if the deadline has not passed).

Test plan

To create a test plan, you must familiarize yourself with the examples in your personal account in the «‎Documents» section. After that, you should create a test plan for testing the Opencart site or any other, according to the example specified in the task.

After sending the document, specialists of the Training Center check the test plan. If you make mistakes, a list of comments will be included in the letter from the Training Center. After the correction, if the deadline is not passed, you will have the option to re-attach the file for review. If there are no mistakes, the letter is sent to you with the «‎The task has been evaluated and does not require any revision.» comment.

Test

You are given access to take the final exam 6 days before the end of the course. What do you need to know about it?

1. The exam is provided in the form of a test (55 questions and 80 minutes for answers).
2. The information received in the courses is enough to answer all the exam questions. But, as we all know, there is no such thing as a lot of knowledge. Therefore, we highly recommend visiting the Useful Materials section and reading useful articles and suggested books on software testing.
3. You can pass the exam only once. So prepare well and remember everything you studied during the month. There will be no second attempt.

How is knowledge assessed and points assigned?

Certificate

Congratulations, you have scored at least 100 points during your online course and received a certificate confirming your knowledge of the «Software Testing: Basics and Practice» course.

Is this document quoted in other companies?

The certificate proves your knowledge level at the QA Intern level, confirmed by QATestLab specialists. Undoubtedly, this document will add weight to your resume during further employment.

How to get the certificate?

The certificate will be available to you in your personal account. You can download it and share it in your CV.

What if I have more questions?

If during online courses you have any questions related to the learning process, starting from organizational issues and ending with questions about obtaining a certificate. Do not hesitate to contact the specialists of the Training Center for online support on the website or on your personal account. None of your questions will be left without answers.

Apply for a course as soon as possible and good luck with your studies!