Software Test and quality professionals around the world have been seeking ways to boost their credibility both within their own organizations and in the software community. The most logical choice is certification with one of the national or international certification programs available. However, there have been many questions, even doubts, regarding the value of certification. Hiring managers are getting frustrated when they hire certified testers or certified quality personnel and discover that they are not capable of performing some of the most basic tasks in their job. This has caused some hiring managers and organizations to question the value of certification.
I think we all agree that the value of any certification program lies in its ability to meet individuals’ diverse needs and interests for both breadth and depth of content so that it helps them improve the way they perform their job on a day to day basis
In order to understand why certifications have received mixed reviews, one has to realize that there are essentially two ways to obtain certification.
Exam Based Certification
This is when the certification is awarded entirely based on passing an exam administered by the certifying party. Individuals normally prepare for this exam through self-study by reading literature that covers material most likely to be required for the exam. While some feel confident about their ability to pass the exam based solely upon their own reading, others may prepare by attending a typically 2- or 3-day testing course. While attending a course is not required for a person to take the exam, many candidates undoubtedly believe that attending a course offered or approved by the certifying authority is critical for passing the exam. Such courses are normally viewed as an examination prep course that covers knowledge required for passing the exam. Some providers essentially guarantee that attending their course will result in passing the exam. Two organizations now offer this type of certification for software testers. These are QAI and ISTQB . In addition, ASQ offers a related CSQE certification which is not specifically regarding testing .
