Software quality has become all-important for the future of technology, given the pace with which things are changing in software development. In this scenario, the role of a software tester becomes quite crucial. It is the software testers responsibility to evaluate applications, discover bugs and upscale their functionality, security and performance of the software.

Getting a certification as a software tester not only increases the credibility but also provides lucrative job opportunities and higher salaries. If you want to start a journey as a professional software tester and gain a professional certification in software testing, this guide will take you through the complete roadmap.

Understanding the Role of a Software Tester

Responsibilities of a Software Tester

Software testers are responsible for making sure that applications work as intended. The basic type of work they do includes:

• Tracking down software bugs and reporting them.
• Designing and running test scripts.
• Performing various kinds of tests (manual, automation, performance, security).
• Working with the developers to fix any issues.
• Ensuring that the software satisfies business and user needs.

Types of Software Testing

• Manual Testing – Execution of test cases manually without using automated tools.
• Automation Testing – Writing scripts and using tools to automate the testing.
• Performance Testing – Evaluating the speed, download, capacity and stability tests for an application.
• Security Testing – Identifying security loopholes and vulnerabilities.

Essential Skills for Software Testers

For becoming a successful software tester, one should have: 

• Technical skills – Understanding of programming (Python, Java, JavaScript), databases and automation tools for testing.
• Analytical skills – Comprehending complex applications and detecting defects.
• Communication skills – Efficiently reporting bugs and collaborating with the development team.
• Attention to detail – Make sure that not a single bug goes unnoticed.

Benefits of Becoming a Certified Software Tester

Getting a certification in software testing comes with various benefits:

• Better employment oppurtunities – The majority of companies tend to prefer certified testers to non-certified ones 
• Higher salary prospects – Certified professionals usually earn 15-20% more than their non-certified equivalents. 
• Recognition and credibility – The proof of having an expertise in testing principles and methodologies. 
• Career growth – Open the level for higher positions like Test Manager, QA Lead or Automation Engineer. 

Types of Software Testing Certifications

There are many certifications available for software testers. Below are some of the most widely recognised certifications:

ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board)

• The most popular software testing certification in the world.
• It has three levels: Foundation, Advanced and Expert.

CSTE (Certified Software Tester)

• Its main focus is on the core of software testing principles.
• It is meant for candidates with experience in software testing.

CSTP (Certified Software Test Professional)

• It includes both manual and automation testing.
• Best suited for those professionals who want to enhance their testing capability.

CMST (Certified Manager of Software Testing)

• Intended for experienced professionals with manager roles in their focus.

All these certifications have different prerequisites, so, choosing the correct one depends on the experience level and career aspirations you have.

Prerequisites for Software Testing Certification

You need to fulfill some conditions before acquiring a software testing certification:

• Educational Background – Usually a degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field is preferred, but not mandatory.
• Work Experience – Some certifications would require eligible applicants to have prior experience in software testing.
• Technical Knowledge – Candidates must be familiar with SDLC, STLC and some basic programming concepts.

Step-by-Step Roadmap to Becoming a Certified Software Tester

Step 1: Learn the Basics of Software Testing

Prepare yourself by building a strong foundation on testing concepts before jumping into a certification. Learn:

• Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC).
• Different techniques and methodologies of testing.
• How to write test cases and reports effectively.

Step 2: Gain Hands-on Experience

Theory is important, however, practical experience matters the most. You can:

• Work with actual or dummy projects.
• Learn how to use test management tools such as JIRA, TestRail and Bugzilla.
• Practice writing test cases and defect reports.

Step 3: Choose the Right Certification

Choose a certification based on:

• Your level of expertise.
• Career objective (manual tester vs automation tester).
• Industry demand.

Step 4: Prepare for the Certification Exam

• Enroll in the online software testing course offered on Qteched.
• Read our online eBooks
• Test Automation using Selenium Webdriver with Java
• Test Automation using Selenium Webdriver with C#
• Test Automation using Microsoft coded UI with C#
• Test Automation using HP Unified Functional Testing
• Attend mock tests and practice papers at Qteched.

Step 5: Take and Pass the Exam

When you have completed your preparation:

• Register for the exam
• Go through key concepts
• Remain calm and confident in the examination

Advanced Software Testing Skills

Once you have your certification secured, it is time to enhance your skills for being successful. Following are the advanced testing skills that can help build your profession: 

Automation Testing

Companies prefer testers with automation skills over those performing manual testing. Some skills that come in handy are:

• Selenium – Most probably the best-known automation testing tool 
• JUnit/TestNG – For test case execution in Java. 
• Appium – Mobile application automation. 
• Cypress – Latest in modern end-to-end testing framework.

Performance Testing

All companies require software testers who can measure an application’s performance under various conditions. Here’s a list to learn:

• JMeter – A leading performance testing tool.
• LoadRunner – Enterprise-level performance testing.
• Gatling – A high-performance framework for load testing

Security Testing

Security is a significant concern for software applications. If you’ve learned these techniques, you’ll set yourself apart from the rest. Tools to learn:

• Burp Suite – Web security testing. 
• OWASP ZAP – An open-source security scanner.
• Metasploit – Penetration testing framework.

API Testing

Modern applications are all API-based, hence, making API testing is a mandatory skill. Learn:

• Postman – API testing and automation.
• RestAssured – API testing in Java.
• SoapUI – Web services testing tool.

Tools Every Software Tester Should Know

Without a doubt, software testing is all about tools. Having an expertise with the right tools can make your work easier and more effective. Some of the necessary tools include:

Test Management and Bug Tracking Tools

• JIRA – The industry-standard bug tracking tool.
• TestRail – A very popular test case management tool.
• Bugzilla – Open-source defect tracking tool.

Automation Testing Tools

• Selenium – The best for web testing.
• Katalon Studio – User-friendly automation tool.
• Cypress – A modern alternative to Selenium.

Performance and Security Testing Tools

• JMeter – Load and stress testing.
• Burp Suite – Web security assessment.
• LoadRunner – Enterprise performance testing.

Getting to know your way around these tools and adopting them can make you a more efficient software tester. 

Career Path and Job Opportunities for Certified Testers

Entry-Level Software Testing Jobs

If you just entered this field, you would be given roles such as:

• Software Test Engineer – Responsible for executing test cases
• Quality Assurance Analyst – quality assurance in products
• Manual Tester – Conducts tests that are not automated.

Entry-level salaries in the USA for a fresh graduate range from $50,000 to $70,000 per year depending on experience and location. 

Mid-Level and Senior Testing Roles

Moving up the ladder after 3-5 years of experience, you can move into roles such as:

• Automation Test Engineer – Developing test scripts and frameworks
• Performance Test Engineer – Conduct stress and load tests
• Security Test Engineer – An expert who ensures software security.

Mid-level salaries for testers between $80,000 and $100,000 a year. 

Advanced Career Growth: Test Automation, DevOps & QA Lead

Career growth options for experienced professionals include:

• Test Manager / QA Lead – Responsible for testing teams and their strategies.
• DevOps Engineer – Integrating testing with CI/CD pipelines.
• Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) – A hybrid of the developer-tester role.

Salaries could go up to $120,000 per annum at senior levels, especially in automation and DevOps testing.

Conclusion

Becoming a certified software tester is the rewarding career that can provide a lot of opportunities for growth. Following the pathway mapped out in this guide, you can:

• Learn the basics of software testing.
• Gain real-world project experience.
• Choose the best certification based on your career goals.
• Learn automation and performance testing tools.
• Rise to senior roles such as QA Lead, Test Automation Engineer, or DevOps Engineer.

The right skills and certifications can pave the way to a very successful and lucrative career in software testing. If you are considering this as a career path, start today by enrolling in a certification program and start acquiring hands-on training experiencie.

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