Certification Details

Certified Quality Assurance Initiate - CQAI™

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Overview

The Certified Software Tester – Foundation Level exam serves as the essential first step in your professional journey. You are not required to have prior testing experience; instead, you simply need a general understanding of how various applications function. The primary goal is to establish a broad grasp of key testing concepts, providing a stable foundation for future career growth and preparing you for more advanced levels of certification.

Through our specialized E-Course, you will master the fundamental skills required of a software test professional and discover how testing integrates into the broader development lifecycle. This course—widely regarded as one of the best in the industry—highlights what it takes to be a successful tester and demonstrates how quality assurance adds significant value to every software project.

Whether you are exploring new career opportunities or aiming to stay current in the rapidly evolving software field, our certification programs offer focused training tailored for working professionals. These programs are designed to provide the specific skill development needed to remain competitive and effective in modern technical environments.

The Foundation Level exam is primarily theoretical in nature, requiring a solid understanding of software development with a specific focus on testing methodologies. It challenges candidates to apply their knowledge to conceptual scenarios, ensuring they have internalized the core logic of software quality assurance.

Finally, it is important to note that the Foundation Level Certification is a mandatory prerequisite for those wishing to move on to the Intermediate Level. By securing this credential, you unlock the path to more specialized and senior-level certifications within the software testing hierarchy.

The Certified Quality Assurance Initiate - CQAI™ is a foundational credential awarded by ITQMA to professionals who have demonstrated core competency in project frameworks.

E-Course Duration: 20 to 25 Hours

Exam Information

The exam comprises of 40 Multiple Choice Questions out of which the candidate needs to score 70% (28 out of 40 correct) to pass the exam.

The total duration of the exam is 1 hour (60 Minutes).

  • The exam is conducted in AI-proctored mode and can be taken anytime, anywhere within an eight-month validity period.
  • Upon purchasing the Premium Package or an Exam Voucher Code, a voucher code with two attempts will be assigned to your login profile under the "My Vouchers" tab. You can then take the exam through the "My Exam(s)" tab in your profile. To take the exam, simply apply the voucher code.

  • The Exam Voucher included in the Premium Package or purchased separately is valid for two (2) attempts. If you are unable to pass the exam within these two attempts, you can purchase a new voucher code, which will grant you an additional two attempts.
  • Kindly Note: The voucher will not be valid for a second attempt if you pass the exam on your first attempt.

The CQAI™ Certificate is valid for life.

CQAI™™ is a Trademark of ITQMA.

Note: The Certified Software Tester – Foundation Level Certification has no pre-requisites (Completion of an E-Course is not mandatory from ITQMA), but we highly recommend doing the E-Course as maximum number of questions are drawn from the E-Course in the actual exam.

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Course Outline

1. The fundamentals of testing:

  • Why is testing necessary? Harm caused by defects in software; root causes; testing and quality assurance; what is testing? General testing principles; Fundamental test process and the psychology of testing.

2. Testing throughout the software life cycle:

  • Software development models; test levels, objectives, objects and targets of testing; functional, non-functional, structural and change-related testing; confirmation, regression and maintenance testing.

3. Static techniques:

  • Reviews and the test process; typical formal review process; different types of review: informal review, technical review, walkthrough and inspection; static analysis tools.

4. Test design techniques:

  • Identifying test conditions and designing test cases; equivalence partitioning; boundary value analysis; decision tables; state transition diagrams, use case testing; statement and decision coverage; control flows using statement testing and decision testing; experience based techniques; choosing techniques.

5. Business Analyst Skills Introduction to Business:

  • Introduction to Business Process Analysis
  • Why Business Analysis
  • Roles and responsibilities of a Business Analyst
  • Key concept of business analysis
  • What is domain knowledge?
  • How to adapt with different domains

6. Test management:

  • Test organization, planning and estimation; ‘Standard for Software Test Documentation’ (IEEE 829); exit criteria; test progress monitoring and control; metrics and reporting; configuration management; risk and testing; incident management; incident reporting.

7. Tool support for testing:

  • Types of test tool; effective use of tools; potential benefits and risks; introducing tools.
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Target Audience

  • The Certified Software Tester – Foundation Level certification is aimed at anyone involved in software testing and includes people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers.
  • It is also appropriate for anyone who wants a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.
  • Holders of the Foundation Level Certificate will be able to go on to a higher level software testing (Intermediate and Advanced) certification

Certified Quality Assurance Initiate - CQAI™ are trademarks of ITQMA (IT Quality Management Association). All rights reserved.