Top 5 Software Testing Certifications

Software Testing has helped a lot of ventures to evaluate and verify the quality of every software component so that the software can respond aptly to different inputs of stakeholders. Besides, the techniques, associated with the testing of programming, driver, or application software involve risks which, can run intentionally or intentionally in different environments. Those risks need to be remediated proactively and for doing that, businesses must have that production unit acquiring an overall knowledge of the practical implementation of risk analysis [which is an imperative part of Software Testing].

You may think about the demand for a software tester at this instance. Yes, the requirement is humongous and will always be till the creation and maintenance of software will occur!! Either you plan dynamic or static testing, you need to bring the quality testing practices on the table and for doing that, this becomes necessary – certified testers with recognition through certification by reputed institutions. Let’s take a look at top software testing certifications which won’t only land a high-paying job for you but also help the ventures reduce the risks so that their software may gain acceptance from their customers globally.

1. CAST (Certified Associate in Software Testing)

This certification can professionally identify the ability of an applicant or a candidate while demonstrating the software testing principles and their quality practices at a foundational level. Some prerequisites are there like: –

◉ 3 or 4 years degree from college-level [accredited] institution 

◉ 2 years degree from college-level [accredited] institution + 1-year experience in the IT services field 

◉ 3 years experience in the IT services field 

From the above, you must possess any ONE OF those for qualifying the candidacy of CAST. The fee of this certification is 100 US Dollars and one can pay this online after reading the payment terms carefully. Apart from all this, the certification will test your knowledge in various skill areas. They will be like how one can build ST i.e Software Testing ecosystem keeping in mind the conditions and influences surrounding, your vocabulary about methods and approaches of ST, managing the allotted software project through communication, monitoring, staffing, budgeting, and scheduling. Also, there are some other skill areas such as the magnitude of risk(s) associated with the lifecycle of the deployment current software system, designing of the test cases (like black-box), checkpoint reviews and the required exceptions, testing of the assimilated specialized technologies of mobile applications or cloud-based applications, and reporting of the tests after collecting the metrics and graphs of the data interpreted.

2. CSQA (Certified Software Quality Analyst Certification)

This certification will let you receive recognition since the candidature is identified and evaluated on the grounds of a professional level of competence. Such competence is regarding the knowledge about the practices and principles of QA i.e. Quality Assurance used in Software Testing. Undoubtedly, one needs to ethically note these prerequisites down, and they start with: –

◉ 4-year degree from college-level [accredited] institution + 2 years experience in the IT services field 

◉ 3-year degree from college-level [accredited] institution + 3 years experience in the IT services field 

◉ 2-year degree from college-level [accredited] institution + 4 years experience in the IT services field 

◉ 6 years experience in the IT services field. 

From the above, you need to acquire any ONE from those for letting your candidacy qualify. In spite of all these four pre-requisites, the fee of CSQA certification is 350 US Dollars or $450. You must access the payment policy section for knowing accurately about the terms and conditions. Indeed, the certification will be testing your knowledge about assessing the software products and the connected services in accordance with the concepts and principles of Quality Assurance; defining, implementing, and improving the quality control leadership initiatives aligning with the behavior and commitment with management, assessing the baselines of software modules so that the organizations can proactively measure the overall customer satisfaction well. Not only this but also the knowledge, about outsourcing and COTS in the internal control audits, is cross-examined that can simplify the addressed quality assurance plans.

3. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Certification

This certification is most widely recognized for software testing at a foundational level as well as an advanced level. Currently, expert-level certification is being developed. For all these levels, the working groups of ISTQB are operating internationally so that the candidates can prepare well for the roles like software testers, test managers, test analysts, IT directors, and QA managers i.e. quality assurance managers. In the foundational level (one module), you may either opt for the Foundational Level Core certification or Foundational Level Specialist certification. Similarly, the advanced level (three modules) is divided into Advanced Level Core certification and Advanced Level Specialist Certification. For the candidates willing to receive advanced level certification, they must possess the Foundational one. If we talk about the fees, the foundational level certification costs 229 US Dollars while each of the advanced level ISQB certification costs $249. 

Both these certifications will test your knowledge about the fundamentals of testing and quality assurance; defects, effects, and root causes of test processes, tasks, and work products, basic to the mid-level understanding of the lifecycle of software testing i.e. STLC, configuration management of the automated and agile test cases. Other than the above, tools and techniques for estimating risks (related to testing) and tracking the behavior and development of work products will be included in ISTQB certification. With this, applicants all around the world can plan and schedule the test strategies so that they help businesses progressively develop the deliverables in accordance with the key project requirements.  

4. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

The certification for CQE costs around 498 US Dollars and has an examination in two modes. The first one is computer-delivered (in English) which has 175 Questions in total which you need to complete in 5 hours 18 minutes. From those, 160 questions are multiple-choice type i.e. MCQ, and 15 questions are unscored which means they won’t impact your final marks. On the other side, the paper-and-pencil examination (in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean in certain locations) for Certified Quality Engineer has 160 questions that need to be completed in 5 hours. Before getting enrolled in CQE certification, you must have 8 years of experience in one or more areas of CQE or a minimum of 3 years of experience (full-time, paid role as an intern or employee) in the decision-making position (i.e you are involved with the execution and controlling of quality inspection processes) in any of its areas. 

There will be a variability in the set of topics asked like notions of service quality control and evaluation of products’ principles; development and analysis of statistical models, human factors correctly diagnosing the metrology of management information systems. Rather than these, the certification will document your critical skills related to validation and verification of sampling, distributions, and capability studies based on the hypothetical statistics of risk assessment and its acceptance.          

5. Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST)

This certification assesses the capabilities and competencies of the applicants inclined towards software testing. Soon, they will be working at the ST management level. If one wants to be on the qualifying list of CMST’s candidacy, then any ONE from these three prerequisites must be fulfilled:

◉ Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or another field of engineering from a college-level [accredited] institution + 4 years of experience in ST field 

◉ Associate Degree + 6 years of experience in ST field 

◉ 8 years of experience in the ST field. 

Besides, there are 100 Multiple Choice Questions from which the candidate must answer 70 correctly for passing CMST certification whose fee is 450 US Dollars. On an overall basis, this certification will assess your candidature on grounds of resource planning, traceability, and controlling of various test processes, implementing and designing the product which will meet the requirements of the customers, and maintenance of releases somewhere related to the quality standards of this competitive market.  

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Top 8 IT Certifications that will Hike Your Salary

Want to move up the ladder in your tech career?

Information Technology provides professionals with thriving careers. A large amount of the workforce is employed in the IT sector, and they are the top paid specialists in all industries. These days, experience plays an important role in your job account in the IT industry.

If you are trying to grow a career in this sphere, you need to continually build and upgrade your skills. However, professional training certifications can offer a higher salary even with less experience because it gives you a skillset to demonstrate your knowledge.

Here are eight certifications that can help you earn more money:

1. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification was administered and introduced by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a US based non-profitable educational institute and is one of the most recognized project management certifications globally. This certification demonstrates that you are competent at managing projects and project teams. You will be tested in five specific areas: planning, initiating, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing.

Before getting PMP certification, you'll need to have completed a minimum of 35 hours of training related to the field, then you can appear in the exam. If you have a Bachelor's degree, then you'll also need 4,500 hours of project management experience (people without a degree need to have 7,500 hours). Getting PMP certification takes years but it's worth it. PMPs currently became the top-earning certification.

PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)

2. PRINCE2

PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environment) certification is a process-based management method that offers a systematic manner to deliver a successful project with clear processes, templates, and steps. The certification is project-focused and process.

If you're into the Project Management field, or if you’ve always wanted to immerse in this thriving discipline, you’ve probably wondered how you will get certified to advance your career. PRINCE2 certifications are highly reputed in the field of project management and can uphold employers about your understanding of key project concepts and how to use them throughout the project management lifecycle. This course helps you improve your skills and knowledge thereby surging your pay package.

There are two levels of PRINCE2:

1. PRINCE2 Foundation

2. PRINCE2 Practitioner

3. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect associate-level certification signifies proficiency in deploying and designing scalable solutions on AWS. About 10,000 professionals are AWS Solutions Architect certified, and, enrich the popularity of the AWS platform, they can secure a high salary.

In the cloud, you need a solutions architect, knows how to put together end-to-end solutions regardless of workload. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam, tests your excellence in demonstrating systems on AWS. If you garnered hands-on expertise with AWS services and are used to architect large-scale distributed systems, then this is just the certification course for you, which will help you increase your salary and make you demanding.

4. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master is a core and important role in making the team productive, self -organized and follow the practices of Agile diligently.

As companies are moving more to Agile, they have realized that CSMs play vital role in making the team productive, self -organized and follow the practices of Agile diligently. Today, software field is constantly being updated and competition is getting higher, the ability to keep everyone connected is critical. A minimal breakdown in software leads to a breakdown of the business.

With this course, you will get a chance to increase your salary as well as enhance demand in the job market.

5. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL Foundation)

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification courses are one of the excellent choice to gear up the salary. This course has been a widely accepted framework in IT management around the world. It has held this distinction for the past 30 years. It covers a set of unrivaled practices for providing IT services according to the needs of organizations. It is a wide-ranging training covering a list of principle specializations such as incident management, IT operations, availability, and capacity management, to name a few. These practices focus to reduce or control IT costs, balance IT resources, and improve IT services.

The ITIL Foundation is the certification that offers a general comprehension of the IT service lifecycle. ITIL Foundation-certified professionals can earn more than an average salary.

1. ITIL Foundation
2. ITIL Practitioner

6. Lean Six Sigma

Learning Lean Six Sigma Training & Certification course will provide the highest level of achievement. Your career will take a hike with the Six Sigma methodologies. With this certification, you will be able to implement and execute the methodology and best practices in your organization.

Adding Six Sigma Certification to your resume evidences your commitment towards improving your analytical skills and business acumen, as well as improving business dynamics at your workplace. The principles of Six Sigma find requisition across a broad range of industries across the world, such as multinational organizations.

There are 3 levels in Six Sigma Certification Scheme:

1. Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
2. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
3. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

7. DevOps

The main concept of DevOps revolves around the methods and thought processes of making a brand new decision. DevOps comes with a host of business and technical benefits which can be implemented in an enterprise. The basics of DevOps consist of professionals working together in a cross-functional nature. Such teams consist of disciplinary professionals ranging from Operation Engineers, QA professionals, business analysts, and Developers.

DevOps certification course has gained prominence among many IT professionals. Currently, in the job market, the demand for DevOps certified professionals is increasing exponentially. Business enterprises that employ DevOps certified professionals have experienced greater returns in comparison to companies that have not yet created DevOps teams.

8. EXIN Cloud Computing Foundation

The EXIN Cloud Computing Foundation certification provides precise knowledge of cloud computing and it would be life-changing certification for you. The EXIN group introduced this certification, divided into two levels, named as the Cloud Computing Foundation & the Cloud Technologies Advanced. Both programs cover the basic concepts of cloud computing that involves management, planning, and procurement. EXIN Cloud Computing Foundation certified people, skilled to develop professional liabilities for introducing the business manifests of cloud solutions, evaluating vendors and systems.

The candidates who are appearing for this certification must go through all the eBooks, sample guides, exams, that will help in covering the complete concept. The basic annual payout for the professionals with EXIN Cloud computing certification is high and considered to be the demanding assets of the organizations.

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Understanding the Uses for Mood's Median Test

When comparing the average of two or more groups with the help of hypothesis tests, the assumption is that the data is a sample from a normally distributed population. That is why hypothesis tests such as the t-test, paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are also called parametric tests.

Nonparametric tests do not make assumptions about a specific distribution. If assumptions do not hold, nonparametric tests are a better safeguard against drawing wrong conclusions.

The Mood’s median test is a nonparametric test that is used to test the equality of medians from two or more populations. Therefore, it provides a nonparametric alternative to the one-way ANOVA. The Mood’s median test works when the Y variable is continuous, discrete-ordinal or discrete-count, and the X variable is discrete with two or more attributes.

When to Use Mood’s Median Test

Examples for the usage of the Mood’s median test include:

◈ Comparing the medians of manufacturing cycle time (Y) of three different production lines (X = Lines A, B and C)

◈ Comparing the medians of the monthly satisfaction ratings (Y) of six customers (X) over the last two years

◈ Comparing the medians of the number of calls per week (Y) at a service hotline separated by four different call types (X = complaint, technical question, positive feedback or product info) over the last six months

A Project Example

A project team wants to determine what drives the lead times of quality control (QC) analyses. One potential X they analyze is the products (A, B, C).Thus, they collect the data of all analysis times over the last three months. A dot plot (Figure 1) of the data shows a lot of overlap between the lead times of the three product groups, but it is hard to tell whether there are significant differences.

Figure 1: Quality Control Analysis Time for Each Product

The team decides to use a hypothesis test to determine if there are “true differences” between the three product types or simply random differences due to the samples taken. 

Figure 2: Normality Test of Quality Control Analysis Time

The team now has the choice between the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and the Mood’s median test. Because the latter is more robust against outliers and some extreme values are observed in the QC data, the team decides to use the Mood’s median test. 

The null hypothesis, H, is: The samples come from the same distribution, or there is no difference between the medians of the three products’ analysis times. 

The alternative hypothesis, Ha, states: The samples come from different distribution (i.e., at least one median is different). 

Although the Mood’s median test does not require normally distributed data, that does not mean that it is assumption free. The assumptions of Mood’s median test are that the data from each population is an independent random sample and the population distributions have the same shape. 

Testing for same shape can ideally be done with the probability plot. A practitioner would now look for a distribution that is the same for all three product groups. 

In this case, the probability plot (Figure 3) shows that all data follows a lognormal distribution (p>0.05), which is also typical for cycle time data. If the probability plot does not provide distribution that matches all groups under comparison, a visual check of the data may help. Do the distributions look similarly (e.g., are they all left- or right-skewed, with only some extreme values)?

Figure 3: Lognormality Test of Quality Control Analysis Time

If the assumptions are met, the Mood’s median test can be conducted. If the p-value is less than the agreed Alpha risk of 5 percent (0.05), the null hypothesis is rejected and at least one significant difference can be assumed. For the QC analysis time, the p-value is 0.016 – in other words, less than 0.05. 

The 95 percent confidence intervals of the individual group medians now help to find where the significant difference is. The rule is: If there is no overlap between the confidence intervals, a significant difference can be assumed. In this example, at least product A and C have significantly different analysis times (Figure 4). 

Figure 4: Mood’s Median Test: Quality Control Analysis Time Versus Product

Mood’s median test for QC analysis time

Chi-square = 8.27 Degrees of freedom (DF) = 2 p = 0.016

Product NMedian Q3-Q1 Individual 95 percent CIs

A 20 10 1.02 2.37 ( – – * – – – – – – – – )

B 16 14 1.58 1.96 ( – – * – – – – – – )

C 9 21 3.13 3.94 ( – – – – – – – * – – – – – – – – – – – )

– – – – –+– – – – – – – – – –+– – – – – – – – – –+– – – – – – – – – –+–

1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8

Overall median = 1.66

How the Mood’s Median Test Works 

The test statistic of the Mood’s median test is actually based on another well known hypothesis test: the chi-square test. This test is usually used to find differences between proportions of two or more groups. But how can it be used to compare medians?

First, practitioners should aggregate the original data into a two-way table following this procedure: 

1. Calculate the overall median of all the data (here: 1.66)

2. Calculate the number of observations per group less than or equal to the overall median and greater than the overall median. Note that only groups containing two or more observations are included in the analysis. If there are relatively few observations greater than the median due to ties with the median, then observations equal to the median may be counted with those greater than the median.

3. Display the data with a two-way contingency table (Table 1). 

Table 1: Two-way Contingency Table

Overall median = 1.66	Product Type
Number of Observations…	A	B	C
Less than or equal to the overall median	20	16	9
Greater than the overall median	10	14	21

The assumption (or null hypothesis) is that if there were no median difference between the groups, the percentage of values below and above the overall median should be equal for each group. The chi-square test can now be used to test this assumption. Low values of chi-square would prove this assumption true; large values would indicate that the null hypothesis is false. 

In this project example, the chi-square value is 8.27. The p-value of 0.016 indicates that the probability that such a chi-square value occurs if there are actually no differences between the product type groups is only 1.6 percent. Therefore, the practitioners can conclude that there is at least one significant difference between the groups, with just a 1.6 percent risk of being wrong.

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What is the Difference Between Six Sigma and PMP Certification?

Motorola developed a business management strategy termed Six Sigma to enhance the quality of process outputs in 1981. Six Sigma uses analytical methods to help recognize and eliminate the roots of errors.

Although six sigma is utilized across many industries, it’s been fundamentally adopted by Manufacturing and Financial Services. Organizations that sponsor six sigma train and certify individuals to be masters in these methods. These professionals are named Green Belts, Yellow Belts, Black Belts, and Master Black Belts.

The Project Management Institute (PMI), a non-profit organization, introduced the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification in 1984. The PMP includes 42 processes that can be utilized to promote the success ratio of projects.

Over time, Six Sigma and project management have established successfully at turning around struggling businesses or making good organizations even great.

Both center specialized approaches to generating better business outcomes. They approach this goal in different ways.

Six Sigma is a methodology designed to identify defects and variation in a process. By practicing Six Sigma tools and techniques, an organization can overcome mistakes, reduce costs, boost efficiency, deliver better products and services and become more competing in the marketplace.

Project management entails creating and executing projects that complete on time, within budget and with an outcome that matches the primary business goal of the project.

Employees who become skilled at Six Sigma earn certifications at different color-coded levels. Those who want to become experts in project management typically get a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through the Project Management Institute.

Achieving either certification can benefit elevate an employee's position within an organization and address them more attractive job applicants for leadership jobs.

Six Sigma Certification

Six Sigma certifications help professionals in leadership positions. Professionals earn Six Sigma certification at different levels designated by color-coded belts. They are White Belt, Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt, and Master Black Belt.

To achieve a Six Sigma certification, an applicant require to meet experience requirements, clear a written certification exam and evidence hands-on competency. Below we have listed Six Sigma certifications:

◈ ASQ Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) Certification
◈ ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) Certification
◈ ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) Certification

To manage a Six Sigma project, a person generally requires to have reached the Black Belt level.

Six Sigma focuses on a data-driven examination of a method that identifies and excludes errors. Its purpose is to have no more than 3.4 errors per one million opportunities. Getting there demands to leverage a broad variety of different strategies and tools, most involving a comprehensive look at every aspect of an operation. Practicing the tools and techniques of Six Sigma can help develop client and employee satisfaction and improve the entire bottom line.

PMP Certification

The Project Management Institute, established in 1969, offers the PMP certification, generally respected as the most industry-recognized certification for project managers.

A PMP certification indicates that a person has obtained expert level status in using the more than 42 tools of project management, and confirms their competence as a project manager. The PMP Exam is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, managed by PMI, which includes standardized best practices for approaching various project challenges.

To earn the PMP certification, you need to complete and pass the PMP exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions. However, 25 of the questions that are included in the PMP exam are not graded and utilized to estimate the expertise of the exam taker. The 25 questions are asked randomly throughout the exam. This excellently means that you are graded on only 175 of the 200 exam questions.

The PMP certification comes with a necessity for continuous credentials or CCR. This suggests that the certification holder requires to carry out other extra activities associated to project management to maintain the certification. These activities incorporate public speaking, analysis, writing articles, and others.

The central goal of a project manager is to increase the success rate of projects. That includes key areas such as determining goals with organizational executives, setting and staying within a budget, breaking a project into smaller segments and managing a team to accomplish those tasks, and ultimately finishing the project by a deadline and with a quality result that aligns with overall business aims.

Distinct Differences Between Six Sigma and PMP Certification

Six Sigma projects have a constant control phase, while project management centers on accomplishing a project by a specific deadline

A Six Sigma professional practices data-driven techniques and statistics to recognize and solve a challenge, while a PMP project manager utilizes standardized practices to present a project that satisfies a pre-determined goal efficiently.

A PMP concentrates on raising the success rate of projects. A Six Sigma-certified employee concentrates on finding and removing errors within a particular method.

A certified Six Sigma professional purposes of overcoming wasted time, energy and money on a definite method, while a PMP professional concentrates on how to plan and lead a project.

Choose Between PMP Certification and Six Sigma Certification

The best choice depends on your prevailing position or the job you are looking for and your long-term career aims. If you want to be a project manager, the PMP designation directly confirms your competence and dedication to serving in this role. At many organizations, this certification is compulsory for project managers.

Six Sigma certification is required for professionals working in or seeking quality assurance positions in industries, spanning manufacturing and finance that are valuable users of Six Sigma. As with PMP certification, Six Sigma certification can expand your job opportunities and present you with knowledge and skills that enable you to execute your job properly. Also, your salary rises with each level of Six Sigma certification.

Though, that deciding which certification to earn often isn’t a Six Sigma vs. PMP proposition. They supplement each other, and many professionals prefer to earn both.

How Six Sigma and PMP Certification Work Together

Six Sigma certified professionals can avail from getting a PMP certification, and a project manager can determine benefit with a Six Sigma certification. A Six Sigma professional is a master at finding and resolving a problem, and a PMP-certified project manager is an expert at correctly implementing the project itself. Used together, a practitioner can identify a problem and then use project management certification to assure the solution is executed most efficiently and productively possible.

Someone who has achieved a Six Sigma belt – especially those at the Black Belt level – have become masters at practicing proven methodologies to resolve a problem.

Black Belts are like business analysts; they are brought in to decide why a method is not working right or to its potential. In the beginning, they do not know what they will find. Ultimately, they manage a team that identifies the defects, eliminates them and generates a sustainable, reliable method.

Eventually, employing professionals with both Six Sigma and project management certification may explain a great benefit for any organization. And for the individuals themselves, achieving both certifications can better make them more qualified for high-level positions while working directly on setting and accomplishing strategic business goals.

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