How I got ISTQB certified COVID-19 risk free

The 2020 pandemic has given many companies chances to apply for work from home/remote work protocol. The internet has been expanding globally. This has allowed not only work — but exams and assessments to be conducted online and replace the old-fashioned way of having to attend something in person. This gave me an opportunity to obtain a certification from the location of choice through iSQI, The International Software Quality Institute.

My studying process was finishing a Udemy course and taking several mockup exams. The content should not be difficult to follow and understand if you already have solid experience in software quality assurance and software testing. 65% is required to pass the exam.

In this article, I’ll be addressing my journey in getting the ISTQB certification remotely with FLEX (an option to take exams from any location using your device on a date and at a time that you seem suitable provided by iSQI and TestReach) as well as steps to follow to take the exam and obtain the certification.

Is it any different than getting the certification at a test center?

In terms of the outcome, NO. I was certified and sent my certification via email right after I finished the exam and got my result. It was fast and straightforward.

How much does it cost?

At my purchase, it was 180US dollars or around 5844.77 THB. This is very cost-effective to me compared to taking the exam at a test center. Taking the exam at a test center at my location (Bangkok, Thailand) would have cost me over 350US dollars or around 10,000THB. So, in terms of pricing, this is a BIG plus.

What do you need to take the exam remotely?

1. A PC/laptop with a working camera, a working microphone, and a functional speaker: This can be either a device with macOS or Windows. Tablets and mobile phones are not eligible for taking the exam. The exams are taken through software called TestReach. It is super reliable and secured. You will be monitored closely by an examiner. They will monitor your screen, your camera, the noise of the environment around you, and the sound from your speaker right from the start until the exam is done.
2. A suitable environment for taking the exam: It is more recommended to take the remote exam at home in a closed room where you are alone because the environment needs to be peaceful and isolated from any external assisting tool or a person to make sure no cheating is attempted, just like in the real exam environment. When I did my exam, my choice of location was my apartment, where I was alone with two cats. The examiner will ask to see the whole environment around you, including things nearby such as bookshelves, wall posters, or the fish tank on the table. I was asked to inform the examiner if, by any chance, a cat accidentally jumped on me and I needed to move.
3. A valid ID Card or passport: This will be asked to provide to the examiner before you can proceed to start taking your exam. It will be required to hold up to the web camera for checking.

For more information about online examination through TestReach, such as a minimal requirement for computer specs OR how to schedule the exam, you can find information from here: https://www.testreach.com/candidate-support-frequently-asked-questions.html

If you do not have the first two things, many workplaces support their employees in getting professional certifications and allow them to borrow devices for the exam and a suitable room for conducting it. You should try and ask HR or your manager.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO TAKE THE ISTQB EXAM REMOTELY?

Shortly, these are what you need to do.

1. BUY AN EXAM TICKET
2. SET UP TESTREACH SOFTWARE AND SCHEDULE YOUR EXAM
3. DO THE SOFTWARE TUTORIAL
4. TAKE THE EXAM ONLINE
5. SEE THE EXAM RESULT (AND OBTAIN CERTIFICATION)

In details..

1. BUY AN EXAM TICKET:

First of all, you will need to purchase an exam ticket from the iSQI official website at https://isqi.org .

My examination was the ISTQB FOUNDATION LEVEL certification exam, so I went to https://isqi.org/en/14-1494119-istqb-certified-tester-foundation-level-ctfl.html#/6802-language-english/7401-exam-flex_remote_proctor/22812-country-thailand.

(You might see a popup to change the country of destination, the link is exclusively for Thailand-based users).

As you can see above, you can simply add the exam of choice to the cart (don’t forget to register an account and log in first).

1. Select the exam language as English (or any other available language option you prefer)
2. Select the Exam method as Flex
3. Select Time Extension as Yes if English isn’t your first language and you need some extra time (verification of passport to verify your eligibility status for time extension will be checked before the exam), this doesn’t require an additional fee.
4. Select Digital Badge as Yes (if you pass, the official certification badge will be provided to you); this doesn’t require an additional fee.

After that, you can go ahead to checkout and complete the purchase. You can pay with Paypal or a Credit/Debit card as preferred.

After a successful purchase, you will receive a few confirmation emails from iSQI (payment confirmation email, invoice email, and FLEX exam information email). All information about how to take the following steps is included in the FLEX exam information email.

2. SET UP TESTREACH SOFTWARE AND SCHEDULE YOUR EXAM

You will receive an email from TestReach on how to register an account and download the software for your device, along with the emails from iSQI right after the payment is verified.

If you follow the instructions correctly, you will find yourself with an account and a ready-to-use TestReach software on your device. Log in to the account, and you will find the registered exam in the Exams tab.

To schedule the exam, you will need to verify your camera, microphone, and speaker to ensure that your device is suitable for the examination.

Go through the verification process, and then you will be able to schedule OR change the date and time of your exam. This is the last step of the exam schedule. Well done!

3. **DO THE SOFTWARE TUTORIAL**

Even though you might have encountered a similar examination software tool before, it’s still recommended that you go through the TestReach software tutorial to fully understand how to use the software before the exam. You can do that by going to the take tutorial tab.

Start and finish the tutorial as instructed.

4. TAKE THE EXAM ONLINE

Take a deep breath. Get ready 10–15 mins before the booked exam date and time. All you can have is the exam device and nothing else. Pens and paper are not allowed. (This applies to the ISTQB Foundation exam. This can vary; you can check for your exam information in your FLEX information email.)

You will be allowed and asked to connect to your examiner at most 15 mins before the exam starts. They will ask to see your ID card/Passport and for you to show them the exam environment and answer several questions. You will be asked to turn off your phone and move it away out of reach.

You are not allowed to ask the examiner about anything related to the exam content. They will only be responsible for questions about TestReach software in case you need to stand up and move away from the camera. They will be monitoring you until you finish your exam.

The experience of taking the exam will be very similar to when you did the tutorial. So, if you understand how to take an exam with TestReach before the exam, there should be no question needed.

5. SEE THE EXAM RESULT (AND OBTAIN CERTIFICATION)

Right after you finish the exam and click Submit, the exam result will be displayed to you right away in TestReach. If you pass, You will receive two emails. One for the certification along with the digital badge and one for the score obtained.

If you want a physical copy of the certification, the steps to request it are also provided in the credential email. Additional costs will be needed.

In conclusion,

ISTQB Foundation level certification is suitable for any person who works closely with software testing and STLC (developers, testers, QA engineers, IT managers, etc.). The iSQI FLEX allowed me to take my ISTQB examination remotely from my own home. It was simple, and I was certainly satisfied with the outcome. The cost and the safety of COVID-19 were the main advantages for me. I wouldn’t have chosen it in any other way. I’d recommend FLEX remote protocol for taking an exam to anyone looking to obtain the certification.