Getting ISTQB certification remotely from home with FLEX from iSQI
By: Bo Wanvisa Eamsiri
Tags: Software Testing, Istqb, Thailand, Quarantine, Quality Assurance

The 2020 pandemic has given many companies chances to apply 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.

I received a score of 82.5%. 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 a solid experience in software quality assurance and software testing. 65% is required in order to pass the exam.

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

How much does it cost?

At the time of 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 costed me over 350US dollars or around 10,000THB. So, in terms of pricing, this is definitely a BIG plus.

What do you need in order to take the exam remotely?

A PC/laptop with a working camera, a working microphone and a working 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 a 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. 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 examination environment. When I did my exam, my choice of location was my apartment where I was alone with 2 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. 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 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 2 things, many workplaces support their employees on getting professional certifications and allow them to borrow devices for the exam as well as 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.

BUY AN EXAM TICKET SET UP TESTREACH SOFTWARE AND SCHEDULE YOUR EXAM DO THE SOFTWARE TUTORIAL TAKE THE EXAM ONLINE SEE THE EXAM RESULT (AND OBTAIN CERTIFICATION)

In details..

BUY AN EXAM TICKET:

First of all, you will need to purchase an exam ticket from 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 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 cart (don’t forget to register an account and login first).

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

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

After a successful purchase, you will receive few confirmation emails from iSQI (payment confirmation email, invoice email and FLEX exam information email). Every information about how to take the next 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 into 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 make sure that your device is suitable for the examination.

Simply go through the verification process and then you will be able to schedule OR change date and time of your exam. This is the last step of exam scheduling. 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 with the TestReach software tutorial to make sure you fully understand how to use the software before the exam. You can simply 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 with you is the exam device, and nothing else. Pens and paper are not allowed. (This applies to the ISTQB Founation 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 and in case you need to stand up and move away from the camera. They will be monitoring you all the way until you finish your exam.

The experience of taking the exam will be very similar to when you did the tutorial. So, if you make sure 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 2 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 for it is also provided in the credential email. Additional cost 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.). 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 from 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 who is looking to obtain the certification.