Get a career boost with all of these extra, free career benefits ONLY available from ASTQB and AT*SQA:

  • Move Up With More Proven Skills: Get a free software testing micro-credential exam with each ISTQB exam purchase.
  • Get More Attention: Appear on the ISTQB list, plus bonus lists if desired, such as the Official U.S. List of Certified Testers™, the AT*Work™ List of Testers for Hire, and the AT*Consult™ List of Companies Offering Testing Services.

Reduce friction and get peace of mind with soft skills designed for software testing teams.

Technical skills are no longer enough to succeed in QA. Managers also want proof of soft skills so the projects move smoothly. The ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers™ certification helps software testers prove they have those skills. It also makes it easier for managers and HR to set a standard of behavior.

  • Why soft skills matter to software testers: Data shows that professionals with strong soft skills, such as collaboration, communication, and sound judgment, earn better pay and get more job opportunities, even in technical roles. The ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers™ certification proves that you understand how testers can work more productively with other testers, developers, business analysts, and product owners.
  • Why soft skills matter to organizations: Modern software testing work includes more than just executing tests. Testers need to effectively work with developers, product managers, and business teams. They need to develop relationships and interpersonal skills that move the project forward quickly while making clear that software testing is critical to the organization.

Managers: Learn how to support HR conversations with the ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers™ certification. 

The ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers™ certification gives managers proof of these skills, and it’s more valuable than a “certificate of attendance” from a training course because:

  • It proves retention of key concepts.
  • It is focused on the real-world perspective of software testers.

See the Soft Skills for Testers FAQ, plus the examples below of how the syllabus builds strong software testing soft skills. Then download the syllabus (body of knowledge) and sample exams below.

Working with Business Analysts (BAs)

“When working with a BA to frame out the acceptance criteria, it is good to approach this as a task that is needed for testing, not something the tester has to do that the BA should have done.”

Developers

“The goal of a tester with a defect report should be to make that defect easy to fix. This means supplying the developer with all the information they need when the report is written and answering any questions quickly.”

Defect Reports

“Avoid indicating the developer made a mistake – the tester might have made the mistake, the environment or data may be flawed, or the requirements may be unclear.”

Project Managers

“The best way to deal with a project manager is to be factual. The objective information must be available to show why there are issues.” 

Project Status Meetings

“Trend information is good for this meeting as it will show longer-term issues rather than just a point-in-time problem.”

Business Writing in Testing

“The professionalism of the test team is strongly reflected in the professionalism of their test documentation.”

The ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers certification proves knowledge of soft skills that help testers to:

  • Demonstrate the value of software testing
  • Increase the credibility of test results
  • Design better tests
  • Get defects fixed faster
  • Defend testing schedules
  • Prevent wasted effort

“The ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers scenarios around communication, defect management, and team collaboration reflect situations testers regularly encounter. The use of practical, scenario-based questions helped ground the exam in real work situations rather than theory alone.” – K.G., IT Division Director

Why do testers need ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers™ certification? To prove that, as a software tester, you have the professional skills that employers want.

Why do testers want testers with ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers™ certification? Because it helps them build a software testing team that gets results, is appreciated by others, and is a pleasure to manage.

See additional FAQs about the ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers™ certification.

Register now for your ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers™ exam through our official ISTQB exam provider AT*SQA

Purchase your ASTQB Soft Skills Testing exam now through AT*SQA. Only AT*SQA gives you all of these extras in every country in the world:

  • Gain confidence when studying for your ISTQB exam. Only ASTQB and AT*SQA give you extra ISTQB sample exams designed to match the style of the real ISTQB exam you take through AT*SQA.
  • Boost your recognition and expand your opportunities: You’ll be listed in both the Official U.S. List of Certified & Credentialed Software Testers™ and the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register, giving you greater visibility with employers in the U.S. and internationally.
  • Stand out with a free credential: With every ISTQB exam purchase, you can choose a free AT*SQA micro-credential exam to showcase your QA expertise.
  • Get support in your job search anywhere in the world: Appear in the AT*Work™ directory, where employers look for testers who are between jobs, seeking freelance projects, or entering the industry.
  • Help your company grow: If your company offers testing or consulting services, listing it on AT*Consult™ can help attract new clients.
  • Prove you’re among the best: Earn points toward your Testing Tiers® ranking to elevate your status on the Official U.S. List, and rise in visibility on AT*Work™ and AT*Consult™.
Official U.S. List of Certified & Credentialed Software Testers™

Important: ISTQB certifications earned through AT*SQA are valid in every country globally and add you to the ISTQB successful candidate register. Taking your exam through AT*SQA also has the benefit of adding you to the list that American companies check, the Official U.S. List of Certified & Credentialed Software Testers™. You must register through AT*SQA for your ISTQB exam to appear on both lists.

ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers Resources

ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers logo

ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers Syllabus

Download the ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers Syllabus

ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers Exam Format

40 questions | 60 minutes (25% extended time available if English is not your first language)


ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers Prerequisites

none

ASTQB Soft Skills for Testers Certification Sample Exam

ASTQB Sample Exam Questions ASTQB Sample Exam Answers