ISTQB and ISEB Certification Exam Fee Overview

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One of the most commonly-asked questions we receive here at UniversalExams.com relates to the actual ISEB and ISTQB software testing certification exam fees. These are the costs to book and take each exam, which are typically separate from the cost related to preparing for each exam. Believe it or not, there is no source online that summarizes these exam fees…until now!

Certification Comparison

For the purposes of this article, the ISEB exam fees will be listed in GBP (£). This is because these software testing certifications are generally UK-specific. The fees associated with the global equivalent of the ISEB certification – ISTQB (also known as CTFL, or ASTQB in the US) – will be expressed in both GBP (£) and USD ($). The UK prices exclude VAT.

Note that the entry level Foundation exam for both certification paths is identical. Thus, the very first software testing certification exam you must take is the ISTQB / ISEB Foundation level exam. Passing this exam provides dual-certification in both. It is only after the Foundation level that the ISEB and ISTQB exam structures diverge.

ISEB Exam Fees

As of the time of this writing, the ISEB / ISTQB Foundation level exam costs £130. As previously stated, this is the very first exam you must take, as it is a prerequisite to all other certification levels. After passing the ISEB Foundation exam, the next level is the ISEB Intermediate exam, which costs £110. The final two certification exams you can take are the two ISEB Practitioner level exams (Test Analysis and Test Management), each of which costs £150.

ISTQB Exam Fees

Outside of the UK, ISTQB / CTFL / ASTQB certifications are the most prominent. The ISTQB Foundation level exam costs £130 or $250 in the US.

After passing this exam, the next level is the ISTQB Advanced certification, which is split into 3 distinct modules: Test Analyst, Technical Test Analyst, and Test Manager. Each module has its own exam. In GBP, each ISTQB Advanced level module exam costs £180, and therefore taking all 3 exams would cost a total of £540. In US dollars, each Advanced level module exam costs $200, plus a 1-time qualification fee of $100. So in the US, taking all 3 Advanced level exams would cost a total of $700.

Other Costs

Now, obviously you must prepare for each exam and there is a cost associated with that piece as well. Therefore, to derive your total cost per exam, you must factor in your exam-prep costs.

Generally, your choice of exam preparation methods will boil down to either purchasing a self-study training package, or the more cost-prohibitive method of attending a multi-day instructor-led course. Self-study courses generally cost between £100-£300, and an instructor led course will set you back anywhere from £500-£1000 per course.

Summary

This article was written to offer a snapshot of the exam fees for the ISEB Foundation, ISEB Intermediate, ISEB Practitioner, ISTQB Foundation, and ISTQB Advanced level software testing certifications. Obviously, these certifications are not cheap, which begs the question, is it worth it?

The answer is a resounding yes! Earning one or more of these certifications will certainly help advance your career because they demonstrate a high degree of knowledge, competency and ambition. You will stand out from the crowd during any hiring process and have a distinct advantage over your non-certified counterparts. Plus, you will learn how to work more efficiently and accurately, which will save you a ton of stress and aggravation in the long run.

All in all, while not cheap, earning your ISEB or ISTQB / CTFL / ASTQB software testing certifications can be viewed as an investment in your career which will surely pay huge dividends down the road.