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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ISTQB
Exam Format
90 min
40
43
Advanced Level
Registration
ISTQB Member Boards, Accredited Exam Providers, or online proctoring
Validity
Lifetime
No recertification required - certification is permanent; Holders may optionally pursue Expert Level certifications; Continuing professional development recommended
CTAL-TAE Exam Topics and Domains
CTAL-TAE is organized into 8 weighted domains. Expect to work with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins, REST Assured, and more.
1
Introduction and Objectives for Test Automation
3.6%
Purpose of Test Automation
Explain the Advantages and Disadvantages of Test Automation
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of test automation
Test Automation in the Software Development Lifecycle
Explain How Test Automation is Applied Across Different Software Development Lifecycle ModelsSelect Suitable Test Automation Tools For a Given System Under Test
- Explain how test automation is applied across different software development lifecycle models
- Select suitable test automation tools for a given system under test
2
Preparing for Test Automation
14.5%
Understand the Configuration of an Infrastructure to Enable Test Automation
Describe the Configuration Needs of an Infrastructure that Enable Implementation of Test AutomationExplain How Test Automation is Leveraged within Different Environments
- Describe the configuration needs of an infrastructure that enable implementation of test automation
- Explain how test automation is leveraged within different environments
Evaluation Process for Selecting the Right Tools and Strategies
Analyze a System Under Test to Determine the Appropriate Test Automation SolutionIllustrate the Technical Findings of a Tool Evaluation
- Analyze a system under test to determine the appropriate test automation solution
- Illustrate the technical findings of a tool evaluation
3
Test Automation Architecture
16.9%
Design Concepts Leveraged in Test Automation
Explain the Major Capabilities in a Test Automation ArchitectureExplain How to Design a Test Automation SolutionApply Layering of Test Automation FrameworksApply Different Approaches for Automating Test CasesApply Design Principles and Design Patterns in Test Automation
- Explain the major capabilities in a test automation architecture
- Explain how to design a test automation solution
- Apply layering of test automation frameworks
- Apply different approaches for automating test cases
- Apply design principles and design patterns in test automation
4
Implementing Test Automation
12.1%
Test Automation Development
Apply Guidelines that Support Effective Test Automation Pilot and Deployment Activities
Apply guidelines that support effective test automation pilot and deployment activities
Risks Associated with Test Automation Development
Analyze Deployment Risks and Plan Mitigation Strategies for Test Automation
Analyze deployment risks and plan mitigation strategies for test automation
Test Automation Solution Maintainability
Explain Which Factors Support and Affect Test Automation Solution Maintainability
Explain which factors support and affect test automation solution maintainability
5
Implementation and Deployment Strategies for Test Automation
7.2%
Integration to CI/CD Pipelines
Apply Test Automation at Different Test Levels within PipelinesExplain Configuration Management for TestwareExplain Test Automation Dependencies for an API Infrastructure
- Apply test automation at different test levels within pipelines
- Explain configuration management for testware
- Explain test automation dependencies for an API infrastructure
6
Test Automation Reporting and Metrics
12.1%
Collection, Analysis and Reporting of Test Automation Data
Apply Data Collection Methods from the Test Automation Solution and the System Under TestAnalyze Data from the Test Automation Solution and the System Under Test to Better Understand Test ResultsExplain How a Test Progress Report is Constructed and Published
- Apply data collection methods from the test automation solution and the system under test
- Analyze data from the test automation solution and the system under test to better understand test results
- Explain how a test progress report is constructed and published
7
Verifying the Test Automation Solution
10.9%
Verification of the Test Automation Infrastructure
Plan to Verify the Test Automation Environment Including Test Tool SetupExplain the Correct Behavior for a Given Automated Test Script and/or Test SuiteIdentify Where Test Automation Produces Unexpected ResultsExplain How Static Analysis Can Aid Test Automation Code Quality
- Plan to verify the test automation environment including test tool setup
- Explain the correct behavior for a given automated test script and/or test suite
- Identify where test automation produces unexpected results
- Explain how static analysis can aid test automation code quality
8
Continuous Improvement
16.9%
Continuous Improvement Opportunities for Test Automation
Discover Opportunities for Improving Test Cases Through Data Collection and AnalysisAnalyze the Technical Aspects of a Deployed Test Automation Solution and Provide Recommendations for ImprovementRestructure the Automated Testware to Align with System Under Test UpdatesSummarize Opportunities for Use of Test Automation Tools
- Discover opportunities for improving test cases through data collection and analysis
- Analyze the technical aspects of a deployed test automation solution and provide recommendations for improvement
- Restructure the automated testware to align with system under test updates
- Summarize opportunities for use of test automation tools
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CTAL-TAE earns the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Automation Engineering certification. It sits in the ISTQB Core Testing Certifications track.
Next Level Options
- CTEL-TM - Expert Level - Test Management
- CTEL-TI - Expert Level - Test Improvement
- CTEL-TA - Expert Level - Test Automation
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for CTAL-TAE.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024-05-03
- Announcement date: 2024-05-03
Updates
- CI/CD Pipeline Integration Expanded coverage in Chapter 5 with focus on Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions
- Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) Container-based test environments covered in Chapter 2
- API Testing and Service Virtualization API infrastructure dependencies in Chapter 5.1.3
- Test Automation Metrics and Analytics Entire Chapter 6 dedicated to data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Generic Test Automation Architecture (gTAA) Foundation of Chapter 3 architecture design
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Test Automation Engineers and Test Analysts.
Certification: ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL); Version: v4.0 or any previous version; Exam Code: CTFL
- Sufficient practical experience in software testing
- Experience with test automation tools and frameworks
- Understanding of software development lifecycle
- Programming or scripting knowledge