Take an online ISTQB foundation tester course + certification fee is on average close to £2k. Of course, prices vary. There are testing bootcamps that charge £8k for a 14 week course too. The introductory price to Software Testing Essentials Certification (STEC) is £499. £999 at full price. Discounted if you are a Professional member. And IMHO, at least double the value! 😅 Of course, MoT also has community by your side, before, during and after the course. I realise I might have to switch comments off on this post or delete it entirely if it gets spicy. I'm truly bored of the debate of the value of ISTQB, I'm not here for that. Comparing ISTQB and STEC is not to put ISTQB down, it's more that I truly believe that STEC is a better and more modern alternative on all fronts for software testers to get foundational software testing knowledge. By comparing the two side by side, I hope companies and testers will be able to make an educated decision. Competition is healthy, and quite frankly, there hasn't been enough of it. Trust in MoT and choose STEC, so that we can continue investing back into the community. 🤘 AMA and play nice in the comments. 🙏
I was fortunate to be introduced to MOT community early on, so I never went on the path of doing ISTQB. Was guided to do trainings with more context driven approach. With all faith in quality of resources that MOT provides, I am super excited about STEC. Today only at MOT Auckland meet up, I heard that “ ISTQB is like training developers on github only and telling them to go write code”. I found it hillarious, those who have taken the course can tell better. But eagerly waiting for raving STEC review!
The content looks interesting. The issue with ISTQB or test automation folk is that a course like this requires a leap of faith, it's not about the money? It's like asking a Java developer to pay for a C++ course? What you could do, is look at speakers who focus on creativity and are able to reach C-level execs. Position your course as helping with being creative in testing.
Mike Smith
1w
It’s a hell of a behemoth to challenge and I can only imagine it’s going to be a bit of an uphill battle but it’s nice to see a challenger to the ISTBQ especially after talking to both you and Richard about the all those years ago. I wish the STEC programme all the best. 🫡 if there is anything I can do to help just shout.
Already bought the course, now need to find the time to take it! I have no doubt that it is very very valuable, which I don't believe of other de-facto-standard-certification. I really hope, and keep my fingers crossed, that soon STEC will have the same recognization among the industry as ISTQB!
In traditional companies, ISTQB still holds more recognition and prestige, which translates into better job opportunities or higher chances of getting hired. However, I trust that this could change in the future, and STEC could gain more relevance. That said, for this very reason, I think the course shouldn’t be priced so high, at least for now, while it builds up its reputation. Perhaps instead of directly comparing them, it might be better to present STEC as a complementary certification to ISTQB for those looking to further strengthen their software testing knowledge. 😊
It costs £200 to do the ISTQB foundation?
Automation Quality Assurance Engineer at Jenius Bank
1wTake my playwright course on YouTube for free :)))