Frequently Asked Questions: ISEB

The ISEB is the Examination Board of the British Computer Society (BCS) - the professional body representing the interests of those within the IT and IS sector.

The ISEB oversees a portfolio of practical qualifications for professionals in front line IT roles.  This includes the ITIL qualifications in Service Management but also covers IS Project Management, Business Analysis, Systems Development, Software testing, Legal and Compliance.

The BCS is also behind the internationally recognised ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) and a hierarchy of more academic qualifications within the IT arena.

They are well recognised in the UK and overseas.

They provide continuing professional development routes for those within the IT sector.

They address all the key areas which underpin successful provision of IT services.

This can be confusing but a chart of the ISEB qualifications is available to help. Contact Focus for your free copy.

Generally, Foundation Level courses provide a broad introduction to a given subject area; popular examples include the Foundation in Software Testing and Foundation in IT Law. 

The Practitioner Level courses address a specific discipline and require the ability to apply learning and experience to a range of practical situations.

The Higher Level qualifications exist within some topic areas and demand a more holistic view of the components of the subject and the interactions between these components; examples include the Diplomas in Data Management and in Systems Development.

No.  The ISEB offers a comprehensive portfolio of qualifications in the area of Information Systems.  For the specific service management area they use the ITIL framework and are one of several accredited examination authorities.  It is probably true that in the UK more people have obtained their ITIL certification through ISEB than any other examination board.

ISEB qualifications are specific to an individual but many organisations use the ISEB qualifications structure to manage skills development at the corporate level. 

The BCS (ISEB's "parent") operates a "Professional Development Accreditation" which recognises best practice in IT training and development.  Accredited organisations include Alliance & Leicester, Bechtel, British Energy, Norwich Union, the Met Office and Total.

The starting point is the Foundation Certificate in software testing.

As well as being an ISEB qualification, this is aligned to the ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) so provides the most widely recognised international qualification.

 New versions of the higher level Practitioner Certificates in Software Testing have been released mid 2007; there are separate certificates for Test Management and Test Analysis (depending on training need delegates may study for one or both - though in each case a pass at the ISEB "General Practitioner Examination in Software Testing" must first be achieved).

This is the Higher Level qualification in this area and is obtained by achieving a combination of core modules and specialist modules from the ISEB portfolio, then sitting an oral exam. 

The 3 core modules are Systems Development Essentials, Systems Modelling Techniques and Systems Design and Implementation; one specialist module must be taken from Business Analysis, IT Architecture, Software Testing and Integrating Off the Shelf Software.  [An equivalence table is available on the ISEB web site to explain where previous qualifications can be used in lieu of the newer certificates]

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This is the Higher Level qualification in this area and is obtained by achieving a combination of core modules and specialist modules from the ISEB portfolio, then sitting an oral exam.

The 3 core modules are Business Analysis Essentials, Requirements Engineering, Organisational Context; one specialist module must be taken from Modelling Business Processes, Systems Modelling Techniques, System Development Essentials, Benefits management and Business Acceptance.  [An equivalence table is available on the ISEB web site to explain where previous qualifications can be used in lieu of the newer certificates]

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Not always.

Some examinations are more complex than can be accommodated within a standard course, and not all delegates will wish to obtain the certification associated with a course.  Accordingly, an ISEB course may or may not include the exam.

Refer to the detailed course outline associated with a specific date - or call Focus if it is not clear.  Even for the same course title some of aour training partners include the exam whilst others do not.

About 90% over the past 3 years.

The ISEB provides guidelines for the duration of courses associated with a given qualification.  Based on their experience, some of our training partners may extend the time allowed in order to provide more thorough treatment or to include supplementary content.

None is required though delegates will benefit from reading "Software Testing: An ISEB Foundation"  Author: Brian Hambling (Ed), Peter Morgan, Angelina Samaroo, Geoff Thompson, Peter Williams

This qualification normally requires a 2 week course but this is reduced to 1 week for those delegates who have obtined the PRINCE2 Practitioner certificate.

This reflects the fact that the project management framework used by ISEB is closely linked to PRINCE2.  In addition, the ISEB course is able to focus on IT/IS case studies and spends more time developing project management competencies in areas such managing project teams, the supplier interface and negotiation.

Those attending ISEB public exams must bring their confirmation letter together with photo id.  This is not normally a requirement for those sitting exams on the final day of a training course.