The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager exam tests your knowledge in 7 key areas ranging from testing processes, test planning to people skills. Anyone who aspires to be a Test / QA Manager should have knowledge of these topics.

The below study material covers all the topics which are part of the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager certification. This certification is beneficial for Test Managers. Even if you are not planning to take up the certification, studying the topics will improve your knowledge of the subject.

1. Testing Process

1. What is Test Planning? What are Work Products in Testing?
2. What is Test Monitoring and Test Control?
3. What is Test Condition & Test Analysis? Advantages, Disadvantages & Level of Detail
4. What is Test Design? When to create Test Design?
5. What is Test Implementation? Advantages & Disadvantage of early implementation
6. What is Test Execution?
7. What Are Test Closure Activities? Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting

2. Test Management

8. How to identify testing stakeholders?
9. How Do Software Development Lifecycle Activities & Work Products Affect Testing?
10. How to align software testing activities with product / development lifecycle activities?
11. How to manage Non-Functional Testing?
12. How to manage Experience Based Testing? What are Test Sessions?
13. What is Risk Based Testing? Identifying, Assessing, Minimizing & Managing Risks
14. What are the different Risk Based Testing (RBT) Techniques?
15. Test selection techniques – Requirement / Model based, Checklists, Reactive testing
16. How to perform test prioritization & effort allocation in test process?
17. What is Test Policy? What does it contain?
18. What is Test Strategy? Types of strategies with examples
19. What are Master Test Plans & Level Test Plan? Examples, When to use
20. What is test estimation? Related Factors, Estimation Techniques
21. How to define, track, report & validate metrics in software testing?
22. Cost of quality
23. What are Distributed, Outsourced and Insourced Testing?
24. How to manage & apply industry standards to software testing projects?

3. Reviews

25. How to manage formal reviews & management audits? Skills, metrics, responsibilities

4. Defect Management

26. Complete guide to defect management for Test / QA Managers

5. Improving the Testing Process

27. Software Testing Process Improvements for Test / QA Managers
28. What is the IDEAL model for test process improvement?
29. Software testing process improvement models – TMMi, TPI Next, CTP, STEP

6. Test Tools and Automation

30. How to select a testing tool? Open Source, Vendor Tools & Custom Development
31. What is Testing Tool ROI? One time/Recurring Costs & Risks related to tools?
32. What are the parameters for selecting a testing tool?
33. How to manage software testing tool lifecycle and tool metrics?

7. People Skills

34. How to assess, manage & develop skills in testers as a Test Manager?
35. How to manage hiring & team dynamics as a Test Manager?
36. How to manage testing team at different levels of independence?
37. How to motivate software testing team as a Test / QA Manager?
38. How to communicate effectively as a Test / QA Manager?