Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering 2.0

The evolution of ISTQB® test automation—aligned with Agile, DevOps & CI/CD. Learn architecture, implementation and continuous improvement of sustainable automation solutions.

Quick facts

• Advanced Level certification for test automation
• Min. 21 training hours (accredited courses)
• Prerequisite: ISTQB® Foundation Level
• Complementary: Test Automation Strategy (CT‑TAS v1.0)

CTAL‑TAE v2.0 targets practitioners who implement or improve test automation. The syllabus focuses on testable systems, modular frameworks, seamless pipeline integration and data‑driven improvement.

Version 2.0 is a comprehensive update of the 2016 release—covering infrastructure, architecture, maintainability, reporting/metrics and verification of the automation solution.

Key benefits

• Sustainable TAA/TAF concepts for scalable solutions
• Tool evaluation & pilots with clear risk mitigation
• CI/CD integration across test levels
• Measurable quality via data, metrics & dashboards

1 Introduction & objectives

• Benefits & limitations of test automation
• Automation across SDLC models
• SUT architecture impact on tooling

2 Preparation

• Testability: observability, controllability, architectural clarity
• Environments: local, build, integration, pre‑prod, production
• Tool/strategy evaluation & decision criteria

3 Test automation architecture

• gTAA & TAA design
• Layering in the TAF
• Approaches: TDD, BDD, DDT, KDT

4 Implementation

• Pilot & deployment guidelines
• Risks & maintainability

5 Deployment strategies

• CI/CD
• Configuration management & API dependencies

6 Reporting & metrics

• Data sources from TAS & SUT
• Analysis, root cause, stakeholder reporting

7 Verification of the TAS

• Environment, tool setup, correct script/suite behavior
• Static analysis & detecting unexpected results

8 Continuous improvement

• Data‑driven test case optimization
• Refactoring testware & consolidation

• Testers, Test Analysts, Test Automation Engineers
• Test Architects, Test Managers, Consultants
• Developers with testing responsibilities

• Also relevant for Project Managers, Quality Managers, Business Analysts, IT Leaders
• Applicable in both agile and sequential lifecycles

Entry

• Required: ISTQB® Foundation Level
• Recommended: ≥ 6 months in testing/dev
• Accredited courses available

Course scope

• Minimum 21 training hours (accredited)
• All 8 chapters are examined (K2–K4)

Note: Please refer to ISTQB® “Exam Structure & Rules” for details.

From CT‑TAE 2016 to v2.0

Holders of the 2016 certificate remain certified. Sunset dates: EN materials until 12 Jun 2025; other languages until 12 Dec 2025.

CT‑TAS v1.0

The new Test Automation Strategy certification (v1.0) complements CTAL‑TAE v2.0 at enterprise level.