Examination Procedure

BANGLADESH SOFTWARE TESTING BOARD (BSTB)

Examination Procedure

Examination Provider: International Software Quality Institute GmbH (iSQI)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to define the standard process for conducting professional certification examinations under the Bangladesh Software Testing Board (BSTB).

This procedure establishes the roles and responsibilities of BSTB, the officially appointed Examination Provider, candidates, training providers, invigilators, and other relevant parties involved in the examination process.

2. Examination Provider

BSTB has officially appointed and affiliated International Software Quality Institute GmbH (iSQI) as its authorized and exclusive Examination Provider for the applicable professional certification examinations.

iSQI shall organize, coordinate, administer, and manage examinations on behalf of BSTB in accordance with the applicable certification scheme rules, examination requirements, and relevant ISTQB® rules and regulations.

The BSTB–iSQI agreement provides for iSQI to act as the exclusive certification body and examination provider for BSTB’s ISTQB® Certified Tester scheme, covering paper-based and computer-based examination delivery methods.

BSTB shall promote iSQI as its authorized examination provider in Bangladesh.

3. Scope of Examinations

The examination services may cover professional certification examinations endorsed, approved, or offered by BSTB in cooperation with iSQI.

The agreement specifically includes ISTQB® certification examinations such as:

  • ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level – Agile Tester Extension (CTFL-AT)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level examinations
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester – AI Testing (CT-AI)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester – Testing with Generative AI (CT-GenAI)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester – Acceptance Testing (CT-AcT)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester – Automotive Tester (CT-AuT)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester – Game Testing (CT-GaMe)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester – Mobile Application Testing (CT-MAT)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester – Security Tester (CT-SEC)
  • ISTQB® Certified Tester – Usability Testing (CT-UT)
  • Other applicable ISTQB® examinations
  • A4Q Selenium 4 Tester Foundation
  • A4Q Appium Tester
  • A4Q SDET

Other examinations may be included subject to the applicable agreement and approval arrangements.

4. Overall Examination Process

The BSTB examination process shall generally follow the following stages:

Training / Candidate Preparation
↓
Candidate Registration
↓
Examination Application & Data Submission
↓
Exam Scheduling
↓
Examination Confirmation
↓
Examination Delivery by iSQI
↓
Candidate Supervision / Invigilation
↓
Examination Completion
↓
Result Processing
↓
Result Notification
↓
Certificate Issuance
↓
BSTB Reporting & Monitoring

5. Candidate Registration

Candidates interested in taking a BSTB professional certification examination shall register through the applicable BSTB training provider, organization, or examination registration channel.

The candidate information required for examination registration shall be collected and submitted in accordance with iSQI’s examination registration requirements.

iSQI shall be responsible for managing examination enrolment and candidate data.

The candidate information shall be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy requirements.

6. Examination Scheduling

After receiving the required candidate information, iSQI shall coordinate the examination schedule and examination delivery method.

Depending on the applicable examination and agreed arrangement, examinations may be delivered through:

  1. Paper-Based Examination, where available;
  2. Computer-Based Examination in a classroom/examination environment;
  3. Pearson VUE Test Centre;
  4. Remote Proctor Examination; or
  5. Other approved computer-based examination arrangements provided by iSQI.

iSQI shall guide candidates who choose Pearson VUE Test Centre or Remote Proctor examinations and shall act as an interface between the candidate and the relevant examination platform/provider.

7. Examination Preparation

Before the examination, candidates shall receive the necessary examination information, including, where applicable:

  • Examination date and time;
  • Examination method;
  • Examination venue or examination platform;
  • Candidate instructions;
  • Identification requirements;
  • Examination rules;
  • Examination duration;
  • Examination conduct requirements; and
  • Other instructions required by iSQI or the applicable certification scheme.

Candidates are responsible for following all examination instructions communicated to them.

8. Examination Administration

iSQI shall organize, coordinate, and administer the examination.

For classroom-based examinations, iSQI shall arrange the required examination resources and invigilation arrangements.

iSQI shall be responsible for contracting, booking, instructing, and paying the invigilators where applicable.

During the examination, candidates shall be supervised in accordance with the applicable examination rules and procedures.

9. Examination Security and Confidentiality

Examination security shall be maintained throughout the examination process.

iSQI shall apply appropriate measures to prevent unauthorized access, copying, reproduction, disclosure, or distribution of examination materials.

Examination questions, answer materials, examination sets, and related confidential materials shall be appropriately secured.

Candidates, training providers, invigilators, and other persons involved in the examination process shall not copy, reproduce, disclose, distribute, or otherwise misuse examination materials.

The BSTB–iSQI agreement requires protection of examination materials and prohibits unauthorized copying or disclosure of examination content.

10. Examination Questions and Syllabus

iSQI shall source and prepare the examination questions through its standard quality processes.

The examinations shall be provided in accordance with applicable ISTQB® rules and regulations and shall be aligned with the relevant:

  • Certification syllabus;
  • ISTQB® glossary;
  • Examination guidelines;
  • Examination criteria; and
  • Applicable certification requirements.

11. Candidate Conduct

Candidates shall comply with all examination rules and instructions provided by iSQI.

Candidates shall:

  • Follow the instructions of the invigilator or examination platform;
  • Use only permitted materials and resources;
  • Not communicate with other candidates during the examination;
  • Not copy or reproduce examination questions;
  • Not attempt to obtain unauthorized assistance;
  • Not record or distribute examination content; and
  • Comply with all applicable examination security requirements.

Any suspected examination misconduct or security breach shall be handled according to the applicable iSQI and certification scheme procedures.

12. Examination Completion

After completing the examination, the candidate shall submit the examination through the applicable examination system or return examination materials according to the instructions provided.

For computer-based examinations, the examination system shall process the candidate’s examination according to the applicable examination procedure.

For paper-based examinations, examination papers shall be collected and securely transferred to iSQI for evaluation.

13. Examination Results

13.1 Computer-Based Examination

For PC-based examinations, candidates may receive their examination result immediately after completing the examination.

iSQI shall send each candidate a detailed examination result by email within 24 business hours.

13.2 Paper-Based Examination

For paper-based examinations, where available, candidates shall be informed of their results within seven (7) working days after the examination papers are received by iSQI.

iSQI shall evaluate the examination papers and communicate the result to the candidate by email.

14. Certificate Issuance

Candidates who successfully pass the applicable certification examination shall be eligible to receive the relevant certification certificate in accordance with the applicable certification requirements.

iSQI shall issue the certificate in PDF format within 48 business hours, subject to settlement of the applicable examination invoice.

Successful candidates may also opt into the SkillClub online community and receive a digital badge, where applicable.

15. Examination Reporting to BSTB

iSQI shall provide BSTB with standardized examination reports on a quarterly basis.

The report shall include, as applicable:

  • Number of examinations conducted;
  • Certification/examination scheme;
  • Candidate examination status;
  • Pass/fail information;
  • Applicable examination income; and
  • Relevant reporting information required under the BSTB–iSQI agreement.

The reporting shall be provided in iSQI’s standard reporting format unless another format is mutually agreed between BSTB and iSQI.

16. Responsibilities of iSQI

As the officially appointed Examination Provider, iSQI shall be responsible for:

  1. Organizing and coordinating examinations;
  2. Managing candidate enrolment and examination data;
  3. Arranging examination delivery;
  4. Contracting and managing invigilators where applicable;
  5. Supervising candidates during examinations;
  6. Supporting candidates using Pearson VUE and Remote Proctor examination methods;
  7. Processing examination results;
  8. Communicating examination results to candidates;
  9. Issuing certificates;
  10. Managing examination-related invoicing;
  11. Maintaining examination security and confidentiality;
  12. Providing standardized examination reports to BSTB; and
  13. Supporting the examination process in accordance with applicable ISTQB® rules and regulations.

These responsibilities are based on the services specified in the BSTB–iSQI Examination Agreement.

17. Responsibilities of BSTB

BSTB shall:

  1. Recognize iSQI as the officially appointed and authorized Examination Provider;
  2. Promote iSQI as the authorized examination provider in Bangladesh;
  3. Coordinate with BSTB training providers where necessary;
  4. Provide relevant training-provider contact information to iSQI where appropriate;
  5. Fulfill BSTB’s reporting and nomination obligations under applicable ISTQB® rules;
  6. Support iSQI in addressing identified examination security breaches;
  7. Monitor the overall quality and effectiveness of examination services; and
  8. Maintain appropriate communication with iSQI concerning examination administration.

The agreement specifically requires BSTB to refer to iSQI as its authorized examination body and to promote iSQI exclusively as the authorized e-exam provider for Bangladesh.

18. Responsibilities of Training Providers

Where a BSTB-approved or associated training provider is involved, the training provider shall:

  1. Promote the applicable BSTB certification examination;
  2. Provide candidates with accurate examination information;
  3. Collect and submit candidate information according to the required process;
  4. Coordinate with iSQI regarding examination scheduling;
  5. Ensure candidates receive the applicable examination instructions;
  6. Support candidates in completing the registration process; and
  7. Maintain examination confidentiality and security.

Training providers shall not access, copy, reproduce, distribute, or disclose confidential examination materials.

19. Examination Security Breach and Misconduct

Any suspected examination security breach, cheating, unauthorized access, copying, disclosure, or other examination misconduct shall be reported and handled in accordance with the applicable iSQI and certification scheme procedures.

BSTB shall support iSQI where potential or actual examination security breaches are identified and shall take appropriate action where required, including action concerning certification status.

20. Data Protection

BSTB, iSQI, and other parties involved in the examination process shall process candidate personal data appropriately and in accordance with applicable data protection laws and requirements.

Appropriate technical and organizational measures shall be maintained to protect personal data against loss, destruction, unauthorized alteration, unauthorized distribution, unauthorized access, or unlawful processing.

Where iSQI uses third-party service providers for examination delivery, iSQI shall be responsible for appropriate selection, supervision, contractual arrangements, and security requirements applicable to those providers.

21. Examination Cancellation or Force Majeure

If an examination is cancelled because of force majeure or circumstances beyond the control of iSQI, the examination may be rescheduled subject to the applicable arrangements.

Where an examination is cancelled, the customer/participant shall be informed as soon as reasonably possible.

Any rescheduling, reimbursement, or other arrangements shall be handled in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions.

22. Examination Quality Assurance

BSTB and iSQI shall maintain appropriate quality standards throughout the examination process.

The examination process shall ensure:

  • Appropriate candidate registration;
  • Secure examination delivery;
  • Qualified/authorized invigilation where applicable;
  • Proper examination administration;
  • Accurate result processing;
  • Timely result communication;
  • Appropriate certificate issuance;
  • Confidentiality of examination materials; and
  • Periodic reporting to BSTB.

23. Communication and Support

iSQI shall provide appropriate support to candidates regarding examination registration, examination delivery methods, Pearson VUE Test Centre examinations, Remote Proctor examinations, examination results, and certification.

BSTB shall coordinate with iSQI on matters concerning the overall operation of the certification examination process in Bangladesh.

24. Review of the Examination Procedure

This examination procedure may be reviewed periodically by BSTB to ensure that it remains aligned with:

  • The BSTB–iSQI Examination Agreement;
  • Applicable ISTQB® rules and regulations;
  • Certification scheme requirements;
  • Examination delivery requirements;
  • Data protection requirements; and
  • Changes in examination technology and delivery methods.

Any material change affecting the contractual relationship between BSTB and iSQI shall be subject to the applicable agreement and mutual approval where required.

25. Examination Process Summary

The standard BSTB examination process can be summarized as follows:

  1. Candidate/Training Provider
    Candidate selects the applicable BSTB professional certification examination.
  2. Registration
    Candidate information is submitted through the applicable registration process.
  3. iSQI Enrolment
    iSQI manages candidate enrolment and examination data.
  4. Scheduling
    iSQI schedules the examination and confirms the applicable delivery method.
  5. Examination
    Candidate takes the examination through the approved examination method.
  6. Invigilation & Security
    iSQI supervises the examination and maintains examination security.
  7. Evaluation
    iSQI processes and evaluates the examination.
  8. Result
    Candidate receives the examination result within the applicable timeframe.
  9. Certification
    Successful candidates receive their certificate from iSQI.
  10. Reporting
    iSQI provides standardized examination reports to BSTB on a quarterly basis.
  11. Monitoring
    BSTB monitors the overall examination service and maintains its relationship with iSQI as the officially appointed Examination Provider.

26. Official Examination Provider Statement

For all applicable BSTB professional certification examinations covered by the BSTB–iSQI agreement:

International Software Quality Institute GmbH (iSQI) is the officially appointed and authorized Examination Provider of the Bangladesh Software Testing Board (BSTB). iSQI is responsible for organizing, coordinating, administering, supervising, processing, and reporting the applicable certification examinations on behalf of BSTB in accordance with the applicable certification scheme requirements and relevant ISTQB® rules and regulations.

BSTB shall officially recognize and promote iSQI as its authorized examination provider in Bangladesh in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement.

27. Governing Documents

This procedure shall be read together with:

  1. The BSTB–iSQI Examination Agreement;
  2. Applicable ISTQB® rules and regulations;
  3. Applicable ISTQB® certification syllabi and examination guidelines;
  4. Applicable iSQI examination procedures and candidate instructions; and
  5. Other applicable BSTB certification policies and procedures.

Where a conflict exists between this procedure and the applicable contractual or certification-scheme requirements, the relevant contractual and certification-scheme requirements shall prevail.