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ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE)

ISTQB Test Automation Engineering certification logo.

As software delivery becomes faster and more continuous, test automation has become an essential part of delivering high-quality software. The ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) certification equips experienced testing professionals with the knowledge and practical approaches needed to design, develop, implement and maintain effective test automation solutions.

Rather than focusing on a specific automation tool or programming language, CTAL-TAE teaches internationally recognised principles, architectures and best practices that can be applied across different technologies and development environments.

This advanced certification covers the complete lifecycle of test automation—from selecting the right automation strategy and designing scalable automation frameworks to integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines, analysing automation metrics and continuously improving automation solutions.

Whether you are building a new automation framework or improving an existing one, CTAL-TAE provides the knowledge required to create sustainable, maintainable and business-focused test automation.

ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE)
Introduction and Objectives for Test Automation
Purpose of Test Automation
Test Automation in the Software Development Lifecycle
Preparing for Test Automation
Understand the Configuration of an Infrastructure to Enable Test Automation
Evaluation Process for Selecting the Right Tools and Strategies
Test Automation Architecture
Design Concepts Leveraged in Test Automation
Implementing Test Automation
Test Automation Development
Risks Associated with Test Automation Development
Test Automation Solution Maintainability
Implementation and Deployment Strategies for Test Automation
Integration to CI/CD Pipelines
Test Automation Reporting and Metrics
Collection, Analysis and Reporting of Test Automation Data
Verifying the Test Automation Solution
Verification of the Test Automation Infrastructure
Continuous Improvement
Continuous Improvement Opportunities for Test Automation

Exam Structure

Candidates qualify for extra time if they are not writing the exam in their native language. Extra time needs to be applied for upon completing the exam registration form. 

No. of Questions: 40
Duration: 90 Min
Pass Mark: 65%
Extra Time (Non-Native Language): 22 Min
Lifetime Validity
Prerequisite: ISTQB Foundation (CTFL)

Exam Price

R  2 900

Why Get ISTQB CTAL-TAE Certified?

Organisations are increasingly investing in test automation to accelerate software delivery while maintaining quality. Professionals with advanced automation skills are therefore in high demand.

By earning the ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineering certification, you will be able to:

Design scalable and maintainable test automation solutions
Understand automation strategies throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Evaluate and select appropriate automation tools and technologies
Build automation frameworks using proven design principles
Integrate automated testing into CI/CD pipelines
Improve the maintainability and reliability of automated test suites
Analyse automation results and communicate meaningful metrics to stakeholders
Support continuous improvement of automation practices
Demonstrate internationally recognised expertise in test automation engineering

The certification is vendor-neutral, meaning the concepts can be applied regardless of the automation tools or technologies used within your organisation.

Who is the ISTQB CTAL-TAE Certification for?

The ISTQB CTAL-TAE certification is designed for professionals responsible for designing, developing or improving automated testing solutions.

This certification is ideal for:

Test Automation Engineers
Software Test Engineers
Test Analysts
Senior Testers
Automation Framework Developers
Software Developers involved in testing
Test Consultants
Test Architects
Test Managers
QA Leads
DevOps Engineers involved in automated testing
Quality Engineering professionals

It is valuable for anyone who want a deeper understanding of modern test automation practices and strategies.

Download Documents

Download the documents below for more information about the syllabus, exam structure, and sample exam questions for the ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) certification.

Please note that these documents are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered official study material. For effective exam preparation, SASTQB recommends using accredited training course material and attending an accredited training course.

ISTQB Test Automation Engineering certification logo.

FAQ’s About ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE)

Q: Do I need programming experience for CTAL-TAE?

No, but a basic understanding of programming concepts is highly beneficial. While the syllabus does not teach programming languages, candidates should be comfortable understanding automation code, frameworks and software engineering concepts.

Q: Is this certification tool-specific?

No. The ISTQB CTAL-TAE is completely vendor-neutral. It teaches the principles and best practices behind successful test automation rather than focusing on a particular automation tool.

Q: Is the ISTQB CTAL-TAE certification recognised internationally?

Yes. ISTQB certifications are recognised globally and are valued by employers across industries.

Q: Can I study on my own?

Absolutely. Candidates may prepare through self-study using the official ISTQB syllabus and recommended reading material. However, SASTQB strongly recommends attending training through an ISTQB Accredited Training Provider to ensure you are learning from accredited, syllabus-aligned material.

Q: What certification do I need before writing the ISTQB CTAL-TAE exam?

You must hold a valid ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certification (v4.0 or an earlier version).

Q: What certification should I take after ISTQB CTAL-TAE?

After completing the ISTQB CTAL-TAE, you can continue your ISTQB certification journey with additional Advanced Level, Specialist or Agile certifications, depending on your career goals.