Learn the best ways to get started in quality assurance (QA) and enhance your software testing skills, such as learning the basics, practicing your skills, getting certified, following the trends, seeking feedback, and networking with others.

Quality Assurance is more about thought process than anything else. You need to create a mindset where you can use any System and identify where it can break. Understand which are the edge cases, boundary values, negative statements from the features requirements. Black box testing is not actually looking for bugs blindly. It’s understanding the material, volume, length, density of the box and identify where it could have a hollow spot. After that it’s always better to practice getting into a users mindset to ensure key functionalities are working.

You want to improve your software testing skills. What are the best ways to get started in Quality Assurance?

If you are interested in pursuing a career in software testing, you might wonder how to improve your skills and knowledge in this field. Quality assurance (QA) is the process of ensuring that software meets the requirements and expectations of the users and stakeholders. QA involves various types of testing, such as functional, usability, performance, security, and automation. In this article, we will discuss some of the best ways to get started in QA and enhance your software testing skills.

1 Learn the basics

Before you dive into the practical aspects of software testing, you need to understand the fundamental concepts and principles of QA. You should familiarize yourself with the software development life cycle (SDLC), the testing levels and types, the testing techniques and methodologies, and the common tools and frameworks used in QA. You can learn the basics from online courses, books, blogs, podcasts, or webinars. You can also join online communities and forums where you can ask questions, share insights, and network with other testers.

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Alif Ahmad

SDET at Populate | Ex Sr. SQA Engineer at Enosis Solutions | Specialize in Test Automation, ETL, Database Testing and Manual Testing | Passionate about Breaking Things and Ensuring Product Excellence
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Quality Assurance is more about thought process than anything else. You need to create a mindset where you can use any System and identify where it can break. Understand which are the edge cases, boundary values, negative statements from the features requirements. Black box testing is not actually looking for bugs blindly. It’s understanding the material, volume, length, density of the box and identify where it could have a hollow spot. After that it’s always better to practice getting into a users mindset to ensure key functionalities are working.

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2 Practice your skills

The best way to improve your software testing skills is to practice them on real or simulated projects. You can look for opportunities to test software products or applications that you use or are interested in. You can also participate in bug bounty programs, hackathons, or open source projects where you can contribute to testing and learn from feedback. You can also create your own test scenarios, cases, and scripts using different tools and languages. You can use platforms like Codecademy, Udemy, or Test Automation University to learn and practice coding and automation skills.

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Alen Dzaferspahic

Senior Software QA Engineer & Lead QA Engineer @ Rolla
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To upskill, especially in automation QA, here's an example: make your own solutions using the tools/stack you like. While you work on solving problems by yourself, ask for advice from the online community (or use AI chat tools). There are lots of examples of online websites and apps to practice automating APIs and UI. It's even better if you can find someone experienced to review your work and give you feedback on how to improve, especially in areas where you're not as good yet.

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3 Get certified

Another way to boost your software testing skills and credibility is to get certified by a recognized organization or institution. There are various certifications available for different levels and domains of software testing, such as ISTQB, CSTE, CTFL, or CSQA. Getting certified can help you demonstrate your knowledge and competence in QA, as well as enhance your resume and career prospects. However, you should also remember that certifications are not a substitute for experience and practical skills, so you should always keep learning and updating your knowledge.

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4 Follow the trends

Software testing is a dynamic and evolving field that requires you to keep up with the latest trends and innovations. You should follow the industry news, blogs, podcasts, webinars, and social media accounts of influential testers and experts. You should also be aware of the emerging technologies, tools, frameworks, and practices that are shaping the future of QA, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, DevOps, agile, and continuous testing. You should also experiment with new tools and techniques and see how they can improve your testing efficiency and effectiveness.

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5 Seek feedback

One of the most important ways to improve your software testing skills is to seek feedback from your peers, mentors, managers, or clients. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as areas where you need to improve or learn more. You should be open to constructive criticism and suggestions, and use them as opportunities to grow and improve. You should also ask for feedback regularly and proactively, not just when you finish a project or encounter a problem.

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6 Network with others

Finally, you can improve your software testing skills by networking with other testers and professionals in the QA field. You can join online or offline communities, groups, or events where you can meet, interact, and learn from others who share your passion and interest in software testing. You can also participate in discussions, debates, or challenges where you can exchange ideas, opinions, and experiences. Networking can help you expand your knowledge, perspectives, and contacts, as well as find mentors, friends, or opportunities in the QA field.

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Bruno Simoes Borges de Oliveira

QA Specialist na TOTVS | CTFL | TestComplete | Automation
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O networking é uma ferramenta muito sólida para trocar experiências,entender as tendências e desafios da carreira e reforçar as melhores práticas do mercado. Compartilhar conhecimento é a chave para uma comunidade de testes forte e cada vez maior.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You want to improve your software testing skills. What are the best ways to get started in Quality Assurance?

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2

3

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5

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1 Learn the basics

2 Practice your skills

3 Get certified

4 Follow the trends

5 Seek feedback

6 Network with others

7 Here’s what else to consider

Quality Assurance

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You want to improve your software testing skills. What are the best ways to get started in Quality Assurance?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Learn the basics

2 Practice your skills

3 Get certified

4 Follow the trends

5 Seek feedback

6 Network with others

7 Here’s what else to consider

Quality Assurance

Rate this article

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