What is the A4Q Practical Tester certification?

It's the ISTQB Addon Practical Tester, a certification by A4Q, the Alliance for Qualification, that adds a hands-on layer to the ISTQB scheme. It checks whether you can apply test methods to everyday testing tasks such as a test plan or a defect report.

What are the prerequisites for the ISTQB Addon Practical Tester?

There are no formal prerequisites. I recommend the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level first, since the content builds on it. If you're unsure whether your background is enough, ask me before you book.

How does the AI-supported Practical Tester exam work?

You take it online as a remote exam: 15 questions in 60 minutes, answered in your own words instead of by multiple choice. If the exam language isn't your native language, you get 25 percent more time, 75 minutes in total. An AI pre-assesses your answers, and a human examiner reviews the result and makes the final call.

What is included in the Practical Tester training?

Every format includes the workbook with bonus material, the AI training and learning app, and the exam fee. The formats differ in app access and support: the two-day intensive comes with 30 days of app access and an exam simulation, the six-week program with full app access, a weekly live session, and tasks between sessions. Prices on request.

Can the Practical Tester training take place in-house?

Yes. For teams, I run the training in-house, on-site or online. We agree on dates and focus together, and examples from your team's projects are welcome.

Many Know Test Methods. Few Can Apply Them.

You know what equivalence partitioning is, but in your project you still pick test cases by gut feeling? The ISTQB Addon Practical Tester training closes that gap: hands-on exercises, AI feedback in real time, and an exam that has you apply the methods. You won't sit through slide decks or memorize definitions.

Richard Seidl as trainer at the Practical Tester training workshop with small group, focused atmosphere

Your Benefits

What Makes the Practical Tester Training Stand Out

Core test techniques, plenty of practice, and an AI app that checks your answers.

Solid Knowledge

You learn the black-box techniques the scheme builds on: equivalence partitioning, boundary values, decision tables, and state transitions. For test management, you add prioritization and estimation.

More Doing Than Knowing

Knowing the definition is where you start. Then you apply each method to practical examples, step by step.

AI Support

You practice in an AI app that gives you immediate feedback on every exercise, during the training and afterwards.

From Knowing to Certification

Four steps from the method to the certificate.

Learn test methods: equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, decision tables
Practice with the A4Q AI app, real-time feedback on your answers
Deepen test management: prioritization, estimation, writing a test plan
Get certified: remote exam with 15 questions in 60 minutes

Training

Intensive Training with AI Feedback

In the training you apply every method as soon as you've learned it. The AI app gives you immediate feedback, and I bring cases from my projects. Examples from your own day-to-day work are welcome. I've been an ISTQB trainer since 2008. At the end, the Practical Tester certificate shows what you can do.

Online or in-house
Training language: English or German

Richard Seidl listening to a participant during the Practical Tester training

The Training

What's Included

The price covers the workbook with bonus material, access to the AI training and learning app, and the exam fee. The certification scheme comes from A4Q, the Alliance for Qualification. The link below takes you to the official Practical Tester site.

More about the certification

Participants working on laptops in a small group

What Participants Say

Feedback from participants in my trainings

Martin K.

Training participant

"I have never experienced anyone who can bring so much fun and motivation to a subject. Theory is always a dry subject, but thanks to Richie, I had a lot of fun in the seminar and was also able to pass the exam successfully. In addition, the seminar and the way it was conducted motivated me to delve even deeper into software testing."

Wilson Campero

Qytera Quality GmbH

"I've rarely met anyone who explains complex testing topics as clearly and thoroughly as Richard (Richie) Seidl. He doesn't just teach theory — Richie listens, asks the right questions, and tailors his content to make it immediately applicable to real-world challenges. His deep experience in the field shines through in every interaction, and his passion for software quality is contagious. If you're looking to improve your team's testing knowledge, skills, or culture, Richie is someone I wholeheartedly recommend."

Stefan A.

Training participant

"Very lively and genuinely funny. You can tell that Richie is passionate about the subject and brings a lot of real experience to the table."

Thomas L.

Training participant

"The sessions are lively and entertaining. Even dry topics come across as genuinely interesting. Every question gets a professional answer that actually makes sense."

Practical Tester: Formats at a Glance

Two learning paths to ISTQB Addon Practical Tester certification, plus e-learning in preparation.

2-Day Intensive

Quick start into Practical Tester

On Request

2 days live (online or on-site)
Exam fee included
Workbook + bonus material
30-day access to AI training and learning app
Exam simulation

Recommended

6-Week Program

Deep dive alongside your job

On Request

6 weeks, weekly live session (~2h)
Exam fee included
Workbook + bonus material
Full access to AI training and learning app
Tasks and discussion between sessions

Coming soon

E-Learning

Coming soon

Self-paced at your own speed
Exam fee included
Interactive learning units
Exam simulation
Lifetime access

Frequently Asked Questions About the Practical Tester

Prerequisites, exam, what's included, and in-house options, briefly answered.

Richard Seidl with coffee, talking about Practical Tester training

Which Format Fits You?

Two intensive days or six weeks alongside your job, and in-house for your team. Tell me what you need. The first call is free.

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In my podcast I talk with guests from the field about test methods, AI in testing, and the future of software quality. 300+ episodes, 210,000+ downloads.

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