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Practical QA course

Manual Software Testing: Foundations

A foundational course for aspiring and practicing QA engineers. Learn test-design techniques, positive and negative scenarios, test documentation, clear bug reports, and collaborative testing through practical assignments.

21 learning sessionsFull course · free

Course overview

What you will work on

A foundational course for aspiring and practicing QA engineers. Learn test-design techniques, positive and negative scenarios, test documentation, clear bug reports, and collaborative testing through practical assignments.

Course curriculum

Explore the full learning path.

Explore lesson and topic titles here. Register and sign in to read the materials and take the knowledge checks for free.

Lesson 1The QA Engineering Profession and the History of Testing

Learning materials

  • ArticleThe QA Engineering Profession
  • ArticleThe History of Software Testing
  • ArticleFamous Software Defects in History
  • ArticleRecap: The QA Profession and Testing History
  • Knowledge checkQuiz: The QA Profession and Testing History
Lesson 2Introduction to Software Testing

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to Software Testing
  • ArticleGrowing as a QA Engineer
  • ArticleQuality Assurance and Quality Control
  • ArticleRecap: Introduction to Testing
  • Knowledge checkQuiz: Introduction to Testing
Lesson 3Test Documentation

Learning materials

  • ArticleTest Documentation Overview
  • ArticleTypes of Test Documentation
  • ArticleRecap: Test Documentation
  • Knowledge checkQuiz: Test Documentation
Lesson 4Types of Testing

Learning materials

  • ArticleOverview of Testing Types
  • ArticleClassification of Testing Types
  • ArticleRecap: Types of Testing
  • Knowledge checkQuiz: Types of Testing
Lesson 5Practice: Test Plans and Checklists

Learning materials

  • ArticlePreparing for the Practical Assignment
  • ArticlePractice: Test Plans and Checklists
  • ArticleRecap: Test Plans and Checklists
  • Knowledge checkQuiz: Test Plans and Checklists
Lesson 6Test Design

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to Test Design
  • ArticleTest Design Fundamentals
  • ArticleRecap: Test Design
  • Knowledge checkQuiz: Test Design
Lesson 7Practice: Test Cases

Learning materials

  • ArticlePreparing to Work with Test Cases
  • ArticleTest Cases
  • ArticleTest Case Practice Notes
  • ArticleRecap: Test Cases
  • Knowledge checkQuiz: Test Cases
Lesson 8Practice: Bug Reports

Learning materials

  • ArticlePreparing to Work with Bug Reports
  • ArticleDefects and Bug Reports
  • ArticleBug Report Practice Notes
  • ArticleRecap: Bug Reports
  • Knowledge checkQuiz: Bug Reports
Lesson 9Manual Testing of Web, Desktop, and Mobile Applications

Learning materials

  • ArticleManual Testing in Practice
  • ArticleDesktop Application Testing
  • ArticleWeb Application Testing
  • ArticleMobile Application Testing
  • ArticlePractical assignment: web, desktop, and mobile applications
  • Knowledge checkPractice: web, desktop, and mobile applications
Lesson 10The Web and Client–Server Architecture

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to Web Architecture
  • ArticleClient–Server Architecture
  • ArticleClient–Server Technologies
  • ArticleNetwork Protocols
  • ArticleHTTP Status Codes
  • ArticleRecap: The Web and Client–Server Architecture
  • ArticlePractical assignment: client, server, and HTTP
  • Knowledge checkPractice: client, server, and HTTP
Lesson 11Chrome DevTools Overview

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to Chrome DevTools
  • ArticleThe Elements Panel
  • ArticleThe Console Panel
  • ArticleThe Sources Panel
  • ArticleThe Network Panel
  • ArticleThe Performance Panel
  • ArticleThe Memory and JavaScript Profiler Panels
  • ArticleThe Application Panel
  • ArticleThe Security Panel
  • ArticleLighthouse (Formerly Audits)
  • ArticlePractical assignment: investigating with DevTools
  • Knowledge checkPractice: investigating with DevTools
Lesson 12Web Application Testing Practice

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to Web Application Testing Practice
  • ArticlePractical Task 1
  • ArticlePractical Task 2
  • ArticlePractical Task 3
  • ArticlePractical assignment: testing a web application
  • Knowledge checkPractice: testing a web application
Lesson 13Issue and Bug Tracking Systems

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to Bug Tracking Systems
  • ArticleTypes of Bug Tracking Systems
  • ArticleJira
  • ArticlePractical assignment: issue and defect tracking
  • Knowledge checkPractice: issue and defect tracking
Lesson 14Common Software Defects

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to Common Software Defects
  • ArticleUser Interface Defects
  • ArticlePractical assignment: common defects and interfaces
  • Knowledge checkPractice: common defects and interfaces
Lesson 15Data Formats: JSON and XML

Learning materials

  • ArticleReading JSON: values, types, and nested data
  • ArticleChecking JSON against a contract
  • ArticleXML: trees, namespaces, and schema checks
  • Knowledge checkApplied quiz: JSON and XML
Lesson 16API Fundamentals

Learning materials

  • ArticleAPIs and HTTP: reading requests and responses
  • ArticleHTTP methods, state changes, and retries
  • ArticleStatuses, failures, and access rights
  • Knowledge checkApplied quiz: HTTP and access
Lesson 17API Testing with Postman: Practice

Learning materials

  • ArticleLesson Notes: API Testing with Postman
  • ArticlePractical assignment: API checks in Postman
  • Knowledge checkPractice: API checks in Postman
Lesson 18Web Services

Learning materials

  • ArticleWeb services: resources, operations, and contracts
  • ArticleFrom a contract to a reproducible test collection
  • Knowledge checkApplied quiz: contracts and integrations
Lesson 19Web Service Testing Practice

Learning materials

  • ArticleLesson Notes: Web Service Testing
  • ArticlePractical assignment: web-service boundaries
  • Knowledge checkPractice: web-service boundaries
Lesson 20Common Application Test Checks

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to Common Test Checks
  • ArticleLesson Notes: Common Test Checks
  • ArticlePractical assignment: selecting application checks
  • Knowledge checkPractice: selecting application checks
Lesson 21SQL Fundamentals for QA Engineers

Learning materials

  • ArticleIntroduction to SQL
  • ArticleSimple and Advanced SELECT Queries
  • ArticleTable Joins
  • ArticleSubqueries
  • ArticleViews
  • ArticleProcedures and Functions
  • ArticlePractical assignment: SQL for QA
  • Knowledge checkPractice: SQL for QA