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Practical Software Testing

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Practical Software Testing

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5

11 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5

11 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Apply black-box, white-box, and static testing methods to uncover defects and validate both functionality and code behavior in real projects.

  • Create test plans, manage test cases, and prepare structured documentation that supports effective execution and reporting.

  • Set up and manage testing environments to ensure controlled, repeatable, and reliable software test results.

  • Track bugs throughout their lifecycle and write defect reports that developers can easily reproduce and resolve.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Software Quality Assurance and Testing Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

Take the next step in your software quality assurance journey by learning how to design, manage, and execute tests that uncover defects and ensure reliable software delivery. This course builds on foundational concepts and provides practical, hands-on skills in manual testing techniques, test management, and effective bug reporting.

You will practice black-box, white-box, and static testing methods to validate both functionality and code behavior. The course also introduces structured test management practices, including writing test plans, managing test cases and data, and setting up controlled testing environments. With bug reporting essentials, you will learn how to track, prioritize, and communicate defects clearly so developers can act quickly and accurately. Through real-world examples, guided exercises, and detailed assessments, you will develop the ability to design efficient tests, document them professionally, and contribute effectively to a software testing team. This course equips you with skills aligned with industry practices and prepares you to move toward advanced testing and automation topics in your learning journey. By the end of this course, you will be able to: -Apply manual test design techniques including black-box, white-box, and static reviews. -Create professional test documentation including test plans, cases, and data sets. -Organize and manage test environments to support consistent execution. -Track, report, and communicate software defects effectively to stakeholders. Disclaimer: This is an independent educational resource created by Board Infinity for informational and educational purposes only. This course is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or officially associated with any company, organization, or certification body unless explicitly stated. The content provided is based on industry knowledge and best practices but does not constitute official training material for any specific employer or certification program. All company names, trademarks, service marks, and logos referenced are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for educational identification and comparison purposes.

This module introduces the foundational principles of manual test design, equipping learners with the knowledge and tools to craft structured, effective, and efficient test cases without automation. Through a combination of black‑box, white‑box, and static testing methods, students will learn to intentionally design tests that ensure comprehensive coverage, facilitate early defect detection, and maintain test clarity and reusability.

What's included

11 videos4 readings4 assignments2 discussion prompts1 plugin

11 videos•Total 66 minutes
  • Course Introduction•3 minutes
  • What is Black-Box Testing?•5 minutes
  • Equivalence Partitioning and Boundary Analysis•5 minutes
  • Test Scenarios Walkthrough•5 minutes
  • Control Flow and Path Testing•10 minutes
  • Coverage and Code Instrumentation•9 minutes
  • Real White-Box Examples•5 minutes
  • Challenges in White-Box•4 minutes
  • Static Testing Explained•6 minutes
  • Reviews, Walkthroughs, and Inspections•9 minutes
  • Checklists and Guidelines•4 minutes
4 readings•Total 55 minutes
  • Course Syllabus•10 minutes
  • Read More About: Understanding Black-Box Testing: Testing from the User’s Perspective•15 minutes
  • Read More About: Understanding White-Box Testing Testing Inside the Code•15 minutes
  • Read More About: Static Testing: Catching Mistakes Before the Code Runs•15 minutes
4 assignments•Total 105 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Manual Test Design Techniques•60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Black-Box Testing•15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: White-Box Testing•15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Static Testing and Reviews•15 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
  • Meet & Greet•10 minutes
  • Ever Caught a Bug Just by Thinking Differently?•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 5 minutes
  • Quick Course Check-In•5 minutes

This module empowers learners with essential skills to systematically organize, execute, and oversee manual testing efforts. Covering components like test planning, test case and data management, test environments, and progress tracking, students will discover how test management practices drive consistency, efficiency, and clarity in quality assurance workflows. Additionally, they'll learn how adopting test management strategies and tools fosters collaboration among teams and aligns testing efforts with project objectives.

What's included

10 videos3 readings4 assignments

10 videos•Total 54 minutes
  • What Goes into a Test Plan?•3 minutes
  • Test Planning Steps•4 minutes
  • Risk and Resource Considerations•8 minutes
  • Designing Test Cases•4 minutes
  • Tracking Test Status in Sheets•5 minutes
  • Test Data Management Tips•7 minutes
  • Data-Driven Testing Overview•8 minutes
  • What is a Test Environment?•6 minutes
  • Types of Testing Setups•4 minutes
  • Tips for Managing QA Environments•6 minutes
3 readings•Total 45 minutes
  • Read More About: Creating a Test Plan: Building the Testing Blueprint Before Execution•15 minutes
  • Read More About: Test Case & Data Management Organize, Track & Trust Your Tests•15 minutes
  • Read More About: Crafting the Testing Stage Environments That Mirror the Real World•15 minutes
4 assignments•Total 105 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Test Management Basics•60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Creating a Test Plan•15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Managing Test Cases and Data•15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Setting Up Testing Environments•15 minutes

This module introduces students to the critical process of bug reporting in software testing. Learning to document, communicate, and track software defects effectively allows for clearer collaboration between testers and developers. Well‑crafted bug reports improve software quality, accelerate fixes, and prevent miscommunication—all while building a valuable historical reference for future testing cycles. Learners will explore what defines an effective bug report, understand the key components, and master the use of tools and templates to report bugs with clarity and precision.

What's included

11 videos3 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt

11 videos•Total 62 minutes
  • Bug Lifecycle Overview•6 minutes
  • Statuses and Workflow•5 minutes
  • Real Bug Tracking Examples•5 minutes
  • Spreadsheet Bug Tracker Demo•12 minutes
  • Tagging and Prioritization•7 minutes
  • Exporting Reports•4 minutes
  • Key Elements of a Bug Report•5 minutes
  • Do's and Don'ts in Reporting•5 minutes
  • Reviewing Example Reports•7 minutes
  • Common Reporting Pitfalls•5 minutes
  • Closure Video!•2 minutes
3 readings•Total 45 minutes
  • Read More About: Navigating the Bug Lifecycle: Ensuring Every Defect Reaches Closure•15 minutes
  • Read More About: Command Your Bugs Tools to Track, Assign & Resolve Efficiently•15 minutes
  • Read More About: Writing Bug Reports That Work: Clarity, Context & Repro Steps•15 minutes
4 assignments•Total 105 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Bug Reporting Essentials •60 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Bug Lifecycle•15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Bug Tracking Tools•15 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Writing Effective Bug Reports•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • What Happens When Bugs Go Untracked?•10 minutes

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Instructor

Board Infinity
261 Courses•428,749 learners

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Frequently asked questions

You will learn how to design black-box, white-box, and static tests, create professional test documentation, manage test cases and environments, and report bugs clearly to stakeholders.

Basic coding awareness is helpful but not required. The course emphasizes manual test design and documentation, with white-box testing explained in an accessible way.

Course 1 introduces software quality concepts, while this course focuses on practical testing activities, documentation, and bug reporting. It takes you from theory into applied practice.

No, this course emphasizes manual testing techniques. Automation will be addressed in later, advanced courses.

The course is designed for 4 weeks of study at 3–4 hours per week, with 11.5 hours of total content including videos, readings, and quizzes.

Manual test design, test management, and defect reporting are applied across all industries that develop software, from finance and healthcare to e-commerce and gaming.

It prepares you for entry-level roles such as software tester or quality assurance analyst by equipping you with practical, industry-relevant skills.

Yes, the course guides you through creating structured test cases and test plans that support effective execution and communication.

You will use simple tools like spreadsheets for managing test cases and bug tracking. These skills transfer to more advanced tools used in professional settings.

Yes. You will explore the basics of configuring and managing environments to ensure consistent and reliable test results.

You will learn to document bugs professionally, including steps to reproduce, expected versus actual results, and severity levels to support developer action.

Yes, examples and exercises are drawn from real industry scenarios to illustrate common testing challenges and practices.

Yes. Developers will gain insight into testing practices, which improves collaboration with testers and enhances overall product quality.

Quizzes, assignments, and case-based exercises help you test your understanding and apply the concepts practically.

After finishing, you will be ready to move into more advanced topics such as test automation, performance testing, and specialized quality assurance practices.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,