Best QA Certifications for IT Professionals Need Now & for the Future

The software testing industry is evolving faster than ever. With automation, AI, and Agile practices becoming the norm, freshers often face one big question:

“Which certification should I choose to get a job in QA?”

If you’re confused between ISTQB, Selenium, Scrum, or other certifications, you’re not alone.

The truth is:

Selecting the right certification can fast-track your career… but choosing the wrong one can waste months.

In this blog, we will help you understand a definitive QA roadmap for freshers, guiding you on how to select the right certification based on your career objectives.

 

Why Certifications Matter

The hiring landscape has changed.

Today, organizations are not just interested in degrees – they are interested in:

• Certified knowledge
• Hands-on skills
• Tool knowledge
• Job-ready candidates

Certifications help you:

• Stand out from other freshers
• Prove your knowledge
• Increase interview chances
• Boost your confidence

But let’s face reality:

• Certification is NOT the only thing that matters.

You need the right certification and hands-on experience.

 

A Career Paths for Freshers

Before selecting a certification, you need to know the 3 broad career paths in QA:

1. Manual Testing (Beginner-Friendly)

Best suited for:

• Freshers without coding knowledge
• Non-IT students
• Career changers

Key areas of focus:

• SDLC & STLC
• Test cases
• Bug reporting
• Functional testing

Recommended Certification: ISTQB Foundation Level

 

2. Automation Testing (High Demand)

Best suited for:

• Tech-savvy students
• Basic programming knowledge (Java/Python)

Key areas of focus:

• Selenium WebDriver
• Test frameworks
• API testing
• CI/CD basics

Recommended Certifications:

• Selenium Certification
• Automation-related courses

 

3. Agile & Scrum Testing (Process-Oriented)

Best suited for:

• Students interested in Agile processes
• Team collaboration roles

Key areas of focus:

• Scrum framework
• Sprint planning
• QA in Agile

Recommended Certifications:

• Scrum Master (PSM)
• Product Owner (PSPO)

Certification Roadmap for Freshers 

Here’s a simple roadmap you can follow:

Step 1: Start with Foundation

ISTQB Foundation Level

• Builds core testing knowledge
• Globally recognized
• Best entry point

Step 2: Add Practical Skills

Learn tools like:

• Selenium
• API Testing
• JMeter
• SQL

Step 3: Choose Specialization

Depending on your goal:

• Automation → Selenium + Frameworks
• Agile → Scrum Certification
• Advanced QA → ISTQB Advanced

Step 4: Work on Live Projects

This is where most students fail 

Without real-time experience:

• Interviews become difficult
• Confidence drops

 

Which Certification Should YOU Choose?

Let’s simplify it :

• If You Are a Fresher (No Experience)
• Start with ISTQB Foundation
• If You Want High Salary Roles

Go for:

• Selenium
• Automation Testing

If You Prefer Process & Management

Choose:

• Scrum (PSM / PSPO)

If You Want Fast Job Placement

Combine:

• ISTQB + Practical Training + Live Projects

Common Mistakes Freshers Make

Avoid these mistakes while choosing certifications:

• Selecting advanced certification without basic knowledge
• Focusing only on theory
• Ignoring tools & framework
• Not practicing real-time scenarios
• No mock tests or interview preparation

These are the reasons why many certified students still don’t get jobs.

 

Pro Tip: What Companies ACTUALLY Want

Now companies don’t just ask:

“Do you have certification?”

They ask:

• Can you write test cases?
• Have you worked on real projects?
• Do you know Selenium / API testing?
• Can you explain real scenarios?

That’s why a complete training + certification approach works best.

 

Why Choose TestoMeter for QA Certification?

If you're serious about building a career in software testing, you need more than just theory.

At TestoMeter, you get:

• 100% Live Interactive Training
• Real-Time Projects
• Industry Tools (Selenium, API, JMeter, etc.)
• Certification Preparation (ISTQB, Scrum, Automation)
• Mock Interviews & Resume Building
• Placement Support

Trusted by 25,000+ students and 100+ companies

 

FAQs

 

1. Which certification is best for freshers in software testing?

Answer: The best certification for freshers is ISTQB Foundation Level, as it builds strong fundamentals and is globally recognized.

 

2. Is ISTQB enough to get a job?

Answer: No. ISTQB helps, but you also need practical skills, familiarity with tools, and experience in real-time projects.

 

3. Should I learn Selenium before certification?

Answer: It’s always better to learn the basics (ISTQB) first and then proceed to Selenium and automation tools.

 

4. Which certification offers the highest salary in QA?

Answer: Automation testing certifications (Selenium) often provide better salary opportunities.

 

5. Can non-IT students pursue QA certifications?

Answer: Yes. Manual testing and ISTQB certifications are beginner-friendly, even for non-IT students.

 

6. Do certifications guarantee a job?

Answer: No certification guarantees a job. You need a combination of:

• Certification
• Practical skills
• Interview preparation