The first thing to know about Software Testing is that practice testing is not universal. As the standards for assessing the quality of systems are revised, the terminology also changes. It may not happen very often, but it is better to be careful with materials published several years ago—you should give preference to relevant information. 

For this reason, a video course and accompanying book by Svyatoslav Kulikov, Senior Resource Development Manager at EPAM, can be called a basic manual for a junior specialist. His Software Testing Introduction video course is an excellent starting material due to its brevity and simplicity.

The second thing a future junior specialist need to remember is that some terms in your native language differ significantly from the English-language terminology. Therefore, in addition to mastering the basis of manual testing, a junior specialist must concurrently study English-language materials to easily switch between two “localizations” and have an idea of ​​international practices in testing. This is a very important requirement for the further growth of a junior specialist because, having got into a large international company, you will constantly communicate and solve working issues with colleagues from different parts of the world. 

The ISTQB glossary — a dictionary with definitions of the most common terms in testing, accepted as standard, will help you learn the required terminology. This is not the material you need to know by heart, but rather an additional resource to keep in the bookmarks. 

It is not necessary to learn everything: at EPAM University, the analytical thinking and your knowledge are assessed at the qualification stage of the training course. Therefore, as a junior specialist, you should only know the basic concepts and clearly express your view about them

Thus, having read at least one of the presented materials, you will already get a good idea of the profession. Next, you need to surround yourself with useful information to create a productive information field.

What knowledge will be an advantage at the qualification stage?  

In addition to the main resources already listed, the laboratory mentors made a list of topics for a junior specialist to know to pass a technical test during selection. These are:  

• SQL at a basic level  
• HTML/CSS  
• Agile Manifesto (original or the detailed analysis of its principles)  
• programming basics to the level of branches and cycles.

You can learn the basic concepts and logic of programming by playing this game from Google, which in the most accessible form demonstrates how the code works. You do not even have to look for materials on algorithms — the EPAM blog has a series of articles about the types of algorithms and the peculiarities of their application. 

A candidate who got through all the materials above will have enough knowledge to pass tests and confidently register for programs in Software Testing from EPAM. Remember that you do not need to know everything. The essential skill of a candidate is the desire to learn. You can dig into the profession under the guidance of trainers who will help you cope with any difficulties on the way to a Software Testing Engineer career at EPAM.