All authorized providers issue the same ISTQB certificate that is valid globally. The differences that can change your decision are how you can take the exam (online vs test center), languages offered, and whether the provider bundles extra prep and career benefits around the same credential. In this article, we provide a simple way to compare AT*SQA versus other exam providers.
| Benefit | AT*SQA | Other authorized exam provider (general) |
|---|---|---|
| Official ISTQB certificate | Yes, official ISTQB certificate. | Yes, official ISTQB certificate. |
| Listed on the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register | Yes (opt-in), as part of normal exam processing. | Yes (opt-in), as part of normal exam processing. |
| Online exams from home | Yes, online proctored exams are available. | Often yes, many providers offer remote proctored exams. |
| Test centers around the world | Yes, supports testing centers globally (AT*SQA routes test-center delivery through a major global testing network). | Often yes, many providers use large global test-center networks. |
| Exam language options | Exam only available in English. | Multiple languages, depending on the specific ISTQB exam and availability. |
| Extra time for non-native exam language | Yes, ISTQB allows a 25% time extension when the exam language is not your first language. | Yes, ISTQB allows a 25% time extension when the exam language is not your first language. |
| Free micro-credential included with ISTQB purchase | Yes, each ISTQB exam purchase comes with a free micro-credential exam. | Not typical. Extras are often sold separately (prep tools, retake protection, or other add-ons). |
| Extra practice exams beyond the official ISTQB samples | Yes, AT*SQA and ASTQB publish additional free sample exams and practice resources beyond the official ISTQB samples. | Varies. Many providers rely on the official ISTQB sample exams and may sell an optional prep platform or bundle. |
| Has free, exclusive job board that ISTQB exam takers can access. | Yes, AT*SQA has AT*Work. | Not typical. |
Note: Availability varies by exam and country. This table reflects publicly stated features and common patterns across authorized providers.