Find your path through
software quality engineering
Two parallel tracks. One library. Unlimited specialisations. Here’s how it all connects — and where you fit in.
Pick your starting point
No quiz needed — just choose the description that matches where you are right now.
You’ve never held a QA role. You might come from dev, BA, support, or another field entirely. Start here — no jargon required.
Start at Grad →You’ve tested real software before, but want to go deeper. Self-assess: can you spot boundary-value bugs, write a test plan, or articulate risk? Pick your level.
You’re comfortable with code (or learning it), and you want to build test frameworks, CI pipelines, and QE infrastructure. Jump into the automation track.
Start automation track →The two tracks — visualised
Every level builds on the previous one. The bridge lets Senior QAs cross into the automation track without starting from scratch.
Grad
Level 1Build the tester’s eye. Spot obvious defects: broken links, typos, wrong labels, missing fields. Learn the habit of looking before you learn the theory.
Explore Grad levelJunior
Level 2Form validation, boundary values, equivalence partitioning, required-field gaps. Apply structured techniques to catch the bugs devs always miss.
Explore Junior levelSenior
Level 3Accessibility (WCAG 2.2), responsive breakage, browser quirks, state bugs, and deep exploratory charter design. Lead a test effort, not just execute one.
Explore Senior levelTest Lead
Level 4Security basics, race conditions, data integrity, information disclosure, and cross-team risk ownership. Where craft meets responsibility.
Explore Test Lead levelTest Manager
Level 5Governance, policy, budgets, KPIs, and strategic quality risk across the whole organisation. Think in quarters, not sprints.
Explore Test Manager levelJunior SDET
Level 1Write your first reliable test. Master robust locator strategies, basic assertions, and the mindset shift from manual to automated verification.
Explore Junior SDETMid-Level SDET
Level 2Page Object Models, API testing fundamentals, CI pipeline integration, and systematic debugging of flaky tests. Automation that survives contact with real teams.
Explore Mid-Level SDETSenior QE
Level 3Framework design, synthetic test data, advanced API chains, telemetry integration, and performance. Arrive here from Senior QA via the cross-track bridge.
Explore Senior QEAutomation Lead
Level 4ROI reporting, tool selection, team mentoring, and metrics dashboards. Build the culture that makes automation survive long after you’ve moved on.
Explore Automation LeadQA Architect
Level 5Infrastructure as code, chaos engineering, Agentic AI test meshes, and org-wide quality platforms. The top of the engineering track.
Explore QA ArchitectResources that run alongside both tracks
These aren’t prerequisites — dip in and out as each lesson makes you curious.
Technique Library
Every black-box, white-box, experience-based, and management technique. Each entry has a decision guide, NZ worked examples, and instant self-checks.
Browse librarySpecialised Tracks
BDD / Gherkin, Banking QA, bug reporting mastery, Playwright deep-dive, environment & release testing, A11y certification, shift-left/right strategies, and more.
Explore specialisationsAI Testing
Prompt engineering, hallucination detection, metamorphic testing for ML systems, neural network coverage, and full AI evaluation frameworks — with live prompt labs.
Start AI moduleHow long will this take?
These are real ranges for self-directed learners who do the exercises, not just read the pages. Your mileage will vary based on prior experience and how deep you go into the specialisations.
| Level | Track | Suggested pace | Time to level up | ISTQB alignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grad | Manual | 2–4 hrs / week | 4–8 weeks | CTFL foundation |
| Junior | Manual | 3–5 hrs / week | 6–12 weeks | CTFL + CTAL-TA prep |
| Senior | Manual | Ongoing | 3–6 months | CTAL-TA / CTAL-TM |
| Test Lead | Manual | Ongoing | 6–12 months | CTAL-TM |
| Test Manager | Manual | Leadership role | Role-dependent | CTAL-TM |
| Junior SDET | Automation | 3–5 hrs / week | 6–10 weeks | CT-TAS foundation |
| Mid-Level | Automation | 4–6 hrs / week | 3–6 months | CT-TAS |
| Senior QE | Automation | Ongoing | 6–12 months | CT-TAS + CT-AI |
“Level up” means you can complete all exercises at that level, including blind-mode bug hunts, without checking the answer key first.
NZ QA career progression
Both tracks start at the same entry point. The Manual & Leadership track moves toward people-management and programme delivery. The Quality Engineering track stays technical and moves toward architecture and strategy. NZ salary ranges are market estimates for permanent roles in Auckland/Wellington.
Salary ranges are NZ market estimates (permanent, Auckland/Wellington, 2026). Contracting rates are typically 20–40% higher. The two tracks are not mutually exclusive — many practitioners move between them. See the QA Career Toolkit for NZ-specific job search, CV, and contracting guidance.
ISTQB alignment
Aligned
The Resync Bootcamp curriculum follows the spirit of ISTQB syllabi without being an exam crammer. Grad and Junior levels cover the core concepts of the CTFL (Foundation Level) syllabus — terminology, test design techniques, and the test life cycle. Senior and Test Lead overlap significantly with the CTAL-TA (Advanced Test Analyst) and CTAL-TM (Advanced Test Manager) certifications. The Automation track aligns with CT-TAS (Test Automation Strategy) at mid to senior levels. The AI Testing module covers the scope of the CT-AI (Artificial Intelligence Testing) and CT-GenAI (Generative AI Testing) specialist certifications. None of this is a guarantee of exam results — the bootcamp is applied practice-first, not syllabus-memorisation. But if you can complete all the exercises at your level, you’re well-positioned for the corresponding certification exam.