Software Testing · API Testing
Test the APIs That Connect Modern Applications
Learn how to test web APIs: understand HTTP and REST, design API tests, validate responses, status codes and schemas, and check authentication and error handling.
- HTTP and REST fundamentals
- API test design
- Validating responses and schemas
- Authentication and error handling
Course overview
About This Course
API Testing teaches you how to test the application programming interfaces (APIs) that web and mobile applications use to exchange data.
Modern applications are built from services that talk to each other through APIs. Testing at the API level finds problems earlier, runs faster than testing through the user interface, and checks behaviour the interface may never show.
You will learn how HTTP and REST APIs work, how to design API test cases, how to send requests and validate responses with API testing tools, and how to test authentication, error handling and data validation.
API Testing follows Testing Fundamentals in our Software Testing learning paths and leads into Test Automation, where you will automate API tests.
Who it is for
Who Should Take This Course?
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Manual testers
You test through the user interface and want to test services directly.
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Learners with testing fundamentals
You understand testing basics and want a more technical next step.
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Developers
You build APIs and want to test them more thoroughly.
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Support and integration specialists
You investigate issues between systems and want to work with APIs confidently.
Learning outcomes
What You Will Learn
By working through the course, you will build towards being able to:
Explain HTTP methods, status codes, headers and the principles of REST.
Read API documentation and specifications such as OpenAPI.
Design API test cases for positive, negative and edge-case scenarios.
Send requests and inspect responses with an API testing tool.
Validate response bodies, status codes and schemas.
Test authentication, authorisation and error handling.
Organise API tests into collections that can be reused and shared.
Curriculum
Course Curriculum
The course is organised into modules. Session order and depth may vary by training arrangement.
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Module 1: How APIs work
The foundations you need before testing an API.
Topics covered include
Practical activity: Explore a public sample API and describe what each endpoint does.
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Module 2: Reading API documentation
Understand what an API should do before you test it.
Topics covered include
Practical activity: Derive test conditions from a sample API specification.
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Module 3: Designing API tests
Apply test design techniques to APIs.
Topics covered include
Practical activity: Design a test suite for a sample product catalogue API.
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Module 4: Using API testing tools
Send requests, inspect responses and save your work.
Topics covered include
Practical activity: Build a reusable collection of requests for the sample API.
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Module 5: Validating responses
Check that the API returns exactly what it should.
Topics covered include
Practical activity: Add assertions and schema checks to your collection.
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Module 6: Authentication and error handling
Test how APIs handle identity and failure.
Topics covered include
Practical activity: Test authentication and error responses on the sample API.
Practical learning
Hands-On Learning
Practical work tests sample APIs designed for practice. Examples of activities include:
Testing exercises use sample and practice APIs that you are permitted to test. Ask us which tools are used in your training arrangement.
- Exploring and documenting sample APIs
- Designing API test suites
- Building request collections with assertions
- Testing authentication and error responses
Before you start
Prerequisites and Learning Requirements
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Recommended background
An understanding of testing fundamentals is recommended. Testing Fundamentals covers this.
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Technical prerequisites
Comfort with technical tools. Familiarity with JSON is helpful but is taught in the course.
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Software and tools
A computer with a reliable internet connection for live online sessions. A free API testing tool is used for practice; details will be confirmed when you enquire.
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Prior experience
Suitable after Testing Fundamentals or equivalent testing experience. No programming is required.
Learning Format
IT Champion Hub offers live, instructor-led online training and workshops. Formats, duration and schedules vary by course and are not the same for every program.
- Live online sessions led by an instructor
- Practical activities alongside explanations
- Upcoming batches and schedules shared on enquiry
Enquire to find out the formats and upcoming batches available for this course. Enquire about this course
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need programming skills?
No. You will write simple assertions in an API testing tool, and the course explains what you need. Test Automation goes further into coding.
Which tools are used?
The course uses a widely used API testing tool. Ask us which tool is used in your training arrangement.
Do I need to take Testing Fundamentals first?
It is recommended unless you already understand test design and defect reporting.
Are there practical exercises?
Yes. You will test sample APIs throughout the course and build a reusable test collection.
How can I enquire about upcoming training?
Select Enquire About This Course. The enquiry form will note that you are asking about API Testing, and we'll get back to you with upcoming batches and available schedules.
Ready to Explore This Learning Path?
Have questions about the curriculum, prerequisites, or training arrangements? Get in touch with IT Champion Hub to discuss your learning goals.