To work as a video game tester, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have experience playing video games.

One of the best ways to prepare for this occupation is to play a lot of video games. Pay attention to the details of the game. Compare them to each other. What is good about one and not the other? You can also read game magazines to learn about individual games as well as the industry. Finally, play all types of games whether they are online, handheld, or use a console.

Education after high school

There are no formal education requirements beyond high school. However, a college degree will show employers that you are able to set goals for yourself and follow through. A college degree is especially helpful if you want to use your game testing job as a stepping stone for higher positions in the video game industry.

Video game testing is a fairly new occupation with few official training programs. A small number of colleges and universities offer gaming minors as part of a computer science program. Many training programs are also available online. Exercise caution when enrolling in online programs in this area. Because this is an emerging area of study, the industry does not yet have training requirements. As a result, the quality and depth of information provided by programs vary widely. You should investigate the schools you are interested in.

Work experience

You can gain experience as a tester by working as a beta tester. A beta tester is a volunteer who tests for free from their home.

On-the-job training

Game testers do not receive much formal training once they are hired. Most of your training would focus on the best way to track bugs and communicate with coworkers about your findings.