From Curious to Certified: Monty’s Journey with Katalon

Certifications can sometimes feel like just another thing to tick off the list. But for Monty Bagati, it was something more. It was about growth, confidence, and proving to himself that he could do it.

In this story, Monty shares his journey through the Katalon Certification Program from how he prepared, what he learned, and what the experience meant to him, both professionally and personally.

As a community, we believe learning should be accessible, practical, and grounded in real experience. That’s why our certification is free, self-paced, and full of hands-on practice. But the real value comes from stories like Monty’s where the learning becomes part of someone’s growth.

If you’ve been thinking about giving it a try, maybe this story is the gentle push you’ve been waiting for.

Let’s discover Monty’s story through our recent catch up:

Why I Got Certified with Katalon and Why You Might Want To, Too

In the fast-moving world of software testing, staying sharp isn’t just a nice-to-have more often than not, it’s a must. Certifications can open doors, boost your confidence, and help you grow into the kind of tester you want to be.

When I first came across Katalon’s certification program, something stood out right away: it was free. No price tag, no pressure, just a clear, supportive path to level up my skills. But what I found went beyond cost. It was hands-on, practical, and surprisingly useful. It made me feel capable.

In this post, I’ll walk you through my experience what helped me prepare, how the program works, and why I think it’s one of the best moves you can make if you're serious about growing in test automation.

Why This Certification Stood Out to Me

Katalon’s certification is accessible for everyone. No hidden fees, no complicated sign-ups just an open invitation to learn. That meant a lot to me. It made me feel like this program wasn’t just for people with big budgets or company backing. It is for QA professionals like me, who just wanted to grow.

And it’s not just the cost that sets it apart. The certification is tied to real, practical tools like Katalon Studio, TestCloud and the Katalon Runtime Engine so everything I was learning felt immediately useful. I wasn’t just reading documentation or watching videos; I was doing the work, step by step, and gaining confidence along the way.

What the Certification Process Was Really Like

What I really liked was that the process didn’t feel overwhelming. It was self-paced, so I could go through it whenever I had time after work, during a quiet weekend, bit by bit.

Katalon gives you a few paths to choose from like Web, API, Mobile, or Desktop testing so you can focus on the area that fits your work or interests best. I stuck with what I was most familiar with, which made it feel manageable.

Most of the learning happens through short lessons and hands-on tasks. There are quizzes too, but they’re not too stressful. What helped me most was the practical part actually using Katalon to complete small tasks. It’s one thing to read about features, but using them step-by-step made everything much clearer.

How It Changed Things for Me

It’s not like the day after getting certified everything changed but over time, I noticed I was more comfortable explaining things, both in conversations and in my work. In fact, I was able to host several meetups to share this experience.

I felt more sure of myself. Not because the certification made me an expert overnight, but because I knew I had taken the time to really learn. That confidence started showing up in small ways when picking tools, troubleshooting, or helping teammates.

And yes, it’s good for your résumé, but the real win for me was feeling more confident in what I do.

What Makes It Special

There are a lot of certification programs out there. But here’s what makes Katalon’s different for me, at least it’s free, and that’s a big deal, it’s practical, not just theoretical, and it’s supported by a real community that’s willing to help if you get stuck.

Final Thoughts

I started this journey hoping to sharpen my skills. I ended it with more than that a stronger sense of direction, and a reminder that learning doesn’t have to be expensive or intimidating.

If you’re considering it, I’d say: go for it. Whether you're new to testing or years into your career, there’s something valuable in the process. And who knows? Maybe it’ll open the next door for you, just like it did for me.