To achieve the professional designation of ISTQB Certified Tester - Foundation Level from the ISTQB, candidates must clear the CTFL Exam with the minimum cut-off score. For those who wish to pass the ISTQB Tester Foundation certification exam with good percentage, please take a look at the following reference document detailing what should be included in ISTQB Foundation Level Exam preparation.
The ISTQB CTFL Exam Summary, Body of Knowledge (BOK), Sample Question Bank and Practice Exam provide the basis for the real ISTQB Certified Tester - Foundation Level (CTFL) exam. We have designed these resources to help you get ready to take ISTQB Certified Tester - Foundation Level (CTFL) exam. If you have made the decision to become a certified professional, we suggest you take authorized training and prepare with our online premium ISTQB Tester Foundation Practice Exam to achieve the best result.
ISTQB CTFL Exam Summary:
| Exam Name | ISTQB Certified Tester - Foundation Level |
| Exam Code | CTFL |
| Exam Fee | USD $230 |
| Exam Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Number of Questions | 40 |
| Passing Score | 26/40 |
| Format | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Books / Trainings | Trainings |
| Schedule Exam | Pearson VUE |
| Sample Questions | ISTQB Foundation Level Exam Sample Questions and Answers |
| Practice Exam | ISTQB Certified Tester - Foundation Level (CTFL) Practice Test |
ISTQB Tester Foundation Syllabus Topics:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
Fundamentals of Testing - 180 minutes |
|
| What is Testing? |
- Identify typical test objectives - Differentiate testing from debugging |
| Why is Testing Necessary? |
- Exemplify why testing is necessary - Recall the relation between testing and quality assurance - Distinguish between root cause, error, defect, and failure |
| Testing Principles | - Explain the seven testing principles |
| Test Activities, Testware and Test Roles |
- Summarize the different test activities and tasks - Explain the impact of context on the test process - Differentiate the testware that supports the test activities - Explain the value of maintaining traceability - Compare the different roles in testing |
| Essential Skills and Good Practices in Testing |
- Give examples of the generic skills required for testing - Recall the advantages of the whole team approach - Distinguish the benefits and drawbacks of independence of testing |
Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle - 130 minutes |
|
| Testing in the Context of a Software Development Lifecycle |
- Explain the impact of the chosen software development lifecycle on testing - Recall good testing practices that apply to all software development lifecycles - Recall the examples of test-first approaches to development - Summarize how DevOps might have an impact on testing - Explain the shift-left approach - Explain how retrospectives can be used as a mechanism for process improvement |
| Test Levels and Test Types |
- Distinguish the different test levels - Distinguish the different test types - Distinguish confirmation testing from regression testing |
| Maintenance Testing | - Summarize maintenance testing and its triggers |
Static Testing - 80 minutes |
|
| Static Testing Basics |
- Recognize types of products that can be examined by the different static test techniques - Explain the value of static testing - Compare and contrast static and dynamic testing |
| Feedback and Review Process |
- Identify the benefits of early and frequent stakeholder feedback - Summarize the activities of the review process - Recall which responsibilities are assigned to the principal roles when performing reviews - Compare and contrast the different review types - Recall the factors that contribute to a successful review |
Test Analysis and Design - 390 minutes |
|
| Test Techniques Overview | - Distinguish black-box, white-box and experience-based test techniques |
| Black-box Test Techniques |
- Use equivalence partitioning to derive test cases - Use boundary value analysis to derive test cases - Use decision table testing to derive test cases - Use state transition testing to derive test cases |
| White-box Test Techniques |
- Explain statement testing - Explain branch testing - Explain the value of white-box testing |
| Experience-based Test Techniques |
- Explain error guessing - Explain exploratory testing - Explain checklist-based testing |
| Collaboration-based Test Approaches |
- Explain how to write user stories in collaboration with developers and business representatives - Classify the different options for writing acceptance criteria - Use acceptance test-driven development (ATDD) to derive test cases |
Managing the Test Activities - 335 minutes |
|
| Test Planning |
- Exemplify the purpose and content of a test plan - Recognize how a tester adds value to iteration and release planning - Compare and contrast entry criteria and exit criteria - Use estimation techniques to calculate the required test effort - Apply test case prioritization - Recall the concepts of the test pyramid - Summarize the testing quadrants and their relationships with test levels and test types |
| Risk Management |
- Identify risk level by using risk likelihood and risk impact - Distinguish between project risks and product risks - Explain how product risk analysis may influence thoroughness and scope of testing - Explain what measures can be taken in response to analyzed product risks |
| Test Monitoring, Test Control and Test Completion |
- Recall metrics used for testing - Summarize the purposes, content, and audiences for test reports - Exemplify how to communicate the status of testing |
| Configuration Management | - Summarize how configuration management supports testing |
| Defect Management | - Prepare a defect report |
Test Tools - 20 minutes |
|
| Tool Support for Testing | - Explain how different types of test tools support testing |
| Benefits and Risks of Test Automation | - Recall the benefits and risks of test automation |
Both ISTQB and veterans who’ve earned multiple certifications maintain that the best preparation for a ISTQB CTFL professional certification exam is practical experience, hands-on training and practice exam. This is the most effective way to gain in-depth understanding of ISTQB Foundation Level concepts. When you understand techniques, it helps you retain ISTQB Tester Foundation knowledge and recall that when needed.