# AL (Advanced Level) Source: https://www.certible.com/ISTQB/certified-tester/AL-advanced-level/ # ISTQB® Certified Tester AL (Advanced Level) Today software projects demand that the role of the software tester and the role of a software developer are separated; job specialisation is therefore inevitable. The Advanced Level has four Syllabi within the Core part: - Test Management (CTAL-TM) - Test Analyst (CTAL-TA) - Technical Test Analyst (CTAL-TTA) - Test Automation Engineer (CTAL-TAE) The Advanced Level Modules are independent and based on the Foundation Level Certificate. Professional testers choose their module according to their professional field and the role they want a deeper understanding or want to work in the future. ### Prerequisites For each module, a partial examination can be taken. However, the minimum prerequisite for participation in the Advanced Level partial examination is the [Foundation Level Certificate](/ISTQB/certified-tester/fl-foundation-level/). At least 18 months of practical experience in the field of testing is recommended (except for the Test Automation Engineer module). ### Certificate Validity The Advanced Level certificate has a lifelong validity. ### Curriculum The contents of the Foundation and Advanced Level syllabus are defined in the Certified Tester Curriculum. The [ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level](/ISTQB/certified-tester/fl-foundation-level/) is a necessary prerequisite for the Advanced Level ISTQB certificates. ### ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level: Test Analyst The **CTAL-TA v4.0** exam consists of **45 questions** and lasts up to **120 minutes** (150 minutes in case of time extension, +25% for non-native speakers). The passing score is **51 out of 78 points (65%)**. ### ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level: Technical Test Analyst The CTAL-TTA (Advanced Level: **Technical Test Analyst**) examination format remains unchanged, consisting of **45 questions** and lasting up to **120 minutes** (or 150 with time extension) both with the new (2019) and old (2012) syllabus versions. ### ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level: Test Management The **CTAL-TM v3.0** examination consists of **50 questions**, which you have **120 minutes** to answer (150 minutes in case of time extension, +25% for non-native speakers). The passing score is **58 out of 88 points (66%)**. ### ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level: Test Automation Engineer The **CTAL-TAE** exam consists of **40 questions** and lasts up to **90 minutes** (113 minutes in case of time extension). ## Exam Preparation [](https://www.rockynook.com/shop/computing/advanced-software-testing-vol-3-2nd-edition/) [](https://www.rockynook.com/shop/computing/advanced-software-testingvol-2-2nd-edition/) [](https://rockynook.com/shop/computing/advanced-software-testingvol-1-2nd-edition/) If you are a holder of a CT Foundation Level certificate you are eligible to continue on to the Advanced Level certifications, of which there are currently four in the core part. For each of them the ISTQB provides a comprehensive syllabus, which is available free to download: - [Download Syllabus: CTAL Test Management (CTAL-TM) ⤴](https://www.istqb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ISTQB_CTAL-TM_Syllabus_v3.0_zKjKsaN.pdf) - [Download Syllabus: CTAL Test Analyst (CTAL-TA) ⤴](https://www.istqb.org/wp-content/uploads/sdm-uploads/ISTQB-CTAL-TA-Syllabus-v4.0-EN-4.pdf) - [Download Syllabus: CTAL Technical Test Analyst (CTAL-TTA) ⤴](https://www.istqb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ISTQB-CTAL-TTA_Syllabus_v4.0.pdf) - [Download Syllabus: CTAL Test Automation Engineer (CTAL-TAE) ⤴](https://www.istqb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ISTQB_CTAL-TAE_Syllabus_v2.0.pdf) Additionally, the ISTQB enables you to advance your preparation for Advanced Level certification with sets of sample questions for each of the four core Advanced Levels: - [Sample questions CTAL Test Management ⤴](https://www.istqb.org/wp-content/uploads/sdm-uploads/ISTQB_CTAL-TM_Sample-Exam-Questions_SETA_v1.3.2.pdf) - [Sample questions CTAL Test Analyst ⤴](https://www.istqb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ISTQB-CTAL-TA-v3.1_Sample-Exam-A-Questions_v2.6.pdf) - [Sample questions CTAL Technical Test Analyst ⤴](https://www.istqb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ISTQB_CTAL-TTA_Sample-Exam-Questions_v4.2.pdf) - [Sample questions CTAL Test Automation Engineer ⤴](https://www.istqb.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ISTQB_CTAL-TAE_Sample_Exam_Questions_v2.2.pdf) Also candidates preparing for [CT Advanced Level](/ISTQB/certified-tester/AL-advanced-level/) certification have a selection of in-depth learning guides at hand that are aligned with the corresponding ISTQB syllabus. Each of the following books also includes sample questions at the appropriate level of difficulty to help you advance your self-study as efficiently as possible. For the CTAL Test Management we recommend [Advanced Software Testing Vol. 2, 2nd Edition, Guide to the ISTQB Advanced Certification as an Advanced Test Manager ⤴](https://www.rockynook.com/shop/computing/advanced-software-testingvol-2-2nd-edition/) by Rex Black. For the CTAL Test Analyst we recommend [Advanced Software Testing Vol. 1, 2nd Edition, Guide to the ISTQB Advanced Certification as an Advanced Test Analyst ⤴](https://rockynook.com/shop/computing/advanced-software-testingvol-1-2nd-edition/) by Rex Black. For the CTAL Technical Test Analyst we recommend reading into [Advanced Software Testing Vol. 3, 2nd Edition, Guide to the ISTQB Advanced Certification as an Advanced Technical Test Analyst ⤴](https://www.rockynook.com/shop/computing/advanced-software-testing-vol-3-2nd-edition/) by Rex Black and Jamie L Mitchell. ## Certificates -->--> --> ‣[AL (Advanced Level)](/ISTQB/certified-tester/AL-advanced-level/) --> [Test Automation Engineer](/ISTQB/certified-tester/AL-advanced-level/TAE-test-automation-engineer/) [Technical Test Analyst](/ISTQB/certified-tester/AL-advanced-level/technical-test-analyst/) [Test Analyst](/ISTQB/certified-tester/AL-advanced-level/test-analyst/) [Test Management](/ISTQB/certified-tester/AL-advanced-level/test-management/)