ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL), currently in syllabus version 4.0, is the entry-level certification of the ISTQB Certified Tester scheme and the foundation for further ISTQB certifications. Certible is a licensed ISTQB exam provider: you can take the CTFL exam with us as a remote-proctored online exam or on-site at training providers and companies.

The Foundation Level syllabus covers the knowledge expected of every software tester and quality assurance professional: the core testing activities within the software development lifecycle, a methodical approach to test analysis and design, and how testing is managed.

Prior experience in software testing is helpful for the CTFL certification but not required. The certification addresses people who are new to software testing as well as experienced testers, developers, business analysts, product owners and project managers who want to demonstrate their testing knowledge and build a shared understanding of testing terminology.

Syllabus content (CTFL v4.0)

The current exam is based on the ISTQB Foundation Level Syllabus v4.0. Its six chapters are:

• Fundamentals of Testing
• Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle
• Static Testing
• Test Analysis and Design
• Managing the Test Activities
• Test Tools

The syllabus, the exam structure and rules and sample exams are published free of charge by the ISTQB (see Exam Preparation below).

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for the Certified Tester Foundation Level certification. No training course, degree or work experience is required. You can prepare with an accredited training course or by self-study.

The CTFL certificate is the prerequisite for the further ISTQB Certified Tester certifications offered by Certible, such as the Foundation Level Agile Tester, the Advanced Level modules and the Specialist certifications.

Exam format

The CTFL exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice examination:

• 40 multiple-choice questions
• 60 minutes exam time
• 75 minutes for non-native speakers of the exam language (+25 % time extension, requested with a checkbox during registration)
• Passing score: 26 of 40 points (65 %)
• No negative marking: wrong answers do not deduct points
• Exam languages at Certible: English and German
• No aids of any kind are permitted

The questions cover all six syllabus chapters and test knowledge at different cognitive levels, from remembering terms (K1) to applying test techniques to small examples (K3). The official exam structure and rules are published by the ISTQB together with the syllabus.

Taking the CTFL exam with Certible

Our certification process explains registration, results and how you receive your certificate and digital badge. The technical requirements and the check-in for online exams are on the remote exams page; companies and training providers find their options under exams for groups.

For online exams, the ISTQB requires the recording of all remote exams. As for all proctored remote exams, you also need a second device.

The exam fee depends on your country of residence and is shown in the price calculator at the bottom of this page. Students in their initial training receive a 50 % discount on all ISTQB Certified Tester certifications; this and all other fees are listed under certification fees.

After the exam

• The CTFL certificate is valid for life and does not need to be renewed.
• On request, Certible registers you free of charge in the ISTQB Successful Candidate Register, the ISTQB’s public register in which certificate holders can choose to be listed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a training course to take the exam?

No. Many candidates prepare by self-study using the official syllabus, the sample exams and a study guide. If you prefer a course, accredited providers are listed under training providers; you can also take the exam at the end of your course.

Which syllabus version will I be tested on?

All CTFL exams at Certible are based on syllabus v4.0. Exams based on the older 2018 syllabus are no longer offered.

Exam Preparation

The ISTQB provides the documents for the CT Foundation Level certification in its download section ⤴: the exam structure and rules, as well as the Foundation Level syllabus, which covers all exam topics.

Further reading: Software Testing Foundations, A Study Guide for the Certified Tester Exam ⤴ by Andreas Spillner, Tilo Linz, and Hans Schaefer. Please check that the edition matches the current syllabus version before relying on the book for exam preparation.