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Exam Information
Official specifications published by BCS
Exam Format
60 min
65%
Foundation
Registration
$229 USD
Pearson VUE, Online Proctored, or online proctoring
English, Multiple languages available through ISTQB member boards
Validity
Lifetime
No recertification required - certification is valid for lifetime; Optional advanced certifications available for career progression
ASTQB Exam Topics and Domains
ASTQB is organized into 6 weighted domains.
1
Fundamentals of Testing
20%
What is Testing?
Testing as more than test execution
- Identify typical test objectives
- Differentiate testing from debugging
Why is Testing Necessary?
Testing's contribution to success
- Exemplify why testing is necessary
- Recall the relation between testing and quality assurance
- Distinguish between error, defect, and failure
Testing Principles
Seven fundamental testing principles
Explain the seven testing principles
Test Activities, Testware and Test Roles
Test activities and tasksTest process in contextTestwareTraceabilityTesting roles
- Summarize the different test activities and tasks
- Explain the impact of context on the test process
- Differentiate the testware that supports test activities
- Explain the value of maintaining traceability
- Compare the different roles in testing
Essential Skills and Good Practices in Testing
Generic skills for testingWhole team approachIndependence of 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
2
Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle
15%
Testing in the Context of a Software Development Lifecycle
Impact of SDLC on testingSDLC models and testingTesting as a driver for development
- Explain the impact of the chosen SDLC on testing
- Recall good testing practices that apply to all SDLCs
- Recall the examples of test-first approaches to development
- Summarize how DevOps might have an impact on testing
- Explain the shift-left and shift-right approaches
- Explain how retrospectives can be used as a mechanism for process improvement
Test Levels and Test Types
Test levelsTest typesConfirmation and regression testing
- Distinguish the different test levels
- Distinguish the different test types
- Distinguish confirmation testing from regression testing
Maintenance Testing
Triggers for maintenance testing
Summarize maintenance testing and its triggers
3
Static Testing
10%
Static Testing Basics
Work products examinable by static testingValue of static testingDifferences between static and dynamic testing
- Recognize types of products that can be examined by different static test techniques
- Explain the value of static testing
- Compare and contrast static testing and dynamic testing
Feedback and Review Process
Benefits of early and frequent feedbackReview process activitiesRoles and responsibilitiesReview typesSuccess factors
- Identify benefits of early and frequent 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
4
Test Analysis and Design
27.5%
Test Techniques Overview
Categories of test techniquesChoosing test techniques
Distinguish black-box, white-box, and experience-based test techniques
Black-Box Test Techniques
Equivalence PartitioningBoundary Value AnalysisDecision Table TestingState Transition Testing
- 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
Statement testingBranch testingValue of white-box testing
- Explain statement testing
- Explain branch testing
- Explain the value of white-box testing
Experience-Based Test Techniques
Error guessingExploratory testingChecklist-based testing
- Explain error guessing
- Explain exploratory testing
- Explain checklist-based testing
5
Managing the Test Activities
22.5%
Test Planning
Purpose and content of test plansTester's contribution to iteration planningEntry and exit criteria
- 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
Risk Management
Risk definition and attributesProject and product risksRisk-based testing
- Identify risk types
- Give examples of project and product risks
- Explain how product risk analysis may influence the thoroughness and scope of testing
Test Monitoring, Control and Completion
Metrics for testingPurpose and content of test reportsCommunicating test status
- Recall metrics used for testing
- Summarize the purposes, content, and audiences for test reports
- Exemplify how to communicate the status of testing
Configuration Management
Support for testing
Summarize how configuration management supports testing
Defect Management
Defect reports
Prepare a defect report
6
Test Tools
5%
Tool Support for Testing
Test tool classificationBenefits and risks of test automation
- Explain how different types of test tools support testing
- Recall benefits and risks of test automation
Benefits and Risks of Test Automation
Benefits of test automationRisks of test automation
Recall benefits and risks of test automation
How do I earn this certification?
Passing ASTQB earns the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification. It sits in the Software Testing track.
Current Level Exams
ISTQB-CTFL - Certified Tester Foundation Level This is the entry-level certification
Next Level Options
- ISTQB-CTFL-AT - Certified Tester Foundation Level - Agile Tester
- ISTQB-CTAL-TM - Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Manager
- ISTQB-CTAL-TA - Certified Tester Advanced Level - Test Analyst
- ISTQB-CTAL-TTA - Certified Tester Advanced Level - Technical Test Analyst
- ISTQB-CTFL-PT - Certified Tester Foundation Level - Performance Tester
- ISTQB-CTFL-MAT - Certified Tester Foundation Level - Mobile Application Tester
- ISTQB-CT-TAE - Certified Tester - Test Automation Engineer
- ISTQB-CT-SEC - Certified Tester - Security Tester
- ISTQB-CT-AI - Certified Tester - AI Testing
- ISTQB-CT-GT - Certified Tester - Game Testing
Alternative Paths
- ISTQB-CTFL-MBT - Model-Based Tester Specialized testing approach
- ISTQB-CTFL-AUT - Automotive Software Tester Industry-specific testing
- ISTQB-CTFL-UT - Usability Tester UX/UI testing specialization
- ISTQB-CTFL-ACPT - Acceptance Tester Business acceptance testing
- ISTQB-CTFL-GIT - Gambling Industry Tester Industry-specific testing
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for ASTQB is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024-11-01
- Announcement date: 2023-05-09
Updates
- Test Automation Enhanced in v4.0 Increased focus on automation tools and DevOps integration • Release date: 2023-05-09
- AI/ML Testing Introduced concepts Foundation concepts added, detailed coverage in specialist certification • Release date: 2023-05-09
- Agile Testing Integrated throughout Agile concepts integrated across all chapters, not separate topic • Release date: 2023-05-09
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Software Testers and Test Analysts.
- Basic understanding of software development lifecycle
- Familiarity with software applications
- Basic computer skills