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Exam Information
Official specifications published by iSAQB
Exam Format
75 min
~40
60%
Foundation
Registration
Pearson VUE, Prometric, iSAQB Certification Bodies, or online proctoring
English, German (Deutsch), Italian (Italiano), Spanish (Español) +3 more
Validity
Lifetime
No recertification required for Foundation Level; Certification remains valid indefinitely; Can pursue Advanced Level certifications for career progression
CPSA-F Exam Topics and Domains
CPSA-F is organized into 6 weighted domains. Expect to work with CI/CD pipelines, Docker, GraphQL, gRPC, and more.
1
Basic Concepts of Software Architecture
17%
Definitions of Software Architecture
IEEE 1471 definitionAlternative definitions and perspectives
- Understand and explain the term software architecture
- Discuss definitions from IEEE, Bass, and others
- Distinguish architecture from detailed design
Goals and Benefits of Software Architecture
Architecture benefits
- Explain primary goals of software architecture
- Understand how architecture enables quality goals
Tasks and Responsibilities of Software Architects
Core responsibilities
- Understand typical tasks of software architects
- Clarify responsibilities in development teams
Role of Software Architects and Other Stakeholders
Stakeholder relationships
- Relate architect role to project management, development, testing
- Understand architect interactions with stakeholders
Types and Sources of Requirements
Requirement categories
- Know types of requirements relevant to architects
- Understand requirement sources and gathering
Functional vs Quality Requirements
Distinction and relationship
- Distinguish functional from quality requirements
- Understand their role in architectural design
2
Requirements and Constraints
6%
Requirements as Architectural Drivers
Influence on architecture
- Understand how requirements drive architecture
- Identify architecturally significant requirements
Quality Attributes
ISO 25010 quality model
- Understand and consider quality attributes from ISO 25010
- Apply quality models to architecture decisions
Clarify and Scrutinize Quality Requirements
Quality attribute scenarios
- Clarify vague quality requirements
- Use quality attribute scenarios effectively
Constraints and Architecture
Types of constraints
- Understand relationship between constraints and architecture
- Identify and handle architectural constraints
3
Design and Development of Software Architectures
40%
Domain-Driven Design
DDD fundamentals
- Understand fundamental concepts of DDD
- Apply strategic and tactical DDD patterns
Basic Design Principles
Fundamental principles
- Understand and apply basic design principles
- Recognize principle violations in code
Dependencies and Coupling
Dependency management
- Identify, explain and appropriately avoid dependencies
- Understand coupling types and their implications
Cohesion
Creating cohesive modules
- Create and maintain cohesive modules
- Understand cohesion levels and their impact
Design Principles
SOLID principlesAdditional principles
- Know and apply SOLID principles (R1)
- Understand additional design principles (R2-R3)
Architectural Patterns
Layered architecturePipes and FiltersMicroservicesAdditional patterns
- Know and apply common architectural patterns (R1)
- Understand pattern trade-offs and selection criteria (R2-R3)
Design Patterns
Gang of Four patterns
- Know selected GoF design patterns (R2)
- Understand pattern applicability (R3)
Software Deployment Principles
Deployment strategies
- Understand principles of software deployment
- Know containerization and orchestration concepts
4
Specification and Communication of Software Architectures
26%
Quality Requirements of Documentation
Documentation quality attributes
- Explain quality requirements for technical documentation
- Consider quality aspects when documenting
Describing and Communicating Architectures
Communication strategies
- Describe and communicate software architectures
- Adapt communication to different stakeholders
Models and Notations
UML diagramsAlternative notations
- Know models and notations for architecture description (R2)
- Understand UML and alternative approaches (R3)
Architectural Views
View-based documentation
- Explain and apply architectural views
- Understand Kruchten's 4+1 view model
Context View
System context
- Create and maintain context views
- Identify system boundaries and external interfaces
Cross-Cutting Concepts
Technical concepts
- Document cross-cutting concepts
- Identify common technical concepts
Interface Description
Interface documentation
- Describe interfaces appropriately
- Document interface contracts and protocols
Architecture Decisions
Decision documentation
- Document and communicate architecture decisions (R1)
- Use ADR format effectively (R2)
5
Analysis and Assessment of Software Architectures
9%
Reasons for Architectural Analysis
Analysis motivations
- Understand reasons for architectural analysis
- Know when analysis is beneficial
Qualitative Analysis
Analysis methods
- Know and apply qualitative analysis techniques (R1)
- Understand ATAM method (R2)
Quantitative Analysis and Metrics
Architecture metrics
- Use quantitative analysis and metrics
- Understand common architecture metrics
Technical Debt
Debt identification and management
- Recognize and assess technical debt
- Understand debt implications and management
6
Examples of Software Architectures
6%
Relation Between Requirements and Solutions
Case studies
- Know relationship between requirements and architectural solutions
- Learn from real-world examples
Understanding Technical Implementations
Example architectures
- Understand and explain technical implementations
- Analyze real-world architectural solutions
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CPSA-F earns the CPSA-F certification. It sits in the Software Architecture track.
Next Level Options
CPSA-A - Advanced Level Choose from 21 specialized Advanced Level modules
Alternative Paths
- CPSA-A ADOC - Architecture Documentation (ADOC) Deepen documentation and communication skills
- CPSA-A ARCEVAL - Architecture Evaluation (ARCEVAL) Focus on architecture analysis and assessment
- CPSA-A CLOUDINFRA - Cloud Infrastructure and Platforms Specialize in cloud architecture
- CPSA-A DDD - Domain-Driven Design (DDD) Deep dive into domain modeling
- CPSA-A EMBEDDED - Embedded Systems Specialize in embedded software architecture
- CPSA-A EMBEDDEDSEC - Embedded Security for Architects Security-oriented embedded system architectures
- CPSA-A EAM - Enterprise Architecture Management Focus on enterprise-scale architecture
- CPSA-A FLEX - Flexible Architectures Design for adaptability and change
- CPSA-A FUNAR - Functional Software Architecture Functional programming approaches
- CPSA-A IMPROVE - Improvement of Software Architectures Architecture refactoring and modernization
- CPSA-A REQ4ARC - Requirements for Software Architects Requirements engineering for architects
- CPSA-A SOFT - Soft Skills for Software Architects Communication and leadership skills
- CPSA-A WEB - Web Architecture Specialize in web and internet systems
- CPSA-A WEBSEC - Web Security Security for web applications
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for CPSA-F.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-01-15
- Announcement date: 2024-10-15
Updates
- Containerization and Kubernetes Current industry practice Now explicitly covered in LG 03-12 (Deployment Principles) • Release date: 2025-01-15
- Energy Efficiency ISO 25010 update New quality attribute in curriculum 2025.1 • Release date: 2025-01-15
- Cloud Native Patterns CNCF landscape Enhanced coverage in architectural patterns • Release date: 2025-01-15
- C4 Model Current Alternative notation to UML in LG 04-03 • Release date: Ongoing
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Software developers with 18+ months experience and System architects transitioning to formal architecture roles.