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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ISTQB
Exam Format
90 min
40
65%
Specialist
Registration
$199 USD
Pearson VUE, Member Board Testing Centers, or online proctoring
English, German, French, Spanish +4 more
Validity
lifetime
No recertification required - ISTQB certifications do not expire
CT-PT Exam Topics and Domains
CT-PT is organized into 5 weighted domains. Expect to work with Gatling, LoadRunner, Grafana, JMeter, and more.
1
Basic Concepts
8%
Performance Efficiency
Performance Efficiency CharacteristicsPerformance Testing Types
- Understand the basic concepts of performance efficiency and performance testing
- Recognize common performance efficiency failure modes and their causes
Performance Risks, Goals, and Requirements
Identifying Performance RisksDefining Performance Requirements
Define performance risks, goals, and requirements to meet stakeholder needs and expectations
2
Performance Measurement Fundamentals
7%
Performance Metrics
Typical Performance MetricsCollecting Performance Measurements
- Understand performance metrics and how to collect them
- Understand typical metrics collected in performance testing
Selecting and Aggregating Metrics
Metric SelectionAggregating Results
- Select appropriate performance metrics for test objectives
- Aggregate results from performance testing using statistical methods
Key Sources of Performance Metrics
Metric Sources
Identify key sources of performance metrics in distributed systems
3
Performance Testing in the Software Lifecycle
24%
Performance Testing Activities
Aligning Performance Testing with SDLCPerformance Testing in Different Lifecycles
- Determine how performance testing activities align with the software lifecycle
- Adapt performance testing approaches to different development methodologies
Roles and Responsibilities
Performance Testing Team
Understand roles and responsibilities in performance testing
Performance Testing Approaches
Test Approach Selection
Select appropriate performance testing approaches based on context
4
Performance Testing Tasks
59%
Planning
Performance Test PlanningTest Environment Requirements
- Develop a performance test plan for achieving stated goals and requirements
- Derive performance test objectives from relevant information
- Create presentations enabling stakeholders to understand planned performance testing
Analysis, Design and Implementation
Operational ProfilesLoad Profile CreationWorkload ModelingPerformance Test Scripting
- Conceptually design, implement, and execute basic performance tests
- Analyze operational profiles for system usage
- Create load profiles derived from operational profiles
- Understand the basic structure of a performance test script
- Implement performance test scripts consistent with the plan and load profiles
Execution
Preparing for Test ExecutionRunning Performance TestsHandling Test Execution Issues
- Understand the activities involved in preparing for performance test execution
- Understand the principal activities in running performance test scripts
- Execute performance tests and monitor for issues
Analyzing Results and Reporting
Results AnalysisReporting to StakeholdersComparison and Baseline Analysis
- Analyze the results of a performance test and state implications to various stakeholders
- Explain the process, rationale, results, and implications of performance testing to various stakeholders
5
Tools
11%
Performance Testing Tool Categories
Load Generation ToolsMonitoring and Measurement ToolsAnalysis and Reporting Tools
- Understand categories and uses for performance tools and criteria for their selection
- Identify appropriate tools for different performance testing scenarios
Tool Selection Criteria
Selecting Performance Testing ToolsOpen Source vs Commercial Tools
- Apply criteria for selecting appropriate performance testing tools
- Understand trade-offs between open source and commercial tools
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CT-PT earns the ISTQB Certified Tester - Performance Testing certification. It sits in the Specialist Stream track.
Current Level Exams
- CT-MAT - Mobile Application Testing
- CT-AI - AI Testing
- CT-GenAI - Testing with Generative AI
- CT-MBT - Model-Based Testing
- CT-AcT - Acceptance Testing
- CT-SEC - Security Testing
- CT-UT - Usability Testing
- CT-GT - Gambling Industry Tester
Next Level Options
- CTAL-TTA - Advanced Level - Technical Test AnalystTechnical depth in test analysis and execution
- CTAL-TA - Advanced Level - Test AnalystAdvanced test design and analysis techniques
- CTAL-TM - Advanced Level - Test ManagerTest management and leadership skills
- CT-TAE - Test Automation EngineerAutomation of performance tests
- CT-ATAS - Test Automation Strategy Specialist Strategic approach to test automation
Alternative Paths
- CT-SEC - Security Testing Complementary security validation skills
- CT-AI - AI TestingTesting AI/ML systems for performance
- CT-QDO - Quality in DevOps DevOps integration and continuous performance testing
- CT-MAT - Mobile Application TestingMobile app performance testing specialization
- CT-TAE - Test Automation EngineerAutomating performance testing workflows
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 CT-PT 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: 2024-11-15
Updates
- Generative AI Performance Testing Emerging Future syllabus updates may include AI-specific performance scenarios • Release date: 2024-ongoing
- Kubernetes and Container Performance Current Cloud-native concepts increasingly relevant to performance testing scenarios • Release date: 2023-ongoing
- Observability and Modern Monitoring Current OpenTelemetry and distributed tracing align with CT-PT monitoring concepts • Release date: 2023-ongoing
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Software testers wanting to specialize in performance testing and Performance engineers seeking formal certification.
ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
- 1-2 years experience in software testing
- Basic understanding of software development lifecycle
- Familiarity with testing concepts and terminology
- Some exposure to performance testing tools