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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ISQI
Exam Format
60 min
65
Foundation
Registration
$229 USD
Pearson VUE, Local ISTQB Member Boards, or online proctoring
Validity
lifetime
No recertification required - certification is valid for lifetime; Recommended to pursue advanced levels for career progression
CTFL Exam Topics and Domains
CTFL is organized into 6 weighted domains.
1
Fundamentals of Testing
20%
What is Testing
Test ObjectivesTesting and Debugging
- Identify typical test objectives
- Differentiate testing from debugging
Why is Testing Necessary
Testing's Contributions to SuccessErrors, Defects, Failures, and Root Causes
- Exemplify why testing is necessary
- Recall the relation between errors, defects, failures, and root causes
Testing Principles
Seven Testing Principles
Explain the seven testing principles
Test Activities, Testware and Test Roles
Test Activities and TasksTest RolesTestware
- Recall the test activities and respective tasks
- Recall which test roles are responsible for the test activities and tasks
Essential Skills and Good Practices in Testing
Generic Skills Required for TestingWhole Team Approach
- Recall the essential skills required for testing
- Recall the advantages of the whole team approach
2
Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle
15%
Testing in the Context of a Software Development Lifecycle
Impact of SDLC on TestingSDLC and Good Testing Practices
- Explain the impact of the chosen SDLC on testing
- Recall good testing practices that apply to all SDLCs
Test Levels and Test Types
Test LevelsTest TypesConfirmation and Regression Testing
- Distinguish between test levels
- Distinguish between test types
- Distinguish between confirmation testing and regression testing
Maintenance Testing
Triggers for MaintenanceImpact Analysis for Maintenance
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 work products that can be examined by static testing
- Explain the value of static testing
- Compare and contrast static and dynamic testing
Feedback and Review Process
Benefits of Early and Frequent FeedbackReview Process ActivitiesRoles and ResponsibilitiesReview Types
- Identify the benefits of early and frequent feedback
- Summarize the activities of the review process
- Recognize the different roles and responsibilities in reviews
- Compare and contrast the different review types
4
Test Analysis and Design
27.5%
Test Techniques Overview
Categories of Test TechniquesUse of Test Techniques
Distinguish black-box, white-box, and experience-based test techniques
Black-Box Test Techniques
Equivalence PartitioningBoundary Value AnalysisDecision Table TestingState Transition Testing
- Apply equivalence partitioning to derive test cases
- Apply boundary value analysis to derive test cases
- Apply decision table testing to derive test cases
- Apply state transition testing to derive test cases
White-Box Test Techniques
Statement Testing and CoverageBranch Testing and CoverageValue of White-Box Testing
- Explain statement testing and statement coverage
- Explain branch testing and branch coverage
- 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
Collaboration-Based Test Approaches
Collaborative User Story WritingAcceptance CriteriaAcceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD)
- Explain how to write user stories in collaboration
- Classify the different options for writing acceptance criteria
- Apply ATDD to derive test cases
5
Managing the Test Activities
22.5%
Test Planning
Purpose and Content of Test PlanTest Strategy and Test ApproachEntry and Exit CriteriaTest Execution ScheduleTest Effort Estimation
- Exemplify the purpose and content of a test plan
- Recognize how a tester adds value to planning
- Compare and contrast entry and exit criteria
- Apply estimation techniques
Risk Management
Risk Definition and Risk AttributesProject Risks and Product RisksRisk Analysis and Risk EvaluationRisk Mitigation and Risk Monitoring
- Identify risk types
- Apply risk analysis and evaluation
- Explain how product risk affects testing
Test Monitoring, Test Control and Test Completion
Test MetricsPurpose, Content and Audience for Test ReportsTest Control and Completion
- Recall metrics used for testing
- Summarize purposes and content of test reports
- Exemplify how to communicate testing status
Configuration Management
Configuration Management in Testing
Summarize how configuration management supports testing
Defect Management
Defect ReportsObjectives and Content of Defect Reports
Prepare a defect report
6
Test Tools
5%
Tool Support for Testing
Test Tools and Test AutomationTool Categories
Explain how different types of test tools support testing
Benefits and Risks of Test Automation
Benefits of Test AutomationRisks of Test Automation
Recall the benefits and risks of test automation
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CTFL earns the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification. It sits in the Core Testing track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
Alternative Paths
- CTFL-PT - Performance Tester Specialized performance testing skills
- CTFL-MAT - Mobile Application Tester Mobile testing specialization
- CTFL-SECO - Security Tester Security testing expertise
- CTFL-AuT - Automotive Software Tester Automotive domain specialization
- CTFL-MATT - Model-Based Tester Model-based testing techniques
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 CTFL 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
- AI/ML Testing Emerging Expected to be included in future CTFL updates • Release date: 2025
- DevOps and Continuous Testing Integrated in v4.0 Now part of core syllabus • Release date: 2023-05-09
- Agile Testing Integrated in v4.0 Fully integrated into foundation level • Release date: 2023-05-09
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Software Testers and Test Analysts.
- At least 6 months of experience in software testing
- Basic understanding of software development
- Familiarity with testing terminology