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Exam Information
Official specifications published by ISTQB
Exam Format
60 min
26
Foundation
Registration
$250 USD
Pearson VUE, Prometric, Online Proctored, ASTQB, BCS, GASQ, or online proctoring
English, Spanish, French, German +11 more
No waiting period for first retake, 14 days for subsequent retakes
Validity
lifetime
No recertification required; Certificate remains valid permanently; Can pursue advanced certifications
CTFL-V4-0 Exam Topics and Domains
CTFL-V4-0 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 SuccessTesting and Quality AssuranceErrors, Defects, Failures, and Root Causes
- Give examples of why testing is necessary
- Describe the relationship between testing and quality assurance
- Distinguish between root cause, error, defect, and failure
Testing Principles
The Seven Testing Principles
Explain the seven testing principles
Test Activities, Testware and Test Roles
Test Activities and TasksTest Process in ContextTestwareTest Roles
- Summarize the different test activities and tasks
- Give examples of testware
- Differentiate between test roles
Essential Skills and Good Practices in Testing
Generic Skills Required for TestingWhole Team ApproachIndependence of Testing
- Give examples of the generic skills required for testing
- Explain the advantages of the whole team approach
- Describe advantages and disadvantages of independence of testing
2
Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle
15%
Testing in the Context of a Software Development Lifecycle
Impact of the SDLC on TestingSDLC and Good Testing PracticesTesting as a Driver for Software DevelopmentDevOps and TestingShift-Left ApproachRetrospectives and Process Improvement
- Explain the impact of the chosen SDLC on testing activities
- Recall good testing practices that apply to all software development lifecycles
- Recall examples of test-first approaches to development
- Summarize how DevOps might have an impact on testing
- Explain the shift-left approach
- Explain how retrospectives can be used as a mechanism for process improvement
Test Levels and Test Types
Test LevelsTest TypesConfirmation Testing and Regression Testing
- Distinguish between the different test levels
- Distinguish between the different test types
- Distinguish between confirmation testing and regression testing
Maintenance Testing
Triggers for MaintenanceImpact Analysis for Maintenance
- Summarize maintenance testing and its triggers
- Describe the role of impact analysis in maintenance testing
3
Static Testing
10%
Static Testing Basics
Work Products Examinable by Static TestingValue of Static TestingDifferences between Static and Dynamic Testing
- Identify the types of work products that can be examined by static testing
- Describe 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 TypesSuccess Factors for Reviews
- Explain the 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 factors that contribute to a successful review
4
Test Analysis and Design
27.5%
Test Techniques Overview
Categories of Test TechniquesUse of Test Techniques
Distinguish between 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
- Describe statement testing
- Describe branch testing
- Describe 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
Writing User StoriesWriting Acceptance CriteriaUsing ATDD
- Write user stories in collaboration with developers and business representatives
- Classify the different options for writing acceptance criteria
- Use acceptance test-driven development (ATDD) to derive test cases
5
Managing the Test Activities
22.5%
Test Planning
Purpose and Content of a Test PlanTest Strategy and Test ApproachEntry and Exit CriteriaTest Execution ScheduleFactors Influencing Test EffortTest Estimation Techniques
- Describe the purpose and content of a test plan
- Recognize how a tester adds value to iteration and release planning
- Compare and contrast entry and exit criteria
- Use estimation techniques to calculate the required test effort
- Apply test case prioritization
- Recall the concepts of the test pyramid
- Summarize the testing quadrants and their relationships with test levels and test types
Risk Management
Risk Definition and Risk AttributesProject Risks and Product RisksProduct Risk AnalysisProduct Risk Control
- Identify risk level by using risk likelihood and risk impact
- Distinguish between project risks and product risks
- Describe how product risk analysis may influence the thoroughness and scope of testing
- Explain how product risk analysis may influence test prioritization, test preparation, and test execution
Test Monitoring, Test Control and Test Completion
Metrics for TestingPurpose, Content and Audience for Test ReportsCommunicating Test Status
- Recall metrics used for testing
- Summarize the purpose, content, and audience for test reports
- Give examples of 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 CategoriesCollaboration Tools
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-V4-0 earns the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification. It sits in the Software Testing track.
Current Level Exams
- CTFL-AT - Foundation Level Agile Tester Extension
- CTFL-MAT - Foundation Level Model-Based Tester
- CTFL-PT - Foundation Level Performance Testing
- CTFL-GT - Foundation Level Game Testing
- CTFL-AuT - Foundation Level Automotive Software Tester
- CTFL-MBT - Foundation Level Mobile Application Testing
- CTFL-SECO - Foundation Level Security Testing
- CTFL-UT - Foundation Level Usability Testing
- CTFL-ATT - Foundation Level Acceptance Testing
Next Level Options
Alternative Paths
- CTFL-AT - Agile TesterSpecialize in Agile testing methodologies
- CTFL-PT - Performance Testing Focus on performance and load testing
- CT-AI - AI TestingEmerging field of AI system testing
- CTFL-AuT - Automotive Software Tester Specialize in automotive industry 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 CTFL-V4-0 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: 2023-04-01
Updates
- Agile Testing Agile concepts throughout all chapters
- Test Automation Chapter 6 includes modern automation tools
- AI/ML Testing Foundation for advanced AI testing certifications
- Cloud Testing Understanding of cloud-based testing environments
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Software Testers and Test Analysts.
- No formal prerequisites required
- Basic understanding of software development lifecycle
- Some exposure to software projects beneficial