You can see it againUnder pressure people bring back shapes and positions long after the wording has gone.
Picture superiority · Shepard 1967, Standing 1973
ISTQBCertified Tester Foundation Level
The ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certification is the cornerstone of essential testing knowledge, applicable to real-world scenarios across all software delivery approaches—Waterfall, Agile, DevOps, and Continuous Delivery. It provides a comprehensive understanding of testing terminology and concepts, making it relevant for anyone needing to demonstrate practical knowledge of software testing fundamentals. Recognized as a prerequisite to all other ISTQB® certifications, CTFL is the first step in the ISTQB® Certified Tester Scheme.
Exam formatMultiple choice
Duration60 minutes
DeliveryISTQB Member Boards
Passing score26 out of 40
Free questions697
Content last reviewed 30 July 2026 · Up to date
The certification
What Certified Tester Foundation Level proves, and what it asks of you
What this certification covers, who it is written for, and what the exam itself looks like on the day.
6domains
26objectives
157concepts
US $229exam fee
What it is
What this certification is
What it validates, who it is written for, and the experience it assumes.
About this certification
The ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certification is the cornerstone of essential testing knowledge that can be applied to real-world scenarios. The syllabus provides a comprehensive understanding of the terminology and concepts used in the testing domain worldwide, making it relevant for all software delivery approaches and practices, including Waterfall, Agile, DevOps, and Continuous Delivery.
CTFL certification is recognized as a prerequisite to all other ISTQB® certifications where Foundation Level is required. It equips candidates with the fundamental skills needed to understand what testing is and why it is beneficial, identify test approaches based on context, assess and improve documentation quality, and work effectively as part of a cross-functional team. The certification also covers test management principles, defect reporting, and the risks and benefits of test automation, providing a solid foundation for career progression in software testing.
Who it’s for
The CTFL 4.0 certification is suitable for anyone who needs to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts of software testing. It is relevant for individuals in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, and software developers. Additionally, it is appropriate for those who require a basic understanding of software testing, including project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors, and management consultants. With the ISTQB® Certified Tester Scheme, testing professionals at all stages of their careers can benefit from the breadth and depth of knowledge offered, with the opportunity to pursue higher-level software testing qualifications such as the Core Advanced Levels, Specialist, and Expert Level certifications.
Recommended experience
No specific experience is required, but a basic understanding of software development and testing concepts is beneficial. ISTQB recommends attending accredited training, though self-study is also an option. Familiarity with software development lifecycles and testing concepts; Basic understanding of software testing terminology; Interest in pursuing a career in software testing or quality assurance
The syllabus
What you’ll learn
Every domain and objective ISTQB measures, with the weight they carry on the exam.
The official ISTQB exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
Domain 1: Fundamentals of Testing
- Foundations of Testing
- Test Process
- Test Management and Roles
Domain 2: Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle
- Testing in the Software Development Lifecycle
- DevOps, Shift Left, and Process Improvement
- Test Levels and Test Types
- Confirmation, Regression, and Maintenance Testing
Domain 3: Static Testing
- Work Products Examinable by Static Testing
- Value of Static Testing
- Differences between Static Testing and Dynamic Testing
- Benefits of Early and Frequent Stakeholder Feedback
- Review Process Activities
- Roles and Responsibilities in Reviews
- Review Types
- Success Factors for Reviews
Domain 4: Test Analysis and Design
- Black-box Test Techniques
- White-box Test Techniques
- Test Techniques Overview
- Collaborative Testing Practices
Domain 5: Managing the Test Activities
- Test Planning and Estimation
- Test Design and Prioritization
- Risk Management
- Test Monitoring and Control
- Configuration and Defect Management
Domain 6: Test Tools
- Tool Support for Testing
- Benefits and Risks of Test Automation
On the day
The exam itself
Everything ISTQB publishes about sitting it, and nothing we inferred.
Prerequisites
No mandatory prerequisites — this certification has no required predecessor exam or credential.
CertificationCertified Tester Foundation Level
Exam formatMultiple choice
Duration60 minutes
Questions40 questions
Passing score26 out of 40
DeliveryISTQB Member Boards
LanguagesEnglish, Non-native language support (+25% time)
PricingUS $229
After you pass
Where this credential goes next
The path ISTQB lays out, how the credential is kept, and where to book.
Step-by-step path to Certified Tester Foundation Level
Credential earnedCertified Tester Foundation Level Certification Renewal and maintenance
The Certified Tester Foundation Level certification does not require renewal and is valid for life. Stay current with the latest technologies and maintain your certification.
Learn more about renewal requirements Lifecycle status
This certification is currently active and available. ISTQB maintains this certification to validate current skills and industry relevance.
Exam status: ActiveMaintained by ISTQB
Exam registration
Register for the exam through ISTQB Member Boards, ISTQB’s authorized testing partner.
Schedule your examVisit the official ISTQB certification page for exam policies and requirements.
View the official pageYour coach
And when you are serious, your coach Pip takes over
Your coach in the app reads what you have answered with the book closed and tells you one thing to do tonight. It will not count an answer you gave with the page open, and it will tell you when you are not ready.
See how the coach worksBefore you book
Questions people ask
How does CTFL v4.0 relate to the previous version?
CTFL v4.0 is the latest version of the Foundation Level syllabus. It updates and expands the content to cover modern software delivery practices, including Agile, DevOps, and Continuous Delivery. Candidates who hold a previous version of the CTFL certification are not required to retake the exam, as the certification is valid for life.
Is the CTFL exam available in languages other than English?
Yes, the CTFL exam is available in multiple languages through ISTQB Member Boards. Non-native language speakers may receive an additional 25% exam time. Check with your local Member Board for available languages.
Can I take the CTFL exam without attending a training course?
Yes, self-study using the official syllabus and recommended reading material is an option. However, ISTQB highly recommends attending accredited training to ensure the materials are relevant and consistent with the syllabus.
What is the retake policy if I fail the CTFL exam?
The retake policy is defined by the ISTQB Exam Structures and Rules. Typically, candidates must wait a specified period before retaking the exam. Refer to the official ISTQB Exam Structures and Rules document for details.
Are there any hands-on or lab components in the CTFL exam?
No, the CTFL exam is a multiple-choice exam with 40 questions. It does not include any hands-on or lab components.
What job roles does the CTFL certification map to?
The CTFL certification is relevant for testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, and software developers. It is also suitable for project managers, quality managers, business analysts, and IT directors who need a basic understanding of software testing.
Can I proceed to higher-level ISTQB certifications after CTFL?
Yes, CTFL is a prerequisite for all other ISTQB certifications where Foundation Level is required. Holders can proceed to Core Advanced Level certifications (Test Analyst, Technical Test Analyst, Test Management), Specialist certifications, or Expert Level certifications.
How soon will I receive my exam results?
Exam results are typically provided immediately after the exam for computer-based testing. For paper-based exams, results may take a few weeks. Check with your exam provider for specific timelines.
Information freshness · Content last reviewed on 2026-07-30 Up to date
Practice free questions 697 questions, free, no account needed.
The curriculum
The whole exam, mapped and written
Every domain, every objective, and every concept ISTQB measures — each one written out.
6domains
26objectives
157concepts
149free pages
The domains, and what sits inside them
Every objective below is a page you can open and practise now, without an account.
The official ISTQB exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
1Domain 1: Fundamentals of Testing77 questions
2Domain 2: Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle110 questions
3Domain 3: Static Testing213 questions
Work Products Examinable by Static Testing3 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Value of Static Testing5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Differences between Static Testing and Dynamic Testing10 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Benefits of Early and Frequent Stakeholder Feedback5 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Review Process Activities8 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Roles and Responsibilities in Reviews8 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Review Types6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Success Factors for Reviews4 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
4Domain 4: Test Analysis and Design93 questions
5Domain 5: Managing the Test Activities141 questions
6Domain 6: Test Tools63 questions
Not a table of contents
Every line on this map already opens
In front of every objective the practice pages are already there, free and without an account. This is one objective, opened.
Foundations of Testing6 pagesOpen →
Free in front of it
26 questions on this objective, five to a page. Every range above is a real page, open now, with no account.
Reading the map is not the same as knowing the ground
The curriculum tells you what is on the exam. Proving you know it is a different job — and it is the one the closed-book run does.
Free questions
697 questions. No account, no card.
The whole bank is open. 5 questions to a page, every answer explained, and a discussion thread on each one.
697questions
149pages
26objectives
Freealways
Browse by domain
Every objective, and every page range, is a link — so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
1Domain 1: Fundamentals of Testing77 questions
2Domain 2: Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle110 questions
3Domain 3: Static Testing213 questions
4Domain 4: Test Analysis and Design93 questions
5Domain 5: Managing the Test Activities141 questions
What a practice page gives you
1Five to a page
Short enough to finish, long enough to matter.
2Every answer explained
Not only which one is right — why the others are wrong.
3A discussion on each
Ask, answer, and vote. Every question has its own thread.
A question, and the idea behind it
Every question comes from a concept
These are not trivia. Each one is written against a concept in the book, so when you get one wrong there is somewhere to go and find out why.
The visual book
See it once. Carry it into the exam.
The pages shown here come from our AI-900 book — an example of how each concept is written in plain language and, where the idea needs one, drawn as a full page you can take in at a glance.
157concepts
697free questions
Why a picture, and not another paragraph
Three reasons, and each one is a real finding rather than a slogan.
You can see it againThe whole idea at onceWhere it starts, what happens in the middle, what comes out, and the mistake to avoid.
Multimedia principle · MayerThe look-alikes sit togetherThe pairs the exam tests are drawn side by side, so the difference is seen, not told.
Dual coding · PaivioWhat one page is made of
You are never asked to read a poster here — only to see how one is built. After that, every other page is legible at a glance.
1A numbered strip on top
The idea as a sequence, followed with a finger before a word is read.
2Panels for the parts
What it is, how the machine learns it, when it is the right tool.
3The trap, framed
The distinction the exam tests, given its own box instead of buried in prose.
4One line at the bottom
The sentence to carry into the exam room.
Open book, on purpose
Answer it with the picture beside you
This is the part that teaches. The illustration and the written explanation stay where they are while you work, so a scenario stops being a memory test and becomes something you can simply look at.
It teaches · it does not count
A smartphone uses AI to unlock when the owner looks at the camera. Which AI capability is being used?
AImage classification
BFacial recognition
COptical character recognition
DObject detection
Look at the five steps. Detect finds a face, align straightens it, encode turns it into numbers, search compares it with a stored face, and decide answers one question: is this the same person? Classification would only say “a face”. Detection would only draw a box. Neither decides whose.
Then the page shuts, and it starts counting
The same questions come back with the book closed — that run is the one that counts. After it, your coach picks one thing for tonight, sized to the time you have, and brings pages back before you lose them.
Testing effect · Roediger & Karpicke 2006 · spacing effect · Cepeda et al. 2006
Official resources
Straight from ISTQB
Where the exam is defined, scheduled and scored.
3official links
157concepts mapped
The source
ISTQB’s own pages
We link to them rather than repeat them, so nothing here goes stale behind them.
Checked against the source
Every objective on the official ISTQB outline already has questions here
We build from the official skills outline, not from a summary of it — 26 objectives, 157 concepts written under them, and free questions against every one. When ISTQB changes the outline, this page changes with it.
26objectives on the outline→157concepts written→697free questions
An official page tells you what will be asked. It cannot tell you what you will get right.
That is the only question worth answering the night before, and no link answers it. You answer it by taking the questions with the book closed, and seeing what comes back.