Back

ISTQB® CTAL-AT v2.0

ISTQB® is introducing a new Agile Tester certification, CTAL-AT v2.0 (Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester), based on a new advanced-level syllabus aligned to modern Agile testing practice.

This is a major change, not a minor update.

As part of this transition, the Certified Tester Foundation Level Agile Tester (CTFL-AT) and the Agile Technical Tester (CT-ATT) certifications have entered their sunset phase.

  • English exams (including retakes) and training will be available until 6 May 2027
  • Non-English exams (including retakes) and training will be available until 6 November 2027

After these dates, the certifications will no longer be available.

No. CTAL-AT includes:

  • Higher cognitive expectations, including K4 Analyze objectives
  • New advanced topics such as example mapping, heuristics, test smells, tissue testing, and mob testing
  • Stronger focus on strategy, leadership, and improvement

It represents a move from foundational knowledge to advanced professional competence.

No. All existing CTFL-AT and CT-ATT certificates remain valid. However, professionals working in Agile environments may consider taking CTAL-AT to reflect current practice.

No. CTFL-AT and CT-ATT will not be grandfathered into CTAL-AT v2.0. Candidates must take the CTAL-AT v2.0 exam to gain the new qualification.

This protects the credibility of the Advanced Level certification and reflects the significant difference in scope and difficulty.

  • English exams (including retakes) and training will be available until 6 May 2027
  • Non-English exams (including retakes) and training will be available until 6 November 2027

After these dates, CTFL-AT and CT-ATT will no longer be available.

Yes. Accredited training and exams for CTFL-AT and CT-ATT can continue during the sunset period. After the deadlines, only CTAL-AT will remain available.

It depends on career goals. For advanced Agile testing capability, CTAL-AT is recommended

Candidates must hold the ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate (CTFL v4.0 or previous versions).

Prior experience in Agile testing is strongly recommended, but it is not a formal entry requirement.

Recommended preparation includes:

  • Ensure a strong Foundation Level base

    • Hold the ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate and be familiar with Agile concepts in CTFL v4.0

  • Study the official CTAL-AT v2.0 syllabus

    • Pay close attention to the learning objectives, especially those at the K4 level, which require analysis and decision-making

  • Attend an accredited CTAL-AT v2.0 training course

    • Accredited courses provide structured coverage of the syllabus, guidance from qualified trainers, and exam-focused practice

  • Practice using the official sample exam

    • This helps candidates understand the format, question style, and level of thinking expected

CTAL-AT v2.0 delivers clear business value, not just individual knowledge. The syllabus focuses on outcomes that improve delivery, quality, and decision-making in Agile environments.

Certified professionals are expected to be able to:

  • Improve product quality through better analysis

    • Analyze user stories, risks, and system behavior to design more effective test approaches and reduce escaped defects

  • Strengthen test strategy and alignment with business goals

    • Outline test strategies that support product risk, delivery priorities, and stakeholder expectations

  • Enable faster and more reliable feedback

    • Apply techniques such as example mapping, heuristics, and holistic testing to improve feedback quality within Agile iterations

  • Use metrics to drive improvement

    • Select and interpret metrics to identify issues, guide improvement actions, and support evidence-based decisions

  • Improve collaboration across roles

    • Support stronger communication between testers, developers, product owners, and managers through shared understanding of quality practices

  • Support continuous improvement at the team and organizational level

    • Identify weaknesses in current practices and propose practical, structured improvements


In practical terms, CTAL-AT v2.0 demonstrates that the holder can contribute to:

  • Better release confidence
  • Reduced rework and defect leakage
  • More effective Agile test practices
  • Stronger alignment between quality activities and business outcomes

This makes CTAL-AT v2.0 valuable for individuals, teams, employers, and clients who want measurable improvement in Agile delivery.

CTAL-AT assesses higher-level skills such as analysis and decision-making.

Examples of learning objectives include:

  • Analyze user stories to create test charters (K4)
  • Select process improvements based on metrics (K4)
  • Outline test strategies mapped to testing quadrants (K4)

These expectations go beyond Foundation Level, which focuses mainly on understanding concepts.

CTAL-AT is designed for professionals involved in testing and quality within Agile environments.

Relevant roles include:

  • Testers, test analysts, test engineers, and consultants
  • Test managers and UAT testers
  • Developers involved in quality practices
  • Product owners, Scrum Masters, and quality managers
  • Business analysts and technology leaders

It is suitable for anyone who contributes to quality in Agile teams and wants to deepen their expertise.

New topics include:

  • Test heuristics and test tours
  • Test smells and cognitive biases
  • Tissue testing
  • Mob testing and vibe testing
  • Storyboarding and example mapping
  • Coverage metrics and holistic testing

These topics reflect current Agile and testing practices.

These are now treated as assumed knowledge or covered in ISTQB® Foundation Level v4.0. Agile fundamentals are no longer examined at Advanced level.

CT-ATT focused mainly on technical practices such as automation, TDD, exploratory testing, and CI.

These practices are now mainstream. CTAL-AT replaces CT-ATT with a broader certification that combines advanced techniques with strategy, influence, and improvement. Topics like TDD and CI are further elaborated into different syllabi, such as Test Automation Engineering and Quality in DevOps.

Because:

  • Agile is now mainstream
  • Foundational Agile testing concepts are now covered in ISTQB® Foundation Level v4.0
  • The new certification focuses on advanced, practice-based competence

This led to the introduction of a new advanced-level certification rather than a direct update to CTFL-AT.

CTAL-AT v2.0 continues to address concepts such as:

  • User story analysis
  • Exploratory testing and test charters
  • Collaboration across roles

The key difference is focus:

  • CT-ATT emphasized how to apply techniques.
  • CTAL-AT v2.0 emphasizes when, why, and with what impact to apply them.

Training providers may continue to deliver CTFL-AT and CT-ATT training and exams during the sunset period, up to the published deadlines.

To offer CTAL-AT v2.0, training providers must:

  • Develop or license new CTAL-AT courseware aligned with the v2.0 syllabus
  • Submit materials for accreditation in line with ISTQB® requirements
  • Ensure trainers hold the CTAL-AT v2.0 certification

Existing CTFL-AT and CT-ATT courseware cannot be reused for CTAL-AT. After the sunset deadlines, CTFL-AT and CT-ATT training and exams can no longer be delivered.

Employers can interpret certifications as follows:

  • CTFL-AT: Foundational Agile testing knowledge
  • CT-ATT: Technical Agile testing practices
  • CTAL-AT: Advanced capability in strategy, collaboration, influence, and continuous improvement

Didn’t find your answer here? Please Contact us