ISTQB® Exams

Each exam contains questions aimed at verifying a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the topics detailed in the learning objectives for the respective ISTQB^® syllabus.

The Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) exam only requires knowledge of the CTFL syllabus. All other exams (Foundation, Advanced, Specialist, and Expert) assume knowledge of the CTFL syllabus and may include questions related to this.

Advanced level Agile exams also assume knowledge from the Agile Tester Foundation (CTFL-AT) certification.

Expert level exams require knowledge of any Advanced level syllabi that have been defined as a prerequisite.

It is expected that the terms defined in the ISTQB^® Glossary are also known for the certification exam being taken (and any pre-requisite certifications).

Browse ISTQB^® certifications here or from the ISTQB^® Certified Tester scheme diagram here. Click on a certification to find details of the syllabus, sample exams, and the relevant exam structure and rules documents.

ISTQB^® Foundation, Specialist, and Advanced level exams are multiple-choice question exams. Multiple-choice is a form of assessment in which candidates are asked to select the best possible answer (or answers) according to the relevant syllabus (or Glossary for keywords) from the options in a list. ISTQB^® Expert level exams include both multiple-choice and essay questions.

ISTQB^® specifies the number of correct answers/marks required to pass each certification exam. The number of questions in an exam and the total points available will vary depending on the certification.

You can find out more about the relevant ISTQB® exam structure and rules by selecting your preferred certification here or from the ISTQB^® Certified Tester scheme diagram here and clicking on the Exam Structure and Rules documents.

The exam length will vary according to which certification exam you are taking. If the exam is in a language that is not your first language then you are entitled to apply for a time extension (25% of the usual exam length).

For more information visit our certifications page here or ISTQB^® Certified Tester scheme diagram here and select your certification. Refer to the relevant syllabus and exam structure and rules.

Please contact your local Member Board or Exam Provider if you require further information.

Learning Objectives are statements that describe what the candidate is expected to know or be able to do after mastering the syllabus content. Learning Objectives are defined for each syllabus section. The learning objectives in a syllabus support the business outcomes.

Business Outcomes are specific statements of what can be expected from a person who achieves certification in a particular subject area (e.g. an advanced test manager). It outlines the benefits for companies who are considering the development of specific testing skills.
The business outcomes for each syllabus are described in their respective overview documents.

This is not possible – you must hold the pre-requisite(s) as defined in the syllabus to be eligible to take an ISTQB^® certification exam. Please ask your Member Board or Exam Provider if you have specific questions.

Please ask your Member Board or Exam Provider if they are able to provide this option. The Foundation Level Certified Tester certification is issued only after passing the exam and is a mandatory pre-requisite for all other certifications.

K-levels are levels of knowledge. Each Learning Objective (and exam question) is classified according to the cognitive level, the K-Level.

Level 1: Remember (K1)

• The candidate will recognize, remember and recall a term or concept.
• Keywords: Identify, Remember, retrieve, recall, recognize, know

Level 2: Understand (K2)

• The candidate can select the reasons or explanations for statements related to the topic and can summarize, compare, classify, categorize and give examples for the testing concept.
• Keywords: Summarize, generalize, abstract, classify, compare, map, contrast, exemplify, interpret, translate, represent, infer, conclude, categorize, construct models

Level 3: Apply (K3)

• The candidate can select the correct application of a concept or technique and apply it to a given context.
• Keywords: Implement, execute, use, follow a procedure, apply a procedure

Level 4: Analyze (K4)

• The candidate can separate information related to a procedure or technique into its constituent parts for better understanding and can distinguish between facts and inferences. A typical application is to analyze a document, software, or project situation and propose appropriate actions to solve a problem or task.
• Keywords: Analyze, organize, find coherence, integrate, outline, parse, structure, attribute, deconstruct, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, focus, select

Level 5: Evaluate (K5)

• The candidate may make judgments based on criteria and standards. The candidate detects inconsistencies or fallacies within a process or product, determines whether a process or product has internal consistency, and detects the effectiveness of a procedure as it is being implemented (e.g. determine if a scientist’s conclusions follow from observed data.)
• Keywords: Evaluate, coordinate, detect, monitor. judge, critique

Level 6: Create (K6)

• The candidate puts elements together to form a coherent or functional whole. A typical application is to reorganize elements into a new pattern or structure, devise a procedure for accomplishing some task, or invent a product (e.g. build habitats for a specific purpose).
• Keywords: Generate, hypothesize, plan, design, construct, produce

Foundation level exams cover 3 different K-levels (K1 to K3).
Advanced level exams cover 3 different K-Levels (K2 to K4).
Expert level exams cover 5 different K-Levels (K2 to K6).

Each certification in the ISTQB^® Certified Tester scheme has a sample exam that can be freely downloaded. Visit the individual certification page to access all of the corresponding download materials for a certification, including the sample exam.

Certification pages can be accessed from ‘Our Certifications’ page here or from the ISTQB^® Certified Tester scheme diagram here.

Your Member Board or Exam Provider will provide you with your result and answer any further questions related to your exam.

Exams are offered by ISTQB^® Member Boards and Exam Providers. Please contact them for information on exam dates, exam delivery options, applicable fees, and booking information.

The Foundation Level Certified Tester (CTFL) exam has no pre-requisites. Foundation Level Certified Tester (CTFL) is a pre-requisite to all other certifications in the ISTQB^® Certified Tester Scheme.

The ISTQB^® Certified Tester scheme diagram here shows all of the dependencies between certifications, and pre-requisites are specified on individual certification pages.

You can take the exams as many times as necessary to pass them. The fees for re-taking the exams and details of any rules on the minimum time interval allowed between exams will be available from your local ISTQB^® Member Board or Exam Provider.

The relevant ISTQB^® syllabus and ISTQB^® Glossary should be used as a minimum. Sample exams are also available. Other suggested preparation material (books etc.) may be found in the “Reference” chapter of each syllabus.

Visit the individual certification page to access all of the corresponding download materials for a certification, including the sample exam. Certification pages can be accessed from ‘Our Certifications’ page here or from the ISTQB^® Certified Tester scheme diagram here.

You can find details of ISTQB^® Exam Providers here.

ISTQB^® is unable to send your exam result. Please contact the Member Board or Exam Provider who arranged your exam.

ISTQB^® is unable to send a receipt. Please contact the Member Board or Exam Provider who arranged your exam.

ISTQB^® is unable to help you to reschedule. Please contact the Member Board or Exam Provider who arranged your exam.

Please contact the Member Board or Exam Provider.

The materials from these sites should be avoided. They are not linked to ISTQB^®, Member Boards, or authorized Exam Providers in any way.

There is no partial scoring. As an example, where a question is worth 3 points and you need to select 2 options then you will only score 3 points where you have selected both of the correct answers (you will not receive half the points for selecting one).

For more information on exam rules please refer to the ISTQB® Exam-Structures-and-Rules document (this can be found in downloads on CTAL certification pages).