The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is one of the best-known software testing certifications in the world. This free course gives you everything in one place: verified exam details, study notes for all six syllabus chapters, a study plan, and full-length sample papers with answers.
ISTQB CTFL › Certification details Syllabus v4.0.1 · updated 3 Nov 2026
What is the ISTQB Foundation Level certification?
ISTQB stands for the International Software Testing Qualifications Board, a non-profit body that defines the “Certified Tester” scheme, which is run through national member boards around the world. The Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) is the entry point of that scheme. It proves that you understand the common language and core practices of software testing: why we test, how testing fits into development, how reviews work, how to design test cases with proven techniques, how to plan and report testing, and where tools help.
CTFL is a knowledge certification, not a hands-on exam. You answer 40 multiple-choice questions based on one official document, the CTFL syllabus. If you know the syllabus well, you pass.
Who it is for:
- Manual and automation testers, test analysts and QA engineers who want a recognised qualification.
- Developers, business analysts, product owners and project managers who work with testers.
- Freshers and career changers who want a structured introduction to testing before applying for QA roles.
There is no formal entry requirement: no degree, no work experience and no training course is needed to sit the exam. Self-study is allowed. Accredited training is optional.
Which syllabus version is current?
The exam is based on CTFL v4.0. The current document is v4.0.1, an errata release dated 15 September 2024 that corrects the v4.0 general release of 21 April 2023. The older v3.1 syllabus has been retired, so any book or video built on v3.1 (with “fundamental test process”, “test levels from the V-model” as the main frame, and no testing quadrants, test pyramid or ATDD) is out of date.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Syllabus | CTFL v4.0.1 (errata of v4.0) |
| Chapters | 6 examinable chapters |
| Learning objectives | 64, each tagged K1, K2 or K3 |
| Business outcomes | 14 |
| Minimum accredited training time | 1,135 minutes (18 hours 55 minutes) |
Exam pattern
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40 multiple-choice questions, 1 point each |
| Pass mark | 26 points (65%) |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Language extension | +25% (75 minutes) if you take the exam in a language that is not your native language |
| Question style | Four options (a, b, c, d), one correct answer |
| Book | Closed book: no notes or syllabus in the exam |
| Format | Online with a remote proctor, or at a test centre (depends on the exam provider) |
An unanswered question scores zero, so always mark an answer, even if you have to guess between two options.
Questions per chapter
ISTQB publishes the exact number of questions for each chapter and each knowledge level. This table is taken from the official Exam Structures and Rules tables (v1.20). Use it to plan your study time.
| Chapter | Questions | K1 | K2 | K3 | Study weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fundamentals of Testing | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 20% |
| 2. Testing Throughout the SDLC | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 15% |
| 3. Static Testing | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10% |
| 4. Test Analysis and Design | 11 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 27.5% |
| 5. Managing the Test Activities | 9 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 22.5% |
| 6. Test Tools | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| Total | 40 | 8 | 24 | 8 | 100% |
Chapters 4 and 5 carry 20 of the 40 questions, and all 8 K3 (calculation and application) questions come from them: equivalence partitioning, boundary values, decision tables, state transitions, ATDD, estimation, test case prioritization and defect reports. Master those and you are halfway to a pass.
What K1, K2 and K3 mean
| Level | Meaning | Typical question |
|---|---|---|
| K1 Remember | Recall a term or fact | “Which of the following is a test objective?” |
| K2 Understand | Explain, compare, classify, give examples | “Which statement best describes the difference between confirmation testing and regression testing?” |
| K3 Apply | Use a technique on a scenario | “How many test cases are needed to achieve 100% boundary value coverage?” |
Every keyword listed at the start of a syllabus chapter can be tested at K1, even if no learning objective names it. Our study notes list those keywords for each chapter.
Fees and how to book the exam in India
ISTQB does not sell exams directly. Each country has a Member Board, and exams are delivered through accredited exam providers. In India the member board is the Indian Testing Board (ITB), and its exams are delivered through Pearson VUE, either online (OnVUE, with a live proctor watching through your webcam) or at a Pearson VUE test centre.
How to book:
- Create an account and register for the Foundation Level exam on the Indian Testing Board website, istqb.in.
- Pay the exam fee and choose online or test-centre delivery.
- Schedule your date and time through your Pearson VUE account. Rescheduling and cancellation are also done there.
- For online exams, run the Pearson VUE system test on the computer you will use, well before exam day.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee in India | About ₹5,500 to ₹7,000 including GST in 2026, depending on the delivery option. Fees are set locally and change, so confirm the current price on istqb.in before paying |
| Outside India | Find your country’s member board or an exam provider on istqb.org |
| Result and certificate | Issued by the board after the exam; check the result timeline with your provider when you book |
| Validity | Lifetime, no renewal needed |
Buy the exam only from the Indian Testing Board, its listed exam providers or an accredited training provider. Third-party “discount vouchers” sold on social media are a common scam.
Syllabus at a glance
| Chapter | Training time | What you learn |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fundamentals of Testing | 180 min | Test objectives, testing vs debugging, errors/defects/failures, the 7 principles, test activities, testware, roles, skills, independence |
| 2. Testing Throughout the SDLC | 130 min | SDLC impact, TDD/ATDD/BDD, DevOps, shift left, retrospectives, test levels, test types, confirmation vs regression, maintenance testing |
| 3. Static Testing | 80 min | Static vs dynamic testing, early feedback, the review process, roles and review types |
| 4. Test Analysis and Design | 390 min | Equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, decision tables, state transitions, statement and branch testing, experience-based and collaboration-based approaches |
| 5. Managing the Test Activities | 335 min | Test plans, entry/exit criteria, estimation, prioritization, test pyramid, testing quadrants, risk, monitoring and reporting, configuration and defect management |
| 6. Test Tools | 20 min | Tool types, benefits and risks of test automation |
Free study material on SQA Tools
Official free resources you should also download from the ISTQB CTFL page:
- The CTFL v4.0.1 syllabus (the only source the exam is written from).
- Official sample exams A, B, C and D, each with an answer document that explains every option.
- The ISTQB Glossary, which defines every term exactly as the exam uses it.
After the Foundation Level
CTFL is the prerequisite for every other ISTQB certification. Popular next steps are:
- Advanced Level core: Test Analyst (CTAL-TA), Technical Test Analyst (CTAL-TTA) and Test Management (CTAL-TM).
- Agile stream: for testers working in Agile teams.
- Specialist modules: Test Automation Engineering, Performance Testing, Security Testing, Mobile Application Testing, AI Testing and more.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ISTQB Foundation exam difficult?
It is a fair exam, but not a free pass. Questions are worded precisely, often with two plausible options. Candidates who study the syllabus itself, learn the glossary meanings and practise the K3 techniques usually pass on the first attempt. Candidates who rely only on experience often lose marks because the exam uses ISTQB definitions, not company jargon.
How long should I prepare?
Most people need 3 to 4 weeks at about one hour a day, or 2 weeks of focused full-time study. Our preparation guide has day-by-day plans for both.
Can I give the exam without training?
Yes. Accredited training is recommended by ISTQB but not required. This free study material, the official syllabus and the official sample exams are enough for many candidates.
Does the certificate expire?
No. The Foundation Level certificate is valid for life.
Is it worth it for automation testers?
Yes. Automation is a way of executing tests, but deciding what to test still needs the techniques in chapter 4 and the risk thinking in chapter 5. It also gives you the shared vocabulary that test leads, developers and interviewers use when they talk about coverage, risk and defects.
Quick check: are you exam-ready?
How many points do you need to pass the CTFL v4.0 exam?
- A. 24 of 40
- B. 26 of 40
- C. 28 of 40
- D. 30 of 40
Show answer
Answer: B. 26 of 40
The pass mark is 65%, which is 26 of the 40 points, and each question is worth one point.
Which two chapters together carry half of the exam questions?
- A. Chapters 1 and 2
- B. Chapters 2 and 3
- C. Chapters 4 and 5
- D. Chapters 5 and 6
Show answer
Answer: C. Chapters 4 and 5
Chapter 4 has 11 questions and chapter 5 has 9, which is 20 of 40. All eight K3 questions also come from these two chapters.