ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) exam

Target group

The Foundation Level certification is suitable for anyone who needs to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts of software testing including people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, and software developers.

It is also appropriate for individuals who need a basic understanding of software testing including project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors, and management consultants.

Exam structure

A candidate who has achieved the Foundation Level certification should be able to:

• Promote efficient and effective communication by using a common vocabulary for software testing
• Understand fundamental concepts of software testing
• Demonstrate understanding of how different development and testing practices, and different constraints on testing, may apply in optimizing testing to different contexts
• Contribute effectively in reviews
• Use established techniques for designing tests at all test levels
• Interpret and execute tests from given test specifications, and report on test results
• Understand test management principles for resources, strategies, planning, project control, and risk management
• Write and communicate clear and understandable defect reports
• Understand the project factors that drive the test priorities and test approach
• Understand the value that software testing brings to stakeholders
• Appreciate how testing activities and work products align with project objectives, measures, and targets
• Assist in the selection and implementation process of testing tool

Certification

• Candidates have to have an ID or Passport to identify yourself.
• Candidates that take the exam in a different language as their native one and candidates with disabilities (e.g. dyslexia) will receive an additional 25% time.
• Candidates that take the exam in a different language as their native one, can use a paper dictionary to help with the translation or ask the proctor for the translation on the smartphone.
• All the examination papers and notes have to be returned to a proctor or destroyed in any case.

Candidates are not allowed to:

• use any kind of study materials
• use any kind of help from others
• use smartphones, headphones or any wearables
• leave the room/pc during the examination, even for the toilet

In the case of cheating, the exam session will be interrupted, and your exam attempt will be considered as failed