How long does it take to complete an ISTQB course?

It depends on the level, as well as the mode, of training. Training can take as little as 2 to 3 days for the Foundation Level, depending on the provider and the course depth. The Advanced Level courses generally require 3 to 5 days of training per module, depending on their complexity and uniqueness. Expert-level courses take more weeks because they are special study topics, which usually require higher preparation and study. Secondly, if you take an e-learning or self-paced course, you are flexible in terms of time commitment to accommodate your learning pace.

What is the format of ISTQB exams?

The ISTQB exam format is as follows - Question Type: Primarily multiple-choice questions. Foundation Level: ~40 questions; 60 minutes; 65% passing score. Advanced Level: ~40-60 questions; 90-180 minutes; 65% passing score. Expert Level: Includes multiple-choice and written assignments; duration varies. Language: Available in multiple languages. Scoring: No negative marks; each question typically worth one mark. Certification: Internationally recognised certificate upon passing.

What is ISTQB? Why should I consider taking its courses?

The full form of ISTQB is International Software Testing Qualifications Board. It is a global organisation that awards certification for software testing professionals. The ISTQB certification becomes valuable since it represents a standardized measure of expertise and knowledge about software testing practices. Earning an ISTQB qualification demonstrates, primarily to your employer and your clients, that you have at least a specified level of competence in testing practices, best practices, and the prevailing standards in your industry. This gives access to jobs and higher salary levels, among other benefits. ISTQB certifications are also considered professional credentials widely respected by the industry and contribute to having a common framework to evaluate the relative testing skills across different organizations and geographical locations.

ISTQB Courses & Certifications Online

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Last updated on 21 Apr '25

ISTQB
All About Courses & Platform

ISTQB® (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) is the world's leading certification organisation for software testing competencies thanks to its successful ISTQB® Certified Tester scheme. As of June 2024, ISTQB® has administered more than 1.4 million ISTQB exams and issued over 995,000 certifications in over 130 countries.

The ISTQB® Certified Tester scheme is based on a set of knowledge and examination rules that are consistently applied worldwide, with exams and supporting materials available in various languages.

The goal of ISTQB ® is to continually improve and advance the software testing profession by defining knowledge, connecting the international community, and fostering research.

ISTQB Certification Levels

Level	Certification Name	Exam Structure
Core Foundation	Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0	No. of Questions: 40 Total Points: 40 Passing Score: 26 Exam Length (mins): 60 (+25% Non-Native Language)
	Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v3.1
Core Advanced	Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst (CTAL-TA)	No. of Questions: 40 Total Points: 80 Passing Score: 52 Exam Length (mins): 120 (+25% Non-Native Language)
	Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) v2.0	No. of Questions: 40 Total Points: 66 Passing Score: 43 Exam Length (mins): 90 (+25% Non-Native Language)
Specialist	Certified Tester Test Automation Strategy (CT-TAS)	No. of Questions: 40 Total Points: 49 Passing Score: 32 Exam Length (mins): 60 (+25% Non-Native Language)
	Certified Tester AI Testing (CT-AI)	No. of Questions: 40 Total Points: 47 Passing Score: 31 Exam Length (mins): 60 (+25% Non-Native Language)
Agile	Certified Tester Foundation Level Agile Tester (CTFL-AT)	No. of Questions: 40 Total Points: 40 Passing Score: 26 Exam Length (mins): 60 (+25% Non-Native Language)
	Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Technical Tester (CTAL-ATT)	No. of Questions: 40 Total Points: 64 Passing Score: 42 Exam Length (mins): 90 (+25% Non-Native Language)
Expert Level Improving the Test Process	Certified Tester Expert Level Assessing Test Processes (CTEL-ITP-ATP)	CTEL-ITP certification comprises 2 parts - Assessing the Test Process Implementing Test Process Improvement
	Certified Tester Expert Level Implementing Test Process Improvement (CTEL-ITP-ITPI)
Expert Level Test Management	Certified Tester Expert Level Test Management Strategic Test Management (CTEL-TM-SM)	CTEL-TM certification comprises 3 parts - Strategic Test Management Operational Test Management Managing the Test Team
	Certified Tester Expert Level Test Management Operational Test Management (CTEL-TM-OTM)

ISTQB Certification Eligibility

Listed below is the certification eligibility for different ISTQB certifications -

Certification Name	Who should take this course?/Eligibility
Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0	Testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, and software developers. Project managers, quality managers, software developers, program managers, business analysts, management consultants. Those willing to demonstrate practical knowledge of software testing.
Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v3.1
Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) v2.0
Certified Tester Test Automation Strategy (CT-TAS)
Certified Tester AI Testing (CT-AI)	Anyone involved in testing AI-based systems and/or AI for testing.
Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst (CTAL-TA)	Anyone who wishes to develop their expertise in test analysis and design techniques. Mandatory requirement: The candidate must hold the Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate and have sufficient practical experience.
Certified Tester Foundation Level Agile Tester (CTFL-AT)	Professionals working/about to work in an Agile environment Mandatory requirement: Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate.
Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Technical Tester (CTAL-ATT)	Mandatory requirements A valid Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate 4.0 (CTFL 4.0) certification OR A valid Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate prior to the CTFL 4.0 + A valid Certified Tester Foundation Level Agile Tester certificate Sufficient practical experience.
Certified Tester Expert Level Assessing Test Processes (CTEL-ITP-ATP)	Mandatory requirements: Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) certificate Passed the Expert Level Exam Minimum 5 years of practical testing experience Minimum 2 years of industry experience in the specific Expert Level topic
Certified Tester Expert Level Implementing Test Process Improvement (CTEL-ITP-ITPI)
Certified Tester Expert Level Test Management Strategic Test Management (CTEL-TM-SM)
Certified Tester Expert Level Test Management Operational Test Management (CTEL-TM-OTM)

Syllabus for ISTB Certification Exams

To help you understand which topics to study for ISTQB certification exams, we have listed the syllabus for respective exams separately.

Core Foundation

Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0

Topic	Description
Testing Fundamentals	Basics of testing, objectives, and principles
Test Process	Testing activities, roles, and workflows
Testing Throughout the SDLC	Integration of testing in different development models
Test Techniques	Black-box, white-box, and experience-based techniques
Test Management	Test planning, monitoring, and control
Tools	Overview of testing tools and their applications

Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v3.1

Topic	Description
Similar to v4.0	Covers similar topics as v4.0 with minor differences

Core Advanced

Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Analyst (CTAL-TA)

Topic	Description
Testing Techniques	Advanced black-box techniques and functional testing
Test Process Improvement	Defining and optimizing test processes
Testing Documentation	Creating test plans, designs, and specifications
Non-functional Testing	Usability testing, performance testing, and security testing
Defect Management	Identifying and tracking defects

Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Automation Engineering (CTAL-TAE) v2.0

Topic	Description
Automation Concepts	Basics of test automation
Test Automation Architecture	Designing maintainable automation frameworks
Tools and Techniques	Selection and implementation of automation tools
Process Integration	Integrating automation into test workflows

Specialist Certifications

Certified Tester Test Automation Strategy (CT-TAS)

Topic	Description
Automation Planning	Strategic test automation planning
ROI and Metrics	Measuring the success of automation
Tool Selection	Evaluating and selecting appropriate tools

Certified Tester AI Testing (CT-AI)

Topic	Description
AI Basics	Introduction to AI concepts and machine learning
Testing AI Systems	Strategies for validating AI-driven applications
Ethical Concerns	Ethics and bias in AI testing

Agile Certifications

Certified Tester Foundation Level Agile Tester (CTFL-AT)

Topic	Description
Agile Principles	Core concepts of Agile methodologies
Testing in Agile	Adapting testing practices for Agile environments
Test Automation	Role of Automation in Agile

Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Technical Tester (CTAL-ATT)

Topic	Description
Advanced Agile Testing	Techniques for technical testing in Agile
Automation in Agile	Continuous integration and delivery testing
Test-Driven Development	TDD, BDD, and ATDD concepts

Expert Level

Improving the Test Process

Topic	Description
Assessing Test Processes	Evaluation and benchmarking
Process Optimization	Strategies for improvement

Test Management

Topic	Description
Strategic Test Management	Long-term planning and decision-making
Operational Test Management	Day-to-day test management and execution

Tips for Preparing for ISTQB Certification

We have listed some practical tips to help you prepare well and succeed in your next ISTQB Certification:

1. Plan Your Preparation

Be ready for demanding preparation, combining study and practice.
Use reliable study materials such as "Software Testing Fundamentals" and other ISTQB-recommended resources.
Review the syllabus and glossary according to your certification level (Foundation, Advanced, or Expert).
Familiarize yourself with standards like IEEE 829, IEEE 610, ISO 250, ISO/IEC 29119, ISO/IEC 9126.7, etc.

2. Gain Some Testing Experience

Use open-source testing tools like Selenium, JUnit, or Appium to practice hands-on testing.
Work on sample projects available on platforms like GitHub to simulate real-world scenarios.

3. Use Mock Exams

Practice mock exams to get used to the exam format and question types.
Mock exams help identify weak areas and improve time management.

4. Consider Training Courses

Enroll in an ISTQB-accredited preparation course for structured guidance.
Enroll in online courses on testing fundamentals.
Benefit from trainers who can clarify concepts, share practical examples, and answer questions.

5. Understand the Exam Format

The ISTQB exam is multiple-choice, with 40 questions in 60 minutes.
Each question has four options, and only one is correct.
Aim for a minimum of 65% correct answers (26 correct answers) to pass.
Don't aim to simply memorize information, but strive to understand the concepts thoroughly to apply them.

6. Practice Exam Strategies

Start with easier questions or the ones you are confident in to save time.
Save the majority of your time for more challenging questions.
Ensure you answer all 40 questions, as there are no negative marks for wrong answers.

7. Time Management During the Exam

Try not to spend more than 1.5 minutes per question.
Keep an eye on the clock to leave time for review and marking.

8. Stay Confident and Focused

Trust your preparation and instincts.
Avoid overthinking questions, and stay calm even if some questions seem tricky.

ISTQB Overview

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ISTQB Foundation Level

Certificate

4.8

Total Fees

– / –

Duration

1 hours

Difficulty level

Intermediate

Skills

Test Management ISTQB Software development Software Testing

ISTQB Certified Associate in Software Testing

Certificate

4.5

Total Fees

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– / –

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Skills

ISTQB Software Testing

ISTQB Foundation Level Performance Testing

Certificate

4.7

Total Fees

– / –

Duration

2 hours

Difficulty level

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ISTQB Software Testing

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Software Quality Functional Testing Software development Software Testing

Manual Testing Training

ISTQBCertificate

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60 hours

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Manual testing Black Box Testing Functional Testing White box testing +4 more

ISTQB
Students Ratings & Reviews

4.8/5

829 Ratings

4-5
640
3-4
178
2-3
8
1-2
3

Rashmi Sharma

ISTQB Foundation Level

Learning Experience: Course content was good and the training was also good.

Faculty: The approach used by faculty was good The course curriculum was relevant to the industry practices and helped in solving day to day work issues

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2023Read More

Andhe Janardhana Reddaiah

ISTQB Foundation Level

Learning Experience: Good

Faculty: Nice Good

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2023Read More

Megha Mahajan

ISTQB Foundation Level

Learning Experience: It was a nice experience. And it also helps in IT

Faculty: It was a self study. I preapared it only from syllabus Yeah, updated one. Assignments and all are sufficient to practice.

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2023Read More

MUDIT MAHESHWARI

ISTQB Foundation Level

Learning Experience: The course content was more focussed on fundamentals of manual testing, we get to know about the various terms that are used in business regarding the agile model, istqb is a widely accepted certification in testing domain and all should give it

Faculty: i took the udemy course , it had very detailed knowledge about the syllabus, it offered several mocks as well. overall it made the exam easy The course curriculum was theoretical, too many concepts, one advice , dont try to mug the definitions rather focus on practical questions

Course Support: it adds a unique value to the skillset as it is a recognized certification in the industry

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2023Read More

Pranali Ovhal

ISTQB Foundation Level

Learning Experience: Great experience with good environment while appearing for the test. Syllabus was good and helpful in industry

Faculty: Good Yes was great

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2023Read More

Ankush Sonparote

ISTQB Foundation Level

Faculty: Good Yes was great

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2023Read More

View All 355 Reviews

ISTQB FAQs

Q: Where can I find my ISTQB results?

ISTQB exam results are usually provided by the official exam provider or testing partner through which the exam was taken. Most candidates receive their results by email or through their account on the exam provider's website.
For instance, if a person sat the test via AT*SQA or ASTQB (used in the US), they can access their AT*SQA account and see detailed results and scores by topic.
It is best to inquire with your local ISTTB member board or exam provider elsewhere. Each country may have a unique process and system for result sharing. Be sure to keep the exam account login credentials secure, as this is where certificates and score reports will typically be made available.

Q: How much is the ISTQB certification fee?

Below are the examination fees for different ISTQB qualifications:

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) exam - US $229.
ISTQB Certified Agile Testing exam - US $199.
ASTQB Certified Mobile Testing exam - US $199.
ISTQB Certified Usability Testing exam - US $199.
ASTQB Certified Performance Testing exam - US $199.
ASTQB Certified Model-Based Testing exam - US $199.
ASTQB Certified Automotive Testing exam - US $199.
Each Advanced Level exam (Test Manager, Test Analyst, Technical Test Analyst, Test Automation Engineer, Security Testing) - US $249
Each Expert Level exam - US $375.

Q: How many attempts can I take for the ISTQB exam?

There is no restriction on the number of times one can attempt the ISTQB exam and no waiting time between attempts. However, studying before attempting it again instead of several times a day is advisable.
Following every attempt at an exam, the individual has to register once again and pay for the exam fee unless they are eligible for a free re-attempt from ASTQB, which is subject to some conditions. ASTQB and ATSQA give detailed exam reports by topic area. These reports are published in the candidate's ATSQA account and can be used to determine areas to improve before re-taking the exam.

Q: How do I begin with ISTQB Certification?

ISTQB certification begins at the Foundation Level (CTFL), a prerequisite for sitting higher-level ISTQB exams. The Foundation Level examines general testing principles and assists testers in establishing an understanding of words and concepts. Even experienced testers can benefit from this, as it allows for better communication and collaboration with other testers throughout testing projects.