ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certification a valuable certification for anyone involved in software testing, including testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, and software developers, as well as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors, and management consultants.
The CTFL certification provides essential testing knowledge and explains the terminology and concepts used worldwide in the testing domain. It's relevant across software delivery approaches and practices, including Waterfall, Agile, DevOps, and Continuous Delivery.
The exam structure consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a total of 40 points, and the passing score is 26. The exam duration is 60 minutes, with an additional 25% of the time for non-native language speakers.
Holders of the CTFL certification should be able to promote efficient and effective communication by using a common vocabulary for software testing, understand fundamental concepts of software testing, contribute effectively in reviews, use established techniques for designing tests at all test levels, 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, and assist in the selection and implementation process of testing tools.
Training for the CTFL certification is available from Accredited Training Providers in the form of classroom, virtual, and e-learning. It's highly recommended to attend accredited training as it ensures that an ISTQB® Member Board has assessed the materials for relevance and consistency against the syllabus. Self-study using the syllabus and recommended reading material is also an option.
Holders of the CTFL certification will be eligible to proceed to the next stage of the Core stream and take Test Analyst, Technical Test Analyst, or Test Management Advanced Level certifications. They may also choose to follow the Agile or Specialist streams to develop specific skills.