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The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0 course is your gateway to advancing your software testing career. This fully accredited programme provides a solid foundation in software testing principles, preparing you for the globally recognised ISTQB CTFL certification. Tailored for professionals in the UK and beyond, it covers best practices aligned with modern methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile, DevOps, and Continuous Delivery.
Globally recognised qualification: Achieve the ISTQB CTFL certification, a benchmark in software testing excellence.
Career Advancement: Enhance your prospects in the UK and international markets.
Comprehensive Curriculum: Gain in-depth knowledge of software testing concepts and terminology.
Versatile Application: Apply learned skills across multiple software development approaches.
Course Highlights
Duration: 3-day intensive training.
Format: Available in Virtual, Classroom and E-learning
Content: Covers the latest ISTQB syllabus, exam preparation, and revision.
Accreditation: Fully accredited by UKITB on behalf of ISTQB
SFIAplus Level: Rated at level 3 by the BCS.
Important note regarding pre-course
There is mandatory online pre-course work that must be undertaken prior to attending this course. It is expected that it will take approximately four to five hours to complete. You will be sent full instructions with a link to the online pre course three weeks prior to course commencement.
Provide internationally acknowledged professional qualifications
Enable software companies to hire and train certified testers
Facilitate global understanding and comparison of testing skills
Learn more about the NEW ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level
This video will give you an insight in to the new ISTQB Foundation Syllabus, the reasoning behind the syllabus change and the merging of 2 syllabi into one.
Invest in Your Future with ISTQB Certification
Enhance your software testing skills and career prospects with our ISTQB Software Testing Foundation course. Join over a million certified testers worldwide and open doors to exciting opportunities in the field of software quality assurance.
There is mandatory online pre-course work that must be undertaken prior to attending this course. It is expected that it will take approximately four to five hours to complete. You will be sent full instructions with a link to the online pre course three weeks prior to course commencement.
On arrival at the course candidates should have read the provided Syllabus in preparation for the course. The course is intensive and those delegates who have prepared achieve a higher exam success rate.
CTFL Exam
To qualify as an internationally recognised Certified Foundation Level Tester and be issued with an ISTQB® Foundation Level Certificate, delegates must successfully pass the exam:
The examination consists of a one-hour exam with 40 multiple choice questions.
It will be a ‘closed book’ examination i.e. no notes or books will be allowed into the examination room.
Duration of 60 minutes (or 75 minutes for candidates taking examinations that are not in their native language)
The pass mark is 65% (26 out of 40).
Learning Objectives
The Business Outcomes expected of a candidate who has achieved the new Foundation Level certification are as follows:
Understand what testing is and why it is beneficial
Understand fundamental concepts of software testing
Identify the test approach and activities to be implemented depending on the context of testing
Assess and improve the quality of documentation
Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of testing
Align the test process with the software development lifecycle
Understand test management principles
Write and communicate clear and understandable defect reports
Understand the factors that influence the priorities and efforts related to testing
Work as part of a cross-functional team
Know risks and benefits related to test automation
Identify essential skills required for testing
Understand the impact of risk on testing
Effectively report on test progress and quality
ISTQB Foundation Level Syllabus
Fundamentals of Testing
Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle
Static Testing
Test Analysis and Design
Managing the Test Activities
Test Tools
E-Learning – Key Points
Fundamentals of testing
Test activites, testware and roles
Essential skills and good practices
Testing in context of software development lifecycles
Test levels, test types and maintenance testing
Static testing basics
Feedback and review process
Test techniques overview
Black box testing
White box testing
Experienced based testing
Collaboration-based test approaches
Test planning
Risk Management
Test monitoring, control and completion
Configuration and defect management
Test tools
Exam hints and tips
Next steps/Follow on courses
The Certified Tester Foundation Level certification is the prerequisite to the other modules within the Certified Tester Scheme.
The “Core” stream modules are valid for any technology/ methodology/ application domain and build on the Foundation Level:
Advanced Test Manager
Advanced Test Analyst
Advanced Technical Test Analyst
The “Agile” stream focuses on testing practices specifically for the Agile methodology:
Advanced Agile Technical Tester
The “Specialist” stream provides a deep dive into areas which may be based on quality characteristics, specific test approaches and test activities, or which cluster testing know-how for certain industry domains:
Acceptance Testing
AI Testing
Mobile Application Testing
Model-Based Tester
Security Tester
Test Automation Engineer
FAQ’s
What is the Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) course?
The Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) course is a foundational certification program designed for individuals seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in software testing. It covers the fundamentals of software testing, including test design, management, and understanding the software lifecycle.
Who should consider enrolling in the Certified Tester Foundation Level course?
The course is ideal for professionals who are new to the software testing field, including test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, and software developers. It is also beneficial for individuals seeking a career change into software testing.
What are the prerequisites for the Certified Tester Foundation Level course?
There are no formal prerequisites for the CTFL course. However, a basic understanding of IT and software development concepts is recommended to grasp the course content effectively.
Important note regarding pre-course
There is mandatory online pre-course work that must be undertaken prior to attending this course. It is expected that it will take approximately four to five hours to complete. You will be sent full instructions with a link to the online pre course three weeks prior to course commencement.
How long does the course take to complete?
The duration of the Certified Tester Level Foundation course can vary depending on the training provider. Typically, it involves approximately 3 days of instructor-led training, which can be conducted in-person or online.
What topics are covered in the Certified Tester Level Foundation (CTFL) course?
The course covers a wide range of topics, including:
Fundamentals of testing
Testing throughout the software development lifecycle
Static testing
Test design techniques
Test management
Tool support for testing
How is the Certified Tester Level Foundation certification exam structured?
The Certified Tester Level Foundation certification exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 60 minutes to complete the exam (or 75 minutes for non-native English speakers in some countries), and a score of 65% or higher is required to pass.
What are the benefits of obtaining the Certified Tester Level Foundation certification?
Obtaining the Certified Tester Level Foundation certification demonstrates a foundational understanding of software testing principles and practices. It can enhance an individual's credibility and marketability in the software testing job market, leading to potential career advancement opportunities.
Can I take the Certified Tester Level Foundation course without taking the exam?
Yes, individuals can attend the Certified Tester Level Foundation course for personal or professional development without taking the certification exam. However, taking and passing the exam will result in obtaining the CTFL certification, which can be beneficial for career progression.
How can I register for the Certified Tester Level Foundation course and exam?
Decide on the Delivery Method: Begin by selecting your preferred mode of learning. You have the option to choose between virtual (online) courses or traditional, in-person classroom courses. Consider your learning preferences, schedule, and location to make the best decision for your needs.
Select the Exam Format: After deciding on your course delivery method, choose the format of the exam you wish to take. The CTFL exam is typically available in both online and paper-based formats. Your choice might depend on the availability, convenience, or your comfort with test-taking environments.
Complete the Payment: Once you have made your selections, proceed to payment. You can pay for the course and the examination fee using various methods, including credit card, bank transfer, or a purchase order. Ensure that you have all the necessary information and authorisation if using a purchase order or bank transfer.
What is the cost of the Certified Tester Level Foundation (CTFL) course and the certification exam?
The cost of the ISTQB Foundation Level Certification (ISTQB CTFL) is from £1195 +VAT
What are the follow-on courses after passing my CTFL exam?
The Certified Tester Foundation Level certification is the prerequisite to the other modules within the Certified Tester Scheme.
The “Core” stream modules are valid for any technology/ methodology/ application domain and build on the Foundation Level:
Advanced Test Manager
Advanced Test Analyst
Advanced Technical Test Analyst
The “Agile” stream focuses on testing practices specifically for the Agile methodology:
Advanced Agile Technical Tester
The “Specialist” stream provides a deep dive into areas which may be based on quality characteristics, specific test approaches and test activities, or which cluster testing know-how for certain industry domains:
Acceptance Testing
AI Testing • Mobile Application Testing
Model-Based Tester
Security Tester
Test Automation Engineer
587 reviews for ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0
Rated 5 out of 5
Maria Antonia Pasculli|project manager| –
The course is very extensive with a lot of reading, but there are alot of classroom exercises that helps with the understanding of the material._x000D_
My trainer is very helpful and informative. Kept the whole class engaged.
Rated 5 out of 5
Luis Correia|| –
Paul was so lovely and helpful. He went through the course with good pace and detail and was always willing to help and explain things in more detail
Rated 5 out of 5
Lucy Briggs|Graduate Trainee|KPMG –
Hard to say since I have not yet taken the exam but I thought the course was very well delivered, the trainer was excellent and friendly.
Rated 5 out of 5
Louisa Costa|Functional Test Analyst|RCI Financial Services –
I thought the course was well run and everything was explained thoroughly.
Rated 4 out of 5
Kevin Ayres|Test Manager|Metropolitan Police Service –
The course was very interesting. However I believe that such trainings should be taught with physical presence. It was the first time I had online training, and I realize how much I missed the personal interaction with the trainer, and the communication during the lesson with my colleagues. I know this training was offered via internet due to the situation. I hope the level ISTQB level to be organised in a classroom. Rosie was of course there in order to solve our concerns and questions, but I feel it would be nice if she could see us shaking our head for a “yes” when she was asking questions. Regarding with the exams, personally I disagree with the fact that we were not allowed to have a paper. It was time consuming. Also, it would be better to have a 5-min practice in the exam environment, to see how it behaves. I had many times interruptions due to the demand to refresh the screen share. _x000D_
Extra comment: In homework sample questions, in page 41 the question 55 has a typo. Instead of answer “A”, it says “D”
Rated 5 out of 5
Kelly Robinson-McBride|QA Engineer|Iris Software Group –
I was very pleased with the virtual delivery of this course. The course ran seamlessly and was very well structured. John clearly has high expertise in this area and is very experienced in teaching. His teaching style is great – very supportive and thorough in his explanation of theory and in answering follow up questions. The virtual classes are a good solution to the current restrictions on learning and I would recommend.
Rated 5 out of 5
Idris Khan|Senior QA|Camelot UK –
The course was virtual (because of the Covid-19). However I didn’t have any problem connecting to it. John Young is a brilliant trainer, he has examples for everything and his drawing really helps. Thank you John, much appreciated.
Rated 5 out of 5
Emily Hughes|Analyst|KPMG –
Angelina was very engaging and friendly. Explained things well and very happy to go over things that were confusing us. I feel I have learned a lot.
Rated 4 out of 5
Chris Pizey|Consultant|KPMG –
Engaging content but seems like there is a huge amount of it to process in very little time for the examination.
Pros_x000D_
_x000D_
Good preparation with additional mock test._x000D_
Most of the exam questions had already been explained by Rosie during the course._x000D_
_x000D_
Cons_x000D_
_x000D_
I fully understand the difficulties of a remote course, however I think that the course should be more interactive. Otherwise, it ends up being boring._x000D_
For homework and classroom exercises, I would expect that we discussed all of them, regardless of whether we mentioned that we have questions or not.
Rated 5 out of 5
Brian Morris|Automation Engineer|Mirada Medical Ltd –
Angelina represents both TSG and the ISTQB exceptionally well. I am traditionally a sceptic to courses, but in 3 days I have changed that bias – primarily from the depth of knowledge Angelina imparted during the course. Not only is the course material covered comprehensively, but she delivers it in an interactive way that relates back to our own working environments. Modern testing practise may mean different things to different companies / testers, and it is clear Angelina has experience across the whole testing realm, including the real-world team dynamics which make/break the process. Three days remote could be tough work for most trainees, but the continuous flow of new information, delivered in bitesize chunks kept the momentum / enthusiasm working in the team. I feel this is not an easy task to achieve – and this presents additional value that I have not experienced on other courses / other tutors. As a final note, I feel Angelina is genuinely passionate about testing, and is therefore open to healthy debate on the topic (from challenging students like myself). For those reasons : “Excellent” rating above.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ali Hussain|Software Test Analyst Level 1|HRA –
I found the course to be very good with great detail. I would definitely say it was worth attending.
Rated 5 out of 5
Alex Harman|Product Delivery Analyst|Liverpool Victoria –
Very good course. Was kept interested throughout the course.
Rated 5 out of 5
Alex Snow|Assistant Test Team Manager|Old Mutual Wealth/Quilter –
John was engaging and patient. While I know this slightly frustrated one of my colleagues who had no problem keeping up, I could tell that others really appreciated it, as he would make any confusing rationale clear.
Rated 5 out of 5
Matthew Workman | Tester | Living Map –
I found the course met my ojectives and was very satisfied with the course content. The trainer was excellent
Rated 5 out of 5
Dhivya Thiruginanam | Testing Specialist | RBS –
I attended the course to gain certification, I was very happy with the pre-course organisation and administration. The course met all my objectives and I was very satisifed with the course overall.
Rated 5 out of 5
Andrew Pease | Software Test Lead | Ikon Science –
The course was excellent. I found it extremely useful and I have taken away very valuable information from it. The course instructor made the course enjoyable and was very good at explaining things in a way which was easy to understand.
Rated 5 out of 5
Mert Sahindogan | Games QA Engineer | Bally’s Interactive –
She was very helpful and she explained everything really detailed and clean. I was happy with the instructor.
Rated 5 out of 5
Charukshi Wijesinghe | Graduate test engineer | Refeyn Ltd –
Anjelina is a great coach and she explained the modules very clearly
Rated 5 out of 5
Andrew Cummins| QA Test Automation Engineer| TotalMobile –
Really insightful, will definitely improve the way i go about testing in my day to day
Online Exams The remote web proctor solution allows you to take your exams online, using a webcam, microphone and a stable internet connection. You can schedule your exam in advance, at a date and time of your choice. At the agreed time you will connect with a proctor who will invigilate your exam live. View More info here https://tinyurl.com/mr22kry9
A Pearson VUE exam voucher A pearson VUE exam voucher enables you to book and sit your exam at your local Pearson VUE testing centre at a time and date convenient to you. Pearson VUE centres are worldwide, and you will be able to choose the closest testing centre to you. View More info here https://tinyurl.com/2mhn5ust
E-learning is s training, learning, or education delivered online through a computer or any other digital device, where you can work through the course at your own pace.
If you are attending a classroom course, then this will be taken at our many training centres within the UK. Our London location is Minories London EC3N 1BJ
Virtual classroom is like being in a classroom where students gather, except you will be in your home, office, or other place of your choice.
Pass Protect, offered by TSG Training, is a valuable option for those concerned about the possibility of not passing their exam on the first attempt. It acts like an insurance policy, allowing you to resit your exam at a significantly reduced rate. Pass Protect covers one resit per exam purchased, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of an additional attempt if you don’t pass initially.
Maria Antonia Pasculli|project manager| –
The course is very extensive with a lot of reading, but there are alot of classroom exercises that helps with the understanding of the material._x000D_
My trainer is very helpful and informative. Kept the whole class engaged.
Luis Correia|| –
Paul was so lovely and helpful. He went through the course with good pace and detail and was always willing to help and explain things in more detail
Lucy Briggs|Graduate Trainee|KPMG –
Hard to say since I have not yet taken the exam but I thought the course was very well delivered, the trainer was excellent and friendly.
Louisa Costa|Functional Test Analyst|RCI Financial Services –
I thought the course was well run and everything was explained thoroughly.
Kevin Ayres|Test Manager|Metropolitan Police Service –
The course was very interesting. However I believe that such trainings should be taught with physical presence. It was the first time I had online training, and I realize how much I missed the personal interaction with the trainer, and the communication during the lesson with my colleagues. I know this training was offered via internet due to the situation. I hope the level ISTQB level to be organised in a classroom. Rosie was of course there in order to solve our concerns and questions, but I feel it would be nice if she could see us shaking our head for a “yes” when she was asking questions. Regarding with the exams, personally I disagree with the fact that we were not allowed to have a paper. It was time consuming. Also, it would be better to have a 5-min practice in the exam environment, to see how it behaves. I had many times interruptions due to the demand to refresh the screen share. _x000D_
Extra comment: In homework sample questions, in page 41 the question 55 has a typo. Instead of answer “A”, it says “D”
Kelly Robinson-McBride|QA Engineer|Iris Software Group –
I was very pleased with the virtual delivery of this course. The course ran seamlessly and was very well structured. John clearly has high expertise in this area and is very experienced in teaching. His teaching style is great – very supportive and thorough in his explanation of theory and in answering follow up questions. The virtual classes are a good solution to the current restrictions on learning and I would recommend.
Idris Khan|Senior QA|Camelot UK –
The course was virtual (because of the Covid-19). However I didn’t have any problem connecting to it. John Young is a brilliant trainer, he has examples for everything and his drawing really helps. Thank you John, much appreciated.
Emily Hughes|Analyst|KPMG –
Angelina was very engaging and friendly. Explained things well and very happy to go over things that were confusing us. I feel I have learned a lot.
Chris Pizey|Consultant|KPMG –
Engaging content but seems like there is a huge amount of it to process in very little time for the examination.
Charalampos Saltsidis|IT Consultant|European Dynamics –
Pros_x000D_
_x000D_
Good preparation with additional mock test._x000D_
Most of the exam questions had already been explained by Rosie during the course._x000D_
_x000D_
Cons_x000D_
_x000D_
I fully understand the difficulties of a remote course, however I think that the course should be more interactive. Otherwise, it ends up being boring._x000D_
For homework and classroom exercises, I would expect that we discussed all of them, regardless of whether we mentioned that we have questions or not.
Brian Morris|Automation Engineer|Mirada Medical Ltd –
Angelina represents both TSG and the ISTQB exceptionally well. I am traditionally a sceptic to courses, but in 3 days I have changed that bias – primarily from the depth of knowledge Angelina imparted during the course. Not only is the course material covered comprehensively, but she delivers it in an interactive way that relates back to our own working environments. Modern testing practise may mean different things to different companies / testers, and it is clear Angelina has experience across the whole testing realm, including the real-world team dynamics which make/break the process. Three days remote could be tough work for most trainees, but the continuous flow of new information, delivered in bitesize chunks kept the momentum / enthusiasm working in the team. I feel this is not an easy task to achieve – and this presents additional value that I have not experienced on other courses / other tutors. As a final note, I feel Angelina is genuinely passionate about testing, and is therefore open to healthy debate on the topic (from challenging students like myself). For those reasons : “Excellent” rating above.
Ali Hussain|Software Test Analyst Level 1|HRA –
I found the course to be very good with great detail. I would definitely say it was worth attending.
Alex Harman|Product Delivery Analyst|Liverpool Victoria –
Very good course. Was kept interested throughout the course.
Alex Snow|Assistant Test Team Manager|Old Mutual Wealth/Quilter –
John was engaging and patient. While I know this slightly frustrated one of my colleagues who had no problem keeping up, I could tell that others really appreciated it, as he would make any confusing rationale clear.
Matthew Workman | Tester | Living Map –
I found the course met my ojectives and was very satisfied with the course content. The trainer was excellent
Dhivya Thiruginanam | Testing Specialist | RBS –
I attended the course to gain certification, I was very happy with the pre-course organisation and administration. The course met all my objectives and I was very satisifed with the course overall.
Andrew Pease | Software Test Lead | Ikon Science –
The course was excellent. I found it extremely useful and I have taken away very valuable information from it. The course instructor made the course enjoyable and was very good at explaining things in a way which was easy to understand.
Mert Sahindogan | Games QA Engineer | Bally’s Interactive –
She was very helpful and she explained everything really detailed and clean. I was happy with the instructor.
Charukshi Wijesinghe | Graduate test engineer | Refeyn Ltd –
Anjelina is a great coach and she explained the modules very clearly
Andrew Cummins| QA Test Automation Engineer| TotalMobile –
Really insightful, will definitely improve the way i go about testing in my day to day