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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
Philippa Hodge | Automation Tester |WTC –
Very good at keeping people’s attention – much harder online so she did a grand job of that.
Rated 5 out of 5
Philippa Hodge | Automation Tester |WTC –
Very good at keeping people’s attention – much harder online so she did a grand job of that.
Rated 5 out of 5
Patrick Wilson | Test Analyst |IBM –
Very Informative, a good pace to the course and really good explanations and links to how it will be used in the “Real world”. My only “Even better if”, is if a little more writing on the slides could be done just to explain the slides a little more.
Rated 5 out of 5
Patrick Wilson|Test Analyst|IBM –
Very Informative, a good pace to the course and really good explanations and links to how it will be used in the “Real world”. My only “Even better if”, is if a little more writing on the slides could be done just to explain the slides a little more.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sheila Brogden|Tester|Civil Service –
Rosie is clearly very knowledgeable about the subject and was able to use lots of real life examples to demonstrate her explanations.
Rated 5 out of 5
Victoria Blake-Dobell|Software Tester|DNV –
My trainer was thorough and friendly, and the course provided me with a lot of incredibly useful information and insights.
Rated 5 out of 5
Adam Compton|Test & Config Analyst|ERS –
Solid instruction, decent support materials. Impacted slightly (albeit completely understandably) by having it performed remotely, but the trainer did very well considering.
Rated 5 out of 5
Tony Thomas|Product Delivery Test Analyst|LV Insurance –
Rosie Sheldon was absolutely fantastic at explaining, making sure you understood if you raised any questions, clear, approachable. It was a pleasure!
I felt that Rosie dealt very well with the volume of content, in particular during the first day (which she kindly warned us about).
I also found it useful that she gave us guidance on the sorts of areas we ought to prioritise learning.
I found her teaching style engaging, and appreciated the way she brought in personal anecdotes to help us associate the course content with more relatable scenarios, as well as the way she brought up past content to help reinforce it.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ivaylo Leonkev| Technology Consultant Graduate Trainee| KPMG UK –
Course was very well structured and presented. The pacing was good and the breaks were scheduled just at the right times.
There was a lot of content to learn but I feel John went through it very well and willingly slowed down and went over content until everyone confirmed they understood.
Breaks were given at good intervals which helped everyone come back ready to absorb more content
Rated 5 out of 5
Chad Bradshaw|Test Analyst|Elecosoft –
Very good – was able to stay focused and information was explained in a simple and clear way.
Rated 5 out of 5
John Smith|Software tester|Apteco Ltd –
High intensity, a lot of info being delivered. Excellent verbal presentation by tutor.
Sample questions convoluted and poorly written – not a reflection of TSG or Rosie!
Very pleased I had someone walking me through the material.
Rosies ability to explain answers not initially understood didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I was looking for a ‘recipe’ of how to approach the question and quickly decipher it’s meaning. Personally that wasn’t always what I received, and I felt one or two explanations for others failed to offer a different way of saying what was said originally. If there was an area to improve on, then that is the only one I could identify.
Rated 5 out of 5
Julia Steinberg –
I really enjoyed the course – the material was presented excellently and was very thouroughly explained. It was engaging and I felt like it has helped me tremendously in understanding the basics of testing and how to adhere to best practices.
Thank you very much, John, for the great experience!
Rated 5 out of 5
George SPEDDING|SENIOR TEST MANAGER|MOD –
INTENSIVE COURSE BUT WELL PRESENTED
Rated 5 out of 5
Chris Webber|Test Analyst|LV Insurance –
John really was an excellent tutor. Patient, knowledgeable, kind, able to simplify and demonstrate complex subjects with ease. I really think he made all the difference and I feel lucky that he was our tutor. The course itself was very well structured & I felt like I learnt a lot in a short space of time.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ramesa Khan|Junior QA Engineer|O2 –
Really good, john interacted very well and made it very easy to understand
Rated 5 out of 5
Jim McGrellis|QA & Test|Telefonica UK –
The course content and trainer were good, the course was very intensive and a lot to take in.
Due to covid it was delivered virtually, which is not my preferred method of learning, I would have preferred a classroom based course for something as intensive and involved as this course, but understand the reasoning behind this due to the current circumstances. Thanks
Rated 5 out of 5
Zahra Jaffer|Junior Test Analyst|IRIS Software Group –
The course was quite complex but I felt that John explained everything in a very clear and concise manner so that it was understandable. I am very pleased with the training and the resources that have been given to me, I feel as though I have learnt a huge amount. A lot of this goes to the trainer as he took the time out to answer our questions and give us better examples and techniques for the exam.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kumud Ranjan|Associate Manager|Accenture –
Great trainer. Explain the every bit with the example which really help to understand the concept and always happy to assist.
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.
Philippa Hodge | Automation Tester |WTC –
Very good at keeping people’s attention – much harder online so she did a grand job of that.
Philippa Hodge | Automation Tester |WTC –
Very good at keeping people’s attention – much harder online so she did a grand job of that.
Patrick Wilson | Test Analyst |IBM –
Very Informative, a good pace to the course and really good explanations and links to how it will be used in the “Real world”. My only “Even better if”, is if a little more writing on the slides could be done just to explain the slides a little more.
Patrick Wilson|Test Analyst|IBM –
Very Informative, a good pace to the course and really good explanations and links to how it will be used in the “Real world”. My only “Even better if”, is if a little more writing on the slides could be done just to explain the slides a little more.
Sheila Brogden|Tester|Civil Service –
Rosie is clearly very knowledgeable about the subject and was able to use lots of real life examples to demonstrate her explanations.
Victoria Blake-Dobell|Software Tester|DNV –
My trainer was thorough and friendly, and the course provided me with a lot of incredibly useful information and insights.
Adam Compton|Test & Config Analyst|ERS –
Solid instruction, decent support materials. Impacted slightly (albeit completely understandably) by having it performed remotely, but the trainer did very well considering.
Tony Thomas|Product Delivery Test Analyst|LV Insurance –
Rosie Sheldon was absolutely fantastic at explaining, making sure you understood if you raised any questions, clear, approachable. It was a pleasure!
Austen Fletcher|Software Tester Trainee|Reallymoving Ltd –
I felt that Rosie dealt very well with the volume of content, in particular during the first day (which she kindly warned us about).
I also found it useful that she gave us guidance on the sorts of areas we ought to prioritise learning.
I found her teaching style engaging, and appreciated the way she brought in personal anecdotes to help us associate the course content with more relatable scenarios, as well as the way she brought up past content to help reinforce it.
Ivaylo Leonkev| Technology Consultant Graduate Trainee| KPMG UK –
Course was very well structured and presented. The pacing was good and the breaks were scheduled just at the right times.
Priya Uka|Functional Tester|RCI Financial Services –
There was a lot of content to learn but I feel John went through it very well and willingly slowed down and went over content until everyone confirmed they understood.
Breaks were given at good intervals which helped everyone come back ready to absorb more content
Chad Bradshaw|Test Analyst|Elecosoft –
Very good – was able to stay focused and information was explained in a simple and clear way.
John Smith|Software tester|Apteco Ltd –
High intensity, a lot of info being delivered. Excellent verbal presentation by tutor.
Sample questions convoluted and poorly written – not a reflection of TSG or Rosie!
Very pleased I had someone walking me through the material.
Rosies ability to explain answers not initially understood didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I was looking for a ‘recipe’ of how to approach the question and quickly decipher it’s meaning. Personally that wasn’t always what I received, and I felt one or two explanations for others failed to offer a different way of saying what was said originally. If there was an area to improve on, then that is the only one I could identify.
Julia Steinberg –
I really enjoyed the course – the material was presented excellently and was very thouroughly explained. It was engaging and I felt like it has helped me tremendously in understanding the basics of testing and how to adhere to best practices.
Thank you very much, John, for the great experience!
George SPEDDING|SENIOR TEST MANAGER|MOD –
INTENSIVE COURSE BUT WELL PRESENTED
Chris Webber|Test Analyst|LV Insurance –
John really was an excellent tutor. Patient, knowledgeable, kind, able to simplify and demonstrate complex subjects with ease. I really think he made all the difference and I feel lucky that he was our tutor. The course itself was very well structured & I felt like I learnt a lot in a short space of time.
Ramesa Khan|Junior QA Engineer|O2 –
Really good, john interacted very well and made it very easy to understand
Jim McGrellis|QA & Test|Telefonica UK –
The course content and trainer were good, the course was very intensive and a lot to take in.
Due to covid it was delivered virtually, which is not my preferred method of learning, I would have preferred a classroom based course for something as intensive and involved as this course, but understand the reasoning behind this due to the current circumstances. Thanks
Zahra Jaffer|Junior Test Analyst|IRIS Software Group –
The course was quite complex but I felt that John explained everything in a very clear and concise manner so that it was understandable. I am very pleased with the training and the resources that have been given to me, I feel as though I have learnt a huge amount. A lot of this goes to the trainer as he took the time out to answer our questions and give us better examples and techniques for the exam.
Kumud Ranjan|Associate Manager|Accenture –
Great trainer. Explain the every bit with the example which really help to understand the concept and always happy to assist.