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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
Holly Pears | UAT Test Lead | Bank of England –
Angelina was a really patient and thorough course leader. She went through all topics at a great pace considering the size of the group. The course itself is quite in depth.
Very Interactive
A bit stacked up course but ideally would be great if was 4 day training
Rated 5 out of 5
Joshua James M. Perocho | Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Penbrothers –
Angelina explained the course really well. She was very thorough in explaining everything.
Rated 5 out of 5
Steve Adams | Senior Test Engineer | Foundry Visionmongers –
Broken down and challenged at each stage, often asking individuals questions to ensure focus,
There is still a lot of theory to digest however before next week’s exam which I will need to reinforce
Rated 5 out of 5
Pol Ureta Canellas | Software Developer | EXCO GmbH –
I really liked it
Rated 4 out of 5
Adriano Aru | Software Tester | IBM –
Very insightful course and presented very well by Angelina.
Rated 5 out of 5
William Rodgerson | QA tester & Level 3 support | Toca.io –
I found John Young to be knowledgeable, personable and generally very helpful.
Rated 5 out of 5
Zoe Dodds | Test Analyst | OVO Energy –
Although the course has a lot of information John made it easy to understand and relate back to my own role. This will most definitely help me when revising.
Rated 4 out of 5
Muntaqa Dar | Test Analyst | Samaritans –
Good trainer and good style of teaching however I am more of a doer so don’t learn very well from just powerpoint slide shows. I have done other courses more hands-on/ interactive where I was actually putting things into practice rather than just listening.
Rated 5 out of 5
Melissa Martin | Software Test Engineer | TotalMobile –
The course was very well run, John took the time to explain everything and answered any questions I had.
Rated 5 out of 5
David Cabell | Quality Assurance Tester | CaseWare –
Clear and concise delivery of a large amount of information in a short period (Which was very useful!). Digestable and enjoyable.
Rated 5 out of 5
Rebuzzi Damiano | Software Engineer in test | Moneyfarm –
The course was very useful and very well explained, even from a non-native English speaker it was very clear and thorough.
Rated 5 out of 5
Mitchell Kirby | Software Tester | BCS –
Really great course, loved being able to do it online rather than needing to go to a physical classroom. John was an excellent trainer, really added detail to the slides and the learning resources, was very personable and made the course really interesting.
Rated 5 out of 5
Nic Joannou| Test Analyst| WTC –
Well explained and structured, supportive and good at explaining/answering any questions asked.
Only small suggestion is mapping the content to the K1, K2, K3 criteria as we go through it, or even at the summaries towards the end of each topic/module; although this is intuitive once you retrospectively look back at the criteria and content.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ami Marshall| Digital Project Manager| Marshalls –
I thought that my trainer was very good at keeping the group engaged and talking through real life examples of the theory. However, I felt that the slides for the training were far too busy and often very unclear. In my opinion the slides need completely redoing.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jordan Russell| QA Lead| Totalmobile –
Content was interesting and was thoroughly covered by the trainer, everything explained in detail in ways that made sense. Gave me plenty of confidence for taking the exam.
Rated 5 out of 5
karen Prisk| IT development and specialist information analyst | SPS –
Enjoyed the course found broken down very well and easy to follow.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sabih Aslam| Test Analyst| Computacenter –
Very good course but I think it would have been better if it was spread to 5 days instead of 3 with few hours a day to absorb all of the information in. After 2/3 PM, it is quite hard to absorb everything.
Rated 5 out of 5
Aaron Martin| Software Tester| Totalmobile –
First day was very intense, but presented really well and all questions asked were fully answered with detailed explanations.
Could have done with a quick intro into how to use Zoom as wern’t aware what to do when put into the individual rooms. Thought that we’d be invited back however there was an exit button when hovering on screen that took a while to find/become aware of.
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.
Holly Pears | UAT Test Lead | Bank of England –
Angelina was a really patient and thorough course leader. She went through all topics at a great pace considering the size of the group. The course itself is quite in depth.
Swapnil Nandy | Automation Engineer QA | Atradius –
Very Interactive
A bit stacked up course but ideally would be great if was 4 day training
Joshua James M. Perocho | Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Penbrothers –
Angelina explained the course really well. She was very thorough in explaining everything.
Steve Adams | Senior Test Engineer | Foundry Visionmongers –
Broken down and challenged at each stage, often asking individuals questions to ensure focus,
There is still a lot of theory to digest however before next week’s exam which I will need to reinforce
Pol Ureta Canellas | Software Developer | EXCO GmbH –
I really liked it
Adriano Aru | Software Tester | IBM –
Very insightful course and presented very well by Angelina.
William Rodgerson | QA tester & Level 3 support | Toca.io –
I found John Young to be knowledgeable, personable and generally very helpful.
Zoe Dodds | Test Analyst | OVO Energy –
Although the course has a lot of information John made it easy to understand and relate back to my own role. This will most definitely help me when revising.
Muntaqa Dar | Test Analyst | Samaritans –
Good trainer and good style of teaching however I am more of a doer so don’t learn very well from just powerpoint slide shows. I have done other courses more hands-on/ interactive where I was actually putting things into practice rather than just listening.
Melissa Martin | Software Test Engineer | TotalMobile –
The course was very well run, John took the time to explain everything and answered any questions I had.
David Cabell | Quality Assurance Tester | CaseWare –
Clear and concise delivery of a large amount of information in a short period (Which was very useful!). Digestable and enjoyable.
Rebuzzi Damiano | Software Engineer in test | Moneyfarm –
The course was very useful and very well explained, even from a non-native English speaker it was very clear and thorough.
Mitchell Kirby | Software Tester | BCS –
Really great course, loved being able to do it online rather than needing to go to a physical classroom. John was an excellent trainer, really added detail to the slides and the learning resources, was very personable and made the course really interesting.
Nic Joannou| Test Analyst| WTC –
Well explained and structured, supportive and good at explaining/answering any questions asked.
Only small suggestion is mapping the content to the K1, K2, K3 criteria as we go through it, or even at the summaries towards the end of each topic/module; although this is intuitive once you retrospectively look back at the criteria and content.
Ami Marshall| Digital Project Manager| Marshalls –
I thought that my trainer was very good at keeping the group engaged and talking through real life examples of the theory. However, I felt that the slides for the training were far too busy and often very unclear. In my opinion the slides need completely redoing.
Jordan Russell| QA Lead| Totalmobile –
Content was interesting and was thoroughly covered by the trainer, everything explained in detail in ways that made sense. Gave me plenty of confidence for taking the exam.
karen Prisk| IT development and specialist information analyst | SPS –
Enjoyed the course found broken down very well and easy to follow.
Sabih Aslam| Test Analyst| Computacenter –
Very good course but I think it would have been better if it was spread to 5 days instead of 3 with few hours a day to absorb all of the information in. After 2/3 PM, it is quite hard to absorb everything.
Aaron Martin| Software Tester| Totalmobile –
First day was very intense, but presented really well and all questions asked were fully answered with detailed explanations.
Could have done with a quick intro into how to use Zoom as wern’t aware what to do when put into the individual rooms. Thought that we’d be invited back however there was an exit button when hovering on screen that took a while to find/become aware of.
Apeksha Patil | QA Engineer | SQA –
It was very helpful.