Course Overview
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.
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Why Choose ISTQB Software Testing Certification?
- 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.
E-Learning Course
Our e-learning ISTQB Software Testing course includes:
- 12 months access to accredited online materials
- ISTQB® CTFL v4.0 exam (valid for 12 months)
- Exam simulator for practice
Who Should Attend?
This ISTQB Certification course is ideal for:
- Software testers and test analysts
- Test engineers and consultants
- Test leads and managers
- User acceptance testers
- Software developers
- Project and quality managers
- IT directors and management consultants
About ISTQB and the Certified Tester Scheme
ISTQB® (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) established the globally recognized Certified Tester scheme to:
- Provide internationally acknowledged professional qualifications
- Enable software companies to hire and train certified testers
- Facilitate global understanding and comparison of testing skills
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.
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Entry Requirements
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.
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
Nick Allibone| Test Manager| KPMG –
Bill has vast experience in the software development & test industry, however I found him to go down the rabbit hole on several areas of the subject causing the course to over run on several days. The course itself has a lot of information, examples and exercises. Which I would recommend, however it does feel more breaks are needed and an additional half day.
Shawn Bodily| Digital Twin Dev| ProjectBinder –
Yah very well done, he was always up for clarifications on my questions, really cemented my current knowledge of the test material and beyond 🙂
Joe Cull| UAT| VMLES –
Whist this course I felt is broad in nature, Richards delivery of the Course materials was as palatable as it could be. Audibly perfect and I felt thorough where neccessary
christophe queyroux| It consultant| Sogeti –
The course was really detailed with good explanations from the trainer. The exercises helped with understanding. It met my expectations.
Martha Sikwese| System Tester| Department of Social Welfare –
The course was very informative
Chris Laws| Software tester| Department for Education –
The course was very good, with all key concepts explained in enough detail. Richard was open and friendly, and encouraged questions and discussions, and was prepared to stay on and answer questions after the course. Good course materials as well. I would say that the course outline webpage that I used to book my course could do with updating – it was referencing the previous version of the ISTQB foundation certification and referred to an exam timeline that is no longer being used (i.e. exam taken during the week of the course – this doesn’t happen anymore).
Steven Burke| ICT Specialist – Software Tester| Department of Social Protection –
Excellent trainer, very informative and additional test knowledge given for further context
of syllabus topics
Marcus Spry| Test Analyst| Ingentive –
Great trainer, very thorough course was really good and informative
Danny Spink| Environment Officer| McDonald’s –
The course was good, John was very methodical in feedback and explaining things. There is a lot of content crammed into 3 days would be my only feedback
Anonymous –
Good. Would like to discuss more exam based papers and simple tips
Neil Stewart| Manual Software Tester| Omnicom Balfour Beatty –
Good pace, plenty of adequate breaks;good course material, good examples & explanations when reviewing questions as to why answers were incorrect/not the best answer etc
Christophe Jacquet| Test Officer –
great kindness and help from John. Very informative.
Andrew Evans –
Very informative and I learnt a lot, also been given lots more information to lean.
Stephane VORK| Test engineer| Sogeti –
The course was really nice, learnt a lot of things.
The only downside was that it was on a different timezone, so I had to reorganize my day due to that
Anwesa Banerjee| Principal Consultant| Sogeti –
It was a quite comprehensive course and trainer was well aware about all the terminologies and exam tips and hacks.
Cinthia Barbosa Pereira| Quality Assurance Engineer| Rightmove –
Very thorough and knowledgeable, 100% would recommend John!
Matthew Benton| Principal software test engineer| Waters corporation –
well structured course
plenty of resources provided (for the course and exam)
knowledgeable and helpful instructor
Christine Allen| Lead Tester| DSP –
Course was excellent. Very engaging. Learnt alot. Angelina really took the time to hone in on each of our experience and to bring us in at all points taking turns. Was very helpful and knowledgable. Best trainer I have had to date.
James Baldwin| System Test Engineer| Omnicom Balfour Beatty –
Being new to the industry I cam away with some fantastic structure to add into my work. John was easy to follow and understand. He explained things in a professional manner and had time for questions.
Aaron Uppal| QA Engineer|Capital On Tap –
Course was informative and went over a lot of information throughout the 3 days. Maybe would have benefited from another half day to ensure things were not as rushed towards the end to make sure everything was covered.