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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
Mandy Leonard| Test Analyst| Oxford University –
Angelina was brilliant. Made a very long detailed course enjoyable. I loved the interaction and the break up of the learning with challenging the knowledge of the group on what is being taught. The breakout rooms were great way of learning and it was nice to talk to people on the course.
Rated 4 out of 5
Lubna Khan| Tester| BAE –
It was strictly my own company, I would have preferred other companies to attend. Also, I feel the trainer should have reviewed material before the course as there mistakes found during delivery. Otherwise, very knowledgable and enthusiastic. Thank you.
Rated 5 out of 5
Anthony Edward Yellop| Technical Development Advisor| MPS –
5/5 – The trainer clearly was experienced and knowledgable, not everyone likes being on camera – I would encourage people to try and get on camera to help keep the course positive.
Rated 4 out of 5
Liam Molyneux| QA Analyst| Jagex –
I went alright, felt very rushed sometimes and very slow at other times, found Angelina to be extremely passionate but I’d say the actual course should be split into 6 days rather than 3, as 3 felt too rushed, learning about a topic and then immediately moving on with no time to digest it
The breaks were also very random, having no set amount of time for breaks or lunch was not good (e.g. go have a 7 minute break at 10:53) or (e.g. go have lunch from 13:05 to 13:55)
I also struggled to apply a lot of it to my own work, often having to use e.g. chatgpt to explain a question in the context of game development / live service games – which was super useful!
Rated 5 out of 5
Daniel Raineri| Developer| capgemini –
My facilitator was very clear and knowledgeable. and so it easy to understand and follow the content.
Rated 5 out of 5
Gary Mortimer| Software Architect| Capgemini –
The course was interesting and informative.
Rated 5 out of 5
Martin James| Lead SwA| Capegmini –
Course was very informative but a lot of content to digest is a short space of time.
Rated 4 out of 5
Mike Walker| Lead QA| SmarterPay –
First two days was good, but last day felt rushed
Rated 5 out of 5
Alina Soshko –
For me, there is a lot of information in three days, it would be better to increase the number of days in the course. It is also difficult to study all day, half a day is better.
The trainer is a very confident and a good speaker.
Rated 5 out of 5
Will Stephenson| QA Analyst| Jagex –
Angelina was great, she was clearly passionate about teaching and wanted to engage with as many of us as possible. Unfortunately, I can only really comment on Day 1 and part of Day 3 as I was under the weather and missed Day 2, but she had a clear understanding of the content being taught and knew how to communicate that. She was polite and friendly, and wanted to encourage people to get involved as much as possible while not picking on individuals to provide answers when there was uncertainty within the group. I feel this is a trap trainers fall into too often, where they want to fill the silence by forcing a member of a group to provide an answer, Angelina recognised when that silence was present and rather than picking on someone, instead elected to give us a steer and start a conversation, which I definitely appreciated.
The pre-course reading was very helpful, it gave me a thorough understanding of the material prior to course starting. I personally found that the most effective parts of the training were the elements of the course which were initially tackled by the pre-course material, and then cemented by going through those concepts again with Angelina. Allowing me to get into the material in my own time, and then solidifying my understanding during wider discussions was very helpful, I think that trying to teach some of these concepts in a group setting is limiting to the trainer and the trainee, as ultimately people learn at different speeds and in different ways. There was a lot to get through and it sometimes felt rushed as some individuals did not complete the reading ahead of time, if more people did then it would have allowed for more in depth discussion about the particulars of these topics, rather than needing to give a crash course first.
Think my only issue with this course was that the pre-course style material didn’t cover the latter modules, I feel incredibly confident with my understanding of the modules covered in day 1, but less so in the following ones (again this is in part due to missing bits as a result of illness). It would be great to have that style of content to engage with ahead of time, so I can focus on the nuances of the topics, which I feel is where the value came from, with Angelina. Let me do the basic understanding myself in order to allow Angelina to show her expertise and give her experiences to help complete that understanding.
Also, working in games development appears to be very different to typical software development, at least it is at Jagex – while there was some transferable knowledge myself and my colleagues often felt like we needed to recontextualise things into our work environment. This is of course not a fault of Angelina, but might be something to bear in mind when producing future training.
Thank you for your time Angelina, it was a pleasure! Wishing you all the best.
Rated 5 out of 5
Xiaoling Hao| Software tester| –
I had a wonderful training time. Thanks a lot!
Rated 5 out of 5
Namita Anna Givi| Consultant| Capgemini –
Very insightful. Really enjoyed the way sample questions and homework was inserted at the end of each topic. The explanations and use of whiteboard by Richard to explain the concepts made it quite easy to grasp them.
Rated 5 out of 5
Richard Ansell| Software Engineer Lead| Capgemini –
Very well structured and spoken course leader with the right level of practice questions and interactivity.
Rated 5 out of 5
Clement Chan-Cary| Software Engineer| Capgemini –
Very professionally delivered by Richard with examples applicable to my employee.
Excellent and well organised resources provided for passing the exam.
Rated 5 out of 5
James Wilkinson| Software Engineer| Capgemini –
Richard had incredible knowledge and was able to talk in depth about all the subject matter and answer all the question thrown at him in a clear and concise manner. He was very patient and managed to keep the course on time whilst still giving enough breaks to get us through, i was very impressed and would love to attend another course that was delivered by him
Rated 5 out of 5
John Manley| Test Lead| Capgemini –
Excellent course, delivered very well, Richard clearly knows the subject very well
Rated 5 out of 5
Ziggy Rafiq| Software Engineer Lead| Capgemini –
Richard is a good trainer and someone who has strong experience and knowledgeable. I have found his session very useful and helpful.
Rated 5 out of 5
Daniel Swindlehurst| Software Engineer| Capgemini –
Found the course to be very well put together with Richard being very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful. The only thing that would have benefitted me personally would be to have the practical/questions or breakout sessions in the afternoon. They are long days and that may have helped me keep more concentration later on in the day
Rated 5 out of 5
sevil weaver| Quality analyst| jagex –
Angelina was great at teaching all the new concepts to me and was very patient and methodical when explaining something previously misunderstood. I loved going through the example cases to apply what we learned and looking through the exam questions to familiarise with the language used. I would recommend if the course could be longer (i.e 4/5 days instead of 3) to spread out the content, as it is quite information rich and it was a bit difficult to keep up the high concentration later on in the day.
Rated 5 out of 5
Manish Patel| Tester| Capgemini –
It was great to be part of this training course. Richard is an absolutely great when it comes to training. I have gained a great knowledge in last 3 days.
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.
Mandy Leonard| Test Analyst| Oxford University –
Angelina was brilliant. Made a very long detailed course enjoyable. I loved the interaction and the break up of the learning with challenging the knowledge of the group on what is being taught. The breakout rooms were great way of learning and it was nice to talk to people on the course.
Lubna Khan| Tester| BAE –
It was strictly my own company, I would have preferred other companies to attend. Also, I feel the trainer should have reviewed material before the course as there mistakes found during delivery. Otherwise, very knowledgable and enthusiastic. Thank you.
Anthony Edward Yellop| Technical Development Advisor| MPS –
5/5 – The trainer clearly was experienced and knowledgable, not everyone likes being on camera – I would encourage people to try and get on camera to help keep the course positive.
Liam Molyneux| QA Analyst| Jagex –
I went alright, felt very rushed sometimes and very slow at other times, found Angelina to be extremely passionate but I’d say the actual course should be split into 6 days rather than 3, as 3 felt too rushed, learning about a topic and then immediately moving on with no time to digest it
The breaks were also very random, having no set amount of time for breaks or lunch was not good (e.g. go have a 7 minute break at 10:53) or (e.g. go have lunch from 13:05 to 13:55)
I also struggled to apply a lot of it to my own work, often having to use e.g. chatgpt to explain a question in the context of game development / live service games – which was super useful!
Daniel Raineri| Developer| capgemini –
My facilitator was very clear and knowledgeable. and so it easy to understand and follow the content.
Gary Mortimer| Software Architect| Capgemini –
The course was interesting and informative.
Martin James| Lead SwA| Capegmini –
Course was very informative but a lot of content to digest is a short space of time.
Mike Walker| Lead QA| SmarterPay –
First two days was good, but last day felt rushed
Alina Soshko –
For me, there is a lot of information in three days, it would be better to increase the number of days in the course. It is also difficult to study all day, half a day is better.
The trainer is a very confident and a good speaker.
Will Stephenson| QA Analyst| Jagex –
Angelina was great, she was clearly passionate about teaching and wanted to engage with as many of us as possible. Unfortunately, I can only really comment on Day 1 and part of Day 3 as I was under the weather and missed Day 2, but she had a clear understanding of the content being taught and knew how to communicate that. She was polite and friendly, and wanted to encourage people to get involved as much as possible while not picking on individuals to provide answers when there was uncertainty within the group. I feel this is a trap trainers fall into too often, where they want to fill the silence by forcing a member of a group to provide an answer, Angelina recognised when that silence was present and rather than picking on someone, instead elected to give us a steer and start a conversation, which I definitely appreciated.
The pre-course reading was very helpful, it gave me a thorough understanding of the material prior to course starting. I personally found that the most effective parts of the training were the elements of the course which were initially tackled by the pre-course material, and then cemented by going through those concepts again with Angelina. Allowing me to get into the material in my own time, and then solidifying my understanding during wider discussions was very helpful, I think that trying to teach some of these concepts in a group setting is limiting to the trainer and the trainee, as ultimately people learn at different speeds and in different ways. There was a lot to get through and it sometimes felt rushed as some individuals did not complete the reading ahead of time, if more people did then it would have allowed for more in depth discussion about the particulars of these topics, rather than needing to give a crash course first.
Think my only issue with this course was that the pre-course style material didn’t cover the latter modules, I feel incredibly confident with my understanding of the modules covered in day 1, but less so in the following ones (again this is in part due to missing bits as a result of illness). It would be great to have that style of content to engage with ahead of time, so I can focus on the nuances of the topics, which I feel is where the value came from, with Angelina. Let me do the basic understanding myself in order to allow Angelina to show her expertise and give her experiences to help complete that understanding.
Also, working in games development appears to be very different to typical software development, at least it is at Jagex – while there was some transferable knowledge myself and my colleagues often felt like we needed to recontextualise things into our work environment. This is of course not a fault of Angelina, but might be something to bear in mind when producing future training.
Thank you for your time Angelina, it was a pleasure! Wishing you all the best.
Xiaoling Hao| Software tester| –
I had a wonderful training time. Thanks a lot!
Namita Anna Givi| Consultant| Capgemini –
Very insightful. Really enjoyed the way sample questions and homework was inserted at the end of each topic. The explanations and use of whiteboard by Richard to explain the concepts made it quite easy to grasp them.
Richard Ansell| Software Engineer Lead| Capgemini –
Very well structured and spoken course leader with the right level of practice questions and interactivity.
Clement Chan-Cary| Software Engineer| Capgemini –
Very professionally delivered by Richard with examples applicable to my employee.
Excellent and well organised resources provided for passing the exam.
James Wilkinson| Software Engineer| Capgemini –
Richard had incredible knowledge and was able to talk in depth about all the subject matter and answer all the question thrown at him in a clear and concise manner. He was very patient and managed to keep the course on time whilst still giving enough breaks to get us through, i was very impressed and would love to attend another course that was delivered by him
John Manley| Test Lead| Capgemini –
Excellent course, delivered very well, Richard clearly knows the subject very well
Ziggy Rafiq| Software Engineer Lead| Capgemini –
Richard is a good trainer and someone who has strong experience and knowledgeable. I have found his session very useful and helpful.
Daniel Swindlehurst| Software Engineer| Capgemini –
Found the course to be very well put together with Richard being very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful. The only thing that would have benefitted me personally would be to have the practical/questions or breakout sessions in the afternoon. They are long days and that may have helped me keep more concentration later on in the day
sevil weaver| Quality analyst| jagex –
Angelina was great at teaching all the new concepts to me and was very patient and methodical when explaining something previously misunderstood. I loved going through the example cases to apply what we learned and looking through the exam questions to familiarise with the language used. I would recommend if the course could be longer (i.e 4/5 days instead of 3) to spread out the content, as it is quite information rich and it was a bit difficult to keep up the high concentration later on in the day.
Manish Patel| Tester| Capgemini –
It was great to be part of this training course. Richard is an absolutely great when it comes to training. I have gained a great knowledge in last 3 days.