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ISTQB CTFL Exam Guide

A 6-week study plan aligned to official CTFL exam domains.

Exam Information

60 minutes

Duration

40 questions (approx.)

Questions

65%

Passing Score

See official exam pricing

Exam Cost

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1

Fundamentals of Testing

15% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Distinguish error (human) → defect (product) → failure (runtime)
Why testing is necessary
Test objectives
Testing principles
Test activities and tasks
Errors, defects, and failures
Psychology of testing

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#fundamentals-of-testing

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 2

Testing Throughout the SDLC

20% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Regression testing re-runs tests after changes; confirmation tests the specific fix
Software development lifecycle models
Test levels
Test types
Maintenance testing
Shift-left testing
Collaboration between testers and developers

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#testing-throughout-lifecycle

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 3

Static Testing

13% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Static testing applies to requirements, designs, code, test plans — not just code
Static testing basics
Review process
Review roles and responsibilities
Types of reviews
Success factors for reviews
Static analysis tools

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#static-testing

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 4

Test Analysis and Design

20% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: BVA tests boundaries of equivalence partitions — on-point and off-point
Test techniques overview
Equivalence partitioning
Boundary value analysis
Decision table testing
State transition testing
Statement and decision testing
Error guessing

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#test-analysis-and-design

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 5

Managing Test Activities

16% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Severity = technical impact; Priority = business urgency — can differ
Test planning
Test monitoring and control
Entry and exit criteria
Defect lifecycle and reporting
Configuration management
Risk-based testing

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#managing-test-activities

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 6

Test Tools

16% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Test tool selection considers team skills, budget, integration needs, support
Tool support for testing
Benefits and risks of automation
Tool selection considerations
Pilot projects and rollout
Tool integration
Metrics and reporting support

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#test-tools

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 7

Final Review & Practice Exams

All domains

8-10 hours

Complete all three full-length practice exams
Review incorrect answers and weak domains
Revisit flashcards for key terms
Timed review of highest-weight domains

Recommended Resources:

Practice exams

Flashcards

Study notes PDF

Exam Tips & Strategies

Domain Insight 1

Distinguish error (human) → defect (product) → failure (runtime)

Domain Insight 2

Independence levels: developer tests own code < peer review < independent team

Follow Domain Weights

Spend more study time on higher-weighted domains — they drive the majority of exam questions.

Practice Under Time Pressure

Use timed practice exams to build pacing before test day.

Key Topics to Master

Why testing is necessary

Test objectives

Software development lifecycle models

Test levels

Static testing basics

Review process

Test techniques overview

Equivalence partitioning

Test planning

Test monitoring and control

Tool support for testing

Benefits and risks of automation

For the most up-to-date exam information, visit the official exam guide.

View Official Exam Guide

CTFL

ISTQB CTFL Exam Guide

A 6-week study plan aligned to official CTFL exam domains.

Exam Information

60 minutes

Duration

40 questions (approx.)

Questions

65%

Passing Score

See official exam pricing

Exam Cost

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1

Fundamentals of Testing

15% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Distinguish error (human) → defect (product) → failure (runtime)
Why testing is necessary
Test objectives
Testing principles
Test activities and tasks
Errors, defects, and failures
Psychology of testing

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#fundamentals-of-testing

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 2

Testing Throughout the SDLC

20% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Regression testing re-runs tests after changes; confirmation tests the specific fix
Software development lifecycle models
Test levels
Test types
Maintenance testing
Shift-left testing
Collaboration between testers and developers

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#testing-throughout-lifecycle

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 3

Static Testing

13% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Static testing applies to requirements, designs, code, test plans — not just code
Static testing basics
Review process
Review roles and responsibilities
Types of reviews
Success factors for reviews
Static analysis tools

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#static-testing

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 4

Test Analysis and Design

20% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: BVA tests boundaries of equivalence partitions — on-point and off-point
Test techniques overview
Equivalence partitioning
Boundary value analysis
Decision table testing
State transition testing
Statement and decision testing
Error guessing

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#test-analysis-and-design

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 5

Managing Test Activities

16% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Severity = technical impact; Priority = business urgency — can differ
Test planning
Test monitoring and control
Entry and exit criteria
Defect lifecycle and reporting
Configuration management
Risk-based testing

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#managing-test-activities

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 6

Test Tools

16% of exam

6-8 hours

Focus: Test tool selection considers team skills, budget, integration needs, support
Tool support for testing
Benefits and risks of automation
Tool selection considerations
Pilot projects and rollout
Tool integration
Metrics and reporting support

Recommended Resources:

ISTQB official objectives

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/notes#test-tools

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/practice

/certifications/istqb/ctfl/study-guide

Week 7

Final Review & Practice Exams

All domains

8-10 hours

Complete all three full-length practice exams
Review incorrect answers and weak domains
Revisit flashcards for key terms
Timed review of highest-weight domains

Recommended Resources:

Practice exams

Flashcards

Study notes PDF

Exam Tips & Strategies

Domain Insight 1

Distinguish error (human) → defect (product) → failure (runtime)

Domain Insight 2

Independence levels: developer tests own code < peer review < independent team

Follow Domain Weights

Spend more study time on higher-weighted domains — they drive the majority of exam questions.

Practice Under Time Pressure

Use timed practice exams to build pacing before test day.

Key Topics to Master

Why testing is necessary

Test objectives

Software development lifecycle models

Test levels

Static testing basics

Review process

Test techniques overview

Equivalence partitioning

Test planning

Test monitoring and control

Tool support for testing

Benefits and risks of automation

For the most up-to-date exam information, visit the official exam guide.

View Official Exam Guide