ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)

This Foundation Level course is suitable for anyone who is involved in or interested in software testing. This includes people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers. It is also appropriate for anyone who wants a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.

Whilst it is aimed at people who are just starting a career in software testing, we also recommend it as a way for those who have already established themselves in this profession to demonstrate their accomplishments by obtaining certification, thereby putting themselves in a position to proceed to higher-level or specialist ISTQB certificates.

People possessing an ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate may use the Certified Tester Foundation Level acronym CTFL.

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certification course is a 3-day course that explains the fundamentals of software testing. This course is accredited by the ISTQB and addresses the ISTQB’s Foundation Level syllabus Version 3.1, released in 2019. In our view this new syllabus improves on the older versions in several respects. It’s more Agile-friendly and more practical. Our training, created by one of the UK’s oldest and most respected software testing consultancies, includes exercises and practice exam questions to highlight key aspects of the syllabus, to help participants understand and practice the concepts and methods presented and to prepare them for the certification exam. CTFL certification is a pre-requisite to taking any other ISTQB certification exam.

Course Objectives

• To provide an understanding of the basic principles of testing and present a standard testing terminology.
• To provide an overview of different test techniques, both dynamic and static, and how to apply them.
• To introduce the fundamental concepts of test management so that any team member can understand the contribution that will be expected of them.
• To promote and encourage a professional approach amongst software testers that will earn the respect of our colleagues in other IT disciplines.

Skills to be Gained

A candidate who achieves ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification can be expected to:

• Promote efficient and effective communication by using a common vocabulary for software testing
• Understand fundamental concepts of software testing
• Demonstrate understanding of how different development and testing practices and different constraints on testing may apply in optimizing testing to different contexts
• Contribute effectively in reviews
• Use established techniques for designing tests at all test levels
• Interpret and execute tests from given test specifications. Report on test results.
• Understand test management principles for resources, strategies, planning, project control, and risk management
• Write and communicate clear and understandable defect reports
• Understand the project factors that drive the test priorities and the test approach
• Understand the value that software testing brings to stakeholders
• Appreciate how testing activities and work products align with project objectives, measures and targets
• Assist in the selection and implementation process of testing tools.

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) Exam is not included in the price of the course.

The Foundation Certificate is awarded to those who pass a written one hour multiple-choice exam of 40 questions that is set, moderated, marked and invigilated by an ISTQB licensed Exam Provider. Candidates whose native language is not English are allowed an extra 15 minutes when taking the exam in
English. The exam will be arranged separately on a later date.

The only official entry criterion for the Foundation Level certification exam is that candidates have an interest in software testing. There are no prerequisites for attending this training course. We recommended, however, that delegates have at least a minimal background in some aspect of software testing,  software development or application software support.

Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Testing

• The basic principles related to testing, the reasons why testing is required, what test objectives are, and the principles of successful testing.
• A standard test process, its major activities and work products.

Chapter 2: Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle

• How testing is incorporated in every step of a software development lifecycle, depending on what tyupe of lifecycle (traditional, RAD, Agile etc.).
• The different test levels, test types, and impact analysis when working with maintenance testing.

Chapter 3: Static Testing

• The various static techniques of testing such as static analysis and reviews (i.e., informal reviews, walkthroughs, technical reviews, and inspections).
• How to apply a review technique to a work product to find defects.

Chapter 4: Test Techniques

• How to apply test techniques to derive test cases from other software work products.
• Black-box, white-box, and experience-based test techniques are covered.

Chapter 5: Test Management

• Test management is covered from a perspective where the tester can work with test managers, focusing on risk-based testing, test execution and defect reporting and handling.
• What can be included in various test documentation work products, such as test plans and reports.
• How to report defects in a clear and understandable way.

Chapter 6: Tool Support for Testing

• A classification of common tool types, the risks and benefits connected with tools, and aspects of selecting and introducing tools.

A more detailed list of this course’s content can be found in the official ISTQB syllabus which can be viewed on, and downloaded from, www.istqb.org

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ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) Exam [ISTQBCTFL]