ISTQB CTFL study guide · 2026

The 6 ISTQB CTFL domains, explained

6 domains and 22 official syllabus sections. Test Analysis and Design carries the most weight at 27.5%. Each guide explains what the domain covers, how its questions are framed and where candidates lose marks.

Start with Domain 4 See all domains
Questions
40
Time
60 minutes (75 minutes for candidates sitting the exam in a non-native language)
Passing score
65% (26 of 40 points)
Outline
CTFL Syllabus v4.0.1, released 15 Sep 2024, with the CTFL v4.0 exam structure in Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19, 19 Aug 2026

Exam blueprint

Bar widths follow the official weights. Weight ranges are drawn at their midpoint.

  1. 1 20%
  2. 2 15%
  3. 3 10%
  4. 4 27.5%
  5. 5 22.5%
  6. 6 5%
  1. 1 Fundamentals of Testing
  2. 2 Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle
  3. 3 Static Testing
  4. 4 Test Analysis and Design
  5. 5 Managing the Test Activities
  6. 6 Test Tools

All 6 domains

22 official syllabus sections 34–46 hrs suggested study

  1. Domain 01 20%

    Fundamentals of Testing

    Chapter 1 sets the vocabulary the whole CTFL exam is written in: why we test, how errors become defects and failures, the seven principles, the test activities and their testware, and the skills and independence a tester brings.

    Inside this domain

    • What is Testing?
    • Why is Testing Necessary?
    • Testing Principles
    • Test Activities, Testware and Test Roles
    • and 1 more syllabus sections

    Watch for Symptom equals defect

    Syllabus sections
    5
    Questions est.
    8
    Study time est.
    7–9 hrs
  2. Domain 02 15%

    Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle

    Chapter 2 shows how the test process bends to the lifecycle: test-first approaches, DevOps and shift left, the five test levels, the four test types, confirmation versus regression testing, and what triggers maintenance testing.

    Inside this domain

    • Testing in the Context of a Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
    • Test Levels and Test Types
    • Maintenance Testing

    Watch for Integration means component integration

    Syllabus sections
    3
    Questions est.
    6
    Study time est.
    5–7 hrs
  3. Domain 03 10%

    Static Testing

    Static testing finds defects without running code. This chapter covers what can be examined, why it pays off early, how it differs from dynamic testing, and the review process, roles, types and success factors.

    Inside this domain

    • Static Testing Basics
    • Feedback and Review Process

    Watch for Moderator leads the walkthrough

    Syllabus sections
    2
    Questions est.
    4
    Study time est.
    3–5 hrs
  4. Domain 04 27.5%

    Test Analysis and Design

    The heaviest CTFL chapter and the one with the most K3 questions: you must apply equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis, decision tables and state transition testing, and know white-box coverage, experience-based techniques and ATDD.

    Inside this domain

    • Test Techniques Overview
    • Black-Box Test Techniques
    • White-Box Test Techniques
    • Experience-based Test Techniques
    • and 1 more syllabus sections

    Watch for Multiplying partitions

    Syllabus sections
    5
    Questions est.
    11
    Study time est.
    9–13 hrs
  5. Domain 05 22.5%

    Managing the Test Activities

    Chapter 5 is the management half of CTFL and holds three K3 objectives: estimating test effort, prioritizing test cases and preparing a defect report, alongside test plans, risk, monitoring, reporting and configuration management.

    Inside this domain

    • Test Planning
    • Risk Management
    • Test Monitoring, Test Control and Test Completion
    • Configuration Management
    • and 1 more syllabus sections

    Watch for Simple average estimate

    Syllabus sections
    5
    Questions est.
    9
    Study time est.
    8–10 hrs
  6. Domain 06 5%

    Test Tools

    The smallest CTFL chapter covers which kinds of tools support which test activities and the realistic benefits and risks of test automation. It is two questions, but they are among the most predictable on the paper.

    Inside this domain

    • Tool Support for Testing
    • Benefits and Risks of Test Automation

    Watch for Coverage is static

    Syllabus sections
    2
    Questions est.
    2
    Study time est.
    ~2 hrs

Study the heaviest domains first

Marks follow weight. This order puts the most marks behind you first, across about 34–46 hrs of study.

  1. 4 Test Analysis and Design 27.5% · 9–13 hrs
  2. 5 Managing the Test Activities 22.5% · 8–10 hrs
  3. 1 Fundamentals of Testing 20% · 7–9 hrs
  4. 2 Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle 15% · 5–7 hrs
  5. 3 Static Testing 10% · 3–5 hrs
  6. 6 Test Tools 5% · ~2 hrs

Try one

Practice questionDomain 4: Test Analysis and Design

An online shop rejects order totals below $0. Totals from $0 to $49.99 earn no points, $50 to $199.99 earn 1 point per dollar, and $200 or more earn 2 points per dollar. Customers are Silver or Gold members. What is the minimum number of test cases to achieve 100% each choice coverage?

One trap from every domain

The answer that looks right, and the clue that gives it away.

  • Domain 1

    Symptom equals defect

    Clue The stem asks for the defect and one option describes code or a requirement while another describes what a user observed.

  • Domain 2

    Integration means component integration

    Clue An external system, partner or service is named.

  • Domain 3

    Moderator leads the walkthrough

    Clue The author is presenting or leading.

  • Domain 4

    Multiplying partitions

    Clue The question says "minimum number of test cases" for EP or each choice coverage.

  • Domain 5

    Simple average estimate

    Clue The stem gives optimistic, most likely and pessimistic values.

  • Domain 6

    Coverage is static

    Clue The words "executed", "during test runs" or "exercised".

Other Quality Management certifications

Study guides for exams that overlap with ISTQB CTFL.

Practise what you read

ISTQB CTFL domains: common questions

How many domains are in the ISTQB CTFL exam?

ISTQB CTFL has 6 domains with 22 official syllabus sections between them: Fundamentals of Testing, Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle, Static Testing, Test Analysis and Design, Managing the Test Activities and Test Tools.

Which ISTQB CTFL domain carries the most weight?

Test Analysis and Design is the heaviest at 27.5%, followed by Managing the Test Activities (22.5%). The lightest is Test Tools (5%). Weights come from ISTQB's official outline.

What is the ISTQB CTFL exam format?

Questions: 40. Time allowed: 60 minutes (75 minutes for candidates sitting the exam in a non-native language). Passing score: 65% (26 of 40 points).

How long should I study for ISTQB CTFL?

Our planning estimate is 34–46 hrs across all domains, split by weight. It is an editorial estimate, not an official figure, so adjust it to your experience and to how you score on practice questions.

Where should I start?

Start with Test Analysis and Design, because it carries the most marks, then work down by weight. Use the checklist on each domain page to confirm you can do what the domain asks before moving on.

Which outline is this guide based on?

This guide follows CTFL Syllabus v4.0.1, released 15 Sep 2024, with the CTFL v4.0 exam structure in Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19, 19 Aug 2026, published by ISTQB. It was last reviewed in October 2026.

Domain names, weights and syllabus sections come from ISTQB's official outline (CTFL Syllabus v4.0.1, released 15 Sep 2024, with the CTFL v4.0 exam structure in Exam Structures & Rules Tables v1.19, 19 Aug 2026). Question counts and study hours are editorial planning estimates, not official figures. Last reviewed October 2026.