Quick skill test · 20 questions · 20 minutes · Free

ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test

Practice for the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL v4.0) — testing fundamentals and the seven principles, testing across the software development lifecycle, static testing and reviews, black-box, white-box and experience-based test techniques, and test management and tools. Pass to earn ISTQB Foundation Level Exam Readiness SOA-IFL.

What is the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test?

The ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. Practice for the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL v4.0) — testing fundamentals and the seven principles, testing across the software development lifecycle, static testing and reviews, black-box, white-box and experience-based test techniques, and test management and tools. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable ISTQB Foundation Level Exam Readiness certificate (SOA-IFL). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0 (ISTQB) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Built for your job title

QA engineer, Software tester, Test analyst, Test automation engineer and QA lead — and anyone who wants quick, verifiable proof of ISTQB Foundation Level skills for a CV or LinkedIn.

  • QA engineer
  • Software tester
  • Test analyst
  • Test automation engineer
  • QA lead

What the test covers

Four skill areas with 5 questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area, so a retake brings questions you haven't seen.

  1. 01

    Fundamentals of Testing

    25%
    • Seven principles
    • Test process
    • Errors, defects and failures
  2. 02

    Testing in the SDLC and Static Testing

    25%
    • Test levels and types
    • Shift-left
    • Reviews
  3. 03

    Test Analysis and Design

    25%
    • Black-box techniques
    • White-box techniques
    • Experience-based and collaborative
  4. 04

    Test Management and Tools

    25%
    • Planning and estimation
    • Risk-based testing
    • Defects, monitoring and tools

Independent practice test. Science of Apps is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by ISTQB. Product and exam names are trademarks of their owners. Passing earns a Science of Apps certificate, not the official exam credential.

Based on published standards

The questions are original scenarios, and each one names the public standard, official guide or research it draws on — shown under the question while you answer, and linked in your review. These are the sources behind this test:

Try a sample question

According to the ISTQB testing principles, exhaustive testing is

  1. always possible if enough automated test tools are used on the project
  2. required by the standard before any software release can take place
  3. only needed for the user interface and not for back-end components
  4. impossible except in trivial cases, so risk and priorities focus the effort
Show the answer

D. impossible except in trivial cases, so risk and priorities focus the effort — Testing is prioritised using risk analysis and techniques. The real test has 20 questions like this.

How the test works

  1. 20 minutes, 20 questions

    One question per screen, with a progress bar and a countdown. Your progress is saved on this device if you need to pause.

  2. Graded on our server

    Answers reach the page only after you submit, so the certificate can only be earned by passing.

  3. Every answer explained

    Pass or not, you see every question with the right answer, why, and the source behind it. Pass mark 70%, distinction 90%.

  4. Your certificate

    Founder-signed, with a QR code and credential ID. Download PDF or PNG, add to LinkedIn, and it's emailed to you.

What you earn

A Science of Apps certificate for Software Engineering & Web Development: ivory paper with a gold medal
LinkedIn-ready certificate

Pass, then add it to LinkedIn in one click

No typing. The Add to LinkedIn button opens your profile’s Licenses & certifications form already filled in: the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and a link recruiters can use to verify it.

  1. 1Take the 20-minute test
  2. 2Score 70% or more
  3. 3Click Add to LinkedIn
Free · no sign-up · also emailed to you as a PDF
How it shows on your LinkedIn profile

See every Software & web dev certification and test →

Frequently asked questions

What is the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test?

The ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. Practice for the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL v4.0) — testing fundamentals and the seven principles, testing across the software development lifecycle, static testing and reviews, black-box, white-box and experience-based test techniques, and test management and tools. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable ISTQB Foundation Level Exam Readiness certificate (SOA-IFL). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0 (ISTQB) — and each answer is explained with its source.

How do I take the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test for free?

Read the four skill areas on this page, then take the 20-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a ISTQB Foundation Level Exam Readiness certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Are the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test questions based on real standards?

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0 (ISTQB). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

What does the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test cover?

Four skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Fundamentals of Testing (Seven principles, Test process and Errors, defects and failures); Testing in the SDLC and Static Testing (Test levels and types, Shift-left and Reviews); Test Analysis and Design (Black-box techniques, White-box techniques and Experience-based and collaborative); Test Management and Tools (Planning and estimation, Risk-based testing and Defects, monitoring and tools). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.

Who should take the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test?

QA engineer, Software tester, Test analyst, Test automation engineer and QA lead. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show ISTQB Foundation Level skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

Can I use this for ISTQB CTFL practice exam, ISTQB mock test or ISTQB sample questions?

Yes. The ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test is free and covers all of these: 20 scenario questions in 20 minutes, each answer explained with the source it comes from, so it works as interview and exam practice. It isn't a full course, so use the areas you miss as your study list. Scoring 70% or more earns a verifiable certificate.

Is this the official ISTQB Foundation Level exam?

No. It is an independent practice test written to the publicly available ISTQB Foundation Level content outline, for checking your readiness before you book the real exam. Science of Apps is not affiliated with ISTQB, and passing earns a Science of Apps certificate rather than the official credential.

Can I take the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test from any country?

Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.

How long is the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test?

20 questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — with a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

How hard is the ISTQB Foundation Level Practice Test?

We rate it Intermediate: assumes hands-on experience in the role. It has 20 scenario questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — and a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

How much do Science of Apps certifications cost?

Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.

How are the tests graded?

On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.

What happens if I don't pass?

You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.

Do the certificates expire?

No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.

Can I add the certificate to LinkedIn?

Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.

How can an employer verify my certificate?

Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.

Are these accredited qualifications?

No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.

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