ISTQB Exam Passing Score 2026: Updated Pass Requirements

ISTQB Passing Score in 2026

The ISTQB exam passing score in 2026 for the Foundation Level (CTFL v4.0) is 65%. With 40 questions on the exam, that means you need to answer at least 26 questions correctly to pass. This threshold has remained consistent across recent syllabus versions and applies globally regardless of which country you take the exam in.

How the Scoring Works

Every question on the ISTQB Foundation Level exam is worth one point. There is no partial credit and no negative marking. Whether a question tests K1 recall or K3 application, it carries the same weight. This means a simple definition question counts just as much as a complex boundary value analysis calculation.

Your final score is calculated as: (number of correct answers / 40) x 100%. You need this percentage to be 65% or higher.

What 65% Actually Means

Scoring 65% means getting 26 out of 40 questions right. You can afford to get 14 questions wrong and still pass. That might sound generous, but consider the question distribution:

- About 5 questions from Chapter 1 (Fundamentals) - About 5 questions from Chapter 2 (SDLC) - About 5 questions from Chapter 3 (Static Testing) - About 11 questions from Chapter 4 (Test Techniques) - About 7 questions from Chapter 5 (Test Management) - About 7 questions from Chapter 6 (Test Tools)

If you are weak in Chapter 4 and miss most of those 11 questions, you would need to get nearly everything else right. That is why balanced preparation across all chapters matters, even though the ISTQB exam passing score of 65% seems achievable.

Time Allowance

You have 60 minutes for 40 questions, which works out to 90 seconds per question. Non-native English speakers taking the exam in English may qualify for a 25% time extension, giving them 75 minutes. Contact your local ISTQB board to confirm eligibility.

Online vs In-Person Exams

The ISTQB exam passing score in 2026 is the same whether you take the exam online or at a test center. Online proctored exams have become increasingly popular since 2020. Both formats use the same question pool and the same 65% threshold.

Online exams require a webcam, microphone, stable internet connection, and a quiet private room. You will be monitored throughout the exam. In-person exams are held at authorized test centers where you present photo ID.

How Scores Are Reported

After completing the exam, you typically receive your result within a few business days (sometimes immediately for computer-based exams). Your score report shows your overall percentage and usually a breakdown by chapter. If you fail, this breakdown helps you identify which areas need more study before retaking the exam.

Retake Policy

If you do not meet the ISTQB exam passing score, you can retake the exam. Most boards require a waiting period of at least 14 days before your next attempt. There is no limit on the number of retakes, though you must pay the exam fee each time.

Strategies to Hit 65%

Focus your study time proportionally to chapter weights. Spend the most time on Chapter 4 (27%) and Chapter 5 (18%). Make sure you can confidently answer K1 recall questions since these are the easiest points on the exam. For K3 application questions, practice the techniques until they become second nature.

Taking practice exams under timed conditions is the single best predictor of exam success. If you consistently score above 70% on practice tests, you are well positioned to pass the real exam.

Ready to check where you stand? Try our free ISTQB practice questions and see if you are hitting the 65% threshold.