ISTQB Foundation Level Exam Format: What to Expect on Exam Day

Understanding the ISTQB Foundation Level Exam Format

Knowing the ISTQB foundation level exam format before you sit down is one of the simplest ways to reduce anxiety and boost your score. Surprises on exam day waste mental energy you should be spending on questions. Here is everything you need to know about how the exam is structured and what to expect when you arrive.

Exam Structure at a Glance

The ISTQB CTFL v4.0 exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four answer options (A, B, C, D) and exactly one correct answer. There is no negative marking, so you should never leave a question blank. Even an educated guess gives you a 25% chance.

You are given 60 minutes to complete the exam. If English is not your first language and you are taking the exam in English, you may be eligible for a 25% time extension (75 minutes total). Check with your local ISTQB board for details.

Scoring and Passing Threshold

The passing score is 65%, which means you need to answer at least 26 out of 40 questions correctly. Every question carries equal weight regardless of difficulty or cognitive level. This is important because it means a straightforward K1 recall question is worth the same as a complex K3 application question.

Question Distribution by Chapter

The ISTQB foundation level exam format distributes questions across six chapters with specific weightings:

- Chapter 1 — Fundamentals of Testing: approximately 5 questions (13%) - Chapter 2 — Testing Throughout the SDLC: approximately 5 questions (13%) - Chapter 3 — Static Testing: approximately 5 questions (12%) - Chapter 4 — Test Analysis and Design: approximately 11 questions (27%) - Chapter 5 — Managing Test Activities: approximately 7 questions (18%) - Chapter 6 — Test Tools: approximately 7 questions (17%)

Chapter 4 carries the most weight. If you master test design techniques, you are already a quarter of the way to passing.

Cognitive Levels Tested

Questions are written at three cognitive levels. K1 (Remember) questions ask you to recall facts and definitions. K2 (Understand) questions require you to explain concepts or classify examples. K3 (Apply) questions present a scenario and ask you to use a technique such as boundary value analysis or equivalence partitioning to derive an answer.

Roughly 30-40% of questions are K1, 40-50% are K2, and 10-20% are K3. The K3 questions take the most time, so plan accordingly.

What to Bring on Exam Day

For in-person exams you typically need a valid photo ID and your exam confirmation email. No books, notes, or electronic devices are allowed. You will be given scratch paper or a whiteboard for calculations. For online proctored exams, you need a stable internet connection, a webcam, and a quiet room.

Tips for Exam Day

Arrive 15 minutes early to settle in. Read each question carefully — the ISTQB foundation level exam format sometimes includes qualifiers like "MOST important" or "BEST describes" that change the correct answer. Budget your time: spend no more than 90 seconds per question on your first pass, then return to flagged questions.

Practice Under Real Conditions

The best way to prepare for the exam format is to practice under timed conditions. Try our free ISTQB practice questions to experience realistic questions with detailed explanations for every answer.