Your certification guide · Advanced Level
Advance your skills in test analysis and design, risk-based testing, quality characteristics, and defect prevention. Learn to select effective techniques, develop useful testware, and help teams detect and prevent defects throughout development.
Questions carry different point values; the passing score is measured in points, not correct answers. Candidates taking the exam in a non-native language may receive 25% additional time. Confirm eligibility and the exact duration with your exam provider.
Test analysts, testers, test consultants, and professionals designing tests and assessing software quality from a business and user perspective.
The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate and sufficient practical experience are required. Confirm experience criteria with your Member Board or exam provider. Prepare through self-study or accredited training.
The syllabus at a glance
A concise guide to the certification content in syllabus v4.0.
Explains the Test Analyst’s work across analysis, design, implementation, and execution in different lifecycles. Covers test case quality, environments, oracles, data requirements, keyword-driven scripts, and managing testware.
Key topicsTest activities · Test case quality · Test oracles · Test data and environments
Covers the Test Analyst’s contribution to risk analysis and risk control. Explains how product risk information guides test priorities and the scope and depth of testing.
Key topicsRisk analysis · Risk control · Product risk mitigation
Explores data-based, behavior-based, rule-based, and experience-based techniques. Covers domain, combinatorial, CRUD, state transition, scenario, decision table, and metamorphic testing, plus selecting techniques and assessing automated test design.
Key topicsDomain and combinatorial testing · CRUD · Metamorphic testing · Session-based testing
Explains the Test Analyst’s contribution to testing functional suitability, usability, flexibility, and compatibility. Relates these quality characteristics to appropriate test objectives and approaches.
Key topicsFunctional testing · Usability · Flexibility · Compatibility
Covers preventing defects, detecting them within the development phase where they originate, and limiting recurrence. Explains using models and reviews, analyzing test results, classifying defects, and supporting root cause analysis.
Key topicsDefect prevention · Phase containment · Reviews · Root cause analysis
Training times are syllabus allocations for accredited courses, not exam section durations or personal study recommendations. Total: 20 hours 15 minutes.
Study from the source
Check the certification page for exam information, study the syllabus, and use official sample questions and answers to practise.
Official sample answers ↗ · All official downloads ↗
Independent study guide based on the ISTQB CTAL-TA syllabus v4.0. Syllabus source and copyright: International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®) and its authors. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by ISTQB. Links checked on 7 October 2026.
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