Your certification guide · Advanced Level
Deepen your technical testing skills in risk-based testing, white-box techniques, static and dynamic analysis, non-functional quality characteristics, reviews, and automation. Learn to select technical tests and tools that address risks in software code and architecture.
The exam uses weighted questions: points are not the same as the number of correct answers. Candidates taking the exam in a non-native language may receive 25% additional time (150 minutes total). Confirm eligibility with your exam provider.
Technical testers, test analysts, test consultants, and developers who want to strengthen their technical testing expertise. Familiarity with programming and system architecture is expected.
The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate and sufficient practical experience are required. Confirm the specific experience criteria with your Member Board or exam provider.
The syllabus at a glance
A concise guide to the certification content in syllabus v4.0.
Explains how a Technical Test Analyst contributes to identifying, assessing, and mitigating product risks. Focuses on technical risk factors and using risk information to guide test planning and the selection of appropriate tests.
Key topicsRisk identification · Risk assessment · Risk mitigation
Covers statement, decision, modified condition/decision, and multiple condition testing, alongside basis path and API testing. Explains selecting suitable white-box techniques and coverage goals for safety-related and other systems.
Key topicsStatement and decision coverage · MC/DC · Multiple conditions · API testing
Explains control flow and data flow analysis and the use of static analysis to improve maintainability. Covers dynamic analysis for memory leaks, wild pointers, and performance efficiency problems during execution.
Key topicsControl flow · Data flow · Memory leaks · Dynamic analysis
Covers planning and designing tests for security, reliability, performance efficiency, maintainability, portability, and compatibility. Addresses stakeholder needs, environments, tools, data protection, and operational profiles.
Key topicsSecurity · Reliability · Performance · Maintainability · Portability · Compatibility
Explains the Technical Test Analyst's contribution to reviews of architecture and code. Covers using review checklists to find technical defects and assess implementation and architectural quality.
Key topicsArchitecture reviews · Code reviews · Technical checklists
Explores automation project choices, automation approaches, and modeling business processes for automated tests. Covers tools for fault seeding and injection, performance, websites, model-based testing, component testing, builds, and mobile applications.
Key topicsAutomation approaches · Fault injection · Performance tools · Mobile tools
Training times are syllabus allocations for accredited courses, not exam section durations or personal study recommendations. Total: 20 hours. Reference material and appendices follow the core chapters in the syllabus.
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-TTA 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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