Faith Quinn, Software Quality Analyst IV
The ISTQB had a major update to the Foundation Level (CTFL) syllabus this year. The new version, CTFL v4.0 has been released, and the previous version 3.1 has been retired. The purpose for the new version is to put an emphasis on popular practices like SCRUM, Agile, CI/CD, and DevOps. The syllabus has also put a larger emphasis on the importance of test automation and introduces an entire section on risk management. I’ve read from a few sources that the new version is a combination of the CTFL v3.1syllabus and the Agile extension syllabus.
Those of you who have already taken the Agile extension exam will probably recognize that much of what is in the syllabus are concepts and techniques we already practice. Since we have already become accustomed to these practices, that goes to show that we are keeping up with our skills and industry standards. As we work to expand our business portfolio, it is important to continue with certifications and training.
It doesn’t matter which certification version you have; it remains valid. But for those who are interested, the exam structure remains the same. There are 40 questions at 1 point each. You need 26 points to pass, and you have 60 minutes to take the exam (more time allowed if English is not your first language). However, the Learning Objectives (LO) and Knowledge Level (K1, K2, K3) have been realigned to better coincide with the new syllabus. If you are eager for more information about the changes, you can always get the most recent syllabus from the ISTQB website.