ISTQB Software Testing Foundation

ISTQB Software Testing Foundation Outline

Domain 1: Fundamentals of Testing 
 

Module 1: What is Testing? 

• What is Testing? 

• Testing and Debugging 
   

Module 2: Why is Testing Necessary? 

• Why is Testing Necessary? 

• Testing’s Contributions to Success 

• Testing and Quality Assurance (QA) 

• Errors, Defects, Failures, and Root Causes 
   

Module 3: Testing Principles 

• Testing Principles 
   

Module 4: Test Activities, Testware and Test Roles 

• Test Activities and Tasks 

• Test Process in Context 

• Testware 

• Traceability Between the Test Basis and Test Work Products 

• Testing Roles 
   

Module 5: Essential Skills and Good Practices in Testing 

• Generic Skills Required for Testing 

• Whole Team Approach 

• Advantages of the Whole Team Approach 

• Independence of Testing 

• Levels of Independence 
   

Domain 2: Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycle 
 

Module 1: Testing in the Context of a Software Development Lifecycle 

• Software Development and Software Testing 

• Software Development Life Cycle Models 

• Impact of the Software Development Lifecycle on Testing 

• Software Development Lifecycle and Good Testing Practices 

• Software Development Models 

• Testing as a Driver for Software Development 

• DevOps and Testing 

• Shift Left Approach 

• Retrospectives and Process Improvement 
   

Module 2: Test Levels and Test Types 

• Test Levels 

• Component Testing 

• Integration Testing 

• System Testing 

• System Integration Testing (SIT) 

• Acceptance Testing 

• Test Types 

• Confirmation Testing and Regression Testing 
   

Module 3: Maintenance Testing 

• Maintenance Testing 
   

Domain 3: Static Testing 
 

Module 1: Static Testing Basics 

• Static Testing Basics 

• Work Products Examinable by Static Testing 

• Value of Static Testing 

• Differences between Static Testing and Dynamic Testing 
   

Module 2: Feedback and Review Process 

• Feedback and Review Process 

• Review Process Activities 

• Roles and Responsibilities in Reviews 

• Review Types 

• Success Factors for Reviews 
   

Domain 4: Test Analysis and Design 
 

Module 1: Test Techniques Overview 

• Test Techniques Overview 
   

Module 2: Black-box Test Techniques 

• Equivalence Partitioning 

• Exercise 

• Boundary Value Analysis 

• Exercise 

• Decision Table Testing 

• Exercise 

• State Transition Testing 

• Exercise 
   

Module 3: White-box Test Techniques 

• White-box Test Techniques 

• Statement Testing and Statement Coverage 

• Branch Testing and Branch Coverage 

• The Value of White-box Testing 
   

Module 4: Experience-based Test Techniques 

• Error Guessing 

• Exploratory Testing 

• Checklist-Based Testing
   

Module 5: Collaboration-based Test Approaches 

• Collaboration-based Test Approaches 

• Example 1: E-Commerce Website Checkout Feature 

• Example 2: Hospital Management Software 

• Exercise 

• Collaboration-based Test Approaches 
   

Domain 5: Managing the Test Activities 
 

Module 1: Test Planning 

• Purpose and Content of a Test Plan 

• Tester's Contribution to Iteration and Release Planning 

• Entry Criteria and Exit Criteria 

• Estimation Techniques 

• Example 

• Test Case Prioritisation 

• Example: Risk-Based Prioritisation 

• Test Case Prioritisation 

• Example: Test Case Prioritisation 

• Test Case Prioritisation 

• Example: Requirements-Based Prioritisation 

• Exercise 

• Test Pyramid 

• Testing Quadrants 
   

Module 2: Risk Management 

• Risk Definition 

• Risk Attributes 

• Project and Product Risks 

• Project Risks 

• Product Risk Analysis 

• Product Risk Analysis: Risk Identification 

• Risk Control 

• Risk Control – Risk Mitigation 

• Risk Control – Risk Mitigation (Example) 

• Risk Control – Risk Monitoring 

• Risk Control – Risk Monitoring (Example) 
   

Module 3: Test Monitoring, Test Control and Test Completion 

• Test Monitoring 

• Test Reporting 

• Communicating the Status of Testing 
   

Module 4: Configuration Management 

• Configuration Management 
   

Module 5: Defect Management 

• Defect Management 

• Exercise 
   

Domain 6: Test Tools 
 

Module 1: Tool Support for Testing 

• The Meaning and Purpose of Tool Support 

• Tool Support for Testing 
   

Module 2: Benefits and Risks of Test Automation 

• Benefits and Risks of Test Automation 

What You’ll Learn in this Course

This course equips learners with the foundational skills required to plan, design, and execute software tests effectively. Each outcome supports a deeper understanding of structured testing practices. 
 

• Learn the fundamental concepts, principles, and objectives of software testing 

• Learn the relationship between testing and software development lifecycle models 

• Learn to design, document, and prioritise effective test cases 

• Learn to identify, analyse, and report software defects efficiently 

• Learn about various testing levels, techniques, and tools used in the industry 

• Learn to apply structured testing processes to enhance software quality 

ISTQB Software Testing Foundation Exam Information

The ISTQB Software Testing Foundation Level Exam assesses a candidate’s understanding of software testing principles and practices as defined in the syllabus. The exam format is: 

• Question Type: Multiple Choice 

• Total Questions: 40 

• Total Marks: 40 Marks 

• Pass Mark: 65%, or 26/40 Marks 

• Duration: 60 Minutes 

• Type: Closed Book