Education and Career Forum

Can Anyone send me the percentage of ISTQB exam pass candidates?

Details about the structure of exam questions and exams can be found in the
( ISTQB Foundation Exam Format and Question Writing Guidelines )

Please note that current Guidelines are old. Current Pass percentage is 65 & above (26 marks or above) whereas the guidelines states it to be above 60 %(25 marks or above).



Click Here for New Foundation Level Syllabus version 2011

•Basics of Software testing
•Life Cycle Testing
•Dynamic Test
•Static Test
•Test Management
•Testing Tools


Advanced Level:

Click here to download the NEW Advanced Level Syllabus. The syllabus covers:-

•Basic Aspects of Software Testing
•Testing Processes
•Test Management
•Test Techniques
•Testing of Software Characteristics
•Reviews
•Incident Management
•Standards & Test Improvement Process
•Test Tools & Automation
•People Skills - Team Composition

Pattern of Advance Level

•Time Duration: 180 Min. for each sub-level
•Total No. of Question: 65 for each sub-level
•Total Marks: 100 Marks (1 Mark, 2 marks & 3 mark questions)(Distribution not pre-specified)
•Passing Criteria: 65%



The Advance Level is aimed at experienced test professionals. This level shows that the person has detailed knowledge regarding testing and skills to apply this knowledge in practice. The requirements for this level are available through the detailed syllabus.

The prerequisites for applying for the exam are as follows:

For Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) Holders in Computer Science or related fields

•Foundation Level Clearance
•24 Months of Testing Experience in IT, Testing,
Development, QA, Engineering or related fields (For any 2 sub-levels)

•Min. 36 Months of experience mandatory for Adv. Complete Certification(For all 3 sub-levels)
For Non Bachelor ’s Degree (or higher) Holders in Computer Science or related fields

•Foundation Level Clearance
•60 Months of Testing Experience in IT, Testing,
Development, QA, Engineering or related fields

The exam has three sublevels:

Technical Test Analyst
Test Analyst
Test Manager

A single syllabus exists for all the three sublevels. There is an separate paper for each sub-level and each Paper is of 180 Minutes Duration. Sub-Levels can be taken up in any order. An individual Certificate is granted on successful completion of each sub-level.

Documents to be submitted at the time of registration

•Photograph
•Foundation Level Certificate Copy
•Education Degree Copy
•Experience proof


Treatment of Existing Advanced Certificates

•ISTQB Advanced Test Manager certificates earned by passing exams against the old Advanced Syllabus are treated as equivalent to the Advanced Test Manager certificates earned by passing exams against the Advanced Syllabus 2007.
•ISTQB Advanced Functional Tester certificates earned by passing exams against the old Advanced Syllabus are treated as equivalent to the Advanced Test Analyst certificates earned by passing exams against the Advanced Syllabus 2007.
•ISTQB Advanced Technical Tester certificates earned by passing exams against the old Advanced Syllabus are treated as equivalent to the Advanced Technical Test Analyst certificates earned by passing exams against the Advanced Syllabus 2007.
•ISEB Practitioner certificates earned by passing an exam taken no later than March 31, 2008 [i.e., under the original Practitioner program] are treated as equivalent to the Advanced Test Manager, Advanced Test Analyst, and Advanced Technical Test Analyst certificates earned by passing exams against the Advanced Syllabus 2007.



This treatment of equivalence has the following consequences…


Treatment as equivalent does not mean that they are in fact identical in coverage. Specifically, the Advanced Syllabus 2007 covers all the topics of the old Advanced Syllabus as well as introducing new topics. Courseware accredited against the Advanced Syllabus 2007 will cover all topics covered by courseware accredited against the old Advanced Syllabus. Therefore, a candidate will be fully prepared if she attends a course accredited against the Advanced Syllabus 2007, then takes an exam against the old Advanced Syllabus. However, courseware accredited against the old Advanced Syllabus will not cover all topics covered by courseware accredited against the Advanced Syllabus 2007. A candidate who attends a course accredited against the old Advanced Syllabus, then takes an exam against the Advanced Syllabus 2007 will be underprepared.

•Attention candidates for certification who intend to take an exam against the Advanced Syllabus 2007: If you have taken a training course accredited against the old Advanced Syllabus or the Practitioner Syllabus, please be advised that new topics have been added to the Advanced Syllabus 2007. Additional preparation on your part is necessary prior to taking an exam against the Advanced Syllabus 2007.”
•Equivalence does not mean substitution. The ISTQB, the National Boards, and the Exam Boards shall only issue certificates showing certification against the Advanced Syllabus 2007 for candidates who have passed an exam run against the Advanced Syllabus 2007.

Pattern of Advance Level

•Time Duration: 180 Min. for each sub-level
•Total No. of Question: 65 for each sub-level
•Total Marks: 100 Marks (1 Mark, 2 marks & 3 mark questions)(Distribution not pre-specified)
•Passing Criteria: 65%



The Advance Level is aimed at experienced test professionals. This level shows that the person has detailed knowledge regarding testing and skills to apply this knowledge in practice. The requirements for this level are available through the detailed syllabus.

The prerequisites for applying for the exam are as follows:

For Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) Holders in Computer Science or related fields

•Foundation Level Clearance
•24 Months of Testing Experience in IT, Testing,
Development, QA, Engineering or related fields (For any 2 sub-levels)

•Min. 36 Months of experience mandatory for Adv. Complete Certification(For all 3 sub-levels)
For Non Bachelor ’s Degree (or higher) Holders in Computer Science or related fields

•Foundation Level Clearance
•60 Months of Testing Experience in IT, Testing,
Development, QA, Engineering or related fields