Free ISTQB Foundation practice questions (CTFL v4.0)

These 20 free, original ISTQB practice questions cover all six chapters of the CTFL v4.0 Foundation syllabus. Each includes four possible answers, the correct response and a short explanation. Answer them without notes, then check your results. Aim for at least 65%, the pass mark used in the real exam.

How to use these practice questions

Work through the questions before revealing the answers, ideally under timed conditions. These are original questions written around the current syllabus, rather than official ISTQB exam questions.

The official ISTQB sample exams are the closest practice to the real examination. This set follows the same syllabus and gives you another way to test your understanding before progressing to full sample papers. You can also read our guide on how to prepare for the ISTQB Foundation exam.

Chapter 1: Fundamentals of testing

These ISTQB sample questions test some of the core concepts that underpin the rest of the syllabus.

Question 1

Which activity is most clearly testing rather than debugging?

A. Locating the cause of a failure

B. Correcting defective code

C. Executing a test to reveal failures

D. Changing code to remove a defect

Answer: C

Explanation: Testing may reveal failures and defects. Debugging focuses on finding their causes and correcting them.

Learning objective: FL-1.1.2

Question 2

A tester links every test case back to its associated requirement. What is a key benefit?

A. It removes the need for reviews

B. It supports evaluation of test coverage

C. It prevents requirement changes

D. It guarantees defect detection

Answer: B

Explanation: Traceability shows which requirements are covered by tests and supports evaluation of coverage.

Learning objective: FL-1.4.4

Question 3

Which statement reflects the testing principle of defect clustering?

A. Most defects tend to occur in a small number of components

B. Repeating identical tests eventually finds every defect

C. Testing proves that software contains no defects

D. Every part of a system contains similar numbers of defects

Answer: A

Explanation: Defects are often concentrated in a relatively small number of components rather than distributed evenly.

Learning objective: FL-1.3.1

Question 4

What is a potential benefit of independent testing?

A. Developers no longer need to consider quality

B. Independent testers may identify different defects

C. Communication between testers and developers becomes unnecessary

D. Testing becomes completely objective

Answer: B

Explanation: Different backgrounds and perspectives may allow independent testers to recognise defects that developers miss.

Learning objective: FL-1.5.3

Chapter 2: Testing throughout the software development lifecycle

Question 5

Which approach is most closely associated with shifting testing left?

A. Delaying testing until system testing

B. Performing testing activities earlier in development

C. Testing only after release

D. Replacing static testing with dynamic testing

Answer: B

Explanation: Shift left moves testing activities earlier in the lifecycle where appropriate.

Learning objective: FL-2.1.5

Question 6

A defect is fixed and the tester checks that the original failure no longer occurs. What is this?

A. Regression testing

B. Acceptance testing

C. Confirmation testing

D. Maintenance testing

Answer: C

Explanation: Confirmation testing checks whether a previously reported defect has been successfully corrected.

Learning objective: FL-2.2.3

Question 7

Why may frequent software increments require extensive regression testing?

A. Existing functionality may be affected by changes

B. Requirements are no longer needed

C. Static testing becomes impossible

D. Every increment requires a new test team

Answer: A

Explanation: Changes introduced in an increment may have unintended effects on existing functionality.

Learning objective: FL-2.2.3

Chapter 3: Static testing

Question 8

Which work product is suitable for static testing?

A. A requirements specification

B. A running production server

C. Live user behaviour

D. An executing transaction

Answer: A

Explanation: Static testing examines work products without executing the software. Requirements are therefore suitable for review.

Learning objective: FL-3.1.1

Question 9

What is one advantage of static testing?

A. It requires executable software

B. It finds every possible failure

C. It may identify defects before dynamic testing

D. It removes the need for later testing

Answer: C

Explanation: Reviews and static analysis may identify defects early, before executable software is available.

Learning objective: FL-3.1.2

Chapter 4: Test analysis and design

The real CTFL exam gives this chapter the greatest weighting, so this set includes more ISTQB Foundation Level exam questions and answers on test analysis and design.

Question 10

A field accepts whole numbers from 1 to 100 inclusive. Using equivalence partitioning, which set represents the three partitions?

A. 0, 50, 101

B. 1, 50, 100

C. -1, 0, 1

D. 99, 100, 101

Answer: A

Explanation: The three equivalence partitions are values below 1, values from 1 to 100, and values above 100. The values 0, 50 and 101 each represent one of these partitions respectively.

Learning objective: FL-4.2.1

Question 11

For the same valid range of 1 to 100, which values are boundaries?

A. 1 and 100

B. 25 and 75

C. 49 and 51

D. 10 and 90

Answer: A

Explanation: Boundary value analysis concentrates on the edges of partitions. Here, 1 and 100 are the boundaries of the valid range.

Learning objective: FL-4.2.2

Question 12

A tester designs tests from the internal control flow of the code. Which type of technique is being used?

A. Black box

B. White box

C. Experience based

D. Checklist based

Answer: B

Explanation: White box techniques derive tests from the internal structure or processing of the test object.

Learning objective: FL-4.1.1

Question 13

What does 100% statement coverage demonstrate?

A. Every possible path has been executed

B. Every branch has produced every outcome

C. Every executable statement has been exercised

D. Every defect has been found

Answer: C

Explanation: Statement coverage measures the proportion of executable statements exercised by tests. It does not demonstrate complete branch or path coverage.

Learning objective: FL-4.3.1

Question 14

Which technique relies particularly on a tester's knowledge of likely defects and previous failures?

A. Decision table testing

B. Branch testing

C. Error guessing

D. Equivalence partitioning

Answer: C

Explanation: Error guessing uses the tester's experience and knowledge to anticipate where defects are likely to occur.

Learning objective: FL-4.4.1

Question 15

A system gives different results depending on its status and the event that occurs next. Which technique is particularly suitable?

A. State transition testing

B. Statement testing

C. Checklist based testing

D. Equivalence partitioning

Answer: A

Explanation: State transition testing is useful when system behaviour depends on its current state and subsequent events.

Learning objective: FL-4.2.4

Chapter 5: Managing the test activities

Question 16

Which is a product risk?

A. The test environment is delivered late

B. The test budget is reduced

C. The payment calculation produces incorrect totals

D. A tester leaves the project

Answer: C

Explanation: Product risks concern the quality characteristics of the product. The other options threaten delivery of the project or testing work.

Learning objective: FL-5.2.2

Question 17

A feature has high business impact and a high likelihood of failure. How should this normally influence testing?

A. Reduce testing to protect the schedule

B. Give the feature greater testing attention

C. Test it only after low risk features

D. Remove it from the test scope

Answer: B

Explanation: Product risk analysis influences the thoroughness and scope of testing, directing greater attention towards higher risks.

Learning objective: FL-5.2.3

Question 18

Which statement best describes exit criteria?

A. Conditions that define when a test activity may begin

B. Conditions used to judge whether a test activity is complete

C. A list of all known product risks

D. A record of every executed test

Answer: B

Explanation: Exit criteria define what must be achieved before a test activity is considered complete.

Learning objective: FL-5.1.3

Question 19

A defect report says only, “Checkout does not work.” What important information would most improve it?

A. Reproduction steps and expected versus actual results

B. The tester's preferred solution

C. A complete project schedule

D. Every previous defect report

Answer: A

Explanation: A useful defect report provides enough information to reproduce and investigate the problem, including what was expected and what actually happened.

Learning objective: FL-5.5.1

Chapter 6: Test tools

Question 20

Which is a recognised risk of test automation?

A. Automated tests always execute too slowly

B. Tools remove the need for skilled testers

C. Teams may develop unrealistic expectations of a tool

D. Automation prevents repeatable testing

Answer: C

Explanation: Automation brings benefits, but unrealistic expectations about a tool's capabilities or ease of use create risk.

Learning objective: FL-6.2.1

How did you score?

Count one point for each correct answer:

For beginners, a useful sequence is to start with free practice questions like these, progress to the official ISTQB sample exams and consider structured training if your scores remain below 65%. The official sample papers provide the most realistic ISTQB mock exam practice because they come directly from ISTQB.

You can also explore ISTQB certifications or prepare through the ISTQB Foundation (CTFL) course.

FAQs

Are these official ISTQB exam questions?

No. These questions are original and designed around the CTFL v4.0 syllabus. They are intended for additional practice rather than as replicas of questions you will encounter in the examination.

How many practice questions should I do before the exam?

There is no fixed number. Use enough questions to identify weak areas, then move on to full sample exams once you are consistently comfortable across the syllabus. Your preparation should test application as well as recall.

Where can I find a full ISTQB mock exam?

ISTQB publishes official CTFL v4.0 sample examinations with answer sets. These are the best source of full mock papers and should form part of your final exam preparation.