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Pick up to 4 core testing certifications and we'll lay out their specifications side by side. Apples to apples only — once you pick the first item, the picker locks to its category so you don't end up comparing Selenium with OWASP Top 10.
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ISTQB CTFL
ISTQB
Globally Recognised
Entry-Level
Lifetime Validity
Multilingual
Foundation-level certification, vendor-neutral testing knowledge.
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Specification comparison
Schema: Certifications. Missing values are marked "Not available yet" — those are next on our research list.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Issuing body | International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) | QAI Global Institute |
| Exam format | Multiple choice (computer- or paper-based) | Multiple choice + essay |
| Duration | 60 minutes (75 for non-native speakers) | 3 hours |
| Number of questions | 40 | 100 multiple choice + 4 essays |
| Passing score | 65% (26 / 40) | 70% |
| Exam cost | Approx. €150–250 depending on country | $350 USD (members) / $450 (non-members) |
| Prerequisites | None — entry level | 2–6 years of experience depending on education |
| Validity | Lifetime (no expiry) | 3 years (CEU renewal) |
| Levels available | Foundation only at this tier | CSTE (single level) |
| Global recognition | Recognised in 130+ countries, 1M+ certified | Established credential, popular in US/India |
| Available languages | 30+ languages | English |
| Best suited for | Anyone starting a software-testing career | Experienced testers in regulated industries |
| Official site | www.istqb.org ↗ | www.qaiglobalinstitute.com ↗ |
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