The ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester (CTAL-AT®) v2.0 is an Advanced Level professional certification issued by ISTQB and aimed at experienced testers and quality leaders working in Agile environments. The syllabus has six chapters, focuses on K2, K3, and K4 cognitive levels, and requires the ISTQB Foundation Level certificate as a prerequisite. It replaces the retiring CTFL-AT (Foundation Level Agile Extension) and consolidates Agile testing knowledge at the Advanced Level alongside Test Manager and Test Analyst.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certification | Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester (CTAL-AT) v2.0 |
| Syllabus version | v2.0 (General Assembly release) |
| Syllabus released | 17 April 2026 (GA release); ISTQB public announcement 6 May 2026 |
| Stream | Agile (Advanced Level) |
| Predecessor | CT-AT v1.0 (2014), the former Foundation Level Agile Extension. Now repositioned at Advanced Level. |
| Prerequisite | ISTQB Foundation Level certificate (CTFL v4.0 or any previous version). At least six months of experience in Agile development or testing is strongly recommended. |
| Exam length | Not stated on the central ISTQB certification page or syllabus at the time of writing. Verify on istqb.org or with your Exam Provider before booking. |
| Questions | Not stated on the central ISTQB certification page or syllabus at the time of writing. Verify on istqb.org before booking. The current Exam Structures and Rules tables (v1.13, July 2025) predate this certification and do not yet list it. |
| Pass mark | Not stated on the central ISTQB certification page or syllabus at the time of writing. The standard ISTQB pass mark across all current syllabi is 65 percent. Verify on istqb.org before booking. |
| Question style | Multiple-choice covering K2 (understand), K3 (apply), and K4 (analyze). No K1 learning objectives in this syllabus. |
| Time extension for non-native speakers | Not stated separately, but the ISTQB-wide policy of an additional 25 percent time for non-native language candidates applies across the scheme. Verify with your Exam Provider. |
| Languages | English at launch. ISTQB Member Boards translate over time. Check your local Member Board for availability. |
| Delivery | Online proctored or test centre, depending on Exam Provider |
| Fee | Set by individual ISTQB Member Boards and Exam Providers. Not published on the central ISTQB certification page. Verify with your local Member Board before booking. |
| Validity | Lifetime. ISTQB Advanced Level certificates do not state a renewal cycle. |
What is the ISTQB CTAL-AT v2.0?
ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester (CTAL-AT®) v2.0 is an Advanced Level certification offered by ISTQB that certifies a candidate’s ability to apply and analyse Agile testing practices in real-world team and organisational settings, rather than simply recall Agile concepts.
CTAL-AT v2.0 is the successor to the former Foundation Level Agile Extension, CT-AT v1.0 (2014). It is not a routine update. It is a structural change to the ISTQB scheme: foundational Agile concepts have been absorbed into CTFL v4.0, and Agile testing has been promoted to the Advanced Level. The new syllabus was formally released by the General Assembly of ISTQB on 17 April 2026 and announced publicly on 6 May 2026.
In parallel, CTFL-AT v1.0 (2014) and CTAL-ATT (Agile Technical Tester) enter their sunset phase on the same timeline: English exams, retakes, and training are available until 6 May 2027, non-English equivalents until 6 November 2027. Existing certificates remain valid, but there is no automatic transition. Candidates who want the new credential must take the CTAL-AT v2.0 exam.
Who should take CTAL-AT v2.0?
CTAL-AT v2.0 targets experienced testing professionals and adjacent roles working in Agile teams. Typical candidates include:
- Senior testers, test analysts, test engineers, and test consultants already operating in Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, or LeSS environments
- Test leads and test managers shaping Agile test strategy, coverage, and process improvement
- Quality engineers and SDETs responsible for shift-left practices and CI/CD test design
- Product owners, Scrum Masters, and Agile coaches who own quality across whole-team delivery
- Developers and tech leads who pair on testing and want to contribute to test design at Advanced Level
- Business analysts and UAT leads helping shape testable user stories and acceptance criteria
Who should not take it. CTAL-AT v2.0 is not a first ISTQB exam. Candidates new to software testing should take CTFL v4.0 first. Candidates whose Agile knowledge is purely conceptual will find the K3 and K4 questions hard to answer well. Holders of CTFL-AT who do not need a new credential can keep their existing certificate, which remains valid.
Prerequisites and eligibility
The syllabus states two entry criteria. The first is mandatory: candidates must hold the ISTQB Foundation Level certificate. CTFL v4.0 or any previous CTFL version satisfies this. The second is strongly recommended but not enforced: at least a minimal background in Agile development or software testing, typically around six months as a system tester, user acceptance tester, or Agile team member. Accredited training, while optional, is also strongly recommended because Member Boards review course materials for syllabus alignment.
Identity verification is required at the exam, both at test centres and during remote proctoring.
Exam structure and rules
Format and length
The CTAL-AT v2.0 exam is a closed-book multiple-choice paper. The exact number of questions and the exact duration are not stated on the central ISTQB certification page or in the published syllabus at the time of writing. The syllabus refers candidates to the separate “Exam Structures and Rules” document, and the current published edition of that document (v1.13, July 2025) was issued before the CTAL-AT v2.0 release and does not yet list it. Verify on istqb.org or with your Exam Provider before booking.
Summary: Format and timing will be confirmed in the updated ISTQB Exam Structures and Rules document.
Question types and K-level distribution
All questions are multiple-choice. The syllabus is examinable at K2 (understand), K3 (apply), and K4 (analyze) only. There are no K1 (remember) learning objectives in CTAL-AT v2.0. Across ISTQB Advanced Level exams, K3 and K4 questions carry more weight in points than K2 and require candidates to apply or analyse, not just recall. Expect scenarios that ask you to choose an Agile test approach, slice a user story for testability, design a test charter, or recommend a test process improvement based on metrics.
Summary: Multiple-choice with K2, K3, and K4 cognitive levels. No K1 questions.
Passing score
The pass mark is not stated on the central ISTQB certification page or syllabus at the time of writing. The ISTQB-wide standard pass mark across all current syllabi is 65 percent of total points. Verify with your Exam Provider before booking.
Summary: 65 percent is the standard ISTQB pass mark, pending publication of the CTAL-AT v2.0 Exam Structures and Rules update.
Time extension policy
ISTQB applies an additional 25 percent time across the scheme for candidates taking the exam in a language that is not their native language. The CTAL-AT v2.0 specific value will be published in the updated Exam Structures and Rules document.
Summary: An additional 25 percent of exam time is standard for non-native language candidates.
Languages available
ISTQB publishes the syllabus in English. ISTQB Member Boards translate the syllabus and exam into their national languages over time. Translation availability for CTAL-AT v2.0 will roll out by Member Board after the GA release. Check your local Member Board before booking.
Summary: English at launch; other languages roll out via Member Boards.
Delivery options
CTAL-AT v2.0 can be taken at an approved physical test centre or via online proctored delivery, depending on the Exam Provider in your country. Identity checks, environment scans, and webcam monitoring apply to remote proctoring.
Summary: Both test centre and online proctored delivery exist, subject to your Exam Provider.
Retake policy
ISTQB does not publish a global retake limit on the central certification page. Retake rules, including cooling-off periods, are set by individual Exam Providers and Member Boards.
Summary: Retake conditions are set by the Exam Provider.
Cost
The CTAL-AT v2.0 exam fee is not published on the central ISTQB certification page at the time of writing. Fees are set by Member Boards and Exam Providers and vary by country and delivery mode. Several Member Boards also bundle the exam with mandatory accredited training. Verify on your local Member Board page before booking.
Summary: Fees vary by region; check your local Member Board.
Certificate validity and renewal
The CTAL-AT v2.0 certificate has no expiry date and no recertification requirement. Holders of CTFL-AT and CTAL-ATT keep their existing certificates after the sunset dates, but those exams will no longer be offered, and there is no automatic transition to CTAL-AT.
Summary: CTAL-AT v2.0 is a lifetime certification with no renewal cycle.
Syllabus breakdown, chapter by chapter
The CTAL-AT v2.0 syllabus has six examinable chapters. The minimum accredited training time is 13 hours, spread across at least two days, distributed as follows. The syllabus covers 8 Business Outcomes (CTAL-AT-BO1 through CTAL-AT-BO8) and a set of K2, K3, and K4 learning objectives.
Chapter 1: Test Strategy and Test Approach Challenges
Suggested study time: 60 minutes.
Covers how Agile testers select test types during and after iterations, when end-to-end testing earns its cost, the trade-off between formal testing and holistic testing, and the regression test approaches that fit Agile delivery (incremental, risk-based, DevOps-oriented, exploratory, and collaborative). The chapter also positions contract testing as an alternative to broad end-to-end testing in microservice architectures.
In practice this chapter equips an Agile tester to push back when a team defaults to running every end-to-end test on every commit. Knowing when E2E adds genuine signal, and when contract testing or production observability is the better trade, is what separates Foundation-level awareness from Advanced-level judgement.
Examinable at K2.
Chapter 2: People and Teams
Suggested study time: 60 minutes.
Covers the whole-team approach in depth: generalisation versus specialisation, T-shaped testers, motivating business representatives to actively test rather than passively review, and how testers support developers through pairing, coaching, and shared ownership of code coverage. Also introduces tissue testers, short-term external testers used in early-design or volatile-product contexts to provide a fresh-eyes perspective.
This chapter matters in real work because whole-team quality is often claimed and rarely practised. A CTAL-AT v2.0 candidate should be able to diagnose why business representatives are not testing in a given team and propose a concrete intervention.
Examinable at K2.
Chapter 3: Test Management and Test Process Improvement
Suggested study time: 210 minutes.
The largest chapter alongside Chapter 5. Covers Agile test planning at iteration and release level, the testing quadrants model and how to use it to design a project test strategy, lightweight Agile test monitoring and control, coverage-based test reporting (requirements, code, exploratory, infrastructure), and metrics-driven test process improvement using practices such as goal-question-metric, focused retrospectives, and value stream mapping.
Carries one of two K4 learning objectives in the syllabus: outlining a project test strategy using testing quadrants (CTAL-AT-3.1.2). The other K4 in this chapter (CTAL-AT-3.4.1) is selecting appropriate test process improvement measures based on metrics. These are the questions most likely to separate a 65 percent score from a strong pass.
Examinable at K2 and K4.
Chapter 4: Shift Left
Suggested study time: 135 minutes.
Covers how to improve test basis quality through testware-as-requirements, storyboarding and testboarding, example mapping, cognitive biases (confirmation, anchoring, conformity), and user story slicing for testability. Also covers how requirements engineering (elicitation, analysis, specification, validation) supports shift-left.
This chapter is unusually candid for an ISTQB syllabus. It names cognitive biases by type, explains how whole-team work can amplify them, and prescribes mitigations such as paired testing, debriefs, and tissue testers. User story slicing (CTAL-AT-4.1.5) is a K3 objective and a frequent topic in real interviews for senior tester roles.
Examinable at K2 and K3.
Chapter 5: Agile Approaches and Test Techniques
Suggested study time: 285 minutes.
The largest chapter. Covers exploratory testing in depth: test heuristics, test mnemonics (SFDIPOT, RCRCRC, I SLICED UP FUN, FEW HICCUPPS, TERMS), test tours adapted from the city-district metaphor, test charter creation from user stories and epics, and how to actually run an exploratory session. Also covers assisted testing techniques (mob, pair, vibe) and using test smells to evaluate test case quality.
This is where most K3 application questions concentrate. Carries the second K4 in the syllabus: analysing user stories and epics to create test charters (CTAL-AT-5.1.4). Vibe testing and tissue testing are both new to the ISTQB scheme with this release and likely to feature in practice exams.
Examinable at K2, K3, and K4.
Chapter 6: Test Automation and Test Tools
Suggested study time: 30 minutes.
The shortest chapter. Covers how test automation fits Agile software development and the categories of test tools that support it. The chapter explicitly defers deep technical content on automation engineering to CTAL-TAE (Test Automation Engineering) and CT-TAS (Test Automation Strategy).
Short, but commonly tested. Expect questions on automation trade-offs in Agile teams, not on tool selection.
Examinable at K2.
How to prepare for CTAL-AT v2.0
Recommended study plans
The right plan depends on whether you have hands-on Agile testing experience or are coming from a sequential background:
- 6 weeks (active Agile tester with several years’ experience). One chapter per week, then two weeks of timed sample questions across chapters 3, 4, and 5.
- 10 weeks (working tester newer to Agile). Two weeks per major chapter (3 and 5), one week each for chapters 1, 2, 4, 6, then two weeks of sample exams.
- 14 weeks (CTFL holder with limited Agile exposure). Add four weeks at the start for guided reading on Scrum, Kanban, and DevOps fundamentals before starting the syllabus.
Aim to score 75 percent or higher on at least two full-length sample exams under timed conditions before booking. The buffer over the standard 65 percent pass mark absorbs the gap between practice and the actual exam, which is typically harder.
Official materials
Use the official ISTQB CTAL-AT v2.0 syllabus first, then the ISTQB Glossary. ISTQB will publish the updated Exam Structures and Rules document and official sample exam(s) after general availability; check istqb.org and your Member Board’s downloads page for the latest versions. Direct links are in the Official downloads section below.
Self-study versus accredited training
Accredited training carries more weight at Advanced Level than at Foundation Level, for two reasons. First, the K3 and K4 questions reward genuine practice with techniques like test charter design and testing quadrants; trainers can give live feedback that a textbook cannot. Second, accredited providers must build new CTAL-AT v2.0 materials from scratch (existing CTFL-AT and CTAL-ATT courseware cannot be reused), and trainers must hold CTAL-AT v2.0 themselves.
Self-study works if you already have current Agile testing experience and disciplined study habits. It is harder than at Foundation Level because you cannot rote-learn your way past K3 and K4 questions.
Practice exams
Use the official ISTQB sample exam(s) for CTAL-AT v2.0 once published. Be wary of paid practice exam providers offering CTAL-AT v2.0 content before the official samples are released: no provider has access to verified exam-aligned questions at launch. Avoid any provider advertising “real exam questions” or “100 percent pass guarantees”, which are exam dumps that violate ISTQB exam terms.
How to read the sample exam debrief
For Advanced Level exams, scoring per question matters. K3 and K4 questions are typically worth 2 or 3 points, K2 questions 1 point. Map every question you got wrong to its chapter and K-level so you can see whether your gap is K3 application (chapters 4 and 5) or K4 analysis (chapters 3 and 5).
Mistakes that cause people to fail
- Treating CTAL-AT as a content refresh of CTFL-AT and under-preparing. It is a different exam at a different level with no K1 questions.
- Memorising mnemonics (SFDIPOT, RCRCRC, FEW HICCUPPS) without being able to apply them to a given scenario.
- Underestimating chapter 3. It carries one of two K4 objectives and the heaviest test management content.
- Skipping cognitive bias and tissue testing because they feel “soft”. Both are new examinable content.
- Not practising user story slicing and test charter creation as hands-on exercises.
How CTAL-AT v2.0 compares with related certifications
| Item | CTAL-AT v2.0 (this) | CTFL-AT v1.0 (sunset) | CT-ATLaS (Agile Test Leadership at Scale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Advanced (Agile) | Foundation (Agile) | Advanced (Agile, scaling focus) |
| Status | Live (GA 17 April 2026) | English sunset 6 May 2027; non-English sunset 6 November 2027 | Live |
| Prerequisite | ISTQB CTFL | ISTQB CTFL | ISTQB CTFL |
| Examinable K-levels | K2, K3, K4 | K1, K2, K3 | K2, K3, K4 |
| Audience | Experienced Agile testers and quality leaders | Anyone new to Agile testing | Agile leaders at scale (multi-team) |
| What it certifies | Applying and analysing Agile testing in real teams | Awareness of Agile testing fundamentals | Leading quality across scaled Agile programmes |
CTAL-AT v2.0 is not a one-for-one replacement of CTFL-AT. It is a deliberate move of Agile testing from Foundation to Advanced Level. The basics that CTFL-AT used to cover are now part of CTFL v4.0. CT-ATLaS sits alongside CTAL-AT for those leading quality across multiple Agile teams; it is complementary rather than competing.
Career impact and recognition
CTAL-AT v2.0 is new as of May 2026, so job adverts have not fully caught up. Expect Member Boards, training providers, and major employers to begin referencing CTAL-AT v2.0 in job descriptions for senior Agile tester, test lead, quality engineering manager, and Agile coach roles through the second half of 2026 and into 2027.
ISTQB does not publish official pass rates or salary data, and most “ISTQB salary statistics” online are not sourced from ISTQB. The most honest reading is that CTAL-AT v2.0 signals applied Agile testing competence at Advanced Level. It will be most useful to candidates who already have Agile delivery experience and want a globally recognised credential to validate it.
Official downloads and resources
- Official CTAL-AT v2.0 certification page on istqb.org: ISTQB Certifications, Certified Tester Advanced Level Agile Tester
- ISTQB CTAL-AT v2.0 Syllabus PDF on istqb.org or via your Member Board’s downloads section
- ISTQB Glossary at glossary.istqb.org
- Official CTAL-AT FAQ on istqb.org at /help/agile-tester/
- ISTQB Accredited Training Provider directory on istqb.org
- Exam Structures and Rules document on istqb.org (check for an updated version that includes CTAL-AT v2.0)
Frequently asked questions
Is CTAL-AT v2.0 worth it in 2026?
For experienced Agile testers and quality leaders, yes, if you want a globally recognised Advanced Level credential that signals applied Agile testing competence. It is not worth it as a first ISTQB certification, since CTFL v4.0 is the prerequisite. Treat CTAL-AT v2.0 as evidence of professional capability that complements your delivery experience, not as a substitute for it.
How hard is the CTAL-AT v2.0 exam?
Harder than CTFL-AT and harder than CTFL. The syllabus has no K1 (recall) learning objectives. Every question requires you to understand (K2), apply (K3), or analyse (K4). The largest chapters, Test Management and Agile Approaches, carry both K4 objectives. Candidates without genuine Agile delivery experience will find these scenarios difficult, even after studying the syllabus thoroughly.
How much does the CTAL-AT v2.0 exam cost?
The fee is not published on the central ISTQB certification page at the time of writing. Each Member Board and Exam Provider sets its own price, and Advanced Level exams typically cost more than Foundation Level. Check your local Member Board or accredited training provider for the exact price. Many regions bundle the exam with mandatory accredited training.
How long does it take to prepare for CTAL-AT v2.0?
Most candidates need 6 to 14 weeks of part-time study. Active Agile testers with several years of experience often need 6 to 8 weeks. CTFL holders with limited Agile exposure typically need 12 to 14 weeks, including time for foundational reading on Scrum, Kanban, and DevOps before starting the syllabus itself.
Does CTAL-AT v2.0 expire?
No. CTAL-AT v2.0 has no expiry date and no recertification requirement. Holders of the retiring CTFL-AT certificate also keep their existing certificate; it is not invalidated by the sunset of the CTFL-AT exam. Once you earn CTAL-AT v2.0, the credential is yours for life and does not need to be renewed when ISTQB releases future syllabus updates.
Can I take CTAL-AT v2.0 online?
Yes, in most regions, subject to your Exam Provider. Online proctored delivery is offered alongside traditional test centres. Online proctoring involves webcam monitoring, an environment scan, and government-issued ID verification. Availability and pricing depend on your local Member Board and Exam Provider, and not every Provider supports both formats at launch.
What is the pass rate for CTAL-AT v2.0?
ISTQB does not publish official pass rates for any of its certifications. Any pass-rate figure quoted by a training provider is their own estimate, not an ISTQB number. The most reliable proxy is your own performance on official sample exams under timed, closed-book conditions.
What is the difference between CTAL-AT v2.0 and CTFL-AT?
CTFL-AT was a Foundation Level Agile Extension covering Agile basics. CTAL-AT v2.0 is an Advanced Level certification that assumes those basics (now part of CTFL v4.0) and tests how you apply and analyse Agile testing in real teams. CTFL-AT is being sunset (English exams until 6 May 2027), and there is no automatic transition to CTAL-AT v2.0. You must take the new exam.
Should I take the CTFL-AT exam now or wait for CTAL-AT v2.0?
If you specifically need an Agile testing credential and you do not have time or experience to clear an Advanced Level exam, taking CTFL-AT before the 6 May 2027 English sunset (6 November 2027 for non-English) is still defensible. If you are an experienced Agile tester or you can wait until late 2026 or 2027, CTAL-AT v2.0 is the credential the industry will be moving toward.
Do employers recognise CTAL-AT v2.0?
CTAL-AT v2.0 is brand new (May 2026), so recognition in job listings is still emerging. Recognition of the broader ISTQB Advanced Level family is strong in Europe, India, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East, and is common but not universal in North America. Treat CTAL-AT v2.0 as a credential that will gain visibility through late 2026 and 2027 as accredited training providers roll out new courses.
Key takeaways
- ISTQB CTAL-AT v2.0 is an Advanced Level Agile testing certification, GA released on 17 April 2026 and announced on 6 May 2026.
- The syllabus has six chapters and 8 Business Outcomes, with no K1 learning objectives. All questions are at K2, K3, or K4.
- The minimum accredited training time is 13 hours over at least two days.
- The prerequisite is the ISTQB CTFL Foundation Level certificate. At least six months of Agile or testing experience is strongly recommended.
- CTFL-AT v1.0 (2014) and CTAL-ATT are being sunset on the same timeline: English exams and training until 6 May 2027, non-English until 6 November 2027.
- Existing CTFL-AT and CTAL-ATT certificates remain valid; there is no automatic transition.
- Exam structure details (question count, duration, pass mark in raw points) are not yet on the central ISTQB certification page or in the published Exam Structures and Rules tables. Verify with your Exam Provider before booking.
Next steps
If CTAL-AT v2.0 is the right credential for you: confirm your CTFL certificate is current, download the official v2.0 syllabus and the updated Exam Structures and Rules document from istqb.org (check for the post-release update), identify your country’s Member Board to confirm fees and language availability, and book through an accredited Exam Provider. For instructor-led learning, use the ISTQB Accredited Training Provider directory and confirm the provider’s CTAL-AT v2.0 course has been accredited (not carried over from CTFL-AT).
Last reviewed and fact-check note
Last reviewed on 2026-05-21 against https://istqb.org/certifications/certified-tester-advanced-level-agile-tester-ctal-at/ and the ISTQB CTAL-AT Syllabus v2.0 (GA release dated 17 April 2026).
Disclaimer
istqb.com is an independent educational resource. ISTQB®, CTAL-AT®, CTFL®, and related marks are registered trademarks of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board. This article summarises publicly available information and is not an official ISTQB publication. Always verify exam details on istqb.org before booking.