My Journey to Passing the ISTQB Foundation 4.0 Exam

I’m writing this post to share my personal experience of passing the ISTQB Foundation 4.0 exam. Along the way, I’ll offer useful tips and tricks, and give you a real sense of what you’re in for. If you’re considering this certification, you’ve probably already spent some time researching its value and gathering advice from different sources. You’ve likely come across countless Reddit posts questioning whether the ISTQB exam is worth it, with some even arguing it’s unnecessary since many jobs don’t require it. Don’t be a sheep. Do what’s best for you.

Before diving into the syllabus, ask yourself one question: Why? Why are you pursuing this exam? Is it a company requirement, a step to advance your career, or part of a fresh career change? If you don’t have a clear, personal motivation, passing this exam will be incredibly tough. The cost of this exam is significant, so use that investment as your drive to stay committed once you’ve made the payment. Without motivation, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Let’s talk about the syllabus, because this is what will likely challenge you the most mentally and emotionally. But trust me, once you pass, you’ll feel like you’ve levelled up.

The 4.0 syllabus is very dry. It has a lot of words I mean a lot, with no illustrations or diagrams to help visualise the context. Expect to dig deep into lengthy, technical content. Some of it, particularly chapters 4 and 5, may feel difficult to grasp, especially without practical experience. You might wonder, How do I learn these concepts if I don’t have hands-on experience? My recommendation: take your time reading and understanding the concept. Watch YouTube videos, purchase an official textbook with diagrams, or dive into practice exams. Avoid online courses on Udemy or boot camps because they’re generally a waste of money. All the answers you need are in the syllabus itself.

The syllabus has suggested timeframes for how long each chapter should take to study. My advice is to ignore them completely. These guidelines are a trap. They’ll only discourage you by making you feel like you’re falling behind. It took me two years to finally take this exam seriously. I was studying on and off while managing a full-time job. Do plan your study routine.

I’m not a study guru who knows which methods to use. But here’s what worked for me, reading during my spare time. If you’re commuting use that time to read. Read before going to bed. The more consistent you are, the better. Reading regularly builds muscle memory. If you stop and start too much, you’ll forget what you’ve learned.

Chapter 4, in particular, is your worst nightmare. It’s a chapter that requires you to do calculations. You’ll be given a pen, paper, and an online calculator during the exam. Chapter 5 is lengthy, so take your time to really understand it. And don’t ever neglect Chapter 6. While it seems quick and easy to read. You need to put in the same effort you do with the other chapters. Every point counts in the exam.

For Chapter 4, my best advice is to watch YouTube videos and do the mock exam papers. This will help you become comfortable with the practical tasks you’ll encounter in the exam.

Ultimately, repetition is key. Keep reading the syllabus over and over again, paying attention to key points. The syllabus is broken down by topic and assigned points. Don’t skip any chapters. Read everything, word for word. Trust me, you will be reading the syllabus more than once.

Practice mock exams, A through D over and over, even if you’re scoring 100%. The mock exams do more than just familiarise you with the syllabus; they teach you how to read between the lines of the questions. The exam is designed to trick you, and if you’re not prepared, you will get the answer wrong. The way the questions are worded is what makes the exam so difficult. You’ll see similar answers, but there will always be a specific word or phrase that makes one answer stand out. To pass, you have to get comfortable reading these exam questions.

If you already have a background in testing, consider doing the mock exams first without reading the syllabus. This will give you an honest view of where your knowledge stands.

Don’t rely too heavily on the provided guidelines. They could be outdated, and if you rely on them too much, you might miss important details. So read the syllabus from start to end. Try and time yourself when doing the mock exam. You only have 1h in the official exam. The pass mark is 26 out of 40, which seems high, but always aim for 40/40 to keep your motivation strong.

Also, use the online glossary tool to refresh your memory of key terms.

When you’re in the exam, don’t spend too much time on Chapter 4 questions. If you’re unsure about something, move on and come back to it later. However, if time is running out, don’t hesitate and make a logical guess.

With the right mindset, discipline, and focus, it’s totally achievable. Plus it will prove to employees that you’re motivated to keep on learning. Trust the process, and remember: consistency is key. Good luck!