Searching the Knowledge Base
The search bar on the home page and the search results page lets you search across all published ISTQB® syllabi using AI-powered semantic matching. This means you don't need to use the exact wording from the syllabus — the system understands related concepts and terminology.
- Type your query and press Enter or click the search icon.
- Queries must be at least 2 characters and at most 200 characters.
- The system automatically expands ISTQB acronyms (e.g., TDD → test-driven development) and searches synonyms (e.g., bug also searches defect, fault, error).
- You can search for LO codes directly (e.g.,
FL-1.2.1) or section numbers (e.g., 2.3.1).
For the best results, search using natural phrases like "what is regression testing" rather than single words.
Advanced Search Syntax
Use special syntax in the search box for precise control. Click the ? button next to the search bar for a quick reference.
| What You Want | Syntax | Example |
|---|
| Exact phrase match |
"phrase" |
"regression testing" — only results containing the exact phrase |
| Search multiple terms |
term1, term2 |
regression testing, performance testing — finds results about either term, boosts results mentioning both |
| Exclude a keyword |
-keyword |
testing -unit — finds "testing" results but excludes any mentioning "unit" |
| Combine operators |
Mix all of the above |
"test plan", "test strategy" -agile — exact phrases, excluding "agile" |
Smart Autocomplete
As you type on the home page, suggestions appear below the search box. These include:
- LO codes — Learning Objective identifiers like FL-1.2.1
- Section numbers — Syllabus section references like 2.3.1
- Section titles — Chapter and section names from all syllabi
- Syllabus names — Matching syllabus names for quick access
- Popular ISTQB terms — Commonly searched testing topics and concepts
Click a suggestion or use the arrow keys and Enter to select it.
Filtering Results
After searching, use the filter bar above the results to narrow down what you see:
- Syllabus pills — Click one or more syllabus names to show only results from those syllabi (click again to deselect). Click "All Syllabi" to see everything.
- Chapter — Once a single syllabus is selected, choose a specific chapter to filter by.
- K-Level — Toggle one or more K-Level buttons to show only results at those knowledge levels (click again to deselect). The count badge on each button shows how many results match.
- Sort — Change the order: by Relevance (default), Section Number, Page Number, or K-Level.
- Refine — Type any text in the Refine box to instantly filter the displayed results by that text. This works on top of all other filters.
- Clear Filters — Click the × Clear Filters button to reset everything back to the default view.
The "Refine" filter is especially useful when you have many results and want to quickly find a specific term within them — no new search needed.
Understanding Result Cards
Each search result is displayed as a card with the following information:
- Syllabus badge — Shows which syllabus and version the result comes from (top-left). Hover over it to see the full syllabus name (e.g., "Certified Tester Foundation Level"), where available.
- Chapter badge — The chapter number and title.
- Section number & title — The specific section within the syllabus.
- LO code — The Learning Objective associated with this section, including its description.
- K-Level tag — The knowledge level (K1–K6) shown with a color-coded tag (top-right).
- Match percentage — How relevant this result is to your search query (shown as a % badge).
- Go to Syllabus — Opens the original PDF at the matching page.
Click anywhere on a result card to expand it and see the full section content. Click again to collapse.
PDF Syllabus Viewer
Clicking "Go to Syllabus p.X" on a search result opens the original ISTQB® syllabus PDF in an interactive viewer:
- The viewer opens at the exact page where the matched content appears.
- Your search terms are highlighted within the PDF.
- You can navigate pages, zoom in/out, and download the full PDF.
Export to PDF
You can export your search results as a professionally formatted PDF document:
- Perform a search and review the results.
- Click the red Export to PDF button in the results summary area.
- Choose your export options: cover page, table of contents, which content to include, and layout settings.
- Click Generate PDF — the file downloads automatically.
The exported PDF includes branding, section content, LO information, relevance scores, and source references. If related exam questions are included, their rich formatting (lists, bold, italic) and source PDF references are preserved.
Related Exam Questions
When a search result has a Learning Objective (LO) that is covered by a published sample exam, a "Related exam questions" button appears below the LO code.
- Click the button to view all exam questions linked to that LO.
- The exam questions page presents an interactive quiz: read each question, select your answer, then reveal the correct answer with justification.
AI Insight
When enabled, an AI-generated summary appears at the top of your search results. This provides a concise overview of the most relevant findings based on your query.
- AI-generated content is clearly labeled and should be used as a guide alongside the original syllabus content.
- Section references in the summary, such as §4.2.1 (CTFL), are clickable — they scroll to the matching result on the page. The acronym in parentheses tells you which syllabus the section belongs to.
The AI Insight is a summary tool, not a replacement for reading the official syllabus content. Always verify important details with the original source.
ISTQB Glossary
When your search matches an official ISTQB® term, a Glossary card appears at the top of your results — above the syllabus sections — showing the term's definition and the syllabi that use it.
- The term name is a direct link to its entry on the official ISTQB® Glossary website.
- Green badges below the definition list every syllabus and version the term appears in. If there are more than five, click +N more to reveal all of them.
- The source link at the bottom of the card always points back to glossary.istqb.org.
When exporting results to PDF, the Glossary card is included automatically (if the Include Glossary option is enabled in the export dialog). The PDF version shows the term as a clickable link, its definition, and all syllabus badges — no truncation.
The ISTQB® Glossary is the authoritative reference for testing terminology. Use it alongside the syllabus content to understand how a term is defined and where it is taught.
K-Levels Explained
ISTQB® uses Knowledge Levels (K-Levels) to classify Learning Objectives by cognitive depth:
| Level | Name | What It Means |
|---|
| K1 |
Remember |
Recall facts and definitions. You should be able to recognise and identify terms and concepts. |
| K2 |
Understand |
Explain and summarise concepts. You should be able to describe, compare, and distinguish ideas. |
| K3 |
Apply |
Use knowledge in practice. You should be able to apply techniques and methods to a given situation. |
| K4 |
Analyse |
Break down information and draw conclusions. You should be able to evaluate, assess, and propose solutions. |
| K5 |
Evaluate |
Make judgements based on criteria and standards. You should be able to critique, justify, and recommend approaches. |
| K6 |
Create |
Produce new or original work. You should be able to design, construct, and develop new solutions or frameworks. |
Use the K-Level filter on the search results page to focus on the cognitive level you need.