ISTQB Certified Tester · CT-PT

Performance Testing

The ISTQB® Performance Testing (CT-PT) certification provides knowledge of the principal aspects of performance testing, including technical aspects, method-based aspects, and organizational aspects. Specifically pertaining to performance testing, it covers areas such as basic concepts, measurements, activities, tasks, and tools.

  • Questions40
  • Duration90 min
  • Pass mark65%
  • PrerequisiteFoundation Level

The Performance Testing certification is aimed at anyone involved in software testing who wishes to broaden their knowledge of performance testing or anyone who wishes to start a specialist career in performance testing. The qualification is also aimed at anyone involved in performance engineering who wishes to gain a better understanding of performance testing.

To gain this certification, candidates must hold the Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate.

Specialist Level Performance Testing candidates who have passed the Specialist Level “Performance Testing” syllabus exam should be able to accomplish the following Business Objectives:

  • Understand the basic concepts of performance efficiency and performance testing;
  • Define performance risks, goals, and requirements to meet stakeholder needs and expectations;
  • Understand performance metrics and how to collect them;
  • Develop a performance test plan for achieving stated goals and requirements;
  • Conceptually design, implement, and execute basic performance tests;
  • Analyze the results of a performance test and state implications to various stakeholders;
  • Explain the process, rationale, results, and implications of performance testing to various stakeholders;
  • Understand categories and uses for performance tools and criteria for their selection;
  • Determine how performance testing activities align with the software lifecycle.

Specialist Level Performance Testing contents

  1. Basic ConceptsPrinciples of Performance Testing
    Types of Performance Testing

    Testing Types in Performance Testing

    The Concept of Load Generation

    Common Performance Efficiency Failure Modes and Their Causes
  2. Performance Measurement FundamentalsTypical Metrics Collected in Performance Testing
    Aggregating Results from Performance Testing

    Key Sources of Performance Metrics

    Typical Results of a Performance Test
  3. Performance Testing in the Software LifecyclePrincipal Performance Testing Activities
    Categories of Performance Risks for Different Architectures

    Performance Risks Across the Software Development Lifecycle

    Performance Testing Activities
  4. Performance Testing TasksPlanning
    Analysis, Design and Implementation

    Execution

    Analyzing Results and Reporting
  5. ToolsTool Support
    Tool Suitability

Specialist Level Performance Testing exam structure

The Specialist Level Performance Testing certification exam is held in a digital form, as well as remotely (online) in English. The Specialist Performance Testing exam is comprised of 40 multiple choice questions, with a pass mark grade of 65% to be completed within 90 minutes. Participants that take the exam not in their spoken language, will receive additional 25% time, and will have 23 minutes more, or a total of 113 min.