ISTQB CT-PT Exam Questions 2025

What is the ISTQB CT-PT exam, and what will you learn from it?

The ISTQB CT-PT (Certified Tester – Performance Testing) exam is a specialized certification designed for software testers who want to develop strong, industry-relevant skills in performance testing. This certification focuses on evaluating system behavior under load, identifying performance risks, designing performance test plans, selecting suitable tools, and interpreting performance test results to improve system efficiency and user experience.

Whether you are transitioning into performance testing or already involved in non-functional testing, CT-PT equips you with the knowledge needed to design and execute effective performance tests across modern architectures. To prepare with confidence, you can use the best CT-PT exam questions available through Cert Empire, ensuring realistic practice and structured learning.

Exam Snapshot

Prerequisites before taking the CT-PT exam

The only mandatory prerequisite is a valid ISTQB CTFL certification.
However, you will benefit from having:

• Knowledge of software architectures and system behavior
• Understanding of test processes and test design
• Familiarity with basic performance metrics
• Experience with any performance testing tool

This exam is ideal for testers who want to develop specialist capabilities in performance evaluation.

Main objectives and domains you will study for CT-PT

The official CT-PT syllabus is divided into clear performance testing domains:

1. Basic Concepts of Performance Testing
2. Performance Testing in the Software Lifecycle
3. Performance Test Planning and Design
4. Performance Test Implementation
5. Performance Test Execution and Results Analysis
6. Tools for Performance Testing

Topics to cover in each CT-PT exam domain

1. Basic Concepts of Performance Testing

• What performance testing is and why it matters
• Key performance attributes: response time, throughput, scalability, resource usage
• Common performance risks and bottlenecks

2. Performance Testing in the Software Lifecycle

• Integrating performance testing early in the SDLC
• Performance requirements and success criteria
• Collaborative responsibilities between developers, testers, and architects

3. Performance Test Planning and Design

• Designing performance test approaches
• Selecting test types: load, stress, endurance, spike, volume
• Identifying realistic workloads and usage profiles
• Mapping business scenarios to performance requirements

4. Performance Test Implementation

• Scripting performance tests
• Configuring test environments
• Creating test data and parameterization
• Understanding protocol-level interactions

5. Performance Test Execution and Results Analysis

• Running performance tests and monitoring system behavior
• Capturing metrics such as CPU, memory, network, and disk I/O
• Identifying bottlenecks
• Producing clear, actionable performance reports

6. Tools for Performance Testing

• Performance test tool categories
• Choosing tools based on project requirements
• Integrating tools with CI/CD pipelines

Practicing these domains using Cert Empire’s best CT-PT exam questions helps build analytical skills and improves readiness for scenario-based questions.

Changes in the latest version of CT-PT

Recent updates to the CT-PT syllabus typically include:

• Stronger focus on performance testing in Agile and DevOps environments
• Broader coverage of cloud and distributed systems
• Updated terminology and metrics reflecting modern architectures
• Enhanced emphasis on monitoring, observability, and tool integration
• More realistic case studies and performance modeling techniques

These updates make CT-PT highly relevant for today’s performance-focused development practices.

Register and schedule your CT-PT exam

To book your exam:

1. Visit your national ISTQB exam provider’s page
2. Select the CT-PT exam option
3. Choose online or in-person delivery
4. Select your desired date and time
5. Complete your payment
6. Receive confirmation and test-day instructions

The registration process is simple, though specific steps vary by region.

CT-PT exam cost, and can you get any discounts?

Exam fees differ across ISTQB boards. Potential discounts include:

• Academic or student pricing
• Corporate bulk bookings
• Special discounted sessions offered by some exam providers

Regardless of cost, using Cert Empire’s best CT-PT exam questions is one of the most effective ways to prepare thoroughly and pass with confidence.

Exam policies you should know before taking CT-PT

Common policies include:

• A valid government ID is required
• The exam is closed-book
• Online tests require a quiet, uninterrupted environment
• Rescheduling policies depend on your exam provider
• Retakes require purchasing a new exam attempt

Make sure to review all instructions before exam day.

What can you expect on your CT-PT exam day?

• Short system checks or identity verification
• Scenario-driven questions requiring analysis of performance data
• Questions touching on workload models, bottlenecks, and tool usage
• Time allocation that requires careful pacing
• Strict monitoring for online exams

Expect the exam to test both conceptual understanding and practical reasoning.

Plan your CT-PT study schedule effectively with 7 Study Tips

Tip 1: Start by reading the full CT-PT syllabus to understand the scope.
Tip 2: Break your preparation by domains and study them one by one.
Tip 3: Practice analyzing sample performance metrics and logs.
Tip 4: Learn about common performance test tools and their workflows.
Tip 5: Review performance test types and when to use each one.
Tip 6: Attempt timed mock tests to improve your exam strategy.
Tip 7: Strengthen your preparation using Cert Empire’s best CT-PT exam questions, designed to mirror real exam patterns.

Best study resources you can use to prepare for CT-PT

• Official ISTQB CT-PT syllabus
• Performance testing books and technical guides
• Tool-specific tutorials (load testing and monitoring tools)
• QA communities and discussion groups
• High-quality CT-PT practice questions from Cert Empire for exam-focused learning

Career opportunities you can explore after earning CT-PT

After earning CT-PT, you can pursue roles such as:

• Performance Tester
• Performance Engineer
• Load and Stress Test Specialist
• Non-Functional Test Analyst
• Performance Monitoring Engineer
• Reliability/Scalability Test Specialist

The certification enhances your ability to work on complex systems and performance-critical environments.

Certifications to go for after completing CT-PT

Depending on your career goals, you can continue with:

• ISTQB Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst (CTAL-TTA)
• ISTQB Advanced Level Test Analyst (CTAL-TA)
• ISTQB Specialist Security Testing
• ISTQB Specialist Test Automation Engineer
• ISTQB Agile certifications

Each of these expands your expertise into technical, automation, functional, or agile testing domains.

How does CT-PT compare to other performance-related certifications?

• Provides a globally recognized, structured approach to performance testing
• Covers both conceptual foundations and practical application
• More vendor-neutral than tool-specific certifications
• Focuses on system behavior across architectures, not just tool operation
• Complements other ISTQB certifications and strengthens technical testing skills

For testers interested in performance engineering or non-functional testing, CT-PT is one of the most valued certifications available.