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ISTQB Certified Tester
Acceptance Testing (CT-AcT)

Official logo for the ISTQB Certified Tester Acceptance Testing certification.

Acceptance testing plays a critical role in ensuring that software meets business needs, user expectations and agreed requirements before it is released. The ISTQB® Certified Tester – Acceptance Testing (CT-AcT) certification equips professionals with the knowledge needed to plan, design and support effective acceptance testing activities.

This certification focuses on collaboration between business analysts, product owners, testers and stakeholders. It covers key acceptance testing practices including user acceptance testing (UAT), acceptance criteria, acceptance test design, business process modelling, business rules, non-functional acceptance testing, alpha testing and beta testing.

Whether you are working in business analysis, product ownership, software testing or quality assurance, CT-AcT provides internationally recognised guidance for improving communication, aligning software with business objectives and strengthening the quality of acceptance testing.

ISTQB® Certified Tester – Acceptance Testing (CT-AcT)
Introduction and Foundations
Fundamental Relationships
Business Analysis and Acceptance Testing
Acceptance Criteria, Acceptance Tests and Experience Based Practices
Writing Acceptance Criteria
Designing Acceptance Tests
Experience-based Approaches for Acceptance Testing
Business Process and Business Rules Modeling
Processes and Rules
Deriving Acceptance Tests from Business Process/Rule Models
Business Process Modeling for Acceptance Testing
Acceptance Testing for NonFunctional Requirements
Non-functional Characteristics and Quality in Use
Usability and User Experience
Performance Efficiency
Security
Collaborative Acceptance Testing
Collaboration
Activities
Tool Support

Exam Structure

Candidates qualify for extra time if they are not writing the exam in their native language. Extra time needs to be applied for upon completing the exam registration form. 

No. of Questions: 40
Duration: 60 Min
Pass Mark: 65%
Extra Time (Non-Native Language): 15 Min
Lifetime Validity
Prerequisite: ISTQB Foundation (CTFL)

Exam Price

R  2 900

Why Get ISTQB CT-AcT Certified?

Acceptance testing helps confirm that a product is fit for purpose and ready for real-world use. When acceptance criteria are unclear or collaboration is weak, teams risk delivering software that works technically but fails to meet business expectations.

By earning the ISTQB Certified Tester – Acceptance Testing certification, you will be able to:

Understand the purpose and value of acceptance testing
Improve collaboration between business and testing teams
Define clear acceptance criteria
Design effective acceptance tests
Support user acceptance testing activities
Apply experience-based approaches to acceptance testing
Derive acceptance tests from business processes and business rules
Understand acceptance testing for non-functional requirements
Contribute to better alignment between business requirements and delivered software
Demonstrate internationally recognised knowledge of acceptance testing practices

The certification is vendor-neutral and can be applied across Agile, hybrid and traditional software development environments.

Who Is the ISTQB CT-AcT Certification For?

The ISTQB CT-AcT certification is designed for professionals involved in acceptance testing, business analysis, requirements validation or product quality.

This certification is ideal for:

Product Owners
Business Analysts
Software Testers
Test Analysts
Test Engineers
User Acceptance Testers
Test Consultants
Test Managers
QA Engineers
Software Developers
Project Managers
Quality Assurance Professionals
Business Stakeholders involved in UAT

It is valuable for professionals who need to bridge the gap between business requirements and software testing.

Download Documents

Download the documents below for more information about the syllabus, exam structure, and sample exam questions for the ISTQB Certified Tester – Acceptance Testing (CT-AcT) certification.

Please note that these documents are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered official study material. For effective exam preparation, SASTQB recommends using accredited training course material and attending an accredited training course.

Official logo for the ISTQB Certified Tester Acceptance Testing certification.

FAQ’s About ISTQB Acceptance Testing (CT-AcT)

Q: What is the ISTQB Certified Tester – Acceptance Testing (CT-AcT) certification?

The ISTQB CT-AcT certification is an internationally recognised specialist certification that focuses on acceptance testing concepts, methods and practices. It covers user acceptance testing, acceptance criteria, acceptance test design, business process modelling, business rules and collaboration between business and testing teams.

Q: Who should take the CT-AcT certification?

The certification is suitable for product owners, business analysts, testers, test analysts, test engineers, user acceptance testers, test managers, software developers and anyone involved in acceptance testing activities.

Q: What is acceptance testing?

Acceptance testing is a testing activity used to determine whether a system meets business needs, user expectations and agreed acceptance criteria. It helps confirm that the product is ready for release or business use.

Q: Does CT-AcT cover user acceptance testing?

Yes. The ISTQB CT-AcT certification covers user acceptance testing, as well as contractual and regulatory acceptance testing, alpha testing and beta testing.

Q: Is CT-AcT only for testers?

No. CT-AcT is valuable for both business and technical roles, including business analysts, product owners, testers, developers, test managers and stakeholders involved in acceptance testing.

Q: What is the difference between acceptance criteria and acceptance tests?

Acceptance criteria define the conditions that a product or feature must meet to be accepted. Acceptance tests are designed to verify whether those criteria have been met.

Q: Does CT-AcT cover non-functional requirements?

Yes. The syllabus includes acceptance testing for non-functional requirements, including usability, user experience, performance efficiency and security.

Q: Is the CT-AcT certification recognised internationally?

Yes. Like all ISTQB certifications, CT-AcT is internationally recognised and demonstrates specialist knowledge in acceptance testing.

Q: Can I study on my own?

Yes. Candidates may prepare through self-study using the official ISTQB syllabus and recommended references. However, SASTQB recommends attending training through an ISTQB Accredited Training Provider for comprehensive, syllabus-aligned preparation.

Q: What certification should I take after CT-AcT?

After earning the ISTQB Certified Tester – Acceptance Testing certification, you can continue your ISTQB certification journey with Advanced Level, Agile or other Specialist certifications, depending on your career goals.