ISTQB CT-GenAI exam-day guide
ISTQB CT-GenAI · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm exam format and delivery mode with your provider
Before exam day, verify from the official certification body or your exam provider whether your sitting is at a test centre or online-proctored, the total appointment length, the number of questions, the pass mark, and whether any breaks are permitted. These logistics vary by provider and region, so treat any second-hand information as unverified until you confirm it in writing (email confirmation or your booking portal). needs_review
Valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
Bring the exact ID type your provider lists as acceptable (commonly a passport or national photo ID). The name must match your booking exactly, including middle names and order. If your ID name differs from your registration, contact the provider before exam day to correct it. Confirm the accepted ID list with the provider. needs_review
Your appointment confirmation and candidate number
Have the booking confirmation email, candidate/registration number, and the provider's contact details accessible (printed or on your phone before the test starts). At a test centre you may be asked to show it at reception; online, you may need it if the proctor has to verify your session. needs_review
Know the syllabus version and its exam-relevant scope
The CT-GenAI syllabus covers generative AI fundamentals, how large language models work at a conceptual level, prompt engineering, testing generative AI systems, and using generative AI to support testing. Re-read the official syllabus's learning objectives and the sample exam questions published by the certification body; those define the question style and the depth expected. Do not rely on third-party summaries of the scope.
Practise the question style, not just the content
CT-GenAI questions are typically scenario-based multiple choice with one best answer. Train yourself to read the stem for the role (tester, test manager, developer), the constraint (risk, cost, ethics, accuracy), and the exact verb (evaluate, select, explain). Practise eliminating options that are true in general but do not answer the specific stem.
Prepare a one-page formula and terminology sheet for revision
Consolidate definitions you keep confusing: hallucination, prompt injection, grounding/retrieval-augmented generation, temperature and top-p sampling, token, context window, fine-tuning versus in-context learning, bias, data leakage, and evaluation metrics such as precision, recall, and pass rate on a test set. Keep it for the final review; do not expect to bring it into the exam room unless the provider explicitly allows reference material. Confirm permitted materials with the provider. needs_review
Set up and test your online-proctoring environment in advance (if applicable)
If your exam is online-proctored, run the provider's system check days ahead: webcam, microphone, browser lock, bandwidth, and operating-system requirements. On the day, use a quiet private room, a stable wired or strong Wi-Fi connection, and a charged device with a power cable. Clear your desk of notes, phones, and second screens. Exact room rules vary, so confirm them with the provider. needs_review
Plan arrival or login time with a safety margin
For a test centre, arrive well before your appointment, allowing for ID checks and security screening; late arrival rules are set by the provider. For online delivery, log in early enough to complete identity verification and the room scan without eating into your question time. Check local transport or connection issues the day before.
Sleep, food, and a clock strategy
Treat it like a performance event: normal sleep, a proper meal, and water. Before starting, note the number of questions and the time limit, compute an average minutes-per-question budget, and decide in advance how you will handle long scenario questions (for example, flag and return).
A simple exam-day kit
Bring or have ready: the accepted ID, appointment confirmation, water in a permitted container, and any medication you may need (declare it per provider rules). At a test centre, note that personal items are usually stored away and may not be accessible during the test. Confirm what is allowed with the provider. needs_review
A pre-written list of your weak topics
From your practice tests, list the three to five topics where you lose most marks (for example, evaluating model output quality, test design for non-deterministic systems, or ethical and legal risks). Review only those in the last 24 hours; broad re-reading at this stage adds little.
Know what happens after the exam
Find out from the provider when and how results are released, whether a provisional score appears on screen, how certification is recorded, and the retake policy and any waiting period. Clarify this in advance so you are not making decisions in the minutes after the test. needs_review
Plan the day
Do a full timed mock under exam conditions: no notes, no pauses, same question count and time limit as your real sitting. Mark it, then classify every wrong answer by cause (did not know the fact, misread the stem, eliminated the right option, ran out of time). Build your final three-to-five-topic weak list from this analysis. Stop learning brand-new material after this point.
Re-read the official syllabus learning objectives and the sample questions from the certification body. Confirm the exam scope and structure from the provider's written information, and resolve any open logistics questions (ID, room rules, permitted materials, breaks) by email so you have a written answer.
Targeted revision of your weak list, one topic at a time, using active recall: write definitions and decision criteria from memory, then check. For CT-GenAI, drill the distinctions that exams love to test: hallucination versus factual error in training data, prompt injection versus jailbreak, fine-tuning versus retrieval grounding, and functional testing versus evaluation of model quality.
Light revision only: your one-page terminology sheet and the weak list. Do not take another full mock; a bad late score damages confidence without adding knowledge. Confirm your route or your online setup, charge devices, lay out ID and confirmation, and check the appointment time in the correct time zone.
Protect your sleep. Avoid cramming late into the night, since reading speed and careful option discrimination on scenario questions depend on being rested. Set two alarms and plan to arrive or log in with margin.
Eat normally, avoid heavy caffeine if you are not used to it, and do a 20-minute skim of your terminology sheet only. Re-read your weak list once. Do not attempt to learn new concepts. For online delivery, complete the system check and room preparation early so identity verification does not cut into your time.
Read the instructions and note the question count and time limit. Compute your minutes-per-question budget and write it down if scratch material is allowed. Take a few calm breaths and start; do not rush the first question to 'get going'.
Answer in two passes. First pass: answer what you know quickly, flag anything that needs more than about your budgeted time. For scenario questions, identify the role, the constraint, and the exact verb in the stem before looking at the options, then eliminate options that are true but off-target. Second pass: return to flagged questions with the remaining time.
Check that no question is unanswered unless the provider penalises wrong answers (confirm the scoring rule with the provider). Only change an answer if you can name a concrete reason; second-guessing without a reason usually lowers scores. Submit deliberately and confirm the submission screen.
Note which topics felt uncertain while it is fresh, and record the result and any retake or waiting-period rules from the provider. If you did not pass, use your notes to plan a focused retake rather than re-reading everything.
Rules to check
Follow the provider's identification and identity-verification rules exactly. The name on your booking must match your accepted photo ID; if it does not, resolve it with the provider before exam day rather than at the desk or login screen. Confirm the accepted ID types with the provider. needs_review
Do not bring or use unauthorised materials or devices. Notes, phones, smart watches, and second screens are generally prohibited, and online sessions may require a room scan and a clear desk. The exact permitted and prohibited items are set by the provider, so confirm them in advance. needs_review
Treat the exam content as confidential. Do not copy, screenshot, record, reconstruct, or share questions or answers in any form, including in study forums or with colleagues. Doing so breaches the certification body's candidate agreement and can invalidate your result.
Breaks: do not assume you can leave and return freely. Some sittings allow scheduled breaks with specific rules; others do not permit leaving the view of the proctor or camera. Ask the provider in advance what happens if you need to leave, and what the clock does during a break. needs_review
Scoring: understand before the day whether unanswered questions are scored as wrong, whether there is negative marking, and what the pass mark is. Unless the provider states otherwise, answer every question, since a blank is usually simply incorrect. Confirm the scoring rule with the provider. needs_review
Technical failure or interruption: if your connection drops or the proctoring software fails, stop and follow the provider's stated procedure (often to contact support immediately and not to restart on your own). Know where that support contact is before you begin. needs_review
Do not attempt to gain an unfair advantage. Using another person, an AI assistant, hidden notes, or any external help during the exam is misconduct, and proctoring and post-exam analysis can detect it. The consequence, up to cancellation of results and a ban, is set by the certification body.
If you feel unwell or something unexpected happens, tell the invigilator or proctor immediately rather than pushing through silently. Special-consideration and rescheduling rules exist with most providers but usually require you to raise the issue at the time. Confirm the policy with the provider. needs_review