ISTO Test of Understanding

An introduction to the first-in-industry tests of understanding of ISO management system standards

What is an ISTO Test of Understanding?

The ISTO Test is a multiple-choice test aimed at establishing the level of understanding a candidate possesses in respect of a specific ISO management system standard (e.g. ISO 9001:2015). It focuses not only on understanding the requirements of a standard but is also designed to ensure that those who pass the Test have demonstrated a knowledge of the underlying management system principles, respective definitions and the standard's practical implementation.

It is aimed at:

  • Certifying the candidate on their understanding of the respective standard

  • Measuring the level of understanding in the eight (8) A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E domains

  • Ranking a candidate's performance in a personalised analytics report

Structure of the Test

The Test consists of multiple choice questions with four (4) possible suggested solutions of which only one (1) correct or best alternative, which is the answer, and incorrect or inferior alternatives, known as distractors.

The ISTO test is a closed-book test, however candidates are allowed to refer to an unmarked copy of the respective ISO standard which is the only permitted item during the test.

Candidates meeting the Pass criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement. All candidates will receive an A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis report indicating their level of understanding and relative ranking in each of the eight (8) domains. See below section.

ISTO Tests are conducted online with in-person invigilation at the location of our Global Partners and at the offices of our Corporate Partners. In the near term, we will offer ISTO test remotely with lockdown browser and human invigilation, allowing candidates to take the test at their convenience, at their office or at home. 

What is an ISTO Test of Understanding?

The ISTO Test is a multiple-choice test aimed at establishing the level of understanding a candidate possesses in respect of a specific ISO management system standard (e.g. ISO 9001:2015). It focuses not only on understanding the requirements of a standard but is also designed to ensure that those who pass the Test have demonstrated a knowledge of the underlying management system principles, respective definitions and the standard's practical implementation.

It is aimed at:

  • Certifying the candidate on their understanding of the respective standard

  • Measuring the level of understanding in the eight (8) A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E domains

  • Ranking a candidate's performance in a personalised analytics report

Structure of the Test

The Test consists of multiple choice questions with four (4) possible suggested solutions of which only one (1) correct or best alternative, which is the answer, and incorrect or inferior alternatives, known as distractors.

The ISTO test is a closed-book test, however candidates are allowed to refer to an unmarked copy of the respective ISO standard which is the only permitted item during the test.

Candidates meeting the Pass criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement. All candidates will receive an A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis report indicating their level of understanding and relative ranking in each of the eight (8) domains. See below section.

ISTO Tests are conducted online with in-person invigilation at the location of our Global Partners and at the offices of our Corporate Partners. In the near term, we will offer ISTO test remotely with lockdown browser and human invigilation, allowing candidates to take the test at their convenience, at their office or at home. 

What is an ISTO Test of Understanding?

The ISTO Test is a multiple-choice test aimed at establishing the level of understanding a candidate possesses in respect of a specific ISO management system standard (e.g. ISO 9001:2015). It focuses not only on understanding the requirements of a standard but is also designed to ensure that those who pass the Test have demonstrated a knowledge of the underlying management system principles, respective definitions and the standard's practical implementation.

It is aimed at:

  • Certifying the candidate on their understanding of the respective standard

  • Measuring the level of understanding in the eight (8) A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E domains

  • Ranking a candidate's performance in a personalised analytics report

Structure of the Test

The Test consists of multiple choice questions with four (4) possible suggested solutions of which only one (1) correct or best alternative, which is the answer, and incorrect or inferior alternatives, known as distractors.

The ISTO test is a closed-book test, however candidates are allowed to refer to an unmarked copy of the respective ISO standard which is the only permitted item during the test.

Candidates meeting the Pass criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement. All candidates will receive an A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis report indicating their level of understanding and relative ranking in each of the eight (8) domains. See below section.

ISTO Tests are conducted online with in-person invigilation at the location of our Global Partners and at the offices of our Corporate Partners. In the near term, we will offer ISTO test remotely with lockdown browser and human invigilation, allowing candidates to take the test at their convenience, at their office or at home. 

ISTO Test of Understanding is available on the following ISO management system standards in multiple languages:

ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024

ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024

Quality management systems

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

ISO 14001:2015/Amd 1:2024

ISO 14001:2015/Amd 1:2024

Environmental management systems

ISO 14001:2015/Amd 1:2024

Environmental management systems

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

ISO 22000:2018/Amd 1:2024

ISO 22000:2018/Amd 1:2024

Food safety management systems

ISO 22000:2018/Amd 1:2024

Food safety management systems

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

ISO/IEC 27001/Amd 1:2024

ISO/IEC 27001/Amd 1:2024

Information security management systems

ISO/IEC 27001/Amd 1:2024

Information security management systems

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

ISO 45001/Amd 1:2024

ISO 45001/Amd 1:2024

Occupational health and safety management systems

ISO 45001/Amd 1:2024

Occupational health and safety management systems

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

ISO 50001/Amd 1:2024

ISO 50001/Amd 1:2024

Energy management systems

ISO 50001/Amd 1:2024

Energy management systems

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 1 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Level 2 – Practitioner 

Test Description

Test Syllabus

Test Description and Test Syllabus

  1. 1
    Scroll up to the ISO standard above
  2. 2
    Click the Download button and select the desired language
  3. 3
    Download completed

What a candidate will receive from an ISTO Test of Understanding

1. ISTO Certificate of Achievement

A certificate certificating the candidate's on the understanding of the respective ISO management system standard.

All certificates can be verified externally via a unique URL link. 

What a candidate will receive from an ISTO Test of Understanding

1. ISTO Certificate of Achievement

A certificate certificating the candidate's on the understanding of the respective ISO management system standard.

All certificates can be verified externally via a unique URL link. 

What a candidate will receive from an ISTO Test of Understanding

1. ISTO Certificate of Achievement

A certificate certificating the candidate's on the understanding of the respective ISO management system standard.

All certificates can be verified externally via a unique URL link. 

2. A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analytics Report

Based on ISTO's research and endorsed by the ISTO Technical Advisory Board, the level of comprehension of an ISO management system standard can be grouped into eight (8) domains of understanding.

These form the acronym A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis

Ac: an Actual requirement in the standard related to documentation.
Co: Concept - the management principles on which the management system standard is based. This includes the sequence of activities as required in the standard.
C: the unique Clause reference of a specific requirement in the ISO management system standard
U: an Unspecified requirement in the standard (a requirement that does not exist).
R: a certain Requirement in the Standard (i.e. the text of the requirement).
A: the Applicability of the standard. This includes the intent of a requirement, and the scope of the standard.
T: Terms and definitions used in the standard. Generally these are defined in Clause 3 of each ISO management system standard. In the case of ISO 9001 QMS, terms and definitions are defined in the ISO 9000 standard.
E: an Erroneous requirement in the standard related to documentation.

For a detailed explanation of the octagon star diagram, please download and refer to J33 explanatory notes.

25%50%75%100%
Ac
C
R
T
E
A
U
Co

Hover over the above diagram to learn more about A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis

2. A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analytics Report

Based on ISTO's research and endorsed by the ISTO Technical Advisory Board, the level of comprehension of an ISO management system standard can be grouped into eight (8) domains of understanding.

These form the acronym A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis

Ac: an Actual requirement in the standard related to documentation.
Co: Concept - the management principles on which the management system standard is based. This includes the sequence of activities as required in the standard.
C: the unique Clause reference of a specific requirement in the ISO management system standard
U: an Unspecified requirement in the standard (a requirement that does not exist).
R: a certain Requirement in the Standard (i.e. the text of the requirement).
A: the Applicability of the standard. This includes the intent of a requirement, and the scope of the standard.
T: Terms and definitions used in the standard. Generally these are defined in Clause 3 of each ISO management system standard. In the case of ISO 9001 QMS, terms and definitions are defined in the ISO 9000 standard.
E: an Erroneous requirement in the standard related to documentation.

For a detailed explanation of the octagon star diagram, please download and refer to J33 explanatory notes.

25%50%75%100%
Ac
C
R
T
E
A
U
Co

Hover over the above diagram to learn more about A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis

2. A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analytics Report

Based on ISTO's research and endorsed by the ISTO Technical Advisory Board, the level of comprehension of an ISO management system standard can be grouped into eight (8) domains of understanding.

These form the acronym A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis

Ac: an Actual requirement in the standard related to documentation.
Co: Concept - the management principles on which the management system standard is based. This includes the sequence of activities as required in the standard.
C: the unique Clause reference of a specific requirement in the ISO management system standard
U: an Unspecified requirement in the standard (a requirement that does not exist).
R: a certain Requirement in the Standard (i.e. the text of the requirement).
A: the Applicability of the standard. This includes the intent of a requirement, and the scope of the standard.
T: Terms and definitions used in the standard. Generally these are defined in Clause 3 of each ISO management system standard. In the case of ISO 9001 QMS, terms and definitions are defined in the ISO 9000 standard.
E: an Erroneous requirement in the standard related to documentation.

For a detailed explanation of the octagon star diagram, please download and refer to J33 explanatory notes.

25%50%75%100%
Ac
C
R
T
E
A
U
Co

Hover over the above diagram to learn more about A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E Analysis

Test Language Avaliability

ISO StandardTitleTest of Understanding
(Level 1 & Level 2)		Mock Test
(Level 1 & Level 2)		Free Trial Test
ISO 9001:2015/Amd 1:2024Quality management systemsEnglishEnglishEnglish, Español, Français, Portuguese, Chinese (HK), Chinese (PRC), Chinese (TW)
ISO 14001:2015/Amd 1:2024Environmental management systemsEnglishEnglishEnglish, Español, Français, Portuguese, Chinese (HK), Chinese (PRC), Chinese (TW)
ISO 22000:2018/Amd 1:2024Food safety management systemsEnglishEnglishEnglish, Español, Français, Portuguese, Chinese (HK), Chinese (PRC), Chinese (TW)
ISO/IEC 27001:2022/Amd 1:2024Information security management systemsEnglishEnglishEnglish, Español, Français, Portuguese, Chinese (HK), Chinese (PRC), Chinese (TW)
ISO 45001:2018/Amd 1:2024Occupational health and safety management systemsEnglishEnglishEnglish, Español, Français, Portuguese, Chinese (HK), Chinese (PRC), Chinese (TW)
ISO 50001:2018/Amd 1:2024Energy management systemsEnglishEnglishEnglish, Español, Français, Portuguese, Chinese (HK), Chinese (PRC), Chinese (TW)

Test Levels and Fees

We currently offer two levels of ISTO Tests for taking. The Level 1 test assesses a candidate's understanding of the basic principles and requirements of an ISO management system standard (MSS). The Level 2 is a comprehensive test that covers principles, requirements, and the implementation in various scenarios and business sectors.

  • Level 1: the fundamental test to show you have an understanding to be a system follower and user of the standard. 

  • Level 2: the test offered for professionals, ranging from auditors, consultants and responsible persons.

Level 1
Practitioner		Level 2
Professional
Test fee£250£400
Level DefinitionPractitionerProfessional
PerspectiveSystem followerSystem developer, implementer
Time allowed120 minutes180 minutes
No. of questions80120
Pass criteriaCandidates who meet the Pass criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement60%70%
Distinction criteriaCandidates who meet the Distinction criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement with Distinction80%85%
A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E AnalysisAll candidates will receive a report indicating their level of understanding and relative ranking in each of the eight (8) domains in the star diagram✓ Report included✓ Report included
Mock test fee£70£100

Test Levels and Fees

We currently offer two levels of ISTO Tests for taking. The Level 1 test assesses a candidate's understanding of the basic principles and requirements of an ISO management system standard (MSS). The Level 2 is a comprehensive test that covers principles, requirements, and the implementation in various scenarios and business sectors.

  • Level 1: the fundamental test to show you have an understanding to be a system follower and user of the standard. 

  • Level 2: the test offered for professionals, ranging from auditors, consultants and responsible persons.

Level 1
Practitioner		Level 2
Professional
Test fee£250£400
Level DefinitionPractitionerProfessional
PerspectiveSystem followerSystem developer, implementer
Time allowed120 minutes180 minutes
No. of questions80120
Pass criteriaCandidates who meet the Pass criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement60%70%
Distinction criteriaCandidates who meet the Distinction criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement with Distinction80%85%
A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E AnalysisAll candidates will receive a report indicating their level of understanding and relative ranking in each of the eight (8) domains in the star diagram✓ Report included✓ Report included
Mock test fee£70£100

Test Levels and Fees

We currently offer two levels of ISTO Tests for taking. The Level 1 test assesses a candidate's understanding of the basic principles and requirements of an ISO management system standard (MSS). The Level 2 is a comprehensive test that covers principles, requirements, and the implementation in various scenarios and business sectors.

  • Level 1: the fundamental test to show you have an understanding to be a system follower and user of the standard. 

  • Level 2: the test offered for professionals, ranging from auditors, consultants and responsible persons.

Level 1
Practitioner		Level 2
Professional
Test fee£250£400
Level DefinitionPractitionerProfessional
PerspectiveSystem followerSystem developer, implementer
Time allowed120 minutes180 minutes
No. of questions80120
Pass criteriaCandidates who meet the Pass criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement60%70%
Distinction criteriaCandidates who meet the Distinction criteria will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement with Distinction80%85%
A·C·C·U·R·A·T·E AnalysisAll candidates will receive a report indicating their level of understanding and relative ranking in each of the eight (8) domains in the star diagram✓ Report included✓ Report included
Mock test fee£70£100

Test Support

Test Support

Test Support

Mock Test Available

Mock Test Available

Mock Tests, which are fully remote and online, are available to help with your preparation of ISTO Tests. They are a great way to familiarize yourself with the ISTO Test before the actual Test of Understanding, and pricing start at £70 for Level 1 and £100 for Level 2. For more details, please go to Mock Test, Test Guidance and Preparation

Mock Tests, which are fully remote and online, are available to help with your preparation of ISTO Tests. They are a great way to familiarize yourself with the ISTO Test before the actual Test of Understanding, and pricing start at £70 for Level 1 and £100 for Level 2. For more details, please go to Mock Test, Test Guidance and Preparation

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