ITIL v5 Foundation Exam: Complete Overview

What is ITIL v5 Foundation Certification?

ITIL® Foundation (Version 5) is the entry-level certification in the ITIL framework that validates your understanding of fundamental concepts in digital product and service management. As the universal prerequisite for all advanced ITIL certifications, Foundation establishes the shared language and core knowledge needed to work effectively in modern IT service management environments.

The certification demonstrates your ability to:

• Understand key concepts of digital product and service management
• Explain the ITIL Service Value System and guiding principles
• Describe the Product and Service Lifecycle Model
• Recognize the role of ITIL management practices
• Apply ITIL concepts to real-world scenarios

ITIL v5 Foundation Exam Format

Exam Structure and Specifications

Official Exam Details:

Exam Component	Details
Number of Questions	40 multiple-choice questions
Exam Duration	60 minutes (standard)
Exam Type	Closed book (no reference materials allowed)
Passing Score	26 out of 40 correct answers (65%)
Question Distribution	Scenario-based and knowledge recall questions
Languages Available	English (initially), additional languages to follow

Understanding the Question Types

The ITIL v5 Foundation exam uses multiple-choice questions designed to test different levels of knowledge:

1. Knowledge Recall Questions (Approximately 30%)

These questions test your ability to remember and recognize ITIL concepts, definitions, and terminology.

Example Question Style:

“Which guiding principle emphasizes the importance of using existing resources and capabilities before creating something new?”

1. Progress iteratively with feedback
2. Start where you are
3. Keep it simple and practical
4. Collaborate and promote visibility

2. Scenario-Based Questions (Approximately 70%)

These questions present real-world situations and require you to apply ITIL concepts to solve problems or make decisions.

Example Question Style:

“An organization wants to improve its incident resolution times. Which activity of the Product and Service Lifecycle would focus on resolving user issues?”

1. Discover
2. Design
3. Support
4. Optimize

Key Insight: ITIL v5 emphasizes understanding and application over pure memorization. You must be able to apply concepts to realistic workplace scenarios.

ITIL v5 Foundation Exam Content Coverage

Syllabus Areas and Question Distribution

While PeopleCert doesn’t publish exact question distribution, the exam covers all major syllabus topics proportionally:

Major Topic Areas:

1. Digital Product and Service Management Concepts (20-25%)

• Value co-creation principles
• Service relationships and stakeholders
• Products vs. services in digital contexts
• Continual improvement fundamentals

2. The ITIL Service Value System (15-20%)

• Guiding principles (7 principles)
• Governance and organizational structures
• Value chain activities integration
• Continual improvement model

3. Four Dimensions of Service Management (10-15%)

• Organizations and People
• Information and Technology
• Partners and Suppliers
• Value Streams and Processes

4. Product and Service Lifecycle Model (20-25%)

• Eight lifecycle activities (Discover, Design, Develop, Build, Deploy, Deliver, Support, Optimize)
• Lifecycle integration and flow
• Value stream mapping basics

5. ITIL Management Practices (20-25%)

• Purpose of key practices (Incident, Problem, Change, Service Desk, etc.)
• How practices support lifecycle activities
• Integration across practices

6. Value Stream Mapping and Management (5-10%)

• Identifying value streams
• Mapping activities and flows
• Optimization principles

Passing Score and Scoring System

What You Need to Pass

Minimum Passing Score: 26 out of 40 (65%)

This means you must answer at least 26 questions correctly to achieve certification. There is no negative marking, incorrect answers don’t reduce your score, so always answer every question even if you’re uncertain.

Score Breakdown

• 26-40 correct answers: PASS
• 0-25 correct answers: FAIL

Important Notes: You receive your exact score immediately (e.g., “You scored 34 out of 40 - PASS”) PeopleCert does NOT provide question-by-question feedback (you won’t know which questions you missed) All questions carry equal weight (1 point each) No partial credit for partially correct answers

Global Pass Rate

While official statistics aren’t published, industry reports suggest:

• ITIL Foundation global pass rate: 92-95% (historically for ITIL 4)
• First-attempt pass rate with training: 85-90%
• First-attempt pass rate without training: 60-70%

Key Insight: With proper preparation and accredited training, most candidates can pass the ITIL v5 Foundation exam.

Eligibility and Prerequisites

Who Can Take ITIL v5 Foundation?

Official Prerequisites: NONE

ITIL v5 Foundation has no formal prerequisites, making it accessible to:

Complete Beginners:

• Students exploring IT careers
• Professionals transitioning from non-IT fields
• Recent graduates entering the workforce

IT Professionals:

• Service desk analysts and support staff
• System administrators and engineers
• Project managers and business analysts

Experienced Practitioners:

• ITSM professionals seeking formal certification
• Managers validating their knowledge
• Consultants enhancing credentials

Any Career Stage:

• Entry-level: Starting your ITSM journey
• Mid-career: Formalizing years of experience
• Senior: Demonstrating commitment to current best practices

Recommended (But Not Required) Background

While no prerequisites exist, candidates typically benefit from:

Helpful Background:

• Basic understanding of IT concepts and terminology
• Exposure to organizational processes and workflows
• Interest in service delivery and customer satisfaction
• Reading comprehension at high school level or above

Not Required:

• Prior ITIL certification
• Years of IT experience
• Technical certifications
• University degree

ITIL v5 Foundation Bridge Course: Fast-Track Option

What is the ITIL v5 Foundation Bridge Course?

The ITIL Foundation (Version 5) Bridge is a condensed, focused course designed specifically for professionals who already hold ITIL 4 Foundation certification and want to update their knowledge to ITIL v5 without repeating the full Foundation training.

Key Characteristics:

• Launch Date: February 26, 2026
• Duration: 1-day intensive training
• Focus: ONLY what’s new or changed in ITIL v5
• Outcome: ITIL v5 Foundation certificate (same credential as full course)

ITIL v5 Foundation Bridge Exam Format

Bridge Exam Specifications

Official Bridge Exam Details:

Exam Component	Details
Number of Questions	20 questions
Question Format	Multiple-choice
Exam Duration	30 minutes
Exam Type	Closed book
Passing Score	65% (same standard as full Foundation)
Focus Areas	Only new and changed content from ITIL 4 to v5

What the Bridge Exam Covers

Topics Emphasized:

1. Product and Service Lifecycle Model (NEW)

• Understanding the 8-activity lifecycle
• Differences from ITIL 4 Service Value Chain
• Lifecycle integration concepts

2. AI-Native Concepts (NEW)

• AI governance basics
• AI Capability Model introduction
• Responsible AI adoption principles

3. Enhanced Experience Management (CHANGED)

• Expansion from stakeholder value to experience design
• Customer and employee experience focus
• Journey mapping fundamentals

4. Integrated Product-Service Management (CHANGED)

• Unified product and service approach
• Breaking down traditional silos
• Value delivery through both products and services

5. Value Stream Mapping (ENHANCED)

• Explicit mapping guidance
• Optimization techniques
• End-to-end flow management

Topics NOT Heavily Covered in Bridge:

• Seven Guiding Principles (unchanged from ITIL 4)
• Four Dimensions (unchanged)
• 34 Management Practices (only minor terminology updates)
• Basic ITSM concepts (assumed knowledge from ITIL 4)

Bridge Course vs. Full Foundation: Which Should You Take?

Decision Framework

Take the ITIL v5 Foundation Bridge Course If:

• You hold a valid ITIL 4 Foundation
• You want the most cost-effective update path ($400-$700 vs. $800-$1,500)
• You have limited time (1 day vs. 3-5 days training)
• Your ITIL 4 knowledge is recent and solid (within last 1-2 years)
• You want to quickly update your certificate to ITIL
• You’re primarily interested in understanding what changed

Take the Full ITIL v5 Foundation Course If:

• You’re new to ITIL (no prior certification
• Your ITIL 4 knowledge is rusty or dated (certified 3+ years ago)
• You want comprehensive, foundational training
• You prefer in-depth learning over quick
• You never completed ITIL 4 training (only have v3 or no certification)
• Your employer is paying and prefers thorough training

Cost and Time Comparison

Factor	Full ITIL v5 Foundation	ITIL v5 Foundation Bridge
Training Duration	3-5 days	1 day
Total Study Time	20-40 hours	8-15 hours
Cost (Training + Exam)	$800-$1,500	$400-$700
Prerequisite	None	ITIL 4 Foundation required
Coverage	Complete ITIL v5 syllabus	Only new/changed content
Certificate Received	ITIL v5 Foundation	ITIL v5 Foundation (same)
Best For	New learners, thorough training	ITIL 4 holders, quick update

Key Insight: Both pathways result in the same ITIL v5 Foundation certificate, choose based on your starting point and learning preferences.

Exam Preparation: How to Pass on Your First Attempt?

Recommended Study Approach

For Full ITIL v5 Foundation:

1. Enroll in Accredited Training (Highly Recommended)

• Benefits of ITIL v 5 Certification: Expert instruction, structured curriculum, practice exams, official materials
• Investment: 3-5 days
• Pass Rate Impact: Increases first-attempt success to 85-90%

2. Study Timeline

• Week 1-2: Complete training course, review official materials
• Week 3: Self-study using notes, flashcards, and additional reading
• Week 4: Practice exams, identify weak areas, final review
• Total Preparation: 3-4 weeks (part-time) or 1-2 weeks (intensive)

3. Practice Exams

• Take a minimum 3-5 full practice exams before the real test
• Target score: Consistently scoring 32+ (80%) on practice tests
• Review ALL answers (correct and incorrect) to understand reasoning

4. Focus Areas

• Guiding Principles: Memorize all 7 with examples
• Lifecycle Activities: Understand the purpose of all 8 activities
• Key Practices: Know purpose of top 10 practices (Incident, Problem, Change, Service Desk, etc.)
• Scenario Application: Practice applying concepts to realistic situations

For ITIL v5 Foundation Bridge:

1. Leverage Your ITIL 4 Knowledge

• Review your ITIL 4 materials to refresh basics
• Focus study time on delta content (what’s new)
• Don’t waste time re-learning unchanged concepts

2. Study Timeline

• Days 1-2: Complete 1-day training, review new concepts
• Days 3-5: Self-study focusing on changes
• Days 6-7: Practice questions on new topics
• Total Preparation: 1-2 weeks

3. Key Focus Areas

• Product and Service Lifecycle Model (PSLM) vs. ITIL 4 Value Chain
• AI-native concepts and governance
• Enhanced experience management
• Integrated product-service management

Exam Day Tips

Before the Exam:

• Get adequate sleep (7-8 hours)
• Arrive early or log in 15-30 minutes before start
• Prepare quiet, distraction-free environment (for online exams)
• Have valid ID ready (passport or government-issued photo ID)
• Test technical setup (webcam, microphone, internet) for online proctoring

During the Exam:

• Read questions carefully, look for keywords like “best,” “most,” “primary”
• Eliminate wrong answers first, then choose from remaining options
• Manage your time: 60 minutes ÷ 40 questions = 1.5 minutes per question
• Answer every question, no penalty for wrong answers
• Flag difficult questions and return if time permits
• Stay calm, if you prepared properly, you know the material

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Rushing through questions without reading fully
• Overthinking simple questions
• Changing answers repeatedly (first instinct often correct)
• Leaving questions blank (always guess if unsure)
• Panicking if a question seems unfamiliar (use logic and elimination)

Taking the Exam: Delivery Options

Online Proctored Exam

What It Is:

• Take the exam from your home or office
• Live proctor monitors via webcam
• A secure browser prevents access to other applications

Requirements:

• Stable internet connection (minimum 1 Mbps)
• Webcam and microphone
• Quiet, private room
• Clear desk (no papers, phones, or other materials)
• Valid government-issued photo ID

Benefits:

• Convenient, no travel required
• Flexible scheduling (7 days a week, multiple time slots)
• Comfortable environment

Considerations:

• Technical issues can cause delays
• Strict monitoring (proctor watches constantly)
• Must follow proctoring rules precisely

Test Center Exam

What It Is:

• Take exam at authorized PeopleCert test center
• In-person proctoring
• Provided computer and controlled environment

Benefits:

• Reliable technical setup
• Fewer distractions
• No home environment concerns

Considerations:

• Must travel to center
• Less flexible scheduling
• Potentially less comfortable than home

After Passing: What You Receive

Your ITIL v5 Foundation Certificate Includes:

1. Digital Certificate

• Official PDF certificate from PeopleCert
• Downloadable from your PeopleCert account
• Shows certification date and unique certificate number

2. Digital Badge

• Verifiable digital credential
• Shareable on LinkedIn, email signatures, websites
• Contains embedded verification data

3. Successful Candidates Register Entry

• Your name listed on PeopleCert’s public register
• Employers can verify your certification authenticity
• Shows certification status (current or needs renewal)

4. Certification Number

• Unique identifier for your credential
• Required for advanced certification enrollment
• Used for verification purposes

5. Three-Year Validity

• Certificate valid for 3 years from exam date
• Renewal required to maintain currency
• Options: CPD points, additional certification, or retake exam

Invensis Learning: Your Exam Success Partner

As a global leader in professional certification training with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 certifications, Invensis Learning provides comprehensive ITIL v5 Foundation exam preparation:

Training Programs

ITIL v5 Foundation Complete Course

• 3-5 days expert-led training
• Official PeopleCert materials included
• Exam voucher included in package
• Practice exams and assessments
• Live virtual, classroom, or self-paced options

ITIL v5 Foundation Bridge Course

• 1-day intensive training (available from Feb 26, 2026)
• Focused on new and changed content
• Ideal for ITIL 4 Foundation holders
• Exam voucher included
• Cost-effective transition pathway

Exam Preparation Support

• Official study materials and courseware
• Comprehensive practice exams (40+ questions per test)
• Scenario-based question practice
• Exam strategy guidance and tips
• Post-training support and doubt clearing
• Exam scheduling assistance

Flexible Learning Options

• Live Virtual Training: Interactive online sessions
• Classroom Training: In-person at global locations
• Corporate Training: On-site programs for teams
• Self-Paced eLearning: Study at your own pace

Conclusion

Successfully clearing the ITIL v5 Foundation certification begins with understanding what the exam expects and aligning your preparation accordingly. Whether you pursue the full Foundation course or transition through the Bridge pathway as an ITIL 4 certified professional, structured learning and focused revision make a meaningful difference in performance. The exam is designed to assess conceptual clarity and practical interpretation, so preparation should prioritize understanding over memorization. With the right guidance, disciplined study, and awareness of the updated Version 5 framework direction, achieving certification is highly attainable. Earning ITIL v5 Foundation not only keeps your credentials current but also strengthens your professional standing and prepares you for advanced certification pathways within the evolving ITIL ecosystem.