Foundation
Foundation · IT service managementITIL Foundation is the entry point to the ITIL scheme. It introduces the ITIL service management framework, its key concepts and terminology, and the guiding principles, with no formal prerequisites.
ITIL® Certification Practice Exams
Free practice questions for the ITIL® Foundation certification, starting with ITIL Foundation (ITILFND-V5): the entry-level credential that validates the fundamentals of the ITIL service management framework, its key concepts and terminology, the guiding principles, and how organizations create value through IT services. Free sample questions and detailed explanations on every exam.
ITIL® is a registered trademark of PeopleCert Group. Nex Arc Learning is an independent provider of unofficial practice exams and study materials, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PeopleCert.
New to IT service management
Start with ITIL Foundation (ITILFND-V5). It is the entry point to PeopleCert's ITIL scheme and assumes no formal prerequisites, so it is the natural first step for anyone moving into IT service management or looking to speak the shared language of ITIL across a team.
What the exam validates
ITIL Foundation focuses on the fundamentals you rely on every day in IT service management:
- The key concepts and terminology of IT service management.
- The ITIL guiding principles and how they shape decisions.
- How services create value for organizations and their customers.
- The core ITIL practices and where they apply.
- The vocabulary teams use to plan, deliver, support, and improve services.
How to prepare
The most reliable preparation blends reading with recall practice. Work through the concepts and terminology, then test yourself under the real conditions: 40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book, with 26 correct out of 40 needed to pass. Pair the free sample on the ITILFND-V5 page with the online ITIL Foundation study guide to find and close your weak spots before you book.
After Foundation
Once Foundation is behind you, the ITIL scheme continues into higher tiers. PeopleCert offers progression through Practitioner and Intermediate modules and on to the Managing Professional and Strategic Leader designations, culminating in ITIL Master. We currently publish practice exams for Foundation only; the higher tiers are shown here so you can see where the path leads.
Why ITIL matters
ITIL is the world's most widely adopted framework for IT service management. It gives teams a common language and a set of proven practices for planning, delivering, supporting, and improving IT services, which is why the Foundation certification is a recognized baseline for service desk, operations, and service management roles across industries. ITIL is owned and operated by PeopleCert, which acquired the portfolio from Axelos, and Version 5 is the current release, published in February 2026.
Who is the ITIL Foundation certification for?
ITIL Foundation (ITILFND-V5) is the entry-level certification in PeopleCert's ITIL scheme, aimed at service desk and support staff, IT operations teams, project and delivery managers, and business stakeholders who want a shared language for IT service management. There are no formal prerequisites.
What does the ITIL Foundation (ITILFND-V5) exam cover?
The fundamentals of the ITIL service management framework: the key concepts and terminology of IT service management, the ITIL guiding principles, how services create value for organizations and customers, and the core ITIL practices and where they apply.
What is the ITIL Foundation exam format?
A closed-book exam of 40 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute time limit. You need 26 correct answers out of 40, which is 65 percent, to pass.
Do I need prior experience to take ITIL Foundation?
No. Foundation is the entry point to the ITIL scheme and has no formal prerequisites. Some exposure to IT services makes the terminology easier, but it is not required. Working through the concepts plus practice questions is usually enough to be ready.
Who runs the ITIL certification, and what is Version 5?
ITIL is owned and operated by PeopleCert, which acquired the ITIL portfolio from Axelos. Version 5 is the current release of the framework, published in February 2026, with Foundation as the entry-level certification. Higher tiers, including Practitioner, Intermediate, Managing Professional, Strategic Leader, and Master, build on the Foundation.
Are these practice exams really free?
The ITILFND-V5 page offers a free sample with detailed explanations, no credit card required. For full coverage we publish a premium set of 38 practice exams, 1,520 questions in total, plus an online study guide, so you can rehearse the real 40-question format many times before booking.