Chapter 2 – Testing Throughout the SDLC
Acceptance Criteria – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
The criteria that a component or system must satisfy in order to be accepted by a user, customer or other authorized entity.
In simple words
The checklist that says a user story is done and shippable.
Exam tip
Acceptance criteria belong to a story; the Definition of Done applies to every story.
Related terms
- Definition of DoneAn Agile team’s shared checklist for ‘this work is really done, including tests, docs and deployment’.
- User StoryA short, user-focused description of a feature the team will build in one sprint.
- Acceptance TestingThe ‘go / no-go’ testing that confirms the system meets business needs and is ready to be released to real users.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
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