Chapter 5 – Test Management
Defect Age – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
The elapsed time from when a defect is introduced to when it is detected or fixed.
In simple words
How long a bug lived before it was found or resolved.
Exam tip
Older defects are much more expensive — trend age to justify shift-left.
Related terms
- DefectA flaw in the product — code, requirement, or design — that could cause a failure when executed.
- Escaped DefectA bug that slipped past your tests and reached the next stage or production.
- Shift-Left TestingStart testing — reviews, unit tests, static analysis — as early as possible, not at the end.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
40 CTFL v4.0 questions, 60-minute timer, instant scoring and chapter-wise breakdown.
Practice in Mock Test