Hi all,
I’m going to take the BCS ISTQB certification sometime soon, and I’d love to hear the experiences of those who have gone through it.
What would you say helped you the most in your preparation?
Any special materials or mock tests or strategies you could recommend?
How much of the theory did you combine with practical understanding?
I’m aiming to pass this in just one go, so any information or things that I should avoid are definitely going to be appreciated! 
Thanks in advance!
I am an accredited trainer for ISTQB and in my opinion you have the options of either visiting a preparation course or thoroghly studying the syllabus on your own. Both options should work out. Most important part of the praparation in my opinion is getting used to the types of questions they ask in the exams. For this there are official sample exams available from the ISTQB itself. You can find them here: Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0 - International Software Testing Qualifications Board
I would suggest the same. Either course or self study, make sure to go through samples questions because ISTQB questions are bit specific and their answers all seems fine though only 1 is correct so you really have to be sure in terms of the wordings etc, ISTQB Glossary .
EDIT: If you are thinking to get official training – go for it as well! I hope they are accessible and reasonable in terms of prices!
Wishing you all the very best and even if you cant in first attempt its completely ok - you can consider it as a learning experience. However I am sure you will! 
You have got it! 
Hey, wish you luck ! Even if luck is often just a plus for prepared minds.
For CTFL, I would say don’t overthink things. Never. ISTQB has its vision and gives you all the keys in the syllabus. So just stick to it, always.
For me what worked it to exercise with their sample exams. There are four of them for CTFL, it’s a great chance because it’s a big sample. Do it every day.
Also the glossary. It’s very precise. ISTQB doesn’t give room to interpretation. So read it, learn it, eat it, dream of it.
Apps can help, I remember I used a great one, with cards method to answer ISTQB questions every time I had a minute. Unfortunately I don’t see it anymore in Google Play store…
Let us know how it went !
It was a few decades ago but I supported some testers to get the certification.
If its the foundation level this sounded harsh at the time and maybe still is, switch your brain off, don’t relate it to your real world testing activities and treat it like a memory exercise.
Do mock tests, lots of them, learn of ISTQB expects you to answer and not what you think should be the answer as in most case most options are correct in different contexts but they will always have a favoured on from their perspective. Learn their patterns.
Learn the way they present multiple choice, rule out less right answers, rule out wrong answers quickly sometimes you will only be left with one you cannot rule out even if you dont know what it is its the only one left.
Glossary, memorise that as it will likely answer a lot of the foundation questions.
Time was never an issue in those days but worth learning to do the mocks at speed, that process of elimination is key to that.
One of the challenges with coaching on this is that a good coach will try and get you learn about testing and the value is not in the certificate but from the trainers knowledge and interaction.
However the certification deviates from this and sometime you you want the dry this is the way ISTQB thinks so whilst you may learn their definitions you may not learn much about actual testing at all. Passing exam goals can fall into this category.
It could have changed but at the time I believe my view was harsh but fair and with the help of another coach we had a lot of first time passes.
We completely separated the teaching of good testing from the certification though.
I had planned to take the ISTQB certification offline last year, but unfortunately couldn’t appear on the day for the exam due to the demise of my grandmother. This still remains part of my professional goals.
Remember, the minimum passing percentage of ISTQB certification exam is 65%, go through the syllabus and exam structure. It is helpful to start with the easier questions to build confidence before moving on to the more complex tasks.
Remember that you are well prepared and try to concentrate on answering the questions without feeling too much time pressure.
Stay calm and focused - this will allow you to make the most of your knowledge.
Some materials:
https://www.istqb.guru/istqb-foundation-level/
How to Pass the ISTQB Foundation Level Exam.
Also, ISTQB has recently launched the CT-GenAI certification, which is an exciting new opportunity. To take this certification, the prerequisite is to pass the CTFL exam, since you will easily pass the CTFL exam, you should definitely pursue the new ISTQB CT-GenAI certification as the next step in your journey!
This is so true 
You can use this website to attempt mock tests of ISTQB Exams.
For me I use these ones : Sample Exam - GASQ
Oh and don’t forget to apply for time extension of 25% as English is not your native language. Another bullet in your gun.