Free CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Test 2026
Master penetration testing with our PT0-002 practice questions. Covering planning, reconnaissance, attacks, exploits, and professional reporting—the complete skill set for ethical hackers and security professionals.
PenTest+ PT0-002 Exam Quick Facts
| Exam Code | PT0-002 |
| Full Name | CompTIA PenTest+ |
| Number of Questions | Up to 85 (MCQ + PBQ) |
| Exam Duration | 165 minutes |
| Passing Score | 750 (on 100-900 scale) |
| Exam Cost | $392 USD |
| Validity Period | 3 years |
| Renewal | 60 CEUs or higher cert |
| Prerequisites | None (Security+ and 3-4 years recommended) |
| DoD 8570 | Yes - CSSP Analyst/Auditor |
| Average Salary | $95,000/year (Penetration Tester) |
PenTest+ PT0-002 Exam Domains
The PenTest+ exam tests five core domains covering the complete penetration testing lifecycle. Master each domain to excel on the exam.
📋 Planning & Scoping (14%)
Topics: Rules of engagement, scoping documents, legal considerations, compliance requirements, communication with stakeholders.
Key Concepts: NDA, SOW, ROE, authorization, compliance frameworks
🔍 Information Gathering (22%)
Topics: Passive and active reconnaissance, OSINT, scanning, enumeration, vulnerability identification.
Key Tools: Nmap, Shodan, theHarvester, Recon-ng, Maltego
💥 Attacks & Exploits (30%)
Topics: Network attacks, wireless attacks, web application attacks, cloud attacks, social engineering, physical security.
Key Tools: Metasploit, SQLmap, Burp Suite, Hydra, BeEF
📝 Reporting & Communication (18%)
Topics: Report writing, findings prioritization, remediation recommendations, executive summaries, technical details.
Key Concepts: CVSS scoring, risk ratings, business impact, remediation
🛠️ Tools & Code Analysis (16%)
Topics: Scripting basics (Bash, Python, PowerShell), code review, tool output analysis, automation.
Key Skills: Script modification, output interpretation, exploit code review
Ready to Master Penetration Testing?
Practice with questions designed by security professionals covering all PT0-002 domains.
Start Practice Test →Essential Tools for PenTest+ Exam
The PenTest+ exam tests your knowledge of common penetration testing tools. You should understand their purpose, basic usage, and output interpretation.
🔍 Nmap
Network scanner for host discovery, port scanning, service detection, and OS fingerprinting. Know scan types (-sS, -sT, -sU), NSE scripts, and output formats.
💣 Metasploit Framework
Exploitation framework for finding vulnerabilities and deploying payloads. Understand msfconsole, exploit modules, payloads, and Meterpreter sessions.
🌐 Burp Suite
Web application testing proxy for intercepting requests, fuzzing parameters, and finding vulnerabilities like XSS, CSRF, and injection flaws.
💉 SQLmap
Automated SQL injection tool for detecting and exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities. Know common flags and database extraction techniques.
🔑 Hashcat/John
Password cracking tools for offline attacks. Understand hash types, wordlist attacks, rule-based attacks, and rainbow tables.
📶 Aircrack-ng
Wireless security suite for WEP/WPA/WPA2 testing. Know handshake capture, deauthentication attacks, and dictionary attacks.
Sample PenTest+ Practice Question
Question: During a penetration test, you discover a web application vulnerable to SQL injection. The client's rules of engagement specify that no data extraction is permitted. What is the MOST appropriate next step?
A) Extract a sample of data to prove the vulnerability exists
B) Document the vulnerability and include it in the report
C) Exploit the vulnerability to gain shell access
D) Ignore the finding since you cannot fully exploit it
Show Answer
✓ B) Document the vulnerability and include it in the report
The rules of engagement (ROE) are legally binding. Even though you cannot extract data, you must document the finding as it represents a critical security risk. Include proof of concept (like error messages or UNION-based detection), potential impact, and remediation recommendations. Never exceed the scope defined in the ROE.
PenTest+ vs Other Penetration Testing Certifications
| Aspect | PenTest+ | CEH | OSCP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CompTIA | EC-Council | Offensive Security |
| Exam Format | MCQ + PBQ | Multiple-choice only | 24-hour hands-on |
| Duration | 165 minutes | 4 hours | 24 hours + report |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Cost | $392 | $1,199+ | $1,749+ |
| DoD 8570 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best For | Practical + affordable | HR recognition | Senior pentest roles |
| Report Writing | Heavily tested | Not tested | Required |
PT0-002 Aligned
Questions updated for current PenTest+ exam objectives covering cloud attacks and modern techniques.
Attack Scenarios
Practice with realistic penetration testing scenarios that mirror actual engagement challenges.
Tool Knowledge
Learn essential pen testing tools like Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and exploitation frameworks.
Report Writing Focus
Understand how to document findings professionally—18% of the exam tests reporting skills.
Career Opportunities with PenTest+
According to PrepForCerts analysis, PenTest+ certification qualifies you for these security roles:
🎯 Penetration Tester
Salary: $85,000 - $130,000
Conduct authorized security assessments, identify vulnerabilities, and provide remediation guidance to clients.
🔐 Security Consultant
Salary: $90,000 - $140,000
Advise organizations on security posture, perform assessments, and recommend security improvements.
🛡️ Vulnerability Analyst
Salary: $75,000 - $110,000
Identify and prioritize vulnerabilities, coordinate remediation, and track security metrics.
🔴 Red Team Operator
Salary: $100,000 - $160,000
Simulate advanced adversaries. PenTest+ provides foundation; pursue OSCP/OSEP for senior red team roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PenTest+ exam format?
The PenTest+ exam (PT0-002) has up to 85 questions including multiple-choice and performance-based questions. You have 165 minutes to complete it. The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100-900. PBQs typically appear at the beginning and may include scenarios where you analyze tool output or simulate attack steps.
What are the prerequisites for PenTest+?
CompTIA recommends Network+, Security+, or equivalent knowledge plus 3-4 years of hands-on penetration testing experience. However, there are no mandatory prerequisites—you can take the exam if you feel prepared. Many candidates pursue Security+ first.
What domains does PenTest+ cover?
PenTest+ covers five domains: Planning and Scoping (14%), Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning (22%), Attacks and Exploits (30%), Reporting and Communication (18%), and Tools and Code Analysis (16%). The attacks domain is the largest focus.
How does PenTest+ compare to CEH?
PenTest+ is more practical with performance-based questions testing hands-on skills. CEH is theory-focused with multiple-choice only. PenTest+ costs significantly less ($392 vs $1,199+) and is generally considered more valuable for demonstrating practical skills. Both are DoD 8570 approved.
How does PenTest+ compare to OSCP?
PenTest+ has MCQ plus PBQs in 165 minutes, while OSCP is a 24-hour hands-on practical exam requiring you to actually exploit machines. OSCP is significantly harder and more respected for senior pentesting roles, but PenTest+ is a solid intermediate step and is DoD 8570 approved (OSCP is not).
How much does PenTest+ cost?
The PenTest+ exam costs $392 USD. This is significantly less than CEH ($1,199+) and OSCP ($1,749+), making it an affordable option for validating penetration testing skills. Study materials add $100-$400 depending on resources.
How long is PenTest+ certification valid?
PenTest+ certification is valid for 3 years. You can renew through CompTIA's Continuing Education program by earning 60 CEUs or by passing a higher-level certification like CASP+.
Is PenTest+ DoD 8570 approved?
Yes, PenTest+ is approved for DoD 8570/8140 compliance at the CSSP Analyst, CSSP Incident Responder, and CSSP Auditor categories. This makes it valuable for government and defense contractor positions requiring verified penetration testing skills.