In recent years, the field of cybersecurity has seen a significant surge in demand due to the increasing number of cyber threats faced by organizations. As a result, many individuals are pursuing a career in this field and are looking for ways to enhance their skills and knowledge. One of the popular certifications in this domain is the CompTIA PenTest+ certification, which is designed to validate the skills required to perform penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.
The most comprehensive exam is the CompTIA PenTest+, which covers all aspects of penetration testing. Unlike other penetration testing tests that use article questions to cover only a portion of the phases, PenTest+ uses both performance-based and knowledge-based questions to ensure all stages are covered. PenTest+ is the only test that covers all aspects of vulnerability management.
It entails not only vulnerability evaluation, scanning, and analysis, but also planning, scoping, and managing vulnerabilities, as opposed to simply exploiting them. PenTest+ is the most recent penetration testing exam, and it includes the most recent strategies for dealing with large attack surfaces. This one-of-a-kind exam necessitates the most up-to-date pen-testing knowledge for the cloud, hybrid environments, online apps, the Internet of Things (IoT), and traditional on-premises environments. However, the question that arises is whether the CompTIA PenTest+ exam is easy or not. In this blog, we will explore the exam format, content, and difficulty level to help you understand if this certification is right for you.
Glossary for CompTIA PenTest+ Terminology
- Adversary – An individual or group who attempts to hack into a system or network with malicious intent.
- Attack surface – The sum total of all the entry points, vulnerabilities, and weak points of a system or network that an attacker can potentially exploit.
- Black box testing – A type of testing in which the tester has no prior knowledge of the system or network being tested, and attempts to hack into it as an attacker would.
- Blue team – The group of individuals responsible for defending a system or network against attacks.
- Buffer overflow – A type of attack in which an attacker sends more data than a buffer can handle, causing it to overflow and potentially allowing the attacker to execute malicious code.
- Exploit – A piece of code or technique that takes advantage of a vulnerability in a system or network.
- Grey box testing – A type of testing in which the tester has limited knowledge of the system or network being tested, but has some information that an attacker might have.
- Injection attack – A type of attack in which an attacker injects malicious code into a system or network by exploiting vulnerabilities in the input validation process.
- Mitigation – The process of reducing the risk of an attack by implementing measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access controls.
- Penetration testing – The process of simulating an attack on a system or network in order to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
- Red team – A group of individuals responsible for simulating an attack on a system or network in order to test its defenses.
Expert tips to pass the CompTIA PenTest+ Exam
CompTIA PenTest+ is a popular certification for professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in penetration testing. Here are some expert tips to help you pass the CompTIA PenTest+ exam:
- Understand the exam objectives: The exam covers a wide range of topics related to penetration testing, such as planning and scoping, information gathering, vulnerability identification and assessment, attacks and exploits, and reporting and communication. Make sure you have a good understanding of all the exam objectives before you start studying.
- Get hands-on experience: Penetration testing is a practical skill that requires hands-on experience. If you don’t have much experience in this field, consider taking a course or working on some real-world projects to gain practical experience.
- Study the exam materials: CompTIA provides a range of study materials for the PenTest+ exam, including a study guide, practice exams, and a virtual lab environment. Use these materials to supplement your knowledge and gain a better understanding of the exam topics.
- Focus on the tools and techniques: The exam covers a wide range of tools and techniques used in penetration testing. Make sure you have a good understanding of these tools and techniques, and how they are used in different scenarios.
- Practice time management: The exam is timed, so it’s important to practice time management. You will have 165 minutes to answer 85 multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Make sure you allocate your time wisely and don’t spend too much time on any one question.
- Review your answers: After answering each question, review your answer before moving on to the next question. This will help you catch any mistakes or errors before you submit your answers.
- Join study groups or forums: Joining a study group or forum can be a great way to get support from other professionals who are also studying for the PenTest+ exam. You can ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from others.
- Take practice exams: Practice exams are a great way to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need to improve.
Recommended knowledge
- Network+, Security+, or equivalent knowledge.
- A minimum of three to four years of experience in information security or a related field.
- This exam required CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent experience.
Exam Format
The exam format will assist you in developing an effective strategy for preparing for and taking the test –
- To begin, the CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-001) has a maximum time limit of 165 minutes.
- also, the exam has a maximum of 85 questions.
- furthermore, the exam’s passing score is 750 on a scale of 100-900.
- In addition, the exam consists of multiple-choice/multiple-select questions. As a result, you’ll have a few options for each question, and you can use the method of elimination to find the correct answer (s).
- Furthermore, there are no negative marks for incorrect answers. As a result, you can use your best guess wherever in need.
- Finally, the CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-001) Exam costs $370.
Let us now move forth to the targeted audience and course outline for the exam.
Who should take the PenTest+ Exam?
In July 2017, the CompTIA PenTest+ exam (PT0-001) was released. It allows system and network administrators to demonstrate their knowledge of common penetration testing techniques. Anyone interested in launching a career in information security, IT management, or IT operations should pursue this certification. This will help you advance your prospects and make you a more desirable candidate.
The following are the recommended occupations for which this certification is ideal –
- Analysts of security
- Tester of Penetration
- Vulnerability Assessor
- Professional in Network Security
- Administrator of the System
- Administrator of Networks
Course Outline
These topics will be covered while assessing you –
Domain 1: Planning and Scoping (14%)
- Compare and contrast governance, risk, and compliance concepts.
- Explain the importance of scoping and organizational/customer requirements.
- Given a scenario, demonstrate an ethical hacking mindset by maintaining professionalism and integrity.
Domain 2: Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning (22%)
- Given a scenario, perform passive reconnaissance.
- Given a scenario, perform active reconnaissance.
- Given a scenario, analyze the results of a reconnaissance exercise.
- Given a scenario, perform vulnerability scanning.
Domain 3: Attacks and Exploits (30%)
- Given a scenario, research attack vectors and perform network attacks.
- Given a scenario, research attack vectors and perform wireless attacks.
- Given a scenario, research attack vectors and perform application-based attacks.
- Given a scenario, research attack vectors and perform attacks on cloud technologies
- Explain common attacks and vulnerabilities against specialized systems.
- Given a scenario, perform a social engineering or physical attack.
- Given a scenario, perform post-exploitation techniques.
Domain 4: Reporting and Communication (18%)
- Compare and contrast important components of written reports.
- Given a scenario, analyze the findings and recommend the appropriate remediation within a report.
- Explain the importance of communication during the penetration testing process.
- Explain post-report delivery activities.
Domain 5: Tools and Code Analysis (16%)
- Explain the basic concepts of scripting and software development.
- Given a scenario, analyze a script or code sample for use in a penetration test.
- Explain use cases of the following tools during the phases of a penetration test.
Let us now look at some additional important points –
How hard is the PenTest+ Exam?
The PenTest+ is considered a more difficult exam than the CompTIA Security+ and follows Security+ in the recommended track of certifications, along with the CySA+, which is similar but focuses on a cybersecurity analyst’s defensive posture rather than an offensive approach taken by a penetration tester. The PenTest+ and CySA+ are both considered prerequisites for the more advanced CompTIA CASP+. Let us now look at the ways of gaining the certification –
How do I study for the CompTIA PenTest+?
Refer to these resources to pass with flying colors –
eLearning
CompTIA’s complete online training will ensure you are 100 percent prepared on test day. CertMaster Learn is an interactive and self-paced learning environment that combines instructional lessons with assessments, videos, and performance-based questions to help you prepare for your certification exam and a career in IT.
Included in CertMaster Learn for PenTest+:
- Over 40 hours of engaging content
- 10 lessons with interactive Performance-Based Questions
- 100 practice questions with immediate feedback
- 90-question final assessment simulates the test experience
- Countdown calendar to keep you on pace
The Official CompTIA Study Guide
Official CompTIA Content (OCC) was created from the ground up to assist you in understanding and mastering the material in your certification exam.
CompTIA study guides that are:-
- Written and structured
- Also, Adaptable to learn at any pace
- furthermore, Concentrated On exam success
Moreover, CompTIA Training bundles are an excellent way to stay on track with your learning throughout the exam preparation process.
Virtual Labs
CertMaster Labs for PenTest+ provides you with the platform you need to gain valuable hands-on experience:
- supporting, installing, configuring, and maintaining operating systems
- also, maintaining and troubleshooting networks
- furthermore, managing users, workstations, and shared resources
You can also refer to practice tests to access your level of preparation!
Is CompTIA PenTest+ Worth It?
When taking the PenTest+, you can expect the exam to begin with several PBQ, or performance-based questions, which will provide a scenario and some tools to perform some portion of a penetration test. Because the PenTest+ is vendor-neutral, these questions are usually rather broad. Moreover, The PenTest+ is an excellent entry-level penetration testing certification that is easier to obtain than other pen testing certifications such as the OSCP.
