CompTIA
CompTIA PenTest+
CompTIA PenTest+ Certification (PT0-003)
Intermediate offensive-security certification for penetration testers and vulnerability analysts, covering engagement management, reconnaissance, exploitation, and reporting. Aligned to US DoD 8140 requirements.
What's on the exam
PT0-003 Exam Objectives
Engagement Management
13%Scoping and rules of engagement · Legal and compliance considerations · Communication and collaboration · Reporting and remediation · Threat modeling
Reconnaissance and Enumeration
21%Passive and active reconnaissance · OSINT techniques · Network and service enumeration · Scripting for reconnaissance · Information gathering tools
Vulnerability Discovery and Analysis
17%Vulnerability scanning · Manual analysis techniques · Prioritizing findings · Analyzing scan output · Common vulnerability classes
Attacks and Exploits
35%Network and wireless attacks · Web application exploitation · Social engineering · Cloud and specialized system attacks · Application and host-based exploits
Post-exploitation and Lateral Movement
14%Establishing persistence · Privilege escalation · Lateral movement techniques · Data exfiltration · Covering tracks and cleanup
Frequently asked questions
How much does the CompTIA PenTest+ cost?
The CompTIA PenTest+ costs $439. Voucher price varies by region and bundle; confirm current pricing with CompTIA.
How long is the CompTIA PenTest+ and how many questions does it have?
Up to 90 items — 165 minutes.
What do you need to pass the CompTIA PenTest+?
750 on a scale of 100–900.
Can you retake the CompTIA PenTest+?
No wait for second attempt; 14-day wait for third and subsequent attempts.
What is the best way to study for the CompTIA PenTest+?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Engagement Management 13%, Reconnaissance and Enumeration 21%, Vulnerability Discovery and Analysis 17%, Attacks and Exploits 35%, Post-exploitation and Lateral Movement 14%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
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