Exam Details
CompTIA · PT0-003
Prepare for PT0-003: Plan, scope, execute, and report on penetration testing engagements ethically.
Overview
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FAQ
The CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-003 exam validates your ability to plan and scope penetration tests, gather information, identify vulnerabilities, exploit systems ethically, and report findings. This intermediate-level certification targets penetration testers, vulnerability analysts, and security consultants who simulate real-world attacks to help organizations strengthen their defenses. PenTest+ covers the full penetration testing lifecycle from scoping through reporting, including hands-on exploitation and tool usage. As organizations invest in offensive security to find weaknesses before attackers do, certified penetration testers are in growing demand.
You're a fit for PT0-003 if you:
Not sure if you're ready? Try a free sample quiz: 10 questions, instant results, identify weak areas.
| Domain | Weight | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and Scoping | 14% | Define engagement scope, rules of engagement, legal requirements, and compliance considerations for pen tests |
| Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning | 22% | Perform reconnaissance, enumerate targets, and use scanning tools to identify vulnerabilities and attack surfaces |
| Attacks and Exploits | 30% | Exploit network, application, cloud, and wireless vulnerabilities using manual techniques and automated tools |
| Reporting and Communication | 18% | Document findings, create actionable remediation reports, and present results to technical and executive audiences |
| Tools and Code Analysis | 16% | Use penetration testing tools, analyze scripts and code for vulnerabilities, and develop custom exploits |
You're probably ready if you can:
You might need more prep if:
If this feels too advanced:
If you know the basics but want to build confidence:
The PT0-003 exam consists of a maximum of 85 questions to be completed in 165 minutes. The format is a combination of traditional multiple-choice questions (single and multiple response) and Performance-Based Questions (PBQs). PBQs are hands-on simulations that require you to perform tasks such as analyzing a script snippet, configuring a vulnerability scanner, or exploiting a specific network vulnerability in a virtual environment.
You need a scaled score of 750 on a scale of 100–900 to pass. Because CompTIA uses a weighted scoring system, some questions (like the complex PBQs) carry more points than standard multiple-choice items. To build the "Attacker’s Mindset" required for this threshold, ExamOS offers scenario-based practice quizzes that simulate the decision-making logic used in the actual PT0-003 exam.
The PT0-003 objectives were recently updated to better reflect cloud security and code analysis. The domains are:
Unlike earlier versions, PT0-003 requires you to be able to read and analyze code, though you won't necessarily have to write programs from scratch. You must be able to look at a script snippet in Python, Bash, PowerShell, or Ruby and identify its purpose, find an error that prevents an exploit from working, or suggest a fix. Mastering the logic of these scripts is a frequent hurdle for many candidates.
Success requires a mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on exploitation practice:
The retail price for a single exam voucher is currently $404 USD. Prices may vary by country and local taxes. It is highly recommended to look for "Retake Bundles" on the CompTIA store, which provide a second attempt at a lower total cost should you fail the first time.
CompTIA has a standardized retake policy for all technical exams:
The PenTest+ certification is valid for three years. To keep it active, you must:
There are no mandatory prerequisites, but CompTIA recommends holding the Security+ and Network+ certifications (or equivalent knowledge) and having 3–4 years of hands-on security experience. This is an intermediate-level exam; it is not recommended for beginners who have not yet mastered foundational networking and defensive security concepts.
After earning your PenTest+, your progression depends on your career goals: