CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-003) — Free Online Mock Test
Hands-on penetration testing certification. ~85 Q in 165 min. Planning, info gathering, attacks, reporting. · Official language: English.
CompTIA PenTest+ exam at a glance
CompTIA PenTest+ full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length CompTIA PenTest+ mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 85-question, 165-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.
CompTIA PenTest+ key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | CompTIA; delivered via Pearson VUE. |
|---|---|
| Official website | comptia.org ↗ |
| Mode | A proctored exam of up to 90 questions — multiple-choice and performance-based — in 165 minutes. The current version is PT0-003 (the older PT0-002 has retired). |
| Frequency | On demand, year-round. |
| Scoring & marking | Up to 90 questions, scored 100–900 with 750 to pass. Five domains — Engagement Management (13%), Reconnaissance & Enumeration (21%), Vulnerability Discovery & Analysis (17%), Attacks & Exploits (35%) and Post-Exploitation & Lateral Movement (14%). |
| Score validity | 3 years, renewed through CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program. |
| Language | English, with other languages added over time. |
Who is eligible for CompTIA PenTest+?
No required prerequisite; CompTIA recommends Network+ and Security+ (or equivalent) plus 3–4 years of hands-on penetration-testing/information-security experience.
Last verified July 2026 against CompTIA — PenTest+. Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
CompTIA PenTest+ section breakdown
The CompTIA PenTest+ mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. No inter-section breaks — the timer runs continuously.
-
PenTest+ (85 Q)
CompTIA PenTest+ scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: CompTIA PenTest+ has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.
Scale: PenTest+ (pass 750/900).
How CompTIA PenTest+ is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
CompTIA PenTest+ time strategy
With 85 questions in 165 minutes, you have about 116 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- PenTest+ (85 Q)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
CompTIA PenTest+ topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of CompTIA PenTest+, the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
PenTest+ (85 Q)
- D2 — Scanning with nmap · 6
- D2 — OSINT · 4
- D3 — CVSS and scoring · 4
- D4 — Wireless attacks · 4
- D4 — Social engineering · 4
- D2 — Service enumeration · 3
- D3 — Scanning approaches · 3
- D3 — Analysis and validation · 3
CompTIA PenTest+ difficulty calibration
Advanced tier. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep.
Hands-on penetration testing certification. ~85 Q in 165 min. Planning, info gathering, attacks, reporting. · Official language: English.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's CompTIA PenTest+ bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 100% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for CompTIA PenTest+
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what CompTIA PenTest+ really tests
CompTIA PenTest+ is now on version PT0-003 (the older PT0-002 retired in 2025), and it spans the whole engagement lifecycle — scoping, recon, exploitation and reporting — rather than just hacking. Attacks & Exploits is the largest domain at 35%, and the performance-based questions mean you cannot bluff your way through with theory: hands-on lab practice with the tooling is what carries you over the 750 bar.
Preparation tips
- Study the current PT0-003 objectives — do not prepare from retired PT0-002 material.
- Prioritise Attacks & Exploits (35%) and get hands-on with the tooling for the performance-based questions.
- Do not neglect engagement management and reporting — PenTest+ tests the whole lifecycle.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Preparing from outdated PT0-002 resources and missing PT0-003 changes.
- Studying theory only and freezing on the hands-on, performance-based items.
CompTIA PenTest+ study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- Learn the engagement lifecycle — scoping, rules of engagement and reporting
- Study reconnaissance and enumeration techniques and tooling
- Map your study to the current PT0-003 objectives and their weightings
- Practise vulnerability discovery, analysis and exploitation (the heaviest domain)
- Work post-exploitation and lateral-movement techniques hands-on
- Drill the tools and scripting the performance-based questions expect
- Do hands-on labs (e.g. TryHackMe/Hack The Box) to cement methodology
- Take practice exams with performance-based questions; aim above 750/900
- Re-drill Attacks & Exploits and Reconnaissance, the two largest domains
Where CompTIA PenTest+ can take you
A strong CompTIA PenTest+ result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- Penetration tester
- Vulnerability analyst
- Red team / security consultant
- Security analyst (offensive-aware)
Best books & official prep for CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA PenTest+ Study Guide (PT0-003) — Chapple, Shimonski & Seidl
- CompTIA PenTest+ CertMaster — CompTIA
- PT0-003 practice exams — Various
- Hands-on lab practice — Self-made / TryHackMe
Official practice: CompTIA publishes the PT0-003 objectives and CertMaster; the performance-based questions reward genuine hands-on penetration-testing practice.
Previous-year papers: CompTIA does not release past exams; the objectives and reputable practice tests are the best preparation.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the CompTIA PenTest+ exam pattern?
- CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-003) contains 85 questions across 1 section: PenTest+ (85 Q). Total duration is 165 minutes (about 116 seconds per question).
- Does CompTIA PenTest+ have negative marking?
- No — CompTIA PenTest+ has no negative marking. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, so attempt every question.
- How is CompTIA PenTest+ scored?
- Scaled score range: 100 to 1000. PenTest+ (pass 750/900).
- How can I practise CompTIA PenTest+ online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length CompTIA PenTest+ mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- What is the difficulty level of CompTIA PenTest+?
- CompTIA PenTest+ is rated Advanced difficulty on Wrexa Edge. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep. Hands-on penetration testing certification. ~85 Q in 165 min. Planning, info gathering, attacks, reporting. · Official language: English.
- How long is the CompTIA PenTest+ exam?
- CompTIA PenTest+ runs for 165 minutes total. On Wrexa Edge the timer is enforced exactly as on the real exam — including no inter-section breaks.
- What topics are covered in CompTIA PenTest+?
- CompTIA PenTest+ is split into: PenTest+ (85 Q). Each section is timed and weighted separately. Hands-on penetration testing certification. ~85 Q in 165 min. Planning, info gathering, attacks, reporting. · Official language: English.
- What tools or aids are allowed during CompTIA PenTest+?
- No special tools are required. Note: real exam is proctored — Wrexa Edge mirrors this with a webcam-based proctoring flow you can enable.
- Is the CompTIA PenTest+ test adaptive?
- No — CompTIA PenTest+ is a fixed-form (linear) test. Every candidate sees the same number of questions per section.
- How many CompTIA PenTest+ mock tests does Wrexa Edge offer?
- Wrexa Edge generates 50 distinct CompTIA PenTest+ variants — each with different question content, not just shuffled options — the first 3 free for everyone and 47 more with Pro. That's 4250 unique practice questions in the real test-day interface.
- Is there a free CompTIA PenTest+ test series 2026?
- Yes. The Wrexa Edge CompTIA PenTest+ test series for 2026 gives you 3 free full-length mock tests (50 in total) plus subject-wise and topic-wise tests — instant scoring and detailed analysis, no card required.
- Are CompTIA PenTest+ previous year question–style papers included?
- Every CompTIA PenTest+ mock is modelled on the official exam pattern and the style of previous years' papers — the same 85-question structure, sections and marking — so your practice mirrors the real paper you'll sit.
- Which is the best free CompTIA PenTest+ mock test online?
- Wrexa Edge's CompTIA PenTest+ mock test replicates the real exam interface, timing and marking scheme, with instant score, section-wise analysis and 50 fresh variants — a strong free choice for 2026 preparation.
- Can I take the CompTIA PenTest+ mock test on mobile?
- Yes. CompTIA PenTest+ mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the CompTIA PenTest+ syllabus?
- The CompTIA PenTest+ syllabus maps to its 1 section: PenTest+ (85 Q). Wrexa Edge's mock tests cover the complete syllabus topic by topic — see the topics-covered breakdown above — so you practise every area at real exam difficulty.
- What is the eligibility for CompTIA PenTest+?
- No required prerequisite; CompTIA recommends Network+ and Security+ (or equivalent) plus 3–4 years of hands-on penetration-testing/information-security experience. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic CompTIA PenTest+ practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
- When is the CompTIA PenTest+ exam and how should I prepare?
- Official CompTIA PenTest+ exam dates are announced by the conducting body for each cycle — check the latest notification for the current schedule. To be ready, follow a phased study plan and take full-length timed mocks; Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free CompTIA PenTest+ mocks with instant scoring so you can track your readiness week by week.
Related exams & practice tests
Candidates preparing for CompTIA PenTest+ also practise these on Wrexa Edge:
Browse more: All Tech & IT Certifications exams → · Full exam catalog →
Ready to ace CompTIA PenTest+?
Join thousands of candidates practising on Wrexa Edge. Free signup, 50 variants per exam, instant scoring.
Start practising free →