The CompTIA PT0-001 also known as the PenTest+ certification exam is suitable for professionals skilled in performing cybersecurity actions who want to consolidate their knowledge of vulnerability management and penetration testing.

Target Audience

The professionals who decide to follow the certification process for the CompTIA PT0-001 exam usually work as penetration and vulnerability testers. Also, this test can bring lots of benefits to security analysts, network security operations experts, vulnerability assessment analysts, as well as application security vulnerability professionals. The individuals who are interested in taking this exam should be ready to demonstrate their knowledge of the most updated information on penetration testing. They should also be experienced in vulnerability assessment and gain the necessary competence for protecting the company’s network against any potential threats.

Exam Overview

The CompTIA PT0-001 exam can be scheduled in one of the available Pearson VUE testing centers and includes different types of inquiries. Therefore, the candidates who decide to register for this exam will need to find the correct answer in multiple-choice and performance-based questions to prove that they have the proper ability to deliver the tasks correctly. The maximum number of questions that they will receive in the CompTIA PT0-001 test is 85, and one will have to complete all of them within a time limit of 165 minutes. The pass status is given to those candidates who manage to get at least 750 points out of 900. Additionally, the candidates can take this test in English or Japanese languages.

The vendor recommends candidates to have the Network+ or Security+ certification, but this is not a strict requirement. Possessing such a certificate ensures you have a certain knowledge base that will help you get the PenTest+ accreditation easier. Besides, they should also have between 3 to 4 years of practical experience in network security or a related domain. It’s also important to mention that the exam will be retired in April 2022. The registration process should be completed on the Pearson VUE platform. Finally, the applicants will also need to confirm the payment of the enrollment fee, which is $370.

Topics Tested in CompTIA PT0-001 Exam

The professionals who enroll in the CompTIA PT0-001 exam should demonstrate that they developed the following set of skills:

• Understanding the key aspects of assessments based on compliance and the importance of planning
• Becoming skilled in handling different types of penetration testing tools such as Python, Rubi, Bash, or PowerShell
• Learning how to gather relevant information and perform a complete scan on vulnerabilities and potential threats
• Exploiting wireless infrastructure, network components, and vulnerabilities based on RF particularities, as well as identifying security attacks and performing different techniques post-exploitation
• Using best practices and report writing components to identify mitigation strategies and apply them for identified vulnerabilities.

Preparation Materials for CompTIA PT0-001 Exam

Any applicant who wants to pass the CompTIA PT0-001 exam from the first attempt should focus on training to develop the tested competencies. You can enroll in the available courses online, buy study guides and other preparation materials available on Amazon and the vendor’s site. Below, you can find some examples:

• CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-001 Certification Study Guide

  This is an official preparation material developed by CompTIA for the candidates who want to pass the PT0-001 exam. One can buy this book either in eBook or paperback format. Its price is $169 for the printed version and $159 for the virtual format. The study guide follows the exam’s syllabus and helps the test-takers to learn how to develop and plan penetration tests. Also, they will consolidate their knowledge on conducting passive and active reconnaissance activities as well as learn how to penetrate networks Additionally, the professionals will become skilled at performing non-technical tests that will help them gather information and develop a vulnerabilities analysis. Besides, they will also learn how to report and analyze the results extraction from the penetration tests they perform.

• CompTIA PenTest+ Study Guide: Exam PT0-001 by Mike Chapple and David Seidl

  This preparation material is available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats. The book follows the PT0-001 exam’s objectives in a detailed manner and offers the candidates comprehensive information on cybersecurity topics. Thus, it helps them to consolidate their competencies in this domain. Also, it offers access to Sybex online learning platform, so the candidates can continue their preparation process anytime and from any location with the help of a searchable glossary and electronic flashcards. The book includes practice questions that will help you get used to the exam’s structure and understand what’s expected from your side. Therefore, when you take the real test, you won’t have any surprises and have higher chances to pass it from the first try.

• CompTIA PenTest+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide (Exam PT0-001) by Raymond Nutting

  This PenTest+ exam study guide can be purchased on Amazon at different formats and prices, including the Kindle version and paperback format. The candidates who use this self-study material will learn how to perform network enumeration, scanning as well as preventing network-based, RF, and wireless attacks. Additionally, the candidates who go through this book will better understand how to write a pen test report, perform physical penetration testing, and prevent attacks on local operating systems. Apart from getting detailed theoretical information, the candidates will also have access to an interactive database of questions. Besides, the applicants will be able to use a test engine that offers access to practice exams, and personalized quizzes that follow each chapter included in the test’s syllabus. In addition, they can download the files available in the virtual machine and use the references and penetration testing appendix to consolidate their competencies.

Conclusion

Getting the passing score in the CompTIA PT0-001 exam from the first try is possible for those candidates who take training seriously and use diverse study materials. They should start with evaluating the test’s syllabus to understand what’s expected from their side. Once they get a clear view of the exam’s objectives, the candidates should use diverse self-study materials available on Amazon or the vendor’s site.