Is the CompTIA PenTest+ Worth It?

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Is the CompTIA PenTest+ Worth It?- The PenTest+ certification is a good entry-level penetration testing certification that is easier to obtain than other pen testing certifications, such as the OSCP. It is a good entry-level penetration testing certification that is easier to obtain than other pen testing certifications, such as the OSCP.

Let’s get into the specifics of the PenTest+ so you can make an informed decision about whether or not you should pursue this CompTIA certification.

What is the CompTIA PenTest+?

The CompTIA PenTest+ is a brand-new certification from CompTIA that focuses on the cybersecurity discipline of penetration testing. PenTest+ is designed to cover all components and phases of a professional penetration test, according to CompTIA, including planning, scoping, and reporting.

The PenTest+ is a more harder exam than the CompTIA Security+, and it comes after Security+ in the recommended certification route, along with the CySA+, which is comparable but focuses on a cybersecurity analyst’s defensive posture rather than a penetration tester’s offensive strategy. Both the PenTest+ and the CySA+ are regarded pre-cursors to the CompTIA CASP+, which is considerably more advanced.

CompTIA PenTest+ Exam Details

Number of QuestionsUp to 85
Question TypeMultiple Choice and PDQ
Test Length165 Minutes
ScoringMinimum 750 out of 900
Recommended ExperienceNetwork+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge.  Minimum 3 years of information security experience.
Required PrerequisiteNone
Suggested PrerequisiteCompTIA Security+ and 2 – 3 years of experience.

Key skill areas of the CompTIA PenTest+

Planning and Scoping
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Identification
Attacks and Exp[loits
Pen Testing Tools
Reporting and Communication

Who Should Consider the CompTIA PenTest+?

CompTIA’s PenTest+ is designed for penetration testers and professionals who work in defensive cybersecurity roles, such as network security operations or vulnerability assessment. This can refer to a wide range of jobs, although it usually refers to security posts at the intermediate or higher levels.

Should You Consider The CompTIA PenTest+?

If you’re in one of the following circumstances, you should probably consider the PenTest+:

If you’re a junior or aspiring penetration tester, the CompTIA PenTest+ can help you find new prospects. You also lack the knowledge required to sit for more complex pen testing certifications, such as the OSCP.

You are a seasoned penetration tester who can complete the PenTest+ with little effort.

You’re interested in penetration testing and need to renew your Security+ and/or Network+ certifications.

You work in defensive cybersecurity and believe you need to learn more about the adversary’s security strategy.

What experience is required to sit for the CompTIA PenTest+?

CompTIA does not require any prior experience or certification to take the PenTest+ exam, however they do recommend that test takers have Security+ or related experience as well as three to four years of information security experience.

What is the cost of the CompTIA PenTest+?

The CompTIA PenTest+ is now $349, however there are frequently various rates and discounts available through CompTIA or other training providers. In many circumstances, there are other packages available, which may include an exam retake and training. Make sure to take some time to look around.

What is the DoD compliance of the CompTIA PenTest+?

Although the PenTest+ does not fulfil the Department of Defense’s 8570 baseline certification, it does comply with the ISO 17024 standard.

How long will it take to prepare for the CompTIA PenTest+?

If you’re new to penetration testing, and especially if you’re new to cybersecurity in general, you’ll need to put in at least a few months of study time to get the PenTest+ certification. Even seasoned cybersecurity specialists who do not engage directly in penetration testing may require a significant amount of time to prepare.

Is the CompTIA PenTest+ hard?

The exam’s difficulty is one of the most often asked questions concerning the PenTest+.

Is the CompTIA PenTest+ difficult? The PenTest+ is a difficult exam for most entry-level to intermediate-level cybersecurity workers, but it is doable with adequate preparation. With only a few hours of study, highly experienced penetration testers should be able to pass the CompTIA PenTest+.

What certifications are comparable to the CompTIA PenTest+?

The well-known Certified Ethical Hacker, or CEH, is one of the most comparable qualifications to the CompTIA PenTest+. The CEH is a four-hour exam, which is longer than the PenTest+, but it is all multiple-choice, which some test takers may find simpler. Our comparison of the PenTest+ and the CEH may be found here.

How well known is the CompTIA PenTest+?

Because the CompTIA PenTest+ is a relatively new certification, it is not as widely recognised as other penetration testing certificates or other CompTIA credentials. As more hiring managers see applicants who have earned the PenTest+, this will change over time.

What should you expect on the CompTIA PenTest+ exam?

When taking the PenTest+, you may expect the exam to begin with a series of PBQs, or performance-based questions, that will provide you a scenario and some tools to conduct a section of a penetration test. Because the PenTest+ is vendor-neutral, these questions are frequently very broad.

The rest of the exam will primarily consist of multiple-choice or multiple-answer questions in which you will be asked to explain your strategy or approach. In addition to measuring your rote knowledge, CompTIA and other testing organisations utilise terminology like “which response is best” or “which should you complete first.” Test takers who have already attempted the Security+ should expect a far more demanding line of questioning on the PenTest+.

How long is the CompTIA PenTest+ good for?

The PenTest+, like most CompTIA certifications, is valid for three years from the date of purchase, however it can be renewed with CEUs or by achieving the more advanced CASP+.

Which positions would benefit from the CompTIA PenTest+?

The following positions, according to CompTIA, might benefit from earning the PenTest+:

  • Penetration Tester
  • Vulnerability Tester
  • Security Analyst (II)
  • Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
  • Network Security Operations
  • Application Security Vulnerability

Our Recommendations

Consider taking the PenTest+ to keep your Security+ certification current.

PenTest+ may be the greatest entry-level certification option for aspiring penetration testers, so think about it if you’re thinking about pursuing that career path.

Remember that the PenTest+ is more difficult than the Security+, so plan accordingly.

When choosing your first or next penetration testing certification, compare the PenTest+ to the equivalent CEH.

Jennifer Thomas
Jennifer Thomas is the Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Cybers Guards. Prior to that, She was responsible for leading its Cyber Security Practice and Cyber Security Operations Center, which provided managed security services.