Boom, it is done! I just passed the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 today. In my Just Failed CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-001 post, I exclaimed: “I WILL PASS THE PENTEST+.” And I finally did it 3 years later, when it was time to renew all CE cycles.

I couldn’t wait to get home to make this post.

Unfortunately, I didn’t put in as much time as I originally planned, but the cumulative time was enough to learn and understand the pentesting concepts.

Study Materials Used

The primary areas of study came from Jason Dion’s courses:

1. CompTIA PenTest+ * 6 Practice Exams * Timed * 90 Questions Each * 540 Questions with feedback & full explanations
   • Scored in the range of 72% to 86% on all exams, taking 39 to 51 minutes per practice exam.
2. Pass the CompTIA Pentest+ (PT0-002) exam on your 1st attempt, including one full-length Pentest+ practice exam!
   • I 100% completed the course, downloaded the study notes and the exam objectives, and got 92% on the practice exam in 34 minutes, taken after the 6 practice exams in the separate practice exam course.

Additional Study Materials

This post was great for getting into the testing mindset: Pass CompTIA Pentest+ : Tips & Tricks | by Kaorrosi | Medium. I highly recommend you check it out.

There are some great tips, like the following:

• Understand what they are really asking.
• What is the relevant information? Are there keywords in this question?
• What are the indicators of attack type/ and or operating system/service, etc?
• There are no trick questions.
• And most importantly, ‘why’, not ‘what’.

Regaining Confidence

Taking the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-001 exam was a humbling experience. I was the “take the exam only once” guy every time!

Despite successfully passing several other certification exams, I was unprepared for the depth and breadth of knowledge required for the first exam. The parts that nailed me the most were some of the tools, coding, scripting, and the performance-based questions kicked my butt.

When I received my failing score, it was a significant blow to my confidence. I had never failed a certification exam before, and the experience left me questioning my abilities and knowledge in the cybersecurity space as a whole, let alone pentesting.

However, I refused to let this setback define me. I reflected on my preparation methods and identified areas I needed to improve. I realized that I had underestimated the practical aspects of the exam and hadn’t spent enough time hands-on with various penetration testing tools.

With renewed determination, I prepared for the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam. I focused on gaining more practical experience, working through practice tests, and deepening my understanding of the CompTIA PenTest+ exam objectives.

Study Tips

Here are some key areas to focus on when studying for the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam:

• Nmap and Network Scanning
  • Master Nmap switches and syntax.
  • Know common ports and protocols.
  • Understand how to interpret scan results.
• Vulnerability Assessment
  • Learn how to analyze vulnerability scan reports.
  • Understand common vulnerabilities and their implications.
  • Be familiar with popular vulnerability scanning tools.
• Exploitation Techniques
  • Study common exploit types and methods.
  • Know injections like the back of your hand.
  • Understand the Metasploit Framework.
  • Know how to exploit network, wireless, and application vulnerabilities.
• Scripting and Coding
  • Be comfortable reading and analyzing Python, Bash, and PowerShell code snippets.
  • Understand basic programming concepts like loops, conditionals, and data structures.
  • Review, troubleshoot, or reorder lines of code to create the snippet.
• Reporting and Communication
  • Know the components of a penetration testing report.
  • Understand how to communicate findings effectively.

Potential “Gotcha” Items

Here are some “gotcha” items to keep in mind when taking the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam:

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs)

• The exam starts with challenging PBQs, as with other CompTIA exams.
• It is recommended that you read through these questions first to engage your subconscious mind, then complete the multiple-choice questions before returning to the PBQs at the end.
• If you practiced enough and know them well, go ahead and knock them out with a smile.

Practice Time Management

• Practice time management to ensure you have enough time for all questions.
• You have 165 minutes to complete 85 questions, which means that by default, you need to be cruising along at just under 2 minutes a question.
• Practice exams are critical for developing the exam-taking mindset, entering problem-solving mode, and ensuring that you can complete the exam on time.

Practical Application

• Questions often require applying knowledge to real-world scenarios.
• Be prepared to analyze and interpret command lines, scan results, and code outputs.

Tool Knowledge

• Familiarize yourself with a wide range of penetration testing tools and what they do.
• Know the built-in tools for “living off the land.”
• Understand when and how to use specific tools in different scenarios.

Master Command Line Tools

• The PT0-002 exam places a strong emphasis on command-line tools. If you can’t read a terminal to find out what has happened, you will have a bad time on this exam.
• Practicing with tools like Nmap, Wireshark, and various penetration testing utilities within Kali Linux is imperative.

Legal and Compliance

• Be aware of legal and ethical considerations in penetration testing.
• Understand the importance of proper scoping and rules of engagement.

Post-Exploitation Activities

• Know how to perform lateral movement and maintain persistence.
• Understand anti-forensics techniques and their implications.

Prepare Effectively

1. As always, use CompTIA-sanctioned study materials and practice tests.
2. You can’t just read a book or listen to a lecture in the background. You must get hands-on experience through labs and practical exercises.
3. Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing information; otherwise, you risk missing similarly themed questions that are asked differently.
4. Maintain good time management.
5. If you haven’t looked at the exam objectives since you started studying, look again.

Remember, the PT0-002 exam is designed to test your practical skills and ability to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios. Focus on gaining hands-on experience and understanding the underlying concepts rather than just memorizing information.

Conclusion

If you failed the first PT0-001 exam, as I did, it’s essential to identify and focus on your weak areas. Review your previous exam results and notes to pinpoint topics that gave you trouble. Dedicate extra study time to these subjects and take practice exams.

The journey to rebuild my confidence was rewarding. I felt much more prepared and confident when I finally sat for the PT0-002 exam. The exam was still challenging, but my improved practical skills and deeper understanding of the concepts allowed me to tackle the questions with greater ease than before.

Although I have no plans to become a Pen Tester, I’m still happy to have this certification in my collection.

Remember, failing the PT0-001 doesn’t define your abilities. Use it as a learning experience to guide your preparation for the PT0-002. With dedicated study, hands-on practice, and a focus on your weak areas, you can improve your chances of success on your next attempt as well.

And be sure to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity trends, tools, and techniques through blogs, podcasts, and industry publications.

Have you passed the PenTest+ yet? If so, what do you think?