What awaits you on exam day is a majority of multiple-choice questions alongside a considerable number of performance-based questions (PBQs) that test your practical skills in penetration testing. These PBQs can be the most challenging aspect of the exam, requiring you to apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios. How should you approach them?
Look no further: this article provides the guidance you need. We begin with an introduction to PenTest+ PBQs, explaining their format, the topics they cover, and our best strategies for tackling them effectively. By the end of this article, you will gain valuable insights into succeeding in your PenTest+ exam.
Mastering each performance-based question quickly and accurately is crucial for earning your PenTest+ certification. Don’t forget to share this resource with a fellow student after reading it. Let’s dive in!
- Interactive Performance Based Questions
- What Are Performance-Based Questions?
- How Many Performance-Based Questions Can I Expect?
- How Are Performance-Based Questions Scored?
- What Do PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions Look Like?
- What Skills Are Tested in PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions?
- Sample PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions
- What Is the Best Way to Approach the PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Try These Interactive CompTIA PenTest+ Performance Based Questions
- What Are Performance-Based Questions?
- How Many Performance-Based Questions Can I Expect?
- How Are Performance-Based Questions Scored?
- What Do PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions Look Like?
- What Skills Are Tested in PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions?
- Sample PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions
- What Is the Best Way to Approach the PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Try These Interactive CompTIA PenTest+ Performance Based Questions
The following simulate the types of questions you will see on the PenTest+ exam. While these are not actual exam questions, they share the type of wording and structure common to CompTIA performance based questions. We have two questions per domain.
Domain 1: Engagement Management
Domain 2: Reconnaissance and Enumeration
Domain 3: Vulnerability Discovery and Analysis
Domain 4: Attacks and Exploits
Domain 5: Post-Exploitation and Lateral Movement
What Are Performance-Based Questions?
Most questions on the PenTest+ certification exam feature a mix of multiple-choice queries and performance-based questions (PBQs), which assess your hands-on skills in penetration testing.
A significant aspect of CompTIA certifications is this practical evaluation, designed to simulate real-world scenarios that cybersecurity professionals face. Excelling in these performance-based tasks demonstrates your technical competence and problem-solving abilities.
As a PenTest+ candidate, you will encounter simulated exercises (the PBQs) displayed on the computer during your exam. These scenarios allow you to apply your knowledge directly, showcasing your skills in configuring systems, exploring vulnerabilities, and conducting assessments. Such PBQs are called simulations (simulation PBQs).
Throughout the exam, you can revisit these PBQs at any time. If you wish to attempt the exercises again, you have the option to reset them, ensuring you can present your best.
Advanced CompTIA exams, such as those of SecurityX, contain a virtual environment in which you solve problems on the spot in a specified virtual machine (virtual PBQs). Unlike simulations, candidates cannot skip or reset them. They must solve them right there and then.
The good news for a PenTest+ candidate like you is that PenTest+ PBQs don’t consist of virtual PBQs, only simulation PBQs.
How Many Performance-Based Questions Can I Expect?
The PenTest+ exam consists of a maximum of 90 questions and has an allotted time of 165 minutes. While this may suggest an average of just under two questions per minute, keep in mind that performance-based questions (PBQs) require more in-depth thinking, so you’ll likely need to spend more time on them than on multiple-choice questions.
Expect to encounter between one and six PBQs at the beginning of the exam, with an average expectation of around three to six. PenTest+ PBQs take a rather long time to complete, and you’ll need to manage your time wisely during your practice tests because you won’t know which ones are more challenging until you see them.
How Are Performance-Based Questions Scored?
The PenTest+ exam lasts 165 minutes and features a maximum of 85 questions. Consequently, the more performance-based questions (PBQs) you encounter, the fewer multiple-choice questions you will have.
CompTIA maintains the confidentiality of exam questions and the scoring scheme. However, they acknowledge that multiple approaches exist for solving PBQs. Their scoring system accommodates different methods and may grant partial credit. Two or more correct solutions to a PBQ may exist, and any of them can earn you points.
There can be multiple ways to solve a question or challenge posed in a PBQ. Scoring addresses different possible approaches. Partial credit may be given to virtual PBQ, as it is for simulation PBQs.
— Performance-based Questions Explained, CompTIA
What Do PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions Look Like?
A performance-based question (PBQ) fills the screen, featuring instructions and navigation buttons. The next and previous buttons allow you to move between questions, while the reset button lets you return to the original configuration of a question if you need a fresh start.
In simulation PBQs encountered in the PenTest+ exam, you can opt to hide the instructions to view the entire layout and bring them back up when you need to recall the tasks required. Some PBQs may require you to press an additional Done, Save, or Submit button, so reading the instructions carefully is essential.
PBQs appear in various formats:
- Fill-in-the-Blank: These questions require you to input specific technical terms or configurations directly.
- Drag-and-Drop: In this format, you will move items, such as network components or security measures, into designated areas to match specific scenarios.
- Scenario/Performance-Based: These complex questions involve open dialog boxes or configuration windows where you must respond to real-world security challenges as instructed.
These versatile questions cover a range of cyber security topics and may include interactive elements like checkboxes, dropdown menus, and other dynamic features reflecting real-life scenarios.
A solid grasp of foundational knowledge is vital for quickly and accurately answering during the exam. Therefore, mastering key concepts in PenTest+ through diligent study and practice is essential for your success.
What Skills Are Tested in PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions?
CompTIA recommends candidates have three to four years of experience in a penetration testing role for this exam. The performance-based questions (PBQs) in the PenTest+ exam are for evaluating your practical skills as a penetration tester and ensure your expertise meets stringent industry standards, including:
- Planning, scoping, and performing information gathering as part of a penetration test.
- Performing attacks that are aligned with and fulfill legal and compliance requirements.
- Performing each phase of a penetration test using and modifying appropriate tools and using the proper tactics, techniques, and procedures.
- Analyzing the results of each phase of a penetration test to develop a written report, effectively communicate findings to stakeholders, and provide practical recommendations.
As you review your materials, focus on practical applications and ensure you solve numerous PBQs in practice tests to solidify your understanding. You must make it a priority to apply your knowledge practically as a PenTest+ candidate.
Sample PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions
As CompTIA keeps its exam questions confidential, the following sample PenTest+ performance-based questions (PBQs) are not actual exam questions but serve to illustrate what you can expect during your test. Familiarizing yourself with these examples will help reduce any surprises on exam day.
We’ll present various PBQ types you may encounter in the PenTest+ exam, ranging from basic troubleshooting scenarios to more intricate problem-solving tasks. The more familiar you become with these formats, the better equipped you’ll be to approach the exam with confidence.
Fill-In-The-Blank Question
A common format in PenTest+ PBQs, the fill-in-the-blank question requires you to input the correct information related to penetration testing methodologies. For instance, you may need to type out a SQL injection command.
Here’s a sample question that illustrates this format:
Answers
| 1. | nmap -sS -p 445,3389,5900 192.168.1.100 |
Port 445 supports Server Message Block (SMB) communication, enabling file and printer sharing in Windows systems. Port 3389 handles Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), allowing users to connect to and control remote Windows desktops. Port 5900 facilitates Virtual Network Computing (VNC), which lets users remotely access and share graphical desktop interfaces.
Drag-and-Drop Question
This format often tests your ability to arrange or match key concepts relevant to penetration testing tactics. For example, you might map hacking tools to phases in a penetration test. Here’s a hypothetical question illustrating this concept:
Answers
The correct mappings are:
- Reconnaissance:
- Maltego (for data mining and visualization)
- Scanning:
- Wireshark (for packet analysis)
- Exploitation:
- SQLMap (for SQL injection)
- Post-Exploitation:
- Netcat (for establishing reverse shells or data exfiltration)
Wrong answer as a distraction:
- Snort
In conclusion, if you understand your material well, you can excel in this question without difficulty.
Scenario Question
Scenario PBQs provide realistic contexts where you demonstrate your skills in addressing practical penetration testing challenges. A well-prepared PenTest+ candidate will see these questions as opportunities to apply knowledge effectively, such as identifying vulnerabilities or recommending specific security controls.
Answer
This command deletes the my_test_db table: '; DROP TABLE my_test_db; --
Accuracy is crucial; missing even a small detail can cost you valuable points. For example, if you miss the leading '; straight quote followed by the semicolon, you fail to close off the front part of the original SQL query, and if you miss the two hyphens --, you’d fail to comment out the remainder of the original SQL query, and your SQL injection would be unsuccessful.
Understanding various types of PBQs and preparing adequately will equip you with the confidence to navigate the PenTest+ exam successfully.
What Is the Best Way to Approach the PenTest+ Performance-Based Questions?
Performance-based questions (PBQs) appear first in the PenTest+ exam. Should you tackle them first or last? This decision depends on your individual test-taking style, underlining the importance of practice tests.
If your practice indicates you may struggle with timing on PBQs, it might be best to start with them. Conversely, if you perform well with multiple-choice questions and feel confident you can allocate enough time for the PBQs later, consider addressing those last.
If you encounter a mental block with a PBQ, use the “Mark Question” option to revisit it later. Remember that marking a question doesn’t mean you’ve answered it, so check all marked questions before time runs out.
Carefully reading instructions is crucial for answering correctly. If you make a mistake, you can reset the simulation, but you won’t recover lost time. Ultimately, the best strategy for handling PenTest+ PBQs hinges on your time management and personal comfort level.
Conclusion
While the PenTest+ exam presents its share of challenges, it remains an achievable goal for anyone willing to dedicate time and effort to their preparation. This article on CompTIA PenTest+ performance-based questions equips you with valuable insights, helping you to confidently pursue your PenTest+ Certification and further your career in cyber security.
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