The short version
The CS0-004 exam has a maximum of 85 questions and lasts 165 minutes. Questions are multiple-choice and performance-based. You pass with 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. It is built to be completed in one sitting, with no scheduled breaks.
The numbers in one table
| Item | What CompTIA says |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | Maximum of 85 |
| Question types | Multiple-choice and performance-based |
| Time | 165 minutes |
| Passing score | 750 on a scale of 100 to 900 |
| Language | English; French, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese are listed as coming soon |
| Breaks | None scheduled; the exam is designed for a single session |
| Launch | June 23, 2026 |
“Maximum of 85” means you may see fewer. CompTIA does not say how many you will get, so plan your pace for 85. At that count, 165 minutes works out to a little under two minutes per question on average, and that average hides a trade-off: performance-based items take longer than multiple-choice ones.
Question types
Multiple-choice. A short scenario, a log line, or a direct question with a set of options. Some ask for one answer and some ask for more than one, and the wording tells you how many (“choose two”). Read that instruction first, every time.
Performance-based. CompTIA lists these as a question type. They ask you to do a task rather than pick from a list, for example working through data or a simulated environment. The pages we checked do not detail the exact formats, so rely on the objectives for what could be tested. Tools and file formats named in the objectives, such as Nmap, Wireshark, YARA, regular expressions, JSON, and PowerShell, are a good hint about the skills involved.
A practical habit: if a performance-based item looks long, flag it, answer the quick ones, and come back. You can spend time on it later without losing easy points.
How scoring works
Your result is a scaled score from 100 to 900, and 750 is the pass mark. A scaled score is not a percentage, so do not convert it to “83 percent” or any similar figure. CompTIA’s testing policies add that passing scores are based on statistical analysis and can change, and that CompTIA does not publish passing rates. Treat 750 as the target on the objectives you are studying today, and check the CompTIA page when you book.
At the end of the exam you receive a score report. CompTIA’s policies also say that a score can be classified as indeterminate and then is not valid for certification, which is a rare case tied to exam security rather than to how you studied.
Delivery
CompTIA exams are scheduled through Pearson VUE. You can take them at a test center or, where available, with online proctoring from home or an office. For online exams you need your own computer and a personal internet connection, and CompTIA’s candidate agreement says you must test in the country where you live. Online candidates are recorded through the webcam during the session. Confirm the options for your country when you book, and read the ID policy beforehand because the requirements are on a separate CompTIA page.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, the rules differ by delivery type: at a test center, at least one full business day (24 hours) before the appointment; for online exams, up until the scheduled start time. Late changes or no-shows can cost you the exam fee.
Retakes
Here is how CompTIA’s candidate agreement describes it:
- There is no waiting period between your first and second attempt.
- Before a third or later attempt, you must wait at least 14 calendar days from your last attempt.
- You must pay the exam price each time you attempt the exam.
- If you pass, you cannot take the same exam code again without CompTIA’s consent. You would wait for a new version.
A failed attempt gives you a score report, which is useful. Use it to find your weakest domains before you book again, and do not retake the day after unless you can explain what you will change.
Renewal
CySA+ lasts three years. CompTIA’s continuing education program lists 60 continuing education units for CySA+, and a lapsed certification must be earned again by passing the exam. Details change, so use CompTIA’s renewal pages as the authority.
More guides for CS0-004
- CS0-004 Domains Explained With Weightings
- CS0-004 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the CS0-004 Exam Hard?
- CS0-004 Prerequisites and Experience
- CS0-004 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is CS0-004 Worth It? An Honest Look
- CS0-004 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- SY0-801 vs CS0-004: Which Exam First?
Next step
Now that you know the shape of the exam, the study plan turns it into a schedule. To practice under timed conditions, try our CS0-004 practice tests. Their format is our own, so treat them as training for knowledge and pacing, not as a replica of the real thing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use notes or the internet during the exam?
No. The exam is proctored, and the pages we checked describe a monitored session. Read CompTIA’s candidate policies before test day for what is allowed.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
The pages we checked do not describe a penalty. Treat every question as worth answering.
Are there breaks?
CompTIA says the exams are structured to be completed in a single session without any scheduled breaks.