Nmap Practice Test

The Nmap Practice Test is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests practical Nmap knowledge for authorised network assessment — host discovery, port scan types and port states, service, version and OS detection, the Nmap Scripting Engine, timing and performance, and reading output — written to the official Nmap Reference Guide, Nmap Network Scanning by Gordon Lyon and NIST SP 800-115 for 2026. Scan only networks you own or have written permission to test. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable Nmap Proficiency certificate (SOA-NY). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Nmap Reference Guide (Nmap Project), SP 800-115: Technical guide to information security testing (NIST), Nmap Reference Guide (Nmap Project) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Science of Apps offers a free Nmap Practice Test, updated for 2026 and 2027. It measures host discovery and targets, port scanning, service, OS and NSE and timing, output and defence and gives instant results with a shareable certificate.

Read the four skill areas on this page, then take the 20-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a Nmap Proficiency certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: Nmap Reference Guide (Nmap Project); SP 800-115: Technical guide to information security testing (NIST); Nmap Reference Guide (Nmap Project). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

Four skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Host Discovery and Targets (Ping scans, Target specification and Discovery options); Port Scanning (Scan types, Port states and Port selection); Service, OS and NSE (Version detection, OS detection and Scripting engine); Timing, Output and Defence (Performance, Output formats and Detection). Every question is an original scenario written to the 2026–2027 standard, with the published source named under it.

Network or security administrator, SOC or vulnerability analyst, Penetration tester on authorised engagements, Systems engineer auditing exposure and Cybersecurity student. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Nmap knowledge in 2026 and 2027, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

No. The Nmap project does not run a certification. Nmap skills are tested inside broader exams such as CompTIA PenTest+, CompTIA Security+, CEH and OSCP, and this practice test checks that practical knowledge against the official Nmap Reference Guide.

Scanning networks you own or have written authorisation to test is standard practice. Scanning other people's systems without permission may breach computer misuse laws and service terms, so always agree scope and rules of engagement first, as NIST SP 800-115 recommends.

Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.

20 questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — with a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

We rate it Intermediate: assumes hands-on experience in the role. It has 20 scenario questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — and a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.

On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.

You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.

No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.

Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.

Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.

No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.