PNPT Practice Test

The PNPT Practice Test is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests the knowledge behind the TCM Security Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) — engagement planning and OSINT, network and web assessment concepts, Active Directory attack techniques and their defences, and post-exploitation, pivoting and professional reporting — written to the PNPT exam description, MITRE ATT&CK, NIST SP 800-115 and Microsoft hardening guidance for 2026. Covers concepts, detection and defence only; no working exploit steps. Only test systems you are authorised to assess. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable PNPT Readiness certificate (SOA-PNPT). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), SP 800-115: Technical guide to information security testing (NIST), MITRE ATT&CK (MITRE) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Yes. Science of Apps has a free PNPT Practice Test built on the current TCM Security exam outline for 2026 and 2027. It covers engagement planning and OSINT, network and web assessment concepts, active directory attacks and defences and post-exploitation, pivoting and reporting, scores you instantly and issues a verifiable 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 PNPT Readiness 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: Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES); SP 800-115: Technical guide to information security testing (NIST); MITRE ATT&CK (MITRE); SQL Injection (OWASP); LLMNR/NBT-NS Poisoning and SMB Relay (T1557.001) (MITRE ATT&CK); Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets: Kerberoasting (T1558.003) (MITRE ATT&CK). 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: Engagement Planning and OSINT (Scope and rules, Passive reconnaissance and Active scanning); Network and Web Assessment Concepts (Vulnerability assessment, Web weaknesses and Password security); Active Directory Attacks and Defences (Credential capture, Kerberos attacks and Hardening); Post-Exploitation, Pivoting and Reporting (Pivoting, Persistence and cleanup and Reporting). Every question is an original scenario written to the 2026–2027 standard, with the published source named under it.

Junior penetration tester, SOC or blue team analyst, System administrator hardening Active Directory, Security consultant and Student preparing for practical security exams. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show PNPT knowledge in 2026 and 2027, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

The PNPT from TCM Security is a practical exam: candidates get several days to carry out an external and internal network penetration test, including compromising an Active Directory environment, then write a professional report and present a live debrief. Check TCM Security's site for the current timings.

No. The PNPT is hands-on, so you need lab practice in an authorised environment. This test checks the concepts behind it — reconnaissance, common Active Directory weaknesses and how to fix them, and how to report findings — so you understand why each step matters.

No. It is an independent practice test written to the publicly available PNPT content outline for 2026 and 2027, for checking your readiness before you book the real exam. Passing earns a Science of Apps certificate rather than the official credential.

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.