What it takes to pass CySA+
The published passing score for CS0-003, what kind of number it is, and what happens if you miss it.
A scaled 750 is not 75 percent
CS0-003 reports results on a scale from 100 to 900, and 750 is the line on that scale, not a percentage of questions. CompTIA converts your raw performance to the scale with a model it does not publish, which weights questions by difficulty. Two candidates can answer the same number of questions correctly and land on different scaled scores.
That has one practical consequence: nobody outside CompTIA can tell you exactly how many questions you can miss. Any site that gives you a precise miss budget is guessing. What you can do is practice against the same cut score: our CySA+ practice exams score on the published 750 line, so a practice result reads the same way the real one will.
The exam, in numbers
- QuestionsMaximum of 85
- Time limit165 minutes
- FormatMultiple choice and performance-based
- Exam fee$425 USD
Figures from the official exam page. CompTIA exam page ↗
If you miss it
A retake costs another $425, which is why sitting practice exams until you clear the line consistently is the cheapest part of preparing.
Know before you book
The candidates who pass on the first attempt treat the cut score as a rehearsal target, not a day-of surprise. Sit a full-length CySA+ practice exam under the real time limit, scored against the published line, and book the real exam when you clear it consistently rather than once.
Keep reading
CySA+ practice questions
Free sample questions with the full explanation on every answer.
CySA+ exam objectives
The full official blueprint with domain weightings.
How hard is CySA+?
An honest difficulty read from the format, the clock and the weights.
Practise CySA+ for free while you decide
Original questions written from the published objectives, with the concept, the reasoning, and a note on every wrong option. No account needed to start.
Start free CySA+ questions