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CS0-003
CS0-003 Exam Guide: Cost, Format and Study Plan
Direct answer: CS0-003 is the exam for CompTIA CySA+, a mid-level certification for security analysts. It has up to 85 questions in 165 minutes, and you need 750 on a 100-900 scale. Our voucher costs $224.99, and an 8-week plan at 8 to 10 hours a week suits most people who already know Security+ material.
CS0-003 is the exam you pass to earn CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst). It tests whether you can watch for threats, analyze data, manage vulnerabilities and respond to incidents. Our voucher for it costs $224.99, and most people with Security+ level knowledge can prepare in about eight weeks.
What CS0-003 proves and who should take it
CySA+ is a defender's certification. It shows you can read logs, interpret scan results, rank vulnerabilities and help handle an incident. It is not a pure theory test, and it is not a hacking exam.
It fits people in or heading toward these roles:
SOC analyst (tier 1 or tier 2)
Vulnerability analyst
Threat intelligence or incident response junior
IT admin moving into security
CompTIA commonly recommends Network+ and Security+ level knowledge, plus some hands-on security experience. These are recommendations, not hard requirements. If you want an offensive path instead, look at PT0-003 CompTIA PenTest+ or our Cybersecurity certifications page.
Exam format at a glance
Item | Detail |
|---|---|
Exam code | CS0-003 |
Certification | CompTIA CySA+ |
Questions | Up to 85 |
Question types | Multiple choice and performance-based |
Duration | 165 minutes |
Passing score | 750 on a scale of 100-900 |
Prerequisites | None required; Network+ and Security+ knowledge recommended |
Delivery | Proctored, at a test center or online |
Performance-based questions put you in a simulated task. You might read a log, pick a remediation step or sort scan findings. They usually appear early, and they take longer than multiple choice.
CompTIA can change exam versions over time. Read our CS0-003 retirement and CySA+ V4 article before you book, so your exam date fits the version timeline.
Skills measured and how to split your study time
The CS0-003 objectives are grouped into four domains. Use the weights to decide where your hours go.
Domain | Weight | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
Security Operations | 33% | Log and network analysis, threat intelligence, malware indicators, automation and scripting basics |
Vulnerability Management | 30% | Scanning, CVSS, prioritization, remediation and attack surface |
Incident Response and Management | 20% | Response phases, evidence handling, containment, recovery |
Reporting and Communication | 17% | Metrics, reports, stakeholder communication, process improvement |
Two domains make up 63% of the exam. Spend most of your time there. Do not skip the last domain, though. Its questions are often the easiest points to collect.
Cost, voucher delivery and refund terms
The voucher for CS0-003 is $224.99 (USD). One voucher covers one exam attempt. You can buy it here: CS0-003 CompTIA CySA+ voucher. Check the CompTIA site for the current list price, and our product page for the voucher expiry date.
Here is how our process works:
You pay, and the voucher code is emailed within 12 hours.
The code also appears in your account.
You redeem it with the test provider when you schedule the exam.
Refund rules are simple:
You can cancel for a full refund before the code is delivered.
A delivered code is non-refundable, unless the test provider rejects it as invalid, already used or expired on first use.
In that case, contact support within 14 days with your order number and a screenshot. The code is replaced or refunded.
Full terms are on the refund page and the delivery page.
An 8-week study plan with weekly hours
This plan assumes you know Security+ basics and can give 8 to 10 hours a week. Add two weeks if networking is new to you.
Week | Hours | Focus |
|---|---|---|
1 | 8 | Read the official objectives. Review networking, ports and common log sources |
2 | 9 | Security Operations: log analysis, SIEM concepts, indicators of compromise |
3 | 10 | Security Operations: threat intelligence, malware analysis basics, scripting reads |
4 | 10 | Vulnerability Management: scanners, CVSS, prioritization |
5 | 9 | Vulnerability Management: remediation, compensating controls, attack surface |
6 | 9 | Incident Response: phases, containment, evidence, playbooks |
7 | 8 | Reporting and Communication, then a full practice exam |
8 | 8 | Fix weak domains, redo performance-based practice, rest the day before |
A simple rule helps: after each study block, write three things you could now do at work. If you cannot, repeat the block with a lab instead of more reading.
Practice a real task: triage a log and score a vulnerability
The exam rewards people who have touched real data. Try this short lab in a Linux VM.
First, find the noisiest source of failed SSH logins:
grep "Failed password" /var/log/auth.log | awk '{print $(NF-3)}' | sort | uniq -c | sort -rn | headThe output shows a count and an IP address. If one address has hundreds of failures, that points to brute-force activity. Your next steps would be to check for any later Accepted password line from the same IP, then block it and report it.
Next, scan a lab host you own:
nmap -sV -p 1-1024 192.168.56.10Note each open service and version. Look up one version and read its CVSS base score. Then decide: is the host internet-facing, and does it hold sensitive data? A medium score on an exposed server can outrank a high score on an isolated test box. The exam tests this kind of context-based prioritization.
Common mistakes to avoid
Memorizing dumps instead of learning tools. Performance-based items need understanding, not recall.
Ignoring weights. Studying Reporting for ten hours while Vulnerability Management stays weak costs points.
Reading CVSS scores in isolation. Context, exposure and exploitability matter.
Spending too long on early simulations. Flag them, answer the quick items, and return.
Booking before checking the version. Confirm the exam code on your voucher and test provider match.
Skipping scripting reads. You do not need to write code, but you should read short Python, Bash and PowerShell snippets.
After you pass: renewal and next steps
CompTIA certifications are generally valid for three years and are renewed through continuing education units or by passing a higher exam. Confirm your exact renewal terms in your CompTIA account after you pass.
Common next steps include CAS-005 CompTIA SecurityX for advanced practitioners or PenTest+ for a more offensive focus. Add a short line to your resume that names the skills you used in labs, not only the certification.
Ready to book? Get your CS0-003 voucher and start your first study week today.
Sources
Questions about this topic
Is CySA+ harder than Security+?
Most people find it harder because it is more applied. You analyze logs, scan output and scenarios instead of recalling definitions. If you passed Security+ and have some hands-on time, the step up is manageable with focused study.
Can I take CS0-003 without any work experience?
Yes, there is no required prerequisite. CompTIA recommends security experience, so beginners should add extra lab time. Plan for ten weeks instead of eight if you are new to networking and logs.
How many hours should I study in total?
A common target is 70 to 90 hours for someone with Security+ knowledge. Spread them over about eight weeks. Add hours if you have no experience with logs, scanners or scripting.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You would need a new voucher to retake it, since one voucher covers one attempt. Review your score report to see which domains were weakest. Then target those areas before you book again.
Do I need to write code for CS0-003?
No, but you should be able to read short scripts and understand what they do. Practice with simple Bash, Python and PowerShell examples. Focus on spotting suspicious commands and automation logic.
