CySA+ Passing Score: 750 out of 900 (CS0-003) Explained

The CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003) passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. That is a scaled score, not a percentage, and CompTIA doesn't publish how many questions you need right. Security+ and PenTest+ use the same 750 line. CS0-003 is also the retiring version: CS0-004 launched on June 23, 2026 with the same 750 pass line, and the English CS0-003 exam retires on December 22, 2026 ^[1]. Here's how the score works, how the four CS0-003 domains are weighted, and how to tell you're ready.

How Is the CySA+ Exam Scored?

CompTIA scores CySA+ on a scaled scoring system from 100 to 900. In its own words, an algorithm turns your performance into a scaled score "derived from what would otherwise be a percentage score," and each exam's passing score is set through statistical analysis ^[2]. It doesn't say how the performance-based questions (PBQs), where you interpret logs, read a vulnerability scan or work an incident-response scenario, are weighted against multiple choice.

Is 750 out of 900 a percentage?

No. 750 is a point on a scale that starts at 100, and CompTIA doesn't publish the conversion, so dividing 750 by 900 tells you nothing about how many questions you got right. CompTIA also doesn't disclose the number of questions needed to pass ^[2]. Don't aim for a raw cutoff. Build a margin.

100900

750 to pass

CySA+ CS0-003 Domain Weights

CS0-003 has four domains, and they are front-loaded toward analyst operations. Security Operations and Vulnerability Management alone are 63% of the exam:

If your study time is tight, front-load domains 1 and 2. For the full sub-objective checklist and study order, see the CySA+ CS0-003 exam objectives.

How Many Questions Can You Miss?

CompTIA doesn't disclose it ^[2]. The miss counts quoted online treat 750 out of 900 as a percentage, which it isn't, and your exam can have fewer than 85 questions. PBQ weighting isn't published either, so one botched multi-step PBQ may cost more than a single multiple-choice miss. Skip the miss budget and use the readiness checklist below instead.

How to Know You're Ready

Run through this checklist before you book CS0-003:

1. Score 85%+ on at least 3 full-length practice exams — consistency beats a single lucky run.
2. No domain below 75% — one weak domain can sink an otherwise-strong average.
3. You can interpret a scan and a log — the heart of CySA+ is analysis. Practice reading real output, not just picking terms.
4. PBQ comfort — you've worked through scenario questions under time pressure.
5. Timed conditions — you've completed a full exam inside the 165-minute window.

SecuSpark has 1,785 CySA+ practice questions (3 full exams free to start), and premium AI deep dives explain why each answer is right or wrong so you learn from every miss. Practice on the CySA+ practice test.

Two things are worth doing before you book. First, try the format cold in the free PBQ simulator — the scenarios are Security+ ones, but it gets you used to log analysis, matching and ordering tasks against a clock, and the time pressure is what catches people out. Second, price the whole attempt before you commit: the CompTIA exam cost breakdown has current voucher pricing — CySA+ sits in the $439 tier, and a retake costs the same again.

CySA+ Passing Score vs Other CompTIA Exams

CySA+ shares the 750 line with Security+ and PenTest+ ^[3]. All of these sit on the same 100-900 scale, but none of them is a percentage, and a shared number doesn't mean the exams are equally hard. If you're deciding between them, read Security+ vs CySA+ vs CISSP.

References

1. CompTIA. "CySA+ V3 (Retiring Version)" and "CySA+ V4" exam details. CS0-003: maximum of 85 questions, 165 minutes, passing score 750 on a scale of 100-900, English exam retiring December 22, 2026. CS0-004: launched June 23, 2026, maximum of 85 questions, 165 minutes, passing score 750 on a scale of 100 to 900. Accessed September 25, 2026.
2. CompTIA Help Center. "How Are CompTIA Exams Scored?" help.comptia.org. Scaled scoring; passing scores set through statistical analysis; the number of questions required to pass is not disclosed. Accessed September 25, 2026.
3. CompTIA exam pages for A+ Core 1, A+ Core 2, Network+, Security+ and PenTest+. Passing scores 675, 700, 720, 750 and 750. Accessed September 25, 2026.