The correct answer is to scope only the test server and the mobile application client. This is because a penetration test for an application still in development must isolate the assessment to the components under active construction, excluding the corporate VPN infrastructure and any production systems that are not yet live. The test server hosts the backend logic and APIs, while the mobile client represents the user-facing attack surface; together they form the complete attack surface for the application’s security posture during development. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this question tests your ability to define a precise scope boundary when scoping a mobile app in development pen test, a common scenario where testers mistakenly include network infrastructure or production dependencies. A frequent trap is assuming the VPN must be tested because it provides access, but the scope should only cover the application’s own components. Remember the memory tip: “App and server, not the network lever.”
PT0-002 Planning and Scoping Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of planning and scoping. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A client requests a penetration test of a new mobile application that is still in development and only accessible on a test server behind the corporate VPN. The tester should include which of the following in the scope?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Only the test server and the mobile application client
Option B is correct because the scope of a penetration test for an application still in development should be limited to the test server and the mobile application client. This ensures the assessment focuses on the application's security posture without including production systems that are not yet live or the corporate VPN infrastructure, which is typically out of scope unless explicitly requested. The tester should only evaluate the components directly relevant to the application's functionality and security during development.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The production servers hosting the app when it goes live
Why it's wrong here
Production servers are not yet live and should not be included in the scope.
✓
Only the test server and the mobile application client
Why this is correct
These are the actual targets of the test and should be scoped.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The corporate VPN infrastructure
Why it's wrong here
The VPN is a means of access, not a target unless the client wants it tested separately.
✗
All third-party APIs used by the application
Why it's wrong here
Third-party APIs are likely out of scope without explicit permission.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may mistakenly include the corporate VPN infrastructure or production servers, thinking they are necessary for a comprehensive test, but the scope must be strictly limited to the components specified by the client to avoid unauthorized testing and scope creep.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In a penetration test, the scope defines the boundaries of systems and assets that can be tested, often documented in a rules of engagement (RoE) document. For a mobile application in development, the test server typically runs a staging environment with a backend API (e.g., RESTful endpoints over HTTPS) and the client app (e.g., Android APK or iOS IPA). Testing the VPN infrastructure would involve network-level attacks (e.g., IPSec or SSL/TLS VPN vulnerabilities), which are irrelevant to the application's security and could disrupt corporate connectivity.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PT0-002 question in full detail.
Planning and Scoping — This question tests Planning and Scoping — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Only the test server and the mobile application client — Option B is correct because the scope of a penetration test for an application still in development should be limited to the test server and the mobile application client. This ensures the assessment focuses on the application's security posture without including production systems that are not yet live or the corporate VPN infrastructure, which is typically out of scope unless explicitly requested. The tester should only evaluate the components directly relevant to the application's functionality and security during development.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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