- A
Exploiting a SQL injection vulnerability in the finance web app
Why wrong: This is a web application attack, not social engineering.
- B
Making pretext phone calls (vishing) to obtain sensitive information
Correct. Vishing is a social engineering technique.
- C
Attempting to tailgate into the finance office
Correct. Tailgating is a physical social engineering attack.
- D
Sending phishing emails to finance employees
Correct. Phishing is a common social engineering attack.
- E
Performing a vulnerability scan on the finance network
Why wrong: Vulnerability scanning is a technical test, not social engineering.
Question 724 of 1,000
PT0-002 Planning and Scoping Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of planning and scoping. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 penetration tester is conducting a social engineering engagement targeting the finance department. Which THREE of the following actions are most appropriate to include in the scope of the engagement?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Making pretext phone calls (vishing) to obtain sensitive information
Social engineering can include phishing, vishing, and USB drops. Physical tailgating may be included but requires careful planning; however, it is often in scope. The question asks for three appropriate actions. Common social engineering vectors: phishing, vishing, and physical intrusion (tailgating). USB drops are also common. But we need three. The best three: phishing, vishing, and tailgating. USB drops are also valid but tailgating is more direct. I'll include phishing, vishing, and tailgating. Explanation: These are typical social engineering techniques.
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.
- ✗
Exploiting a SQL injection vulnerability in the finance web app
Why it's wrong here
This is a web application attack, not social engineering.
- ✓
Making pretext phone calls (vishing) to obtain sensitive information
Why this is correct
Correct. Vishing is a social engineering technique.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Attempting to tailgate into the finance office
Why this is correct
Correct. Tailgating is a physical social engineering attack.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Sending phishing emails to finance employees
Why this is correct
Correct. Phishing is a common social engineering attack.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Performing a vulnerability scan on the finance network
Why it's wrong here
Vulnerability scanning is a technical test, not social engineering.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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
An employee at a financial services firm receives an email that appears to come from the IT helpdesk, asking them to reset their password via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake portal that harvests credentials. Security teams use phishing simulations and security-awareness training to reduce this attack vector. Questions like this test whether you can identify social engineering techniques and appropriate controls.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PT0-002 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Planning and Scoping — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Planning and Scoping practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
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: Making pretext phone calls (vishing) to obtain sensitive information — Social engineering can include phishing, vishing, and USB drops. Physical tailgating may be included but requires careful planning; however, it is often in scope. The question asks for three appropriate actions. Common social engineering vectors: phishing, vishing, and physical intrusion (tailgating). USB drops are also common. But we need three. The best three: phishing, vishing, and tailgating. USB drops are also valid but tailgating is more direct. I'll include phishing, vishing, and tailgating. Explanation: These are typical social engineering techniques.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?
Identify which PT0-002 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PT0-002 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PT0-002 exam.
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