- A
Assume the API is secure because it is a well-known provider
Why wrong: Assumptions about security are dangerous.
- B
Test only the client's code and ignore the API entirely
Why wrong: Ignoring the API may miss vulnerabilities, but it's not a scoping consideration.
- C
Obtain written permission from the third-party provider before testing
Permission is required to avoid legal issues.
- D
Include the API in scope without permission because it is critical to the application
Why wrong: Including without permission is against best practices.
- E
Document the API as out-of-scope if permission is not granted
Out-of-scope services should be clearly documented.
Question 155 of 1,000
PT0-002 Planning and Scoping Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of planning and scoping. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 scoping a web application penetration test. The client wants to include a third-party API that processes payments. Which TWO are appropriate considerations?
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
✓
Obtain written permission from the third-party provider before testing
Option C is correct because testing a third-party API without explicit written permission violates legal and ethical boundaries, potentially constituting unauthorized access under laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). Penetration testers must obtain explicit authorization from the API provider to avoid liability and ensure the test is conducted within agreed-upon boundaries.
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.
- ✗
Assume the API is secure because it is a well-known provider
Why it's wrong here
Assumptions about security are dangerous.
- ✗
Test only the client's code and ignore the API entirely
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring the API may miss vulnerabilities, but it's not a scoping consideration.
- ✓
Obtain written permission from the third-party provider before testing
Why this is correct
Permission is required to avoid legal issues.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Include the API in scope without permission because it is critical to the application
Why it's wrong here
Including without permission is against best practices.
- ✓
Document the API as out-of-scope if permission is not granted
Why this is correct
Out-of-scope services should be clearly documented.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume a well-known API is inherently secure (Option A) or that testing only the client's code is sufficient (Option B), overlooking the legal necessity of permission and the risk of integration flaws.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When scoping a web application test that integrates a third-party API, the tester must consider the API's authentication mechanism (e.g., OAuth 2.0, API keys) and how the client's application handles tokens or secrets. A real-world scenario is the 2020 SolarWinds attack, where a trusted third-party component was exploited, demonstrating that even well-known providers can have vulnerabilities. The tester should also review the API's rate limiting, error handling, and data exposure patterns, as these are common areas of misconfiguration.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Planning and Scoping — study guide chapter
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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: Obtain written permission from the third-party provider before testing — Option C is correct because testing a third-party API without explicit written permission violates legal and ethical boundaries, potentially constituting unauthorized access under laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). Penetration testers must obtain explicit authorization from the API provider to avoid liability and ensure the test is conducted within agreed-upon boundaries.
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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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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