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Exams FAQ

Find answers to commonly asked questions about our program.


Why is my certification information not listed in my User Center account?

Your certification information could not be listed in your User Center account for one of the following reasons:

  • We tried to activate your benefits but there was no User Center account with the email address we have on file for you. Please ensure the e-mail account you gave to VUE for registration matches the e-mail account you used to set up your User Center account.
  • The benefits you received from a certain Check Point certification have expired.

If you do not see your benefits or certification listed with your User Center account, send an email to certification@ts.checkpoint.com and we'll try to resolve the issue for you.

In what order should I take the exams?
Courses, certifications, and exams are all designed to build on the lessons learned and develop your skills and knowledge, so we recommend starting with CCSA NGX and CCSE NGX to get a core security foundation. From there you can choose the specialization or area of expertise that best matches your job role or career goals.

See the complete list of courses, exams, and prerequisites earlier in the FAQ for more information.
How much do the exams cost?
Exams vary in price between US $150-$200, but exact pricing is available through Pearson VUE.
Where can I take a Check Point certification exam?
Check Point exams are offered through Pearson VUE, a third party testing vendor with over 3,500 testing centers worldwide. Register for your exam at a testing location near you.
What is the format of the exams?
The exams are composed of multiple choice and scenario questions.
How long are the exams?

The following countries are given 90 minutes to complete the exam; all other regions get 120 minutes:

  • Australia
  • Bermuda
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Ireland
  • South Africa
  • UK
  • US
Are the Check Point certification exams adaptive?
Not at this time, but we are collecting the data to create adaptive exams.
Do any of the exams contain questions where the correct answer relies on the selection of multiple responses, even though the exam doesn't indicate to check more than one?
Although the instructions for each exam state that there is one BEST answer, in truth the best answer may be a combination of more than one in the final results. We do this to evaluate how each student reaches their conclusion and makes difficult choices, just like you will be faced with on the job. However, there is no partial credit for incorrectly marked questions.
Should I have experience with Check Point products before attempting to pass an exam?
We recommend you have at least 6 months to 1 year of experience with the products before attempting to challenge a certification exam.
Can I take the CCSA and CCSE exams on the same day?
Yes, you can take the CCSA exam and later that same day challenge the CCSE exam.
Does Check Point have an exam retake policy?

Yes. If you fail an exam and want to retake it, the following applies:

  • Wait 24 hours after first failed attempt
  • Wait 30 days after each subsequent attempt thereafter

Note: Once you pass an exam you cannot take it again.

I have taken the exam twice, and scored exactly the same thing. How is this possible? Is there a problem with the exam or the testing software?

This is actually quite common, and indicates how reliable Check Point's exams are in testing your knowledge and skills. To create the best certification exams, we focus on consistency and on how an exam will measure competencies.

There is a related learning/testing condition called "plateauing". Let's say you've studied hard, practiced the labs and exercises, and absorbed all you can through the current study approach. Studies and experience show you will consistently score the same regardless how much you review the material beyond that point.

In this case the best solution for you would be to take a different study approach to gain new insight, and retain more knowledge than you would in just one method - we suggest taking an additional class, or working through some different practice exercises.

Does Check Point penalize incorrect answers?
Check Point does not subtract points from your score for answering a question incorrectly. You will simply not get credit for that question. When taking one of our exams, answer as many questions as you can, even if you are not certain of your answer.
What happened to the Check Point Certified Security Instructor (CCSI) certification?
Check Point Certified Security Instructor (CCSI) certification was a requirement for instructors with our ATC partners to teach Check Point courses, designed to ensure effective teaching. CCSI course materials and certifications were retired in June 2004 in favor of the CompTia CTT+ certification, and is the current requirement for instructors who want to teach Check Point courses.