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100+ Free CCTE R81.20 Practice Questions

Pass your Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Expert R81.20 (CCTE) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Which fw ctl debug module flag combination is used to capture URL Filtering / Application Control inspection events?

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B
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CCTE R81.20 Exam

75

Exam Questions

Check Point 156-587

70%

Passing Score

Check Point

90 min

Exam Duration

Check Point

$250

Exam Fee

Pearson VUE

R81.20

Current Version

Check Point CCTE 156-587

2 Years

Validity

Check Point recertification policy

CCTE R81.20 (156-587) is Check Point's expert-level troubleshooting certification. The exam has 75 multiple-choice questions, a 90-minute time limit, a 70% passing score, and a $250 fee delivered through Pearson VUE. CCTE counts as an Infinity Specialist Accreditation and contributes toward CCSM and CCSM Elite. Candidates should be fluent in fw ctl debug -m flags, fwaccel stat/stats/conns, cphaprob state/syncstat, vpn debug ikeon with IKEView, AD Query and PDP/PEP roles, and Mobile Access portal recovery. The credential is valid for 2 years.

Sample CCTE R81.20 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CCTE R81.20 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An engineer needs to capture a kernel-level debug for the Firewall module with the conn and drop flags. Which command is correct?
A.fw ctl zdebug -m fw + conn drop
B.fw ctl debug -m fw + conn drop
C.fw monitor -m fw + conn drop
D.fw ctl kdebug -m fw + conn drop
Explanation: The 'fw ctl debug -m <module> + <flags>' syntax enables kernel debug for a specific module and a list of flags. The '-m fw' selects the firewall module and '+ conn drop' adds the conn and drop flags to the active mask.
2After a sudden gateway crash, where should an administrator look for kernel core dump files generated by the panicked module?
A./var/log/messages only
B./var/log/dump/usermode and /var/crash
C./opt/CPshrd-R81.20/log
D./etc/cp/crash
Explanation: Check Point Gaia stores user-mode process core dumps under /var/log/dump/usermode and kernel crash dumps under /var/crash. Both directories are the first place to inspect after an unexpected reboot or daemon crash.
3Which utility opens a kernel crash dump (kdump/vmcore) for analysis on a Gaia system?
A.fw exec
B.crash
C.cpinfo -z
D.fw ctl pstat
Explanation: The 'crash' utility (paired with the matching kernel debuginfo) opens vmcore files captured by kdump. It allows backtrace, log, and bt -a to identify the panic call stack on a Check Point Gaia gateway.
4A gateway's free memory is steadily declining over several days even though traffic is constant. Which combination of commands gives the best first picture of memory usage?
A.free -m, top and cat /proc/meminfo
B.fw ver and uptime
C.cphaprob -a if and fw monitor
D.ifconfig -a and netstat -s
Explanation: Memory leak analysis on Gaia starts with 'free -m' for totals and buffers/cache, 'top' (sorted by RES) for the top-consuming processes, and /proc/meminfo for slab and committed memory. From there you can tie a specific daemon (FWM, CPM, fwd) to the growth.
5Which command provides a real-time, multi-pane view of CPU, memory, throughput, and connection utilisation on a Check Point gateway?
A.cpview
B.fw stat
C.cpstat os
D.iostat -x
Explanation: cpview is Check Point's interactive performance dashboard. It refreshes CPU per core, memory, network throughput, ClusterXL stats, SecureXL acceleration, software blade counters, and history snapshots that are useful for trending.
6An administrator wants to record cpview history snapshots so they can review CPU and memory data from yesterday afternoon. Which sub-command enables historical mode?
A.cpview --history
B.cpview -t
C.cpview --replay
D.cpview -p
Explanation: Running 'cpview --history' enters historical view, where snapshots are stored every minute by default in /var/log/CPView_history/CPViewDB.dat. You can then jump to specific timestamps to see what the gateway looked like during a problem window.
7Which Check Point tool packages logs, configuration, and diagnostic output for a Technical Assistance Center case?
A.cpinfo
B.fw logexport
C.fw ctl pstat
D.diag dump
Explanation: cpinfo is the standard diagnostic collector. Run with -z to compress, -o to write to a file, and -t to limit by topic; the resulting archive is what Check Point Support requests for nearly every escalation.
8A security expert is troubleshooting random short CPU spikes on a worker core. Which tool gives a per-core, per-second history that can be correlated with traffic?
A.vmstat 1
B.top -d 30
C.mpstat -P ALL 1
D.uptime
Explanation: mpstat -P ALL 1 shows %usr, %sys, %soft, and %idle per logical CPU each second. On Check Point this is essential to separate SND (high %soft) from worker (high %sys/%usr) saturation.
9Which directory is the primary log location for the FWD, FWM, and CPM daemons on an R81.20 Security Management Server?
A.$FWDIR/log
B./var/log/messages
C.$CPDIR/conf
D./opt/CPmds-R81.20/conf
Explanation: Most Check Point process logs (fwd.elg, fwm.elg, cpm.elg, cpd.elg, cpca.elg) are written to $FWDIR/log on the management or gateway. This is the first place to look when a process crashes or stalls.
10An expert sees the message 'Fatal error: Kernel panic' on console followed by reboot. Where on disk should they expect a captured vmcore file from kdump?
A./var/log/CPView_history
B./var/crash/<timestamp>
C./etc/sysconfig/crash
D./var/log/dump/firewall
Explanation: When kdump is enabled, vmcore files are written under /var/crash, normally in a timestamped subdirectory along with vmcore-dmesg.txt. Pair the vmcore with a matching kernel-debuginfo package for the 'crash' utility.

About the CCTE R81.20 Exam

The Check Point CCTE R81.20 exam (156-587) validates expert-level skills in troubleshooting Check Point Quantum gateways and management. It covers advanced kernel debugging with fw ctl debug -m flags, kernel tables, fw monitor with INSPECT filters, SecureXL acceleration paths, CoreXL worker tuning, Multi-Queue and SND affinity, advanced ClusterXL (sync analysis, CCP, VMAC, VPN Sync), advanced VPN (IKE debugging with IKEView, MEP, route-based VPN with VTIs), Identity Awareness (AD Query, Identity Collector, PDP/PEP, Captive Portal, RADIUS), Mobile Access portal recovery, and the management database (Postgres, ICA, SIC, CPM/FWM processes, migrate_server, mgmt_cli).

Questions

75 scored questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$250 (Check Point / Pearson VUE)

CCTE R81.20 Exam Content Outline

15%

Advanced Troubleshooting

cpview and cpview history, cpinfo bundles, /var/crash and crash utility for vmcore, /var/log/dump/usermode core analysis, mpstat per-core, free/top/vmstat for memory, lsof for FD leaks, mdsstat for multi-domain

15%

Management Database and Processes

CPM and FWM processes, $FWDIR/log/cpm.elg and fwd.elg, cpca_client (init_ica, lscert), cpconfig SIC reset, Postgres-backed management DB under $RTDIR, migrate_server export/import, mgmt_cli and Management API with api restart, cpwd_admin list, mdsstart/mdsstop

15%

Advanced Kernel Debugging

fw ctl debug -m flags for fw/vpn/URLF/AB/AV/IPS/synatk/cmi_loader/kiss/WPOOL, fw ctl debug -F 5-tuple filter, fw ctl kdebug -f -o -m -s rotation, fw ctl zdebug + drop, fw tab -t connections / cphwd_db / fwx_cache, fw monitor with INSPECT filters

15%

SecureXL and CoreXL

fwaccel stat for engine status, fwaccel conns for accelerated flows, fwaccel stats -s/-p for templates and offload reasons, accept template and drop template behaviour, F2F vs Medium (PXL) vs Accelerated path, fw ctl multik stat, fw ctl affinity, sim affinity, mq_mng Multi-Queue, dynamic dispatcher

10%

ClusterXL Advanced

cphaprob state, cphaprob -a if, cphaprob syncstat, $FWDIR/log/sync_log, CCP packets and switch issues, VMAC mode, Load Sharing Multicast vs Unicast vs Legacy HA, Sticky Decision Function, VPN Sync for tunnel persistence, clusterXL_admin down/up, Gaia VRRP

15%

VPN Advanced

vpn debug ikeon for ike.elg/ikev2.xmll, IKEView analysis, Phase 1 'No proposal chosen' and authentication failures, Phase 2 proxy ID mismatches, vpn tu interactive SA management, MEP primary/backup, route-based VPN with VTIs, Permanent Tunnels, NAT-T over UDP/4500, vpn debug TDERROR_ALL_ALL=5

15%

Identity Awareness and Mobile Access

PDP and PEP roles, pdp monitor all, AD Query (SMB and LDAP/LDAPS), Identity Collector Windows service, Captive Portal / Browser-Based Authentication, RADIUS troubleshooting on UDP/1812-1813, Mobile Access portal certificate chain, cvpnd debug for the SSL VPN portal, identity sharing between gateways

How to Pass the CCTE R81.20 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam fee: $250

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CCTE R81.20 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build a 2-node ClusterXL lab with at least one site-to-site VPN and Identity Awareness configured — most CCTE topics are best learned from real failures
2Memorise the most important fw ctl debug modules: fw, vpn, URLF, AB, AV, IPS, synatk, cmi_loader, WPOOL, kiss, and their typical flags
3Practice fw ctl debug -F 5-tuple filtering and fw ctl kdebug -f -o -m -s file rotation so you can capture without flooding the buffer
4Master SecureXL outputs: fwaccel stat, fwaccel conns, fwaccel stats -s/-p, plus the meaning of 'Accept Templates: disabled by Firewall'
5Be ready to read ike.elg in IKEView and to identify Phase 1 'No proposal chosen', PSK auth failure, and Phase 2 proxy ID mismatches
6Drill Identity Awareness flows: PDP vs PEP, AD Query (SMB+LDAP), Identity Collector, Captive Portal, RADIUS UDP/1812-1813, and Mobile Access certificate chain

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CCTE R81.20 exam?

CCTE R81.20 (156-587) is Check Point's expert-level troubleshooting certification. It validates the ability to diagnose and resolve advanced issues across Check Point Quantum gateways and management, covering kernel debugging, SecureXL/CoreXL, ClusterXL, advanced VPN, Identity Awareness, and Mobile Access on R81.20.

How many questions are on the CCTE 156-587 exam?

The CCTE 156-587 exam contains 75 multiple-choice questions and runs for 90 minutes with a 70% passing score. It is delivered through Pearson VUE at testing centres or online with proctoring. The exam fee is $250 USD.

Do I need CCTA before CCTE?

Check Point recommends earning CCTA (156-582) first because CCTE expects fluency in foundational tools (cpview, cpinfo, fw monitor, fw ctl debug) and adds advanced kernel debug, SecureXL/CoreXL tuning, ClusterXL sync analysis, advanced VPN, and Identity Awareness/Mobile Access on top.

What CCTE topics are most heavily tested?

Domain weights are 15% Advanced Troubleshooting, 15% Management Database and Processes, 15% Advanced Kernel Debugging, 15% SecureXL and CoreXL, 10% ClusterXL Advanced, 15% VPN Advanced, and 15% Identity Awareness and Mobile Access. Expect heavy CLI emphasis and command-output interpretation throughout.

How long should I study for CCTE?

Most candidates need 60-100 hours over 8-12 weeks. Plan for the official Check Point CCTE R81.20 course or equivalent, substantial lab time on a 2-node ClusterXL with VPN and Identity Awareness, reading the R81.20 advanced administration and troubleshooting guides, and completing 200+ practice questions until you score 80% or higher.

Does CCTE counts toward CCSM Elite?

Yes. CCTE is an Infinity Specialist Accreditation that contributes toward the CCSM and CCSM Elite credentials. CCSM Elite is achieved by combining several specialist exams (CCTE, CCAS, CCMS, CCVS, etc.) along with the CCSE prerequisite chain.