100+ Free CrowdStrike CCSA Practice Questions

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An analyst is asked: 'What was the entry vector?' Which MITRE ATT&CK tactic should they search for in their telemetry first?

TA0005 Defense Evasion

TA0040 Impact

TA0010 Exfiltration

TA0001 Initial Access

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CrowdStrike CCSA Exam

Exam Questions

CrowdStrike CCSA Exam Guide (Jan 2026)

90 min

Time Limit

Closed-book, Pearson VUE delivery

$250

Exam Fee (USD)

CrowdStrike via Pearson VUE

3 yrs

Validity

CrowdStrike Falcon Certification Program

6+ mo

Recommended Experience

Hands-on Falcon NG-SIEM

Pearson VUE

Test Delivery

Test center or OnVUE online proctored

The CrowdStrike Certified SIEM Analyst (CCSA) is a 60-question, 90-minute, $250 USD exam delivered through Pearson VUE that validates Falcon Next-Gen SIEM analyst skills. It tests CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL) in Falcon LogScale, first-party and third-party detection logic with MITRE ATT&CK mapping, incident investigation using the Cases module, and dashboard and report communication to leadership. CrowdStrike recommends 6+ months of hands-on Falcon experience, and the credential is valid for 3 years before recertification. The CCSA Exam Guide was last updated in January 2026.

Sample CrowdStrike CCSA Practice Questions

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

1Which CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL) operator chains expressions so each stage's output becomes the next stage's input?

A.The semicolon (;)

B.The pipe (|)

C.The arrow (->)

D.The ampersand (&)

2An analyst writes `#repo=falcon | #event_simpleName=ProcessRollup2 | groupBy(ComputerName, function=count())`. What does the query return?

A.A timeline of process executions per host

B.A count of ProcessRollup2 events per ComputerName

C.A list of unique process names across the environment

D.The first ProcessRollup2 event on each host

Explanation: The `groupBy(ComputerName, function=count())` aggregator groups all ProcessRollup2 events by ComputerName and emits one row per host with its event count. This is the standard CQL pattern for 'how many events per entity'.

3Which CQL function groups events into fixed time intervals so they can be plotted on a time-series chart?

A.groupBy()

B.bucket()

C.table()

D.select()

Explanation: `bucket()` divides the query window into fixed time spans (default ~1 hour, adjustable via the `span` parameter) and aggregates events within each span. It is the foundation of every line, area, or bar chart over time.

4An analyst needs the 10 source IPs with the most failed logins. Which CQL aggregation is the simplest fit?

A.`top(SourceIP, limit=10)`

B.`tail(10)`

C.`head(10)`

D.`window(10)`

Explanation: `top()` ranks distinct values of a field by their occurrence count and returns the highest N. `top(SourceIP, limit=10)` gives the ten most frequent source IPs in one expression, which is exactly what 'top talkers' analysis requires.

5Which CQL function is purpose-built for plotting a metric over time, automatically handling time bucketing and the time axis?

A.groupBy()

B.table()

C.timeChart()

D.case()

Explanation: `timeChart()` is the convenience aggregator for time-series visualizations. It internally buckets the query window and produces results suitable for line, area, and stacked-area widgets without requiring a separate `bucket()` call.

6An analyst wants to convert a `bytes_sent` field into kilobytes inside the query. Which CQL function should they use?

A.`format()`

B.`eval()`

C.`select()`

D.`regex()`

Explanation: `eval()` creates or rewrites a field using arithmetic or string expressions, e.g., `eval(kb := bytes_sent / 1000)`. It is the standard way to compute derived metrics inside a CQL pipeline.

7Which CQL function evaluates a series of conditions and assigns a different value for each match — useful for risk scoring or labeling events?

A.`case()`

B.`top()`

C.`bucket()`

D.`tail()`

Explanation: `case()` evaluates conditions in order and assigns the first matching result to a new field, e.g., `case { Severity>=80 | risk:='Critical'; Severity>=50 | risk:='High'; * | risk:='Low' }`. It is the SIEM analog of SQL's CASE WHEN.

8Which CQL function joins events to a CSV-style lookup table to enrich each row with extra fields (e.g., mapping a username to a department)?

A.`regex()`

B.`aliasTable()`

C.`bucket()`

D.`top()`

Explanation: `aliasTable()` (and the related `match()` against a lookup file) reads a CSV/JSON table from the repository and merges its columns into matching events based on a key field. It is the standard CQL enrichment pattern, e.g., user-to-department or IP-to-asset.

9An analyst runs a query that returns billions of rows, then realizes only a single weekend window is needed. What is the correct CQL practice for performance?

A.Add a `head(10000)` at the end of the pipeline

B.Filter on time and event-type fields as early as possible in the pipeline

C.Wrap the query in `case()` to pick the relevant rows

D.Disable the bucket function

Explanation: CQL is stream-oriented: any filter that can be expressed early reduces the data volume passed to subsequent stages. Restrict by repository, time range, and indexed fields like `#event_simpleName` before any `groupBy()` or `eval()`.

10What is the role of a parser in Falcon Next-Gen SIEM / LogScale?

A.It converts raw event lines into structured fields at ingest or query time

B.It schedules dashboards to refresh on a cron

C.It assigns a MITRE ATT&CK ID to a detection

D.It controls case management severity

Explanation: Parsers extract structure (timestamps, key/value pairs, JSON fields) from raw log lines so that CQL can filter and aggregate on those fields. LogScale ships built-in parsers (JSON, CSV, CEF, Syslog, Windows EVTX) and supports custom parsers per data source.

About the CrowdStrike CCSA Exam

The CrowdStrike Certified SIEM Analyst (CCSA) credential validates an analyst's ability to investigate detections and analyze data inside Falcon Next-Gen SIEM. It tests CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL) for searching, aggregating, and visualizing log data in Falcon LogScale; analysis of first-party Falcon detections and third-party passthrough events through correlation rules and MITRE ATT&CK mapping; incident investigation using the Cases module to aggregate detections, findings, and notes into a defensible attack narrative; and the building of dashboards and reports that communicate event details to SOC peers and leadership. The exam is intended for security professionals with roughly six months of hands-on Falcon experience.

Assessment

60 multiple-choice questions covering Querying and Analytics with CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL), Detection Logic and Alert Analytics in Falcon Next-Gen SIEM, Incident Investigation using Cases, and Reporting and Communication to leadership

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

CrowdStrike does not publish the CCSA passing score

Exam Fee

$250 USD (CrowdStrike / Pearson VUE)

CrowdStrike CCSA Exam Content Outline

25%

Querying and Analytics

CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL) pipe syntax, repositories, parsers (JSON/CSV/CEF), filters, aggregations (count, sum, top, bucket, groupBy, timeChart, window), eval/case/format/regex, lookups (aliasTable, match, classify), joins, time syntax, and dashboard widgets including single-value, line, bar, heatmap, and Sankey

25%

Detection Logic and Alert Analytics

First-party detections from Falcon Insight/Identity/Cloud, third-party passthrough via correlation rules, AND/OR/sequence/threshold rule logic, MITRE ATT&CK tactics (TA0001-TA0040) and techniques (e.g., T1059, T1078, T1486), Detection Coverage map, Correlation Rule Template Discovery, alert severity (Critical/High/Medium/Low), IOAs vs. IOCs, automated noise reduction

25%

Incident Investigation

Falcon Next-Gen SIEM dashboards, Cases module fields (severity, status, assignment), aggregating detections + findings + notes, attack narrative across endpoint/identity/cloud, pivoting on aid and ComputerName, ProcessRollup2 / DnsRequest / UserLogonGen2 event types, beaconing analysis, scope queries by hash, Network Containment for forensic preservation

25%

Reporting and Communication

Building dashboards (single-value KPIs, line/bar/heatmap), separating analyst from executive views, reporting MTTD/MTTR/dwell time, MITRE ATT&CK coverage maps for board reporting, BLUF executive summaries, scheduled reports with webhook actions, post-incident reviews, legal/compliance scope reporting

How to Pass the CrowdStrike CCSA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: CrowdStrike does not publish the CCSA passing score
Assessment: 60 multiple-choice questions covering Querying and Analytics with CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL), Detection Logic and Alert Analytics in Falcon Next-Gen SIEM, Incident Investigation using Cases, and Reporting and Communication to leadership
Time limit: 90 minutes
Exam fee: $250 USD

Keys to Passing

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

CrowdStrike CCSA Study Tips from Top Performers

2Drill the most-used CQL functions until they are reflex: count, top, bucket, groupBy, timeChart, eval, case, format, regex, classify, aliasTable, join, sort, table, window, selectLast, tail, head

3Learn MITRE ATT&CK identifier conventions: TA0001-TA0040 are tactics (the why), T#### are techniques (the how), with sub-techniques like T1059.001 PowerShell - many CCSA questions test these distinctions

4Distinguish first-party detections (Falcon Insight, Identity Protection, Cloud Security) from third-party passthrough detections produced by correlation rules over ingested third-party telemetry

5Practice the Cases workflow end-to-end: open a Case, attach detections, write findings and notes, build a chronological attack narrative mapped to ATT&CK, and export an executive summary

6Build at least three dashboard styles before the exam: an analyst operational view, a SOC-manager throughput view (MTTD/MTTR/dwell time), and a leadership ATT&CK coverage view

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CrowdStrike Certified SIEM Analyst (CCSA) exam?

The CCSA is CrowdStrike's analyst-level credential for Falcon Next-Gen SIEM. It validates a security professional's ability to investigate detections, write CrowdStrike Query Language (CQL) searches in Falcon LogScale, work with first-party and third-party detections, build attack narratives using the Cases module, and produce dashboards and reports for SOC peers and leadership.

How many questions are on the CCSA exam and how long is it?

The CCSA exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions and has a 90-minute time limit. It is closed-book and is delivered through Pearson VUE testing centers or OnVUE online proctoring. CrowdStrike does not publicly disclose the exact passing score.

What topics does the CCSA exam cover?

The CCSA Exam Guide groups objectives into four areas: Querying and Analytics with CQL (LogScale), Detection Logic and Alert Analytics (first-party Falcon + third-party correlation rules + MITRE ATT&CK), Incident Investigation (Falcon NG-SIEM dashboards, Cases, aggregating detections/findings/notes), and Reporting and Communication (dashboards, KPIs like MTTD/MTTR, executive summaries).

How much does the CCSA exam cost?

The CCSA exam costs $250 USD per attempt and is delivered through Pearson VUE. CrowdStrike partner organizations may provide vouchers or discounts. Retake fees and waiting-period rules are set by CrowdStrike and Pearson VUE.

How long is the CCSA credential valid?

The CCSA credential is valid for 3 years from the issue date. To recertify, candidates pass the current CCSA exam (or a higher-level CrowdStrike Falcon credential) before the expiration date. The CCSA Exam Guide was most recently updated in January 2026.

What experience do I need before taking the CCSA?

There are no formal prerequisites, but CrowdStrike recommends at least 6 months of hands-on experience with Falcon Next-Gen SIEM and Falcon LogScale. Candidates who have written real CQL queries, triaged real detections, and built dashboards in a tenant tend to perform much better than those who study theory alone.

Is CCSA the same as the CrowdStrike SIEM Engineer (CCSE) exam?

No. CCSA is the analyst-level credential focused on investigating, querying, and reporting in Falcon Next-Gen SIEM. CCSE is the engineering-level credential and goes deeper into onboarding data sources, authoring parsers, and building correlation rules. Many practitioners take CCSA first, then CCSE.

100+ Free CrowdStrike CCSA Practice Questions

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