100+ Free CSA Practice Questions
Pass your Certified SOC Analyst (CSA v2) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Which SOC analyst tier is primarily responsible for the initial triage and validation of incoming alerts?
Key Facts: CSA Exam
100
Exam Questions
EC-Council
70%
Passing Score
EC-Council
3 hours
Exam Duration
EC-Council
$250
Exam Fee
EC-Council
8
Content Domains
CSA v2 Blueprint
3 years
Certification Validity
ECE required
The CSA exam (312-39) has 100 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours with a 70% passing score and a $250 voucher fee. The v2 blueprint covers SOC fundamentals (5%), cyber threats and IoCs (8%), log management (15%), SIEM-based incident detection (25%), threat intelligence (12%), incident response (25%), forensics and malware analysis (5%), and cloud SOC (5%).
Sample CSA Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your CSA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which SOC analyst tier is primarily responsible for the initial triage and validation of incoming alerts?
2Which three pillars form the foundation of effective SOC operations?
3An organization wants to retain control over its security data and analysts but does not want to manage SIEM infrastructure. Which SOC model best fits this requirement?
4Which SOC KPI measures the average time between when an incident occurs and when it is detected?
5At which SOC maturity level does the organization establish formal documentation, repeatable processes, and consistent metrics, but still relies on manual analyst work?
6An attacker uses ARP spoofing to position themselves between a victim and the gateway. Which type of attack is this?
7Which of the following is an Indicator of Compromise (IoC) rather than an Indicator of Attack (IoA)?
8In the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which tactic covers techniques attackers use to maintain access to a system across reboots?
9Which stage of the Lockheed Martin Cyber Kill Chain involves delivering the malicious payload to the target via email, USB, or compromised website?
10An employee with legitimate access copies sensitive files to a USB drive on their last day before resigning. Which threat category does this represent?
About the CSA Exam
The Certified SOC Analyst (CSA v2) validates Tier I and Tier II SOC analyst skills in security operations, log management, SIEM deployment, alert triage, threat intelligence, incident response, and cloud SOC architectures. CSA prepares analysts to monitor, detect, triage, and respond to security incidents using modern SIEM and EDR/XDR platforms.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
$250 (exam voucher) (EC-Council / Pearson VUE)
CSA Exam Content Outline
Security Operations and Management
SOC fundamentals, workflow, people/process/technology model, SOC types, maturity models, KPIs, and best practices
Cyber Threats, IoCs, and Attack Methodology
Network/host/application/email/insider TTPs, social engineering, IoCs, MITRE ATT&CK, and Cyber Kill Chain
Log Management
Windows/Linux/Mac logs, firewall, router, web server, database, and email logs; centralized logging architecture
Incident Detection and Triage (SIEM)
SIEM architecture, deployment, use case management, correlation rules, AI-assisted rules, alert triage, dashboards, and SOC reports
Proactive Threat Detection
Threat intelligence types, sources, TIPs, threat-intel-driven SOC, threat hunting frameworks, PowerShell and YARA
Incident Response
IR phases, network/application/email/insider/malware response, SOC playbooks, and EDR/XDR workflows
Forensics Investigation and Malware Analysis
Forensic investigation principles, network/email/insider investigations, static and dynamic malware analysis
Introduction to Cloud SOC
Azure SOC with Microsoft Sentinel, AWS SOC with Security Hub, GCP SOC with Chronicle and Security Command Center
How to Pass the CSA Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Exam fee: $250 (exam voucher)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CSA Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CSA exam format?
The CSA exam (312-39) consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 3 hours. The passing score is 70%, though EC-Council uses a 'cut score' that can range from 60-85% depending on the exam form. Questions cover SOC operations, log management, SIEM, threat intelligence, incident response, and cloud SOC.
How much does the CSA certification cost?
The CSA exam voucher costs approximately $250. Training packages are available from EC-Council and authorized partners at various price points. Self-study candidates may need to submit an eligibility application with an application fee.
What is the difference between CSA and ECIH?
CSA focuses on Tier I/II SOC analyst skills — monitoring, log analysis, SIEM operations, alert triage, and initial incident detection. ECIH focuses on the formal incident handling lifecycle, malware analysis, forensics, and cloud incident response after a confirmed incident. CSA feeds into ECIH as a natural career progression.
Does CSA cover specific SIEM platforms?
CSA v2 is vendor-neutral but covers SIEM concepts that map to leading platforms including Splunk, IBM QRadar, ELK/Elastic Security, and Microsoft Sentinel. The blueprint emphasizes SIEM architecture, use case management, correlation rules, and alert triage rather than vendor-specific syntax.
What jobs can I get with a CSA certification?
CSA certification prepares you for roles including Tier I and Tier II SOC Analyst, Security Monitoring Analyst, SIEM Engineer, Threat Detection Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Junior Threat Hunter. CSA aligns with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework for federal cybersecurity roles.