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100+ Free Qualys PCI Practice Questions

Pass your Qualys Certified Specialist — PCI Compliance exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Question 1
Score: 0/0

Under PCI DSS 4.0, what new requirement was added regarding targeted risk analysis?

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B
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D
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Qualys PCI Exam

30–40

Exam Questions

Qualys

75%

Passing Score

Qualys

60 min

Exam Duration

Qualys

Free

Exam Fee

Qualys (for customers)

CVSS 4.0+

PCI Scan Failure Threshold

PCI DSS Requirement 11.3

Quarterly

Required Scan Frequency

PCI DSS Requirement 11.3.2

The Qualys PCI exam has 30–40 questions in 60 minutes with a 75% passing score. Core domains: PCI DSS requirements and ASV program (20–25%), network discovery and scoping (20–25%), ASV scanning (25–30%), attestation and reporting (20–25%), and remediation workflows (10–15%). Free for Qualys customers.

Sample Qualys PCI Practice Questions

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

1Which PCI DSS 4.0 requirement mandates the installation and maintenance of network security controls?
A.Requirement 1
B.Requirement 2
C.Requirement 3
D.Requirement 4
Explanation: PCI DSS 4.0 Requirement 1 covers network security controls, requiring organizations to install and maintain controls to protect the cardholder data environment.
2Under PCI DSS 4.0, which requirement specifically addresses the protection of stored account data?
A.Requirement 2
B.Requirement 3
C.Requirement 5
D.Requirement 6
Explanation: PCI DSS 4.0 Requirement 3 specifically covers the protection of stored account data, including requirements for data retention, masking, and cryptographic protection.
3What is the primary purpose of an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV) under PCI DSS?
A.To conduct internal penetration tests on behalf of merchants
B.To perform external vulnerability scans of internet-facing systems in the CDE
C.To review and approve PCI DSS compliance reports
D.To manage firewall rules for cardholder data environments
Explanation: ASVs are companies approved by the PCI SSC to conduct external vulnerability scans of internet-facing systems within or connected to the cardholder data environment (CDE) as required by PCI DSS Requirement 11.
4How frequently must external vulnerability scans be performed per PCI DSS 4.0 Requirement 11.3.2?
A.Monthly
B.Quarterly
C.Semi-annually
D.Annually
Explanation: PCI DSS 4.0 Requirement 11.3.2 requires that external vulnerability scans be performed at least quarterly by an ASV.
5In Qualys PCI, what does the term 'cardholder data environment' (CDE) refer to?
A.Only the databases that store primary account numbers
B.The people, processes, and technology that store, process, or transmit cardholder data or sensitive authentication data
C.All servers within the corporate network
D.Only payment terminals and point-of-sale devices
Explanation: The CDE encompasses all people, processes, and technology that store, process, or transmit cardholder data or sensitive authentication data, as well as system components that could impact the security of that data.
6Which PCI DSS 4.0 requirement covers the use of multi-factor authentication for access to the CDE?
A.Requirement 6
B.Requirement 7
C.Requirement 8
D.Requirement 9
Explanation: PCI DSS 4.0 Requirement 8 covers identification and authentication of users to system components, including multi-factor authentication requirements for CDE access.
7What is network segmentation in the context of PCI DSS, and what is its primary benefit?
A.Splitting the network into multiple VLANs to improve performance
B.Isolating the CDE from other networks to reduce scope and the attack surface
C.Encrypting all network traffic between system components
D.Installing firewalls on every network segment
Explanation: Network segmentation isolates the CDE from other networks (in-scope and out-of-scope), which reduces the number of systems subject to PCI DSS requirements and decreases the overall attack surface.
8Under PCI DSS 4.0, what is the minimum password length requirement for user accounts?
A.6 characters
B.8 characters
C.12 characters
D.16 characters
Explanation: PCI DSS 4.0 increased the minimum password length requirement to 12 characters (up from 7 in PCI DSS 3.2.1) to improve resistance against brute-force attacks.
9In Qualys PCI Compliance, what is an 'attestation of scan compliance'?
A.A legal document signed by the merchant's CEO confirming PCI compliance
B.A document produced by the ASV summarizing scan results and confirming passing status
C.A self-assessment questionnaire completed by the merchant
D.A certificate issued by the PCI SSC upon successful audit
Explanation: The Attestation of Scan Compliance (ASC) is a document produced by the ASV that summarizes the external vulnerability scan results and attests that the scan was conducted per ASV program requirements and the target passed.
10Which PCI DSS 4.0 requirement mandates regular testing of security systems and processes?
A.Requirement 9
B.Requirement 10
C.Requirement 11
D.Requirement 12
Explanation: PCI DSS 4.0 Requirement 11 covers regular testing of security systems and processes, including vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and intrusion detection monitoring.

About the Qualys PCI Exam

The Qualys Certified Specialist PCI Compliance exam validates expertise in using the Qualys PCI Compliance module to conduct ASV external vulnerability scans and manage PCI DSS compliance requirements. It covers PCI DSS Requirements 6 and 11, cardholder data environment (CDE) scoping, network discovery, ASV scan configuration and interpretation, attestation of scan compliance, and the false positive dispute process.

Questions

35 scored questions

Time Limit

60 minutes

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

Free (Qualys)

Qualys PCI Exam Content Outline

20–25%

PCI DSS Requirements & ASV Program

PCI DSS Requirement 6 (develop/maintain secure systems) and Requirement 11.3 (external vulnerability scanning), ASV program rules and qualifications, scan scope definition (externally facing IP addresses), quarterly scan frequency, and the role of ASV vs. internal scanning

20–25%

Network Discovery & Scoping

Running network discovery scans to identify all external IP addresses, cardholder data environment (CDE) boundary definition, scope validation, segmentation verification, IP range management in Qualys, and documenting in-scope assets

25–30%

PCI ASV Scanning

External ASV scan policy configuration, scan target IP/domain management, scan scheduling for quarterly cadence, interpreting scan results (pass/fail vulnerabilities), CVSS thresholds for PCI compliance (CVSS 4.0+ fails), multi-component scan management, and scan exception handling

20–25%

Attestation & Reporting

Attestation of Scan Compliance (ASC) generation, Scan Report on Compliance format, false positive dispute submission and evidence requirements, dispute review workflow, delivering attestation documentation to acquiring banks, and record retention requirements

10–15%

Remediation & Rescan Workflow

Addressing scan-failing vulnerabilities, remediation prioritization for PCI compliance, exception requests, compensating controls documentation, and rescan scheduling to achieve passing status

How to Pass the Qualys PCI Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75%
  • Exam length: 35 questions
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Exam fee: Free

Keys to Passing

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

Qualys PCI Study Tips from Top Performers

1PCI external scans must be conducted quarterly and after significant changes — memorize this requirement
2CVSS 4.0+ causes scan failure — any vulnerability at or above this threshold must be remediated before compliance
3Distinguish internal scans (self-conducted, Requirement 11.3.1) from external ASV scans (Requirement 11.3.2)
4The false positive dispute process requires evidence submission to Qualys as the ASV
5Attestation of Scan Compliance (ASC) must be signed by both the ASV and merchant before submission to the bank
6Scoping is critical — all externally facing IP addresses in the CDE must be included in scope
7Compensating controls may be acceptable for scan failures when direct remediation is not feasible

Frequently Asked Questions

What PCI DSS requirements does the Qualys PCI exam cover?

The exam primarily covers PCI DSS Requirement 11.3 (external vulnerability scanning by an ASV at least quarterly and after significant changes) and Requirement 6.3 (addressing known vulnerabilities). Candidates must understand what triggers a scan requirement, what IP addresses must be included, and how to interpret pass/fail criteria.

What CVSS score causes a PCI scan failure?

Any vulnerability with a CVSS base score of 4.0 or higher will cause a PCI external scan to fail. All such vulnerabilities must be remediated and a passing rescan completed before a merchant can achieve compliance for that quarter. Certain vulnerability types (e.g., web application issues) may trigger automatic failure regardless of CVSS score.

What is a false positive dispute in PCI scanning?

A false positive dispute is a formal process by which a merchant submits evidence to Qualys (as ASV) that a detected vulnerability does not actually exist on their system. Common examples include a firewall rule that blocks the vulnerable service, or a vendor patch applied in a non-standard location. Qualys reviews the evidence and may mark the finding as a false positive, allowing the scan to pass.

What is an Attestation of Scan Compliance?

An Attestation of Scan Compliance (ASC) is the official PCI DSS document generated by an ASV certifying that an external vulnerability scan was conducted and the merchant passed. It must be signed by both the ASV and the merchant representative, and submitted to the acquiring bank as part of the PCI compliance validation process.

How often must PCI external scans be conducted?

PCI DSS Requirement 11.3.2 requires external vulnerability scans by an ASV at minimum once per quarter AND after any significant infrastructure or application change. Merchants must retain evidence of passing scans for all four quarters to demonstrate continuous compliance during an assessment period.

How do I prepare for the Qualys PCI Compliance exam?

Complete Qualys PCI Compliance training on the Qualys Training Portal, study PCI DSS Requirements 6 and 11 in the PCI SSC guidance documents, practice configuring external scans and interpreting results in Qualys, understand the attestation document workflow, and complete 100+ practice questions across all five domains.