Master VAPT with 25 Real-World MCQs: Test Your Cybersecurity Skills!

Are you ready to dive deep into the world of ethical hacking and security testing? VAPT is one of the most in-demand cybersecurity skills today. From ethical hackers to security analysts, understanding vulnerabilities and how to test them is critical. This blog features 25 hand-picked MCQs inspired by real-world scenarios and training modules — complete with answers and simple explanations to make learning interactive, fast, and fun.

25 VAPT MCQs with Answers and Explanations

Q1. What does VAPT stand for?
A. Vulnerability Analysis and Penetration Testing
B. Virtual Assessment and Penetration Testing
C. Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
D. Virtual Assessment and Proxy Testing
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: VAPT combines vulnerability scanning and manual testing to simulate real cyberattacks.

Q2. Which phase comes first in the VAPT methodology?
A. Exploitation
B. Reconnaissance / Information gathering
C. Post‑exploitation
D. Reporting
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Before testing, attackers (and testers) gather as much info as possible about the target.

Q3. Which tool is most commonly used for network scanning and version detection?
A. Burp Suite
B. Metasploit
C. Nmap
D. Wireshark
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Nmap is the go-to tool for discovering hosts, services, and open ports.

Q4. A SYN scan option in Nmap is run with which flag?
A. -sT
B. -sU
C. -sS
D. -sA
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The -sS flag initiates a stealthy half-open TCP SYN scan.

Q5. What is the main difference between Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing?
A. One is manual, the other is automated
B. Vulnerability Assessment scans; Pen Test exploits vulnerabilities
C. Assessment is ethical; Pen Test is illegal
D. They are the same
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Assessment identifies risks; penetration testing simulates real exploits.

Q6. Which of these is a web vulnerability commonly included in OWASP Top 10?
A. Malware injection
B. CSRF
C. Hardware tampering
D. Wireless sniffing
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: CSRF tricks users into executing unwanted actions on a site they’re authenticated on.

Q7. Which tool is best known for automated SQL injection attacks?
A. DirBuster
B. SQLmap
C. Hydra
D. Aircrack-ng
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: SQLmap is widely used to quickly exploit SQL injection flaws.

Q8. Which framework outlines testing phases, such as intelligence gathering, exploitation, and reporting?
A. MITRE ATT&CK
B. Cyber Kill Chain
C. PTES
D. ISO 27001
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: PTES is a practical guide for structured penetration testing.

Q9. In a host-level assessment, what is evaluated?
A. Firewalls
B. Open ports only
C. System files, permissions, Trojans
D. Wireless traffic
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Host assessments analyze the internal state of a machine for risk.

Q10. Which tool is used for packet sniffing and protocol analysis?
A. Metasploit
B. Wireshark
C. John the Ripper
D. Covenant
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Wireshark is the most popular network protocol analyzer.

Q11. What is CVSS used for?
A. Writing test cases
B. Scoring severity of vulnerabilities
C. Encrypting data
D. Performing brute-force attacks
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: CVSS scores help assess and prioritize vulnerability remediation efforts.

Q12. Which attack manipulates ARP cache for a man-in-the-middle?
A. SQL injection
B. ARP spoofing
C. RFI
D. LFI
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ARP spoofing enables attackers to intercept LAN traffic.

Q13. Which of the following covers Remote File Inclusion vulnerability?
A. RFI
B. XSS
C. Broken authentication
D. DNS poisoning
✔ Correct Answer: A
Explanation: RFI allows attackers to run external malicious scripts on a vulnerable server.

Q14. Post‑exploitation phase primarily deals with?
A. Scanning hosts
B. Reporting vulnerabilities
C. Maintaining access or privilege escalation
D. Writing code
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: After access is gained, post‑exploitation focuses on persistence and lateral movement.

Q15. Which compliance standards are commonly taught in VAPT courses?
A. ISO 27001, PCI‑DSS, GDPR
B. HIPAA only
C. IEC 62133
D. GNU GPL
✔ Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Compliance standards guide secure IT practices and legal obligations.

Q16. Which technique captures screenshots, logs credentials, or uses RAT?
A. Passive scanning
B. RAT exploitation
C. SQL injection
D. File inclusion
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Remote Access Trojans let attackers control systems and record activity.

Q17. What is the advantage of manual testing versus automated scanning?
A. Faster and quieter
B. Cheaper
C. Finds business logic flaws
D. No false positives
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Manual testing detects issues that automated tools often overlook.

Q18. Which tool is used for directory brute-forcing or discovering hidden folders?
A. Metasploit
B. DirBuster
C. John the Ripper
D. Aircrack-ng
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: DirBuster helps find hidden directories and files on web servers.

Q19. In compliance & auditing, which laws are typically included?
A. IT laws and acts, ISO standards, PCI DSS
B. DMCA only
C. Sarbanes-Oxley only
D. None
✔ Correct Answer: A
Explanation: These laws are important for reporting, auditing, and securing digital systems.

Q20. Would a job guarantee course work for VAPT training?
A. No, waste of time
B. Only if they’re desperate
C. Yes, works if you're committed
D. Only if it’s free
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: If you stay focused, these courses can genuinely help you land a job in cybersecurity.

Q21. How often should VAPT be performed?
A. Once every 3 years
B. Only after a breach
C. After every major system update
D. Never, if the firewall is strong
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Best practice is to do VAPT after any significant change to software or infrastructure.

Q22. Is coding required for learning VAPT?
A. No, tools handle everything
B. Yes, especially scripting helps
C. Only for malware analysis
D. Never
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Knowing Bash, Python, or PowerShell improves test automation and exploit development.

Q23. Which career path is ideal after VAPT certification?
A. SEO specialist
B. Penetration tester / Security analyst
C. Graphic designer
D. UI/UX expert
✔ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: VAPT skills open doors to cybersecurity roles such as an ethical hacker or analyst.

Q24. What are the top tools learned in a VAPT course?
A. Canva, Photoshop
B. Excel, PowerPoint
C. Nmap, Burp Suite, Metasploit
D. Zoom, Slack
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: These tools are essential for scanning, exploiting, and reporting vulnerabilities.

Q25. Do VAPT certifications have industry value?
A. Only in India
B. Not really
C. Yes, globally recognized
D. Only if the company mandates
✔ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Certifications like CEH, OSCP, and CompTIA Security+ are respected globally.

Conclusion

VAPT is not just a tech skill; it's a security mindset. These 25 questions provide a glimpse into the practical world of vulnerability assessments and ethical hacking. Whether you're studying for interviews or certifications, revisiting these MCQs will keep your knowledge sharp and job-ready. Ready to test yourself again tomorrow? If you want more such information, follow TrainingX.