topic Re: CCSA Exam 81.20 or 82? in Training and Certification

CCSA Exam 81.20 or 82?

JohnK63 — Sat, 02 May 2026 11:07:16 GMT

Hello everyone.

I am brand new to this group and I am brand new to checkpoint and the firewall world. I have been a network infrastructure engineer for years and am just starting to get on the security side of the house.

I am getting ready to take the CCSA exam. One issue though. So I need to take the 156-215-81.20 OR do I need to take the 156-215-82 exam?

The other issue is that I have only been able to find study material for the 156-215-81.20. If that exam is obsolete, then is the 156-215-82 pretty much the same material with slight differences?

If so, does anyone know those differences?

However, I am hoping the 156-215-81.20 exam if it is still accepted to get the CCSA certification. If it is, then you can disregard my question.

But currently I am scheduled to take the 156-215-81.20. But if I need to call Pearson Vue to change it to the 156-215-82, please let me know and any information on the differences in material would be super helpful. Thank you so much in advance.

John

Re: CCSA Exam 81.20 or 82?

_Val_ — Mon, 04 May 2026 08:23:56 GMT

AFAIK, and according to sk163417, 156-215.82 is the only exam you can take today. It is different from one based on R81.20.

I suggest you read the mentioned SK. It must answer most of your questions.

Concerning the 81.20 exam, I will let @Jason_Tugwell answer it. I am surprised it is still available with PearsonVue

Re: CCSA Exam 81.20 or 82?

Don_Paterson — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:01:02 GMT

It is important to do the exam version that you have the course book version for.

You don't normally just come across the book. The books are sold and assigned to students via Kortext (usually as part of joining a course) and only by signing into Kortext and using the Check Point assigned redemption code can a student access and use the book for exam study/preparation (and the course work (theory and labs)).

The links below contain valuable information and this forum has a few other good ones. For example: I covered Kortext in detail in a separate post and others have asked for exam tips and got answers too.

Tip: Use Support Center (support.checkpoint.com) to search Check Mates. Searches done in Support Centre include Check Mates (look for the filters on the left side after searching) and are often better than the CheckMates search results.

Let us know if you have any more questions.

https://community.checkpoint.com/t5/Training-and-Certification/CCSA-R81-20-vs-CCSA-R82/m-p/254426#M3255

https://community.checkpoint.com/t5/Training-and-Certification/New-CCSA-amp-CCSE-exams-Exam-Prep-Guides-amp-Exam-Retirements/td-p/261346

Re: CCSA Exam 81.20 or 82?

Don_Paterson — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:06:42 GMT

Best way to find out, or at least the way I find best to check, is to sign into Pearson and list the exams by starting the procedure to book an exam.

Otherwise Jason's posts usefuland valid, and contacting the local ATC will always be an option to get an answer if there is any doubt.

But we like the CheckMates route 😄

Re: CCSA Exam 81.20 or 82?

Don_Paterson — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:08:18 GMT

PS. The old version must be available for some time to give students who attended the very last course delivery of the retired version time to prepare and complete the exam.

Re: CCSA Exam 81.20 or 82?

Lesley — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:54:45 GMT

Both are valid options. And you should be able to take both. I did the same for CCTA. So the material you have is not obsolete.

If you have the material I would recommend the R81.20 version.