OSCP Exam FAQ

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In this article, you can find answers to the questions listed below:

Exam tour

Watch this video for a quick overview on the exam process, from scheduling to submitting your exam report.

This video was current as of October 2022. As we continue to improve the Learning Library, slight modifications in the interface or functionality may appear.

Have more questions? Check the frequently asked questions below.

Will OffSec release an exam report template for the exam?

Below are the example exam templates we have created to demonstrate how to report on the exam machines.

How many bonus points can we obtain for the OSCP Exam?

Ten (10) Bonus points may be earned toward your OSCP exam.

In order to receive ten (10) bonus points, you must submit at least 80% of the correct solutions for topic exercises in every topic in the PEN-200 course and submit 30 correct proof.txt hashes in the OffSec Learning Platform.

More information about the bonus points requirements can be found here: OSCP Exam Guide 

How can I practice Active Directory?

  • Read the corresponding Module on the Active Directory 
  • Read the final Module of the PEN-200 Course Material (Assembling the Pieces: Penetration Test Breakdown)
  • Follow along and perform all the steps against the Sandbox.local Active Directory environment
  • Begin enumerating the PWK labs. Locate and attack all Active Directory sets within the labs.

Is there any pivoting required for the Active Directory machines on the exam?

There may be pivoting required. Anything in the course material is subject to be on the exam.

What are the exam restrictions ?

More information can be found in the OSCP Exam Guide and the exam restrictions video below.

When 3 boxes are part of an Active Directory network on the exam, how does that affect Metasploit usage? Can we use it through the Active Directory network or only on 1 machine? Would pivoting in a meterpreter session count as 2 uses?

You may only use Metasploit on one target machine, this rule has not been modified. Metasploit cannot be used for pivoting, because it would thereby be used on more than one target.

The exam in the past has required that we read the proof from the desktop location, not somewhere else. What does this mean for PowerShell Remoting? Is PSSession going to count as a shell?

Yes, PowerShell Core counts as an interactive shell and is allowed on the exam.

What are the possible scenarios to pass the exam?

  • 40 pt AD + 3 local.txt flags
  • 40 pt AD + 2 local.txt flags + 1 proof.txt flag
  • 40 pt AD + 2 local.txt flags + bonus points
  • 40 pt AD + 1 proof.txt + 1 local.txt + bonus points
  • 3 fully completed non-AD machines + bonus points

Please make sure to read the SECTION 1: EXAM REQUIREMENTS in the OSCP Exam Guide.

Which tools are allowed for the new exam? 

All tools that do not perform any restricted actions are allowed on the exam. 

  • BloodHound
  • SharpHound
  • PowerShell Empire
  • Covenant 
  • Powerview
  • Rubeus
  • evil-winrm
  • Responder (Poisoning and Spoofing is not allowed in the labs or on the exam)
  • Crackmapexec
  • Mimikatz
  • Impacket
  • PrintSpoofer

More information regarding the allowed and restricted tools for the OSCP exam can be found in the Exam Restrictions section in the OSCP Exam Guide 

How Do I Know If I'm Ready To Take The Exam?

This is, of course, a very difficult question to answer. In general, we suggest at minimum hacking all the machines in the network apart from pain, sufferance, and humble. This will give you the bare skills needed to pass the exam. Of course, we cannot guarantee this estimate.

How Do I Schedule My Certification Exam?

If you are studying inside the Learning Library, you can schedule your exam directly from the Learning library control panel. For more information on how to schedule an exam please view the Important information about exam scheduling in the Learning Library article.

If you are studying outside the Learning Library, you can schedule your exam using the link that was provided to you in your course welcome pack. If you’re unable to locate it, please submit a request here, and we will be happy to re-send it to you.

Can I use Discord during the exam?

While you may use Discord as a resource for searching for information during the exam, under no circumstances are you permitted to seek or receive assistance from others on the platform. This includes but is not limited to, asking for help, sharing exam-related information, or discussing any aspect of the exam with others.

How Can I Find Out My Exam Score?

Your exam score will be provided in the exam certification results email should you submit your exam report and have insufficient points to pass the exam. Additionally, you can use the point assignment outlined in the exam control panel to approximate your score. Partial points can also be awarded for systems where full root access is not achieved.

Will I be provided with the feedback for my exam?

You will be provided with the exam feedback after you received your exam result. Note that only learners who submit the exam report and have insufficient points to pass the exam are going to receive feedback from us.

Can I appeal my exam result?

Learners who wish to address any concerns or seek clarification regarding their results can initiate an appeal through our Challenges Department. To initiate an appeal, please contact us via email at "challenges AT offsec DOT com"

Upon receiving your appeal, our team will conduct a diligent review of your results. We understand the significance of a timely response, and we commit to providing you with an update promptly after we have reached a final decision on the matter. Please note that we strive to complete the review process within a maximum of ten (10) business days.

What Is The Exam Retake Policy?

All exams have a cooling-off period in between attempts. You can view additional details on the cooling-off period here.

How Many OSCPs Are There? What Is The Pass/Fail Rate?

We do not release the number of people that hold our certifications or the success rate of completion for them. The exam-taking experience and perceived difficulty is different for everyone and we don't want to needlessly discourage or encourage learners with numbers based on success or failure.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Chat with the OffSec Support Team

 

 

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