OSCP+ is moving from a fixed passing score of 70 to equated scaled scoring for certification exams starting on or after December 1, 2026 at 8:00 GMT.
OSCP+ certification exams starting before December 1, 2026 at 8:00 GMT will continue to use the current fixed scoring system with a passing score of 70.
This only changes how the final exam result is determined after grading. It does not change the OSCP+ certification standard, exam format, proctoring requirements, or exam rules.
The FAQs below explain what equated scaled scoring is, why it is being introduced, how it affects exam results, and which scoring method applies based on your exam date.
What is equated scaled scoring?
Equated scaled scoring places OSCP+ exam results from different exam sets onto a common scale, so every candidate is measured against the same certification standard regardless of which exam set they receive.
Scores will be on a scale from 100 to 500, with 400 being the passing score. The scale was set by our psychometric partners together with OffSec’s internal subject-matter experts. Your scaled score reflects your performance on your exam set, adjusted for that set’s difficulty, so that 400 represents the same standard on every set.
Equating is a statistical process that uses exam performance data to account for small differences in difficulty between exam sets. Equating ensures that any differences don’t advantage or disadvantage a candidate.
What does this actually mean?
Traditionally, we made every effort to build each OSCP+ exam set to the same difficulty. That approach had drawbacks: over time, it constrained the variety and range of techniques we could assess. To address this, we’re moving to equated scaled scoring. Exam sets can now differ more in their scenarios, and the scoring makes sure your result reflects your skill, whichever set you take.
Your exam will be graded the same way it is today, and you earn raw points only for the objectives you complete and document in your submitted exam report. Those raw points are then converted to a scaled score. The scaled score needed to pass is the same for everyone, on every exam set.
What changes from set to set is how raw points convert to a scaled score. Lower scores on a set could mean the set is harder, or that the candidates who took it were less prepared. Equating separates how hard a set is from how skilled the people taking it are. If a set proves harder overall, fewer raw points are needed to reach the passing scaled score. If a set is easier, more raw points are needed.
Example: Imagine two exam sets, A and B, that measure the same skills through different scenarios. Results show that candidates consistently score lower on Set B’s scenarios than on Set A’s. So a candidate who earns 50 raw points on Set A and a candidate who earns 45 raw points on Set B have shown the same level of skill, and both receive the same scaled score.
The passing standard does not change. Equating ensures every candidate is measured against it fairly, whichever set they receive.
Results are reported only as scaled scores, never as raw points.
Why is OSCP+ moving to equated scaled scoring?
Two reasons: fairness across exam sets, and an exam that better reflects real-world work.
Fairness: OSCP+ uses multiple exam sets. In the past, every effort was made to build each set to the same difficulty. Going forward, equated scaled scoring accounts for any differences between sets in the scoring itself, so a candidate’s result depends on their performance, not on which exam set they received. This approach is standard practice for professional certifications.
Real-world Practice: This method better reflects how real penetration tests work. With a fixed passing score of 70 points, some candidates stopped once they believed they had achieved the necessary 70 points. On a real assessment, you don’t stop once you reach a minimum; you find as much as you can. Without a fixed raw-point target, candidates can focus on doing their best on every objective.
The OSCP+ certification standard is not changing, and passing does not become harder or easier - only the way the final result is calculated changes.
Does equated scaled scoring make the exam easier or harder?
Neither. The level of skill needed to earn OSCP+ will be the same as it is today.
What changes is that the scoring accounts for the difficulty of the exam set you receive. On a set that proves harder, you’ll need fewer raw points to pass. On a set that proves easier, you’ll need more raw points to pass. Either way, you’re held to the same standard as every other candidate.
Because you can’t tell from your raw points whether you’ve passed, work through as much of the exam as you can and submit your exam report, even if you think you fell short.
What score do I need to pass?
For exams starting before December 1, 2026 at 8:00 GMT: You need 70 raw points to pass.
For exams starting on or after December 1, 2026 at 8:00 GMT: The passing score becomes 400 on a scaled score range of 100 to 500. The number of raw points needed to reach 400 depends on the exam set you receive, and may be more or less than 70.
Don’t aim for 70 raw points, or any other point total. Focus on completing as many objectives as you can and submit your exam report, following all requirements in the OSCP+ Exam Guide.
Can I use my raw points to determine whether I passed?
Your result is still based entirely on the points you earn. However, the number of points needed to pass depends on which exam set you received, and that number isn’t published. You can’t tell from your point total alone whether you passed or not.
This also means there’s no point target to chase. Instead of counting points, focus on doing the best you can on every objective, the same way you would on a real assessment.
Your official result will be provided after your exam has been graded.
Are graders changing how they review my exam?
No. Graders will review your work exactly as they do today. Point values, proof requirements, and documentation standards are unchanged. Points are still awarded only for objectives that are properly documented in your exam report, as described in the OSCP+ Exam Guide.
The only change comes after grading, when your raw points are converted to a scaled score.
Does equated scaled scoring change the exam format or exam-day experience?
No. The exam format, time limits, proctoring requirements, rules, and report deadline are all unchanged.
Your Exam Control Panel will still show point values for each objective. These are the raw points you earn. They are converted to a scaled score after grading.
Continue to follow the OSCP+ Exam Guide when preparing for and taking your exam.
How long will it take to get my exam results?
Allow up to 15 business days (previously 10). The extra time is for score equating, which keeps results consistent across exam sets.
If you pass, you’ll be notified that you passed. If you don’t pass, you’ll receive your scaled score.
Does equated scaled scoring change how I should approach the exam?
Your overall approach should remain the same.
However, you should submit your exam report even if you believe you fell short since you can’t determine your result from your raw points.
Focus on demonstrating your skills, completing as many exam objectives as possible, and documenting your work according to the OSCP+ Exam Guide.
Which scoring method will apply to my exam?
The scoring method is determined by the date you take your OSCP+ certification exam:
- Exams starting before December 1, 2026 at 8:00 GMT: the current fixed scoring system applies.
- Exams starting on or after December 1, 2026 at 8:00 GMT: equated scaled scoring applies.
The date you take the exam determines the scoring method.
How is the conversion set?
Every exam set’s scaled-score conversion is established by a psychometrician through statistical equating and is finalized before any results on that set are released. Equating adjusts for differences in difficulty between exam sets. Candidates are not compared with each other, and a score of 400 represents the same standard on every set.
Can the conversion change over time, and how would this affect candidates who took the same exam set earlier?
It can, but it won’t affect your results. As is standard for professional certifications, we monitor exam performance over time. Candidate performance on an exam set can gradually shift even when the set itself doesn’t change. In the testing industry, this is called drift. If a review shows an exam set has drifted, we may update its conversion or retire the set.
Each result is based on the conversion in effect when the exam was taken. Updates keep the standard the same rather than raising or lowering it, so a score of 400 means the same thing whether it was earned earlier or later.
If I fail before December 1 and retake after, which scoring applies to my retake?
Each attempt is scored using the method in place when that attempt starts. If your retake starts on or after December 1, 2026 at 8:00 GMT, it will use scaled scoring, even if your earlier attempt used the fixed 70-point system.
Retake eligibility and waiting periods are not changing. The current OffSec retake policy continues to apply.
Both scoring methods hold you to the same certification standard, so schedule your retake based on your readiness rather than the scoring change.
Is scaled scoring the same as grading on a curve?
No. Scaled scoring and grading on a curve work in fundamentally different ways.
Grading on a curve compares you to the other people who took the exam. A fixed share of candidates passes and your result depends on where you rank, so a strong group of candidates makes it harder for you to pass, and a weak group makes it easier.
Equated scaled scoring compares you to a fixed standard. Anyone who reaches a scaled score of 400 passes. If everyone who takes a set meets the standard, everyone passes. If no one does, no one passes. There’s no quota and no ranking.
Your result depends on your own performance, measured against the same standard as every other candidate.
Can I choose which scoring method is used for my exam?
No. The scoring method is determined by the date you take the exam.
You cannot choose a scoring method separately from your exam date.
Should I take my exam before or after December 1, 2026?
Choose your exam date based on your preparation and the exam dates available to you.
The OSCP+ certification standard remains the same before and after the scoring change, and OffSec does not recommend one scoring method over the other.
Will previous exam results be recalculated or rescored?
No. We are not rescoring or recalculating past exam attempts in general, and results will not be reissued on the new 100–500 scale. Equated scaled scoring applies to exams started on or after December 1, 2026.
As part of our standard quality-assurance process, we review exam outcomes on an ongoing basis. In the rare case that a review affects an individual candidate’s result, we will contact that candidate directly. You don’t need to submit a request.
Does equated scaled scoring affect an OSCP+ certification I already earned?
No, existing OSCP+ certifications are not affected by this change.
Will other OffSec certifications use equated scaled scoring?
Not at this time. OSCP+ is currently the only OffSec certification that will use equated scaled scoring. Our exams continue to evolve, and we will announce any changes to scoring for other certifications separately.
Does equated scaled scoring change the appeals process?
No. Equated scaled scoring does not change the existing exam appeals process.
If you wish to submit an appeal regarding an exam result, the current OffSec Appeals Policy and its requirements continue to apply.
Where can I find the current OSCP+ exam requirements?
Review the OSCP+ Exam Guide before your exam for the current exam structure, rules, documentation requirements, proctoring requirements, and submission instructions.
The Exam Guide remains the source of truth for the requirements that apply to your OSCP+ exam.
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