Cpts Exam | Chrome |
The CPTS is brutally practical and far more realistic than many other certs. It’s not multiple-choice. It’s a full Active Directory + Linux/internal network penetration test over several days. If you only memorized commands, you will fail.
When people search for the CPTS exam, the most common follow-up question is: "Is this better than OSCP?"
| Feature | CPTS (HTB) | OSCP (OffSec) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Duration | 10 Days (1 exam + 6 report writing) | 24 Hours (Exam + Report) | | Cost | ~$400 USD (Academy Subscription) | ~$1,599 USD (Exam + 90 days Lab) | | Difficulty | Very High (Expert level) | High (Intermediate/Advanced) | | AD Focus | Extremely Heavy (Hard-level AD chains) | Moderate (Medium-level AD) | | Report Weight | High (Must be professional-grade) | High | | Retake Policy | Cheaper retakes via new voucher | Expensive retakes (~$450+) |
The Verdict: The CPTS exam is arguably harder than the OSCP in terms of pure technical depth, specifically regarding Active Directory exploitation. If you pass the CPTS, you can confidently pass the OSCP with minimal extra study. However, HR recognition still favors OSCP (for now).
When the exam starts, time management is your biggest enemy.
Final Score: 9.5/10 (Deducted half a point for the emotional damage to my family, who watched me stare at a Burp Suite window for 14 consecutive hours).
One Liner to Remember: The CPTS doesn't give you a certificate. It gives you scars, a detailed PDF report, and the genuine confidence to say, “I can break into that.” cpts exam
The Hack The Box Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS) has rapidly evolved from a newcomer to a heavyweight in the cybersecurity certification landscape. While established names like the OSCP have long held the crown for HR recognition, the CPTS is increasingly seen as the "gold standard" for actual technical depth and real-world methodology. What is the CPTS Exam?
The CPTS is a 100% hands-on certification designed to evaluate your ability to perform a full-scope penetration test. Unlike traditional "Capture The Flag" (CTF) exams that focus on isolated exploits, the CPTS places you in a simulated, segmented corporate network.
Format: 10-day practical engagement (typically 5 days for the lab and 5 days for reporting).
Objective: Identify 14 flags across multiple subnets, including an Active Directory forest.
Passing Criteria: You must earn at least 85 out of 100 points (minimum 12 flags) and submit a professional-grade report.
Prerequisite: You must complete 100% of the Penetration Tester Job-Role Path on Hack The Box Academy before you can attempt the exam. The Core Domains The CPTS is brutally practical and far more
The CPTS covers a massive breadth of material, ensuring you can navigate every stage of a professional engagement: HTB Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (HTB CPTS)
HTB Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (HTB CPTS) HTB Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (HTB CPTS) is a highly hands- HTB Academy
Hack The Box Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS)
is widely reviewed as one of the most comprehensive and realistic offensive security certifications available today. While it is technically an entry-to-intermediate level cert, many professionals consider it more technically demanding than the industry-standard OSCP. Quick Verdict: Is CPTS Worth It?
Incredible value for money, deep technical curriculum, and a realistic 10-day exam format that mimics a professional engagement.
Extremely time-intensive (both the course and the exam); lower industry recognition compared to OffSec certifications. When people search for the CPTS exam, the
Aspiring penetration testers who want to move beyond "CTF-style" hacking and learn professional methodology and reporting. The Course: HTB Academy Penetration Tester Path
The exam requires 100% completion of the Academy path, which consists of 28 modules.
Certified Penetration Testing Specialist Review (with Pro Labs) 11 Jan 2025 —
I don't really have anything to add to this that's already covered in other reviews, the password cracking portions need reworked. UberZachAttack
Here’s an interesting feature idea for the CPTS Exam (Certified Penetration Testing Specialist, offered by Hack The Box):