eCPPTv3 Certification: The Good, the Bad, and the Lessons Learned

The eLearnSecurity Professional Penetration Tester (eCPPT) certification is a challenging, hands-on examination that puts your penetration testing skills to the ultimate test. With its focus on real-world scenarios and practical application, it’s an exam that demands preparation, strategy, and persistence. Here’s my journey through the certification, including the tools I used, challenges faced, and lessons learned.

The Good

Practical Focus: The eCPPT exam isn’t about rote memorization; it’s about applying skills to real scenarios. From enumeration to exploitation, every step mimics what a real-world penetration tester might face.
Flexible Schedule: You get a full 24 hours to complete the exam.(45 Questions)
Complimentary Support: When I failed my first two attempts, eLearnSecurity extended my premium subscription by an additional month. This generosity allowed me to hone my skills further.

The Bad

Connectivity Issues: The exam is conducted in a virtual environment (Guacamole VM). Unfortunately, I faced constant disconnections during the last six hours of my exam. While the session reconnected automatically without data loss, it broke my flow and forced me to reset the lab multiple times.
Learning Material Gaps: The resources provided by eLearnSecurity alone weren’t sufficient for the exam. To bridge the gap, I had to practice extensively on platforms like TryHackMe and Hack The Box.
Tight Second Attempt Window: If you fail your first attempt, the second must be taken within 14 days. Despite the voucher being valid for over a month, this time constraint adds pressure.
Time Crunch: While the 24-hour exam window sounds sufficient, it left me sleep-deprived and unable to focus properly by the end. I strongly advise taking proper breaks and ensuring enough rest to maintain productivity.

My Exam Strategy

I started the exam at 3 PM, dedicating the first day to extensive enumeration. My plan was to work until 2 AM, sleep for a few hours, and resume at 7 AM. While this worked initially, the lack of proper rest became a problem later.

One major mistake was spending too much time trying to crack a specific user password on a Linux machine. In hindsight, I should have moved on to other methods or accounts instead of wasting hours on one approach.

Preparation: Beyond the Provided Materials

INE
- Watched all the course videos
- Practiced all the Labs provided by INE
TryHackMe:
- Completed the Jr Penetration Tester path.
- Finished 80% of the Offensive Pentesting path.
- Key rooms: Mr. Robot CTF, GoldenEye, Blue, Game Zone, HackPark, Adventure Time, and more.
Hack The Box: Focused on Active Directory Enumeration & Attacks.

Tools and Wordlists Used

Tools:

GTFObins
Nmap
fping
WpScan
SearchSploit
John the Ripper
Hydra
kerbrute

CrackMapExec
rpcclient
smbclient
bloodhound-python
xfreerdp
Impacket Scripts
exploitdb
Obsidian

Wordlists:

Seasons.txt
Months.txt
common_corporate_passwords.lst
xato-net-10-million-passwords-10000.txt
rockyou.txt

Lessons Learned

Prioritize Rest: Sleep deprivation reduces focus and decision-making ability. Ensure you get 4-5 hours of rest to maintain productivity.
Brute Force Strategically: If one path isn’t yielding results, move on to another approach. Avoid tunnel vision.
Test Your Setup: Ensure you’re familiar with the tools and environment (e.g., Guacamole VM) to minimize surprises during the exam.
Diversify Learning: Leverage platforms like TryHackMe and Hack The Box to practice scenarios beyond the official course materials.

Final Thoughts

The eCPPT exam is an incredible opportunity to test your penetration testing skills in a realistic environment. It’s tough, but with the right preparation and mindset, it’s achievable. While my experience included hurdles like connectivity issues and strategic missteps, it was a deeply rewarding journey that enhanced my skills and resilience.

Good luck to anyone embarking on this certification—remember, persistence and preparation are key!