What is the Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) Exam?
The Practical Network Penetration Tester™ (PNPT) certification is a real world penetration testing exam experience. This exam will assess a student’s ability to perform a network penetration test at a professional level. Students will have five (5) full days to complete the assessment and an additional two (2) days to write a professional report.
How to Pass the PNPT Exam
In order to receive the certification, a student must:
Perform Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) to gather intel on how to properly attack the network.
Leverage their Active Directory exploitation skillsets to perform A/V and egress bypassing, lateral and vertical network movements, and ultimately compromise the exam Domain Controller.
Provide a detailed, professionally written report.
Perform a live 15-minute report debrief in front of our assessors, comprised of all senior penetration testers.
TCM Security exam vouchers come with 12 months of access to the training materials the exam is based on. Access begins on the day the voucher is purchased. We highly recommend preparing before attempting the exam. If you don’t initially succeed, don’t worry! We never want to profit on failure and include one free retake with every exam voucher.
Practical Network Penetration Tester Exam Format
Like all TCM Security certifications, the PNPT exam was designed to teach students how to apply their skills in a real-world situation. This is not a CTF. Our exams provide an experience that is similar to what you will be asked to do in a professional environment.
Absolutely ZERO flags to capture.
NO multiple choice questions.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
45+ Hours of On-Demand Training (12 Months Access)
Hands-On Local Labs
1 Exam Attempt + 1 Free Retake (Lifetime)
5 Days to Complete
2 Days to Write Report
Present Live Debrief
24/7/365 Course Support
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
8GB RAM & 256GB HDD
Up-to-Date OS & Internet Browser
Stable Internet Connection
$499
Veterans, Active Military, First Responders, Students, and Educators can save 20% on all certifications! Email [email protected] with proof to get a custom discount code.
Who Should Take the Practical Network Penetration Tester Exam?
The PNPT is a professional-level exam. We recommend that students without professional hacking experience should begin with the PJPT before attempting the PNPT. The PNPT is appropriate for:
- Aspiring Network Penetration Testers
- Ethical Hackers and Cybersecurity Professionals
- IT Professionals Seeking Specialization
- Professionals Looking for Career Advancement
- Individuals Seeking Hands-On Learning Experience
- Security Enthusiasts and Hobbyists
What Our Students Say
Academy Students
Certifications Awarded
Discord Members
How to Prepare for the PNPT Exam
In addition to the lifetime voucher and exam attempt, students who enroll in the PNPT certification will receive 12 months of access to over 45 hours of training materials including the following courses:
Practical Ethical Hacking
OSINT Fundamentals
Windows Privilege Escalation for Beginners
Linux Privilege Escalation for Beginners
External Pentest Playbook
All TCM Security Certifications Include:
Video Training
Receive 12 months of access to video-led training that was developed to provide a hands-on learning experience.
Realistic Exams
Our certification exams are designed to provide the student with a real-world penetration test experience.
Free Retake
If for any reason you need to take the exam a second time, we include a free retake voucher. We don’t profit from your failures.
Industry Recognized
We are pleased to provide the most realistic and cost-effective cybersecurity certifications recognized by industry professionals and organizations.
Non-Invasive Experience
Complete the exam in the comfort of your own home without proctors or installed monitoring software.
Stable Environments
Get unlimited access to our stable student exam environments. Hosted safely for you in the cloud.
Unbeatable Support
We proudly offer 24/7/365 customer support with the additional benefit of access to our community Discord with over 60,000+ students.
Discounts
We happily provide military, veterans, students, teachers, and first responders with a 20% off coupon, valid on certification vouchers.
Request Certification Reimbursement
Training doesn’t stop once you land a pentesting position. If your company offers a training budget or reimbursement for continuing education, consider using it on TCM Security live training and certifications! To make things easier, we’ve created a Training Budget Request Template—a customizable document designed to align your learning goals with your company’s objectives. Be sure to follow your company’s policies and procedures to increase the likelihood of your request being approved.
Training Options for Organizations
Are you a manager looking to upskill your team? We offer bulk discounts for organizations looking to purchase multiple certification vouchers. Ask us about our training bundle. We also conduct private group session training. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about those options!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can take the PNPT?
Any individual from any country is eligible to sit for the PNPT exam. Individuals under the age of 18 years old must submit a Parental Consent Form prior to purchasing the exam voucher.
Does the certification expire?
As of 04/17/2023, The Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) Certification does NOT expire.
Does my exam voucher expire?
No, exam vouchers do not expire.
Does my training expire?
All certifications come with 12 months of training access starting from the purchase date.
Will I receive a digital certification?
Yes! You can view an example of those here.
Can I use any tools I want on the exam?
Yes. The exam is a pentest and all tools are allowed. Including Linpeas.
How long is the exam?
The exam environment permits five full days to simulate a real pentest, though you can complete the engagement objectives ahead of time.
You will have an additional two days to write a professional report and submit it to our team.
How does the exam compare to other certifications?
In short, it really doesn’t. The exam was designed because the industry is lacking in practical certifications. Some certifications are multiple choice and do not test a student’s technical skills. Other exams are hands on, but are not realistic in time allotment or attack methodology. This exam replicates a true pentest in both attack methodology and the amount of time permitted to perform the test.
How difficult is the exam?
Everyone is different, however, we believe that:
If you are a beginner, the exam will be very difficult and we strongly recommend that you complete the included training before attempting the exam.
If you are a junior penetration tester, the exam will be difficult and may require additional training.
If you are a mid to senior level pentester, the exam will be of moderate difficulty.
Looking for more advice? Check out this blog from Alex Olsen on how he passed the PNPT exam on the first attempt.
Is the provided training enough to pass the exam?
Yes. It was designed for student’s to pass the exam with the training. The training is designed for students from absolute beginner to moderate levels and will teach you the skills necessary to be successful as a penetration tester.
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes! We are veteran-owned and want to thank you for your service.
We offer a 20% discount to current and former military as well as first responders (Police, EMTs, Firefighters, Nurses, Doctors, etc.), regardless of country. We also extend this discount to students and educators.
Please email [email protected] with proof of first responder status, such as a discharge form, ID, etc. and we will issue you a coupon code to use on purchase. If you are a student or educator, please email us from a valid educational address or provide proof of current enrollment.
Is the exam proctored?
No. We do monitor network traffic in the exam environment and have detection mechanisms in place for cheating in the environment and the exam, but there will be no proctor or intrusive software to install on your machine.
Do you offer printed certifications?
In efforts to stay green, we do not offer printed certifications. However, our certifications come in a high quality printable format and you’re welcome to have them printed on your own accord.
Do you offer bulk discounts?
We do. If your organization would like to purchase several certification vouchers for your team members to learn more and upskill, please contact [email protected] for more information.
