In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, certifications have become the gold standard for validating practical skills. While many are familiar with entry-level credentials like CompTIA Security+ or management-focused ones like the CISSP, a new breed of performance-based exams is gaining traction. At the forefront of this movement is the CPTS exam—the Certified Penetration Testing Specialist certification offered by Hack The Box (HTB).
If you are an aspiring ethical hacker or a seasoned security professional looking to prove your hands-on capabilities, this guide will cover everything you need to know about the CPTS exam, including its structure, difficulty, cost, preparation strategy, and how it compares to industry giants like the OSCP.
The exam blueprint covers the entire penetration testing lifecycle. To pass, you must demonstrate proficiency in: cpts exam
Short Answer: Yes, but with caveats.
Complete the Penetration Tester Job Role Path. Key modules include: The CPTS (Certified Penetration Testing Specialist) exam is
Passing Score: HTB does not release a specific percentage, but anecdotal evidence suggests you need approximately 80% of the flags to pass. You must compromise the final Domain Controller to have a realistic chance.
The CPTS (Certified Penetration Testing Specialist) exam is a fully practical, hands-on certification test created by Hack The Box, a leading platform for cybersecurity training and offensive security skill development. a scope of engagement
Unlike traditional multiple-choice exams that test theoretical knowledge, the CPTS exam simulates a real-world corporate penetration test. You are given a network of machines, a scope of engagement, and a set of objectives. Your job is to hack into the systems, find vulnerabilities, exploit them, pivot through the network, and deliver a professional penetration testing report.
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.