The present OSCP test will be replaced by a revised version by OffSec on November 1, 2024. The following modifications will be included in the revised exam version:

● Improvements to the exam’s Active Directory section.

● Elimination of bonus points.

What is OSCP?

OffSec offers the highly regarded penetration testing certification known as the OffSec Certified Professional (OSCP), which is renowned for its demanding, practical approach to cybersecurity training. One of the most difficult ethical hacking certificates is the OSCP, which requires students to pass a 24-hour practical exam in which they must detect vulnerabilities, exploit systems, and professionally document their results.

The certification emphasizes practical proficiency in areas including pivoting, online application assaults, network exploitation, and privilege escalation. OSCP is a benchmark credential for anyone looking to show credibility and proficiency as a penetration tester or offensive security specialist. It is recognized by security experts, businesses, and organizations worldwide.

Why the change?

The Active Directory section of this test has been modified to reflect the evolving cybersecurity landscape and better prepare our students for the real world, including the latest situations. With the aim of achieving full domain compromise, this upgrade enables students to work through an "assumed compromise" in which they begin with a regular user account on the AD domain.

Since the OSCP is the only OffSec certification that permits students to accrue bonus points (up to 10) toward their exam, eliminating bonus points would bring the OSCP into line with other tests and increase uniformity, equity, and continuity across other OffSec certifications and exams.

Introducing OSCP+

Learners will receive both the OSCP and OSCP+ certifications starting on November 1, 2024, assuming they pass the revised exam. The OSCP+ designation will only be different from the current OSCP certification in that it will expire three (3) years after it is issued.

Throughout those three years, students can continue to acquire the "+" designation by following one of three continuing education pathways:

● Within six months of the + expiration date, take and pass a recertification exam.

● Before your + expires, take and pass another qualifying OffSec certification exam. Qualifying exam list:

○ OSEP (OffSec Experienced Penetration Tester)

○ OSWA (OffSec Web Assessor)

○ OSED (OffSec Exploit Developer)

○ OSEE (OffSec Exploitation Expert)

● Successful completion of OffSec’s new CPE program.

Note: The qualifying exam list is tentative and could be altered.

In addition to demonstrating the holder's proficiency in cybersecurity, OSCP+ also shows that they are knowledgeable about current industry norms and procedures. The "+" distinction emphasizes a student's dedication to lifelong learning and being up to date in an ever-changing subject.

Learners will retain their OSCP certification even if they decide not to keep the + designation.

Please note: The OSCP certification is eternally valid and has no expiration date.

Therefore, an OSCP certification will be valid for life for those who presently hold an OSCP certification, complete the OSCP exam before November 1, 2024, or choose not to keep an OSCP+ certification after it expires. Their credentials continue to be a respected and useful measure of their abilities. The OSCP certification nevertheless offers a solid foundation in cybersecurity, even though it lacks the Plus mark.

For OffSec and the cybersecurity sector as a whole, the OSCP certification has been crucial. In order to ensure that the OSCP maintains the high standards for which it is renowned, we take our responsibility as its guardians very seriously. The OSCP will keep up its crucial role in penetration testing and offensive security. The new OSCP+ designation will show both the timeliness of the knowledge and the mastery of the subject.

Existing OSCP holders who want the OSCP+ certification

Existing OSCP holders will have the opportunity to take and pass the new OSCP+ exam at the drastically reduced charge of $199 USD because it differs from the current OSCP. We will notify OSCP holders of the new exam's availability and begin registration on November 1, 2024.

FAQs

Q. 1: I already have an OSCP. Does this change my certification?

Your current OSCP is unaffected in any way by the modifications we are making. That certificate will be yours forever.

Q. 2: I am currently going through the PEN-200 course. Is the course getting new modules to help prepare for the updated OSCP+ exam?

No. The PEN-200 course material that is pertinent to the test has not changed, and students are still fully prepared for the revised OSCP exam. The course now includes the new AWS module, although the exam does not yet include it.

Your odds of passing are unaffected by the loss of bonus points. In actuality, the exercises that previously earned additional points were created to assist students in better preparing for the test, and this is still the case.

Q. 3: What happens to the OSCP+ designation after the 3 years expire?

● By passing the recertification exam or finishing the OffSec CPE program, students will have the chance to keep their "+" designation before it expires in three years.

● The OSCP is a lifetime certificate that will be retained even if the possessor allows the OSCP+ to expire.

Q. 4: If I earned my OSCP+, what will happen to my certification if I don’t take the re-certification exam after three years?

Your certification will lose its + designation if you don't take the re-certification exam within the allotted three years, but you will still be an OSCP. Throughout those three years, students can continue to acquire the "+" designation by following one of three continuing education pathways:

● Within six months of the + expiration date, take and pass a recertification exam.

● Before your + expires, take and pass another qualifying OffSec certification exam. Qualifying exam list:

○ OSEP (OffSec Experienced Penetration Tester)

○ OSWA (OffSec Web Assessor)

○ OSED (OffSec Exploit Developer)

○ OSEE (OffSec Exploitation Expert)

● Successful completion of OffSec’s new CPE program.

Note: The qualifying exam list is tentative and could be altered.

Q. 5: I am an OSCP holder. How can I get the OSCP+?

After November 1st, 2024, you can take the revised OSCP+ exam at any time. You will earn both the OSCP and OSCP+ after passing.

If you purchase the updated test between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, you will receive an exclusive special pricing of $199 USD as an existing OSCP holder. Only the initial purchase is eligible for the discount price. The cost of taking the OSCP+ exam will increase to $799 for current OSCP holders after March 31, 2025.

Q. 6: As an OSCP holder, will I receive the OSCP+ designation if I earn another OffSec certification after November 1, 2024?

No, you won't automatically receive the OSCP+ designation if you obtain another OffSec certification after November 1, 2024. To obtain OSCP+, you must first pass the revised OSCP exam. Obtaining a qualified OffSec certification can assist you in preserving and extending your OSCP+ designation once you have it.

Q. 7: Can I get the promotional price for the updated OSCP exam if I’m not an OSCP holder?

No. Only individuals who currently possess the OSCP certification are eligible for the promotional pricing of $199 USD.

Q. 8: Will any other certifications get a plus in the future?

We are looking to add the plus to a number of our current certifications, but we don't currently have any specifics or deadlines. For the most recent announcements and changes on certification policies, we advise often visiting our website.

Q. 9: What happens if I fail my OSCP+ recertification exam?

You will still have your OSCP if you retake the OSCP+ exam after November 1, 2024, in order to obtain the + designation, and you fail. However, you must re-purchase the OSCP+ recertification in order to obtain the OSCP+.

Q. 10: I am new to OffSec. How can I get the OSCP+ certification?

You have the following choices if you think the training will be necessary to better prepare you for the test:

● Course & Cert Exam Bundle: Choose PEN-200 as your course to receive one OSCP test attempt, good for 120 days after the end of your lab.

● Learn One Subscription: Choose PEN-200 as your course to receive two OSCP test attempts that are good for the duration of your membership.

● Learn Unlimited: During the duration of your subscription, you will have unlimited access to all of our online content and limitless opportunities to take exams.

You can acquire the OSCP+ certification without training, which includes two OSCP+ exam attempts that are valid for 120 days after the date of purchase, provided you are prepared to take the test without training. On November 1, 2024, this will be offered for sale.

Q. 11: I have an active Learn One subscription for PEN-200 that remains valid for a few months after November 1, 2024. I took my first OSCP exam attempt and earned OSCP certification. Can I use my remaining exam attempt to earn the OSCP+?

If you passed the OSCP exam before November 1st, you can take the new OSCP+ exam after November 1st, 2024, and earn the Plus designation using any remaining OSCP exam attempts from your Learn subscription (applicable to both Learn One and Learn Unlimited), provided that your Learn subscription exams remain valid.

Q. 12: What happens if I use up my OSCP exam attempts included in the PEN-200 Course & Cert Exam Bundle or Learn One subscription and need to retake the exam after November 1, 2024?

You can buy a standard exam retake for $249 if you have used up all of your OSCP exam attempts from the PEN-200 Course & Cert Exam Bundle or Learn One subscription and need to retake the test after November 1, 2024. You can retake the upgraded OSCP exam, and if you pass, you will receive an OSCP+.

If you purchase the recertification exam between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, current OSCP holders who wish to earn OSCP+ can do so for $199. Please be aware, though, that this $199 discount is only valid for your initial purchase of a recertification exam. Any further recertification attempts, even if they take place during the special time, will cost the standard $799 if you fail on the first try.

Q. 13: I don't hold the OSCP yet, and I recently purchased an OSCP retake. Will it still be valid after November 1st, 2024, when the OSCP+ takes effect?

Yes, even after November 1st, 2024, your OSCP retake is still valid for 120 days from the date of purchase. Regular exam retakes remain valid notwithstanding the introduction of the OSCP+. After November 1st, you can repeat the exam using the retake you purchased. If you pass, you will receive both the OSCP and OSCP+ designations.

Q. 14: What’s the cost to get the OSCP+?

The learners' progress, subscription level, and current certifications all play a role.

The learner can pay $199 between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, and receive one exam try to acquire the OSCP+ if they have already earned their OSCP before November 1, 2024. This price will rise to $799 after March 31, 2025.
If a learner has never earned an OSCP and has an active subscription to the PEN-200 through Learn One or a Course & Certification Bundle, they can enroll in the course and pass the test after November 1 and receive the OSCP+ at no extra cost.
A learner may use an exam attempt on the OSCP+ at any time after November 1, 2024, at no extra cost, if they have never earned an OSCP and have a valid Learn Unlimited Subscription with unlimited test tries.
To assign or purchase an OSCP+ exam attempt, a student with an ongoing Learn Enterprise subscription who has never earned an OSCP must get in touch with OffSec Sales or their administrator.
A learner can purchase a stand-alone certification exam for $1699 on or after November 1, 2024, which offers two exam tries to acquire the OSCP+, if they have never earned an OSCP and do not currently have an ongoing subscription or course and certification package with OffSec.
After November 1, 2024, learners who have passed the OSCP and are active Learn One or Learn Unlimited subscribers may use their remaining exam attempts to take the OSCP+ exam at no extra cost.
Learners who are enrolled in PEN-200 through the Course & Cert test Bundle or Learn One and have used up all of their OSCP test attempts but have never earned an OSCP are eligible to repeat the normal exam for $249.

Changes to the OSCP Certification by OffSec

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