OFFENSIVE SECURITY OSCP / EXAM REFERENCE Know the exam format.
Prepare with a clear plan.

Current exam and certification facts

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024. The OSCP credential remains valid for life. The separate OSCP+ designation expires after three years unless you meet current OffSec maintenance and renewal requirements. Loss of the + designation does not remove the lifetime OSCP credential.

Study schedules below are planning examples. Confirm current fees, exam delivery, and eligibility with the provider before booking.

Official oscp reference · Official oscpRenew reference

Plan your preparation

Planning your study schedule for Offensive Security OSCP? Understanding the exact exam format—including question count and time limits—helps you practice effectively for OSCP success.

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

Questions

Practical lab exam

Time Limit

24 hours

Passing Score

70/100 points

Question Types

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

Offensive Security OSCP Exam Structure Overview

The Offensive Security OSCP exam is designed to thoroughly assess your knowledge and skills. Here's the complete breakdown of what you'll face:

Total Questions: Practical lab exam Time Allowed: 24 hours Passing Score: 70/100 points Number of Exams: 1

The exam is administered by Offensive Security and can be taken at authorized testing centers or online with live proctoring. The questions are designed to test both theoretical knowledge and practical application of concepts.

Types of Questions You Will See

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) The majority of questions are traditional multiple-choice with four answer options. Some questions may have multiple correct answers, which will be clearly indicated (e.g., "Select TWO answers").

Question Distribution by Domain

Questions are distributed across all exam domains based on their weight in the exam objectives. Higher-weighted domains have more questions. Review the official exam objectives to understand the percentage breakdown for each domain.

Time Management Strategy

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

Don't Get Stuck

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

Scoring and Passing Requirements

Understanding how Offensive Security OSCP scoring works helps you set realistic goals:

Linear Scoring Your score is based on the percentage of questions answered correctly, weighted by domain importance. Some questions may be unscored "beta" questions being tested for future exams, but you won't know which ones—answer all questions as if they count.

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

Score Report

After the exam, you receive a score report showing your performance by domain. If you don't pass, this report helps identify weak areas for focused study before your retake. Even if you pass, reviewing domain scores can guide your professional development.

How to Prepare for Practical lab exam Questions

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

1. Master the Exam Objectives Every question is tied to the official exam objectives. Get the current objectives from Offensive Security and use them as your study checklist.

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

3. Time Your Practice Exams Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions. This builds stamina and helps you calibrate your pacing for the real exam.

4. Focus on Weak Domains Use practice test results to identify domains where you score below 80%. Concentrate additional study time on these areas.

The OSCP+ exam is a hands-on penetration test, not a multiple-choice question bank. Allow 23 hours and 45 minutes for the practical and a further 24 hours to submit the report. You need 70 points out of 100 and the required documentation. Bonus points were removed in November 2024.

Further study tips

Manage your energy throughout the exam—pace yourself to maintain focus through the final questions.

Review official exam objectives and ensure you can explain each topic without notes.

Take a full-length, timed practice exam at least one week before your real exam to identify pacing issues.

Read each question completely before looking at answer choices—key details often appear at the end.

Use process of elimination strategically—removing even one option significantly improves your odds.

Don't change answers unless you have a clear reason. First instincts are often correct.

Mistakes to check

Failing to manage stress and mental fatigue during lengthy exams.

Ignoring the "soft" skills and governance aspects that advanced certs emphasize.

Approaching the exam as a technical test when it often emphasizes management and strategy.

Over-relying on deep technical knowledge without understanding broader organizational context.

Underestimating the length and intensity of advanced certification exams.

Not practicing with realistic scenario-based questions that mirror exam difficulty.

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