CPENT vs OSCP: Which Is the Toughest Pentesting Course?
CPENT vs OSCP Which Is the Toughest?
Confused between CPENT and OSCP?
If you are planning to build a career in penetration testing or ethical hacking, you have surely heard about two of the most respected certifications in the cybersecurity world:
- CPENT (Certified Penetration Testing Professional) by EC-Council
- OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) by Offensive Security
Both certifications are highly recognized, but students and professionals often wonder:
👉 Which one is tougher – CPENT or OSCP?
In this article from Axximum Infosolutions, we will break down both certifications in terms of exam structure, difficulty level, career benefits, and practical requirements, so you can decide which suits your goals better.
🔹 What is CPENT?
CPENT (Certified Penetration Testing Professional) is a certification by EC-Council designed to test advanced red teaming and penetration testing skills.
Key Highlights of CPENT:
- Duration: 24 hours practical exam (can be split into two sessions of 12 hours each).
- Focus: Advanced network penetration, IoT hacking, SCADA testing, web applications, cloud security, and Active Directory attacks.
- Format: Hands-on labs in a real-world corporate environment simulation.
- Passing Score: Flexible – 70% for CPENT certification and 90% for LPT (Master) certification.
👉 CPENT is more focused on real-world penetration testing projects where candidates need to perform multi-level exploits in enterprise setups.
🔹 What is OSCP?
OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is one of the most well-known certifications in ethical hacking, offered by Offensive Security.
Key Highlights of OSCP:
- Duration: 24 hours hands-on exam.
- Focus: Exploiting machines, privilege escalation, buffer overflows, Active Directory exploitation, and reporting.
- Format: Solve multiple vulnerable machines and submit a detailed penetration testing report.
- Passing Score: 70 points out of 100.
👉 OSCP is considered the gold standard for penetration testing certifications and is a common requirement in many cybersecurity job roles.
🔹 CPENT vs OSCP: Detailed Comparison
| Factor | CPENT | OSCP |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Duration | 24 hours (split option available) | 24 hours continuous |
| Difficulty Level | Advanced (Enterprise & Red Teaming focus) | Intermediate-Advanced (Machine exploitation & privilege escalation) |
| Focus Area | Real-world enterprise networks, IoT, SCADA, cloud, AD | Vulnerable machines, privilege escalation, exploit development |
| Scoring | 70% (CPENT), 90% (LPT Master) | 70 points out of 100 |
| Industry Recognition | Growing rapidly | Highly recognized and demanded |
| Career Role | Red Team, Senior Pentester, Security Consultant | Pentester, SOC, Security Analyst, Exploit Developer |
🔹 Which is Tougher – CPENT or OSCP?
The answer depends on your skills and career goals:
- OSCP is often considered the entry benchmark for penetration testers. It tests your persistence, methodology, and technical depth in exploiting machines under pressure. Many candidates fail on the first attempt due to the strict 24-hour exam format.
- CPENT goes beyond OSCP and simulates real corporate networks. It includes IoT, cloud, and advanced Active Directory penetration, which are highly complex in real-world environments.
👉 If you are a beginner to intermediate learner, OSCP is tough but achievable.
👉 If you are an experienced penetration tester or red teamer, CPENT will push your limits and is generally considered tougher than OSCP.
🔹 Career Benefits of CPENT vs OSCP
✅ OSCP Career Benefits:
- High demand in penetration testing job roles.
- Recognized as a baseline skill by cybersecurity recruiters.
- Builds strong problem-solving and persistence.
✅ CPENT Career Benefits:
- Recognition in advanced red teaming and enterprise security.
- Opportunity to earn two certifications (CPENT & LPT Master) based on performance.
- Better suited for senior cybersecurity and consulting roles.
🏆 Final Verdict on CPENT vs OSCP Which Is the Toughest
- If you are starting your penetration testing journey → Choose OSCP.
- If you already have OSCP or want to demonstrate real-world enterprise attack skills → Go for CPENT.
Both certifications are challenging and prestigious, but CPENT is generally considered tougher due to its real-world enterprise-level simulations.
At Axximum Infosolutions, we guide students and professionals with training, hands-on labs, and mentorship for both CPENT and OSCP certifications.
