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PNPT Certification and Exam

I needed a second attempt for the TCM PNPT exam because I underestimated the importance of enumeration. I skimmed through it the first time, and that was a big mistake. Enumeration is the key! If you don’t get that part right, everything else becomes much harder.

The Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) exam by TCM Security is one of the best hands-on penetration testing certifications out there. Unlike traditional multiple-choice exams, it simulates a real-world pentest engagement, requiring critical thinking, exploitation skills, and a well-documented report. It’s a challenge, but if you prepare properly, it’s very doable.

To prepare, I started with the Practical Ethical Hacking (PEH) course, which lays the foundation. It covers networking, Active Directory exploitation, OSINT, web attacks, and post-exploitation techniques. Everything in the PNPT exam is based on what’s taught in PEH, so taking the time to understand these concepts is essential. I also went through the External Pentest Playbook, which helped me refine my external recon and initial foothold strategies. 

One thing that made a difference was creating my own wordlist, as taught in class. Instead of relying on generic wordlists, I built one based on OSINT, company-related terms, and common password variations. Using tools like cewl and crunch, I was able to generate more targeted lists, which significantly improved my success rate in password attacks.

A must-do for anyone preparing for PNPT is the Wreath lab on TryHackMe. It mirrors the exam experience and reinforces key skills like recon, lateral movement, and privilege escalation. If you can complete Wreath successfully, you’re in a strong position for the exam.

Another crucial part of the PNPT is report writing. The ability to clearly document findings, explain exploitation paths, and provide remediation steps is just as important as the technical side. Reviewing sample reports and practicing concise yet detailed documentation helped me refine my approach.

The PNPT is an amazing certification for anyone serious about penetration testing. It forces you to think like an actual pentester rather than just memorize concepts. After learning from my mistakes and passing on my second attempt, I can confidently say it was a rewarding experience. Now, on to OSCP!

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