How I Passed the 48-Hour eJPT Exam in Less Than 5 Hours

Yes, you read that right. The eJPT exam gives you 48 hours to complete it, and I managed to finish it in less than 5 hours. Here’s how I did it.

The Secret?

CTFs!

That’s it — CTFs (Capture The Flag competitions).

Do them. A lot.

I’ve spent countless hours on platforms like TryHackMe, where I’ve ranked in the top 1% globally and among the top 5 in Sri Lanka.

That consistent practice was key. CTFs helped me build the practical, hands-on skills needed to approach penetration tests with confidence.

My Approach

I didn’t follow the course material or spend days studying. I just bought the exam voucher, and took the exam on the same day.

Why? Because CTFs had already taught me everything I needed. And I took a bit of a gambit, thinking the exam gives you two attempts — it paid off! I went all in, trusting my CTF experience to get me through.

What You Should Focus On

Here are some general tips to help you prepare for the eJPT exam (and penetration testing in general):

1. Master Enumeration:

• Reconnaissance is key. You need to be able to quickly gather information about your target — open ports, services, hidden directories, and more. Get comfortable with tools like Nmap, Gobuster, and Nikto.

2. CMS Exploitation:

• Familiarize yourself with common vulnerabilities in content management systems (CMS). Exploiting outdated plugins and misconfiguration is a common scenario.

3. Remote Code Execution (RCE):

• Understand how RCE works and how attackers can execute arbitrary commands. Learn about web shells and how to craft effective payloads for different systems.

4. Privilege Escalation:

• This is crucial for both Windows and Linux systems. Knowing how to escalate privileges by exploiting misconfiguration or vulnerabilities can make all the difference.

5. Hands-On Practice:

• Platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and others provide real-world challenges that will build your skills. The more you practice, the more you’ll be prepared for any penetration testing scenario.

My Recommendation

If you’re planning to take the eJPT, don’t overthink it. Focus on hands-on practice. CTFs teach you to think critically and apply your skills in realistic scenarios. You’ll learn to tackle any vulnerability you come across in the exam — or in the real world.

Good Luck!

If I could do it in under 5 hours, so can you. Keep practicing, trust your skills, and you’ll be ready for anything.

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