How I Passed the eJPT: My Experience, Mindset, and Tips
When I sat the eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT) exam, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was walking into. I knew it was hands-on, I knew it involved real systems, and I knew it was targeted at the “junior” level. What I didn’t expect was how balanced and enjoyable the challenge would be.
This exam wasn’t a grind. It wasn’t a memorisation test. It was a genuinely fun, practical penetration testing scenario that kept me engaged from the moment I stepped into the DMZ to the moment I pivoted into the internal network.
Below is my experience, how I approached the exam, and the mindset that helped me conquer it.
Starting the Engagement
One of the things that immediately stood out was the structure of the environment. The exam began in an external DMZ, where I had to enumerate exposed services, find footholds, and carefully map out the network. As I worked my way through the machines, I eventually discovered a path that allowed me to pivot into an internal network—and that’s when the exam really came alive.
That pivot didn’t feel like a trick or a surprise; it felt like a natural progression in a real engagement. The whole scenario was crafted in a way that rewarded curiosity and methodical thinking.
The Difficulty: Just Right
A lot of people ask whether the eJPT is “hard.” For me, the honest answer is simple:
It was the perfect level of challenge.
Not trivial.
Not soul-crushing.
Just solid, hands-on problem solving that expects you to think.
It’s important to emphasise something here: yes, this is a Junior Penetration Tester certification—and it felt exactly like that level. But “junior” doesn’t mean “basic.” Junior pentesting still requires real dedication, structured learning, and proper training. You can’t just wing it. You need to understand the fundamentals deeply enough to apply them in a dynamic environment.
The exam reflects that reality well. I never felt stuck in a hopeless way. Anytime I hit a roadblock, it wasn’t because the exam was unfair—it was because I needed to re-enumerate, rethink my assumptions, or try a different approach.
That’s the difference between something being “hard” and something being “challenging.”
The eJPT doesn’t try to trick you. It simply expects you to work like a junior pentester: think logically, follow the evidence, and use your tools effectively.
My Approach During the Exam
I tackled the exam with a structured, calm, methodical mindset. There was no rushing, no panicking, and no “CTF-style guessing.” I approached the environment the way a junior pentester should: with patience, discipline, and proper methodology.
Enumerate, enumerate, enumerate
If there’s one piece of advice I’d emphasise above all, it’s this: don’t jump at the first thing that looks vulnerable.
That’s a CTF mindset, and it will trip you up in a real engagement-style exam.
Proper enumeration gives you a complete picture of the environment and allows you to make informed decisions instead of blind guesses. The funny thing is, the enumeration you do early on often ends up paying off later in ways you didn’t expect. Ports you noted, strange services you logged, directories you found—these details inevitably become valuable when you least expect it.
Good enumeration isn’t just a step; it’s an investment.
Take regular breaks
This alone saved me multiple times. Stepping away and coming back with fresh eyes turned confusion into clarity. A tired brain makes mistakes; a rested one spots solutions.
If you get stuck, move on
Tunnel vision is one of the biggest killers in hands-on exams. If something didn’t immediately click, I didn’t force it. I parked it, explored another path, and came back later with new insight and context.
This approach saved hours.
Stay organised
Throughout the exam, I kept clear notes, screenshots, and a running list of:
the machines I had access to
services discovered
credentials found
internal subnets exposed after pivoting
This prevented me from losing track and made final question-answering much smoother.
Manage your time sensibly
Time management starts before you begin the exam.
This is a 48-hour window—but that doesn’t mean you should stay awake for 48 hours. I planned ahead: got proper sleep, started at 9 AM, and worked through the exam in a fresh state of mind. I went to bed at a normal time, resumed the next morning, and on the final night stayed up only until I finished comfortably.
Treat it like a two-day engagement—not a marathon.
Use the exam questions strategically
The exam questions help guide your thinking. Read them carefully—they naturally highlight the direction you should be exploring. If a question asks for a specific detail, that alone narrows down where you should focus your investigation.
I used them as subtle clues, never a shortcut, but part of the overall workflow.
Why I Genuinely Enjoyed the Exam
Looking back, there were several things that made the eJPT such a satisfying experience:
It felt realistic, not artificial.
The progression from external → internal was logical and rewarding.
The tasks were fair, structured, and grounded in real methodology.
It tested my thinking as much as my technical skills.
It gave me a genuine sense of flow—like a real engagement rather than a checklist.
Most importantly, it reminded me why I enjoy offensive security: the creativity, the investigation, and the thrill of uncovering a path forward.
A Note on Pentest Reporting
If I could add one improvement to the exam, it would be integrating a reporting component.
The hands-on technical work is excellent and covers a wide range of junior pentesting skills—but report writing is such an integral part of real-world engagements that including it would elevate the exam even further.
Having to document findings, explain impact, and communicate technical results in a clear, professional way is a huge part of being a pentester. A reporting section would also demonstrate that you truly understand the material, not just the tools.
Hopefully this is something we’ll see included in future iterations.
Final Thoughts: Should You Take the eJPT?
If you’re considering the eJPT, here’s my honest recommendation:
Absolutely go for it.
It’s beginner-friendly without being simplistic, hands-on without being overwhelming, and genuinely enjoyable for anyone who wants to start their journey in offensive security.
Just remember: “Junior” doesn’t mean easy—it means foundational.
With dedication, proper practice, and the right mindset, you’ll not only pass the exam but truly enjoy the process, just like I did.