Introduction
The OSWE certification exam simulates a live network, which contains several vulnerable systems. You need to exploit these machines and provide proof of exploitation. The objective of the certification challenge is to demonstrate creative thinking and success in penetration of the victim targets.
You will have 47 hours and 45 minutes to complete the challenge itself and further a 24 hours to send your documentation to the Offensive Security Challenges department.
Where can I find the exam guide?
The OSWE exam guide is available at the following link: OSWE Exam Guide
How do I schedule my certification exam?
To learn how to schedule an exam, how to see the amount of time you have left before your exam attempt expires or understand how rescheduling an exam works, please visit our Important information about exam scheduling or Important information about exam scheduling in the Training Library article, depending on the environment you are studying in.
Documentation requirements
You must retrieve local.txt and proof.txt files and input them into your Exam Control Panel. In addition, you must include screenshots that prove remote access showing the content of these files inside your exam report.
You must document your attempts or attacks and send in your exam documentation within 24 hours after the completion of the 48 hours. Please use our OSWE exam report template for your documentation, available at the following URLs:
- https://www.offensive-security.com/awae/OSWE-Exam-Report.doc (Microsoft Word)
- https://www.offensive-security.com/awae/OSWE-Exam-Report.odt (OpenOffice/LibreOffice)
How can I find out my exam score?
While we cannot provide your exact exam score, you can use the point assignment outlined in the exam guide to approximate your score.
What is the exam retake policy?
All exams have a cooling off period in between attempts. You can view additional details on the cooling off period here.
What information is available about exam proctoring?
All OSWE exams are proctored. Please make sure to read our online FAQ at the following location: Proctoring FAQ