PJPT Exam Strategy: How to Approach It Like a Real Pentester
If you’re preparing for the PJPT (Practical Junior Penetration Tester) exam by TCM Security, you’ve probably asked yourself:
If you’re preparing for the PJPT (Practical Junior Penetration Tester) exam by TCM Security, you’ve probably asked yourself:
If you’re preparing for the PJPT (Practical Junior Penetration Tester) exam by TCM Security, you’ve probably asked yourself:
- Is the PEH course really enough?- Do I need extra CTFs?- How hard is Active Directory?
I asked the same questions — and still failed my first PJPT attempt.
A few days later, I retook the exam and passed much faster than expected.
This article is a real post-exam review, focused on how to pass the PJPT, what actually matters, and what doesn’t.
What Is the PJPT Exam (And What It Is Not)
The Practical Junior Penetration Tester (PJPT) is an entry-level internal network penetration testing certification from TCM Security.
Let’s clear up a major misconception first:
PJPT is NOT a CTF.
That means:
- ❌ No flags- ❌ No puzzles- ❌ No guessing
Instead, you’re expected to perform a realistic internal pentest, with:
- Enumeration- Exploitation- Lateral movement- Active Directory attacks- Professional reporting
If you treat PJPT like a CTF, you’ll struggle.
Is the Practical Ethical Hacking (PEH) Course Enough?
Yes, and this is not marketing hype.
The PEH course contains everything you need to pass the PJPT exam, especially:
- Enumeration methodology- Active Directory exploitation
I ignored this advice during my first attempt. That mistake cost me the exam.
How I Studied for PJPT
While taking the PEH course, I followed one strict rule:
I took screenshots of everything
- Every command- Every scan- Every shell- Every privilege escalation step
Why this matters:
- You’ll repeat the hacking methodology in the exam- Your PJPT report writing becomes extremely easy
Also, type every command yourself on your own Kali machine. Watching is not enough.
Some tools in the course are slightly outdated, which is normal. The TCM Security Discord is very helpful for finding modern alternatives.
Why I Failed My First PJPT Attempt
During my first attempt:
- Compromising the workstations was straightforward- I got completely stuck on the Domain Controller
Instead of re-watching the relevant Active Directory sections of PEH during the exam (yes, you’re allowed to), I kept trying random ideas.
That was my biggest mistake.
A few hours after the exam ended, I realized exactly what I had missed.
The Truth About Passing the PJPT Exam
You’ll hear this a lot and it’s 100% true:
Everything you need to pass the PJPT is in PEH course. (Especially the AD section)
If I had:
- Rewatched the AD modules- Followed the methodology step by step- Stopped overthinking
…I would’ve passed on my first attempt.
Second Attempt: Why I Passed Quickly
Before my retake, I did one thing only:
👉 I re-ran the entire Active Directory section of the PEH course from start to finish.
No extra CTFs
No random labs
No new tools
The second attempt was smoother, faster, and much clearer, and I passed!
Extra Resource (Optional but Helpful)
If Active Directory concepts or the overall hacking methodology still feel unclear after the PEH course, I recommend watching this video:
PJPT Reporting: This Is Where People Lose Points
The PJPT report is not just a list of findings.
You must document:
- Enumeration steps- Commands used- Screenshots of exploitation- Domain Controller compromise
I used this template as a reference:
https://github.com/hmaverickadams/TCM-Security-Sample-Pentest-Report
Important detail:
You’re expected to explain every step, not just the final access.
Final Tips to Pass the PJPT Exam
If you’re currently preparing, do this:
- Follow the PEH course hands-on- Take screenshots of everything- Build a repeatable pentesting methodology- Ignore unrelated CTF machines- Practice the entire Active Directory section once before the exam- If stuck during the exam — re-watch the course
Do this, and the PJPT becomes very easy.
Is PJPT Worth It?
Yes.
The PJPT certification teaches:
- Realistic internal network pentesting- Proper methodology- Professional reporting habits
Failing once doesn’t mean you’re bad at hacking.
In my case, I passed because I trusted the process, not because I learned new tricks.
Happy Hacking!
If you have any questions, drop them in the comments. I’m happy to help!