How I Cracked the eCPPTv3 at 16 🎂

Certification image, Cert link

The eCPPTv3 (eLearnSecurity Certified Professional Penetration Tester) is widely considered one of the best “bridge” certifications between entry-level security and the more intense OSCP. However, for a 16-year-old student, the $700+ price tag for the INE Premium subscription can feel like an impossible wall.

I recently cleared the exam on my first attempt, and I did it by bypassing the standard “pay-to-play” route. Here is how I optimized my budget, my study plan, and my mindset to get certified without breaking the bank.

1. The “Black Friday” Maneuver

Let’s talk money first. The standard path involves paying for an annual INE subscription ($700+) just to access the course material. Instead, I waited for Black Friday.

During the sales, INE often offers discounted exam vouchers or “Fundamentals” subscriptions at a fraction of the cost. I focused purely on acquiring the exam voucher itself. By keeping a close eye on the discounts, I managed to secure my attempt at a price point that was actually manageable for a teenager.

Pro Tip: If you can’t afford the official course, don’t worry. The eCPPTv3 syllabus is public. You can find 90% of what you need on platforms like TryHackMe and HackTheBox for a fraction of the cost

2. Studying Without the Official Course

Since I didn’t pay for the INE Security training, I had to build my own “curriculum.” The eCPPTv3 is practical, focusing on the entire penetration testing life cycle. I substituted the official labs with these resources:

• Pivoting & Networking: This is the core of the eCPPT. I spent weeks on TryHackMe’s Wreath network. Understanding how to jump from one machine to another (Chisel, Ligolo-ng, SSH tunneling) is non-negotiable, well, this been said, i didn’t had to make any pivoting in the exam, but i will make an article a part from this one explaining how the exam was for me and everything.
• Buffer Overflows: While the v3 is moving more toward modern exploits, knowing the basics of x86 architecture is still vital. I used the TryHackMe Rooms for preparing, and, again, not a single machine with a buffer overflow intrusion was in the exam
• Web Exploitation: I focused on the PortSwigger Academy (which is free!) to master SQLi, XSS, and Command Injection.
• Active Directory: I, again, used the TryHackMe Rooms including an AD workstation, I used the HackTheBox labs too.

3. The Biggest Difficulties

Being 16 and taking a professional-grade exam brings a unique set of challenges:

• The “Rabbit Hole” Trap: During the exam, I spent four hours stuck on a single service. I had to learn the hard way that if something isn’t working, you need to step back, drink some water, and re-scan. Things weren’t that hard ;)
• Reporting: Remember that no report needs to be written for the submit of the exam!

4. Why This Certification Matters

The eCPPTv3 isn’t just a piece of paper. For me, it was about proving that age and budget aren’t barriers to entry in cybersecurity.

The exam mimics a real-world engagement. You have 24hours to perform the assessment, It tests your stamina as much as your technical skills.

Final Thoughts

If you are a student or someone on a tight budget, don’t let the “Premium” price tags of the industry discourage you. Use the sales, use the free community resources, watch reviews from people that already accomplished the exam, and build your own labs.

The eCPPTv3 is a beast, but it’s a beatable one if you’re willing to put in the hours of research that a paid course would otherwise hand to you on a silver platter.

On to the next challenge!

👋 About the Author

Hi! I’m Ghxstsec (Joel Morillas), a cybersecurity enthusiast and penetration tester. I am dedicated to documenting my journey through the complex world of offensive security.

I currently hold the eJPTv3, and now the eCPPTv3 certifications. My goal is to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and hands-on practice while sharing my honest experiences with the community. When I’m not in a 24-hour exam marathon, you can find me tackling labs on Try Hack Me or researching the latest articles about cybersecurity!

✉️ Connect with me:

• LinkedIn: LinkedIn
• GitHub: GitHub
• Twitter/X: Twitter

Thank you so much for going through all the article! I wish you the best of luck on your next achievements! 😊