Achieving OSCP Certification in 30 Days | Complete Study Plan & Daily Guide

Table of Contents

• Why Aim for OSCP in 30 Days?
• Who Can Follow This 30-Day OSCP Plan?
• OSCP 30-Day Study Plan Overview
• Week 1: Build Your Foundation
• Week 2: Focused Exploitation and Privilege Escalation
• Week 3: Advanced Techniques and Exam Readiness
• Week 4: Full Practice and Exam Simulation
• Key Tools to Master
• Tips to Succeed in 30 Days
• What Happens After You Pass OSCP?
• Learn OSCP with the Right Mentorship
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is one of the most respected certifications in ethical hacking and penetration testing. Known for its rigorous 24-hour hands-on exam and real-world practical skills, passing OSCP is a challenge—but with a well-structured 30-day plan, it's achievable.

This guide outlines a focused, day-by-day OSCP study plan based on the PWK (Penetration Testing with Kali Linux) syllabus, helping both professionals and students stay organized, gain technical mastery, and become OSCP-certified in just one month.

Why Aim for OSCP in 30 Days?

Many professionals opt for a fast-paced 30-day plan to:

• Prepare efficiently before their lab access or exam window ends.

• Balance OSCP study with a full-time job or academic commitments.

• Focus with intensity and discipline, using structured milestones.

Who Can Follow This 30-Day OSCP Plan?

This plan works best for:

• Individuals with basic knowledge of networking, Linux, and scripting (Python/Bash).

• Students or professionals who can dedicate 4–6 hours per day.

• Candidates with access to the PWK lab and course materials.

OSCP 30-Day Study Plan Overview

Week 1: Build Your Foundation

Day 1–2: Setup and Recon Basics

• Install Kali Linux (VM or bare metal).

• Configure VPN access to PWK labs.

• Learn Nmap, Netcat, Dirbuster, Gobuster, and OSINT tools.

• Read PWK modules on Information Gathering.

Day 3–4: Service Enumeration

• Focus on SMB, FTP, SSH, HTTP, and SNMP enumeration.

• Practice using enum4linux, smbclient, and nmap -sC -sV.

• Build custom scripts for automation.

Day 5–6: Exploitation Fundamentals

• Work on basic Metasploit usage (one-liners, payloads, sessions).

• Learn manual exploitation with public exploits (searchsploit).

• Document every exploited machine in lab.

Day 7: Weekly Review & Notes

• Review all notes.

• Summarize commands and exploitation steps.

• Create personal cheat sheets.

Week 2: Focused Exploitation and Privilege Escalation

Day 8–9: Linux Privilege Escalation

• Learn enumeration with LinPEAS, Linux-Exploit-Suggester, pspy.

• Practice privesc via SUID, cron jobs, weak passwords, and kernel exploits.

Day 10–11: Windows Privilege Escalation

• Use winPEAS, Sherlock, PowerUp, AccessChk.

• Focus on token impersonation, unquoted service paths, always install elevated.

Day 12–13: Real Lab Machines

• Exploit 2–3 Linux and Windows machines from PWK lab.

• Avoid using Metasploit unless required.

• Track your success/failure with each machine.

Day 14: Lab Mapping + Notes

• Visualize network structure of lab machines.

• Tag each machine by OS, entry point, and privesc method.

Week 3: Advanced Techniques and Exam Readiness

Day 15–16: Web Exploitation

• Practice LFI, RFI, SQL Injection, XSS, Command Injection.

• Learn Burp Suite, wfuzz, sqlmap, and manual testing.

Day 17–18: Buffer Overflow (BOF)

• Follow PWK BOF module.

• Use Immunity Debugger, Mona.py.

• Complete BOF exercises with step-by-step shellcode creation.

Day 19–20: Active Directory (AD) Attacks

• Focus on enumeration with rpcclient, crackmapexec, BloodHound.

• Practice pass-the-hash, Kerberoasting, and privilege escalation in AD labs.

Day 21: Report Writing Practice

• Document one full attack chain.

• Write a professional pentest report using Offensive Security’s template.

Week 4: Full Practice and Exam Simulation

Day 22–24: Solve New Machines

• Avoid repeating lab boxes. Try harder ones or use VulnHub/HTB.

• Use a timer to simulate exam constraints (4 hours per machine).

Day 25–26: Simulate Full Exam

• Pick 5 machines (1 BOF + 4 standard) and exploit them in 24 hours.

• Write full report next day within 24-hour submission window.

Day 27–28: Weak Areas & Notes Review

• Identify weak topics (BOF, privesc, AD) and practice again.

• Finalize cheat sheet and command references.

Day 29–30: Rest, Revision, Mindset

• Get 8+ hours sleep before exam.

• Prepare checklist: tools, scripts, VPN, note templates.

• Relax and stay confident.

Key Tools to Master

• Kali Linux

• Nmap, Netcat

• Metasploit (limited)

• Burp Suite

• LinPEAS, WinPEAS

• Enum4linux, Crackmapexec

• Immunity Debugger

• BloodHound, Neo4j

• Custom exploit scripts (Python/Bash)

Tips to Succeed in 30 Days

• Time Management: Stick to daily milestones.

• Hands-On First: Don’t just read—practice every technique.

• Write Reports: Practice documentation like the real exam.

• Avoid Over-Reliance on Tools: Understand the manual steps.

• Track Progress: Maintain a spreadsheet of completed topics/labs.

What Happens After You Pass OSCP?

After passing OSCP:

• You'll be certified by Offensive Security.

• Eligible for roles like Penetration Tester, SOC Analyst, or Red Teamer.

• Can aim for advanced certifications like OSEP, OSWE, or CRTP.

Learn OSCP with the Right Mentorship

At Ethical Hacking Institute, students gain access to:

• 1-on-1 mentorship from OSCP-certified trainers

• Real-world lab machines and scenarios

• Structured training based on PWK syllabus

• Placement assistance and post-course support

Conclusion

With discipline, the right resources, and expert guidance, achieving OSCP certification in 30 days is not a dream—it’s a plan. Stick to this daily guide, focus on skill-building, and simulate real exam conditions to increase your chances of passing on the first attempt.

FAQs

What is the OSCP certification?

The OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is a hands-on penetration testing certification offered by Offensive Security, known for its real-world hacking challenges and practical exam format.

Is it possible to pass OSCP in 30 days?

Yes, passing OSCP in 30 days is possible with prior knowledge of Linux, networking, and scripting, along with a disciplined daily study plan.

How many hours per day should I study for OSCP in 30 days?

To succeed within 30 days, you should dedicate 4 to 6 focused hours daily for learning, lab practice, and report writing.

What are the key topics covered in a 30-day OSCP study plan?

The plan includes information gathering, service enumeration, exploitation techniques, privilege escalation (Linux/Windows), web attacks, buffer overflows, Active Directory exploitation, and report writing.

Do I need to complete all PWK lab machines for OSCP?

It's not mandatory to complete all lab machines, but solving at least 30–40 diverse machines will help build the required skills for the exam.

What tools should I master for OSCP preparation?

Essential tools include Nmap, Netcat, Burp Suite, LinPEAS, WinPEAS, Metasploit (limited), BloodHound, and custom Python/Bash scripts.

Is buffer overflow necessary for OSCP exam?

Yes, the OSCP exam includes a buffer overflow machine, and you must exploit it without using Metasploit to earn points.

Can I use Metasploit in the OSCP exam?

Metasploit can be used on one machine only during the exam. Manual exploitation is encouraged for the rest.

How do I practice report writing for OSCP?

Use the Offensive Security-provided report template and document each lab and simulated exam in a detailed, professional format.

What happens if I fail the OSCP exam?

You can retake the exam by purchasing a retake from Offensive Security. It's important to review weak areas and practice more lab machines.

What is the passing score for OSCP exam?

You need 70 out of 100 points to pass the OSCP exam, including the buffer overflow machine.

Is 30 days enough if I have no prior experience?

For beginners, 30 days may be too tight. It's recommended to extend your study time or complete a pre-OSCP foundation course.

Can I prepare for OSCP alongside a full-time job?

Yes, with proper time management and a strict schedule, it's possible to prepare while working full-time.

Which resources are best for OSCP preparation?

Official PWK materials, Hack The Box, TryHackMe, VulnHub, and YouTube walkthroughs are excellent resources.

What is the format of the OSCP exam?

The exam is a 24-hour hands-on hacking session with five machines, followed by a 24-hour reporting window.

How do I simulate the OSCP exam?

Pick five machines (including one buffer overflow), set a 24-hour timer, and try to exploit them without external help.

Do I need to submit a report after the OSCP exam?

Yes, a detailed penetration testing report is required within 24 hours after completing the exam.

How can I stay motivated during the 30-day plan?

Track your daily progress, solve new challenges, celebrate small wins, and connect with others preparing for OSCP.

What is the role of Active Directory in OSCP?

AD labs help simulate real-world corporate environments; AD exploitation is commonly seen in the exam.

How much does OSCP certification cost?

As of 2025, OSCP costs range from $1599 to $2499 depending on the lab time you purchase.

Can Ethical Hacking Institute help me prepare for OSCP?

Yes, Ethical Hacking Institute provides OSCP-aligned training, lab support, expert mentorship, and placement assistance.

How important is Linux knowledge for OSCP?

Linux is critical for OSCP. Many machines are Linux-based, and command-line comfort is essential.

Do I need Python scripting for OSCP?

Basic scripting skills in Python or Bash can greatly help in exploit development and automation.

How should I prepare for privilege escalation?

Use automated tools like LinPEAS and winPEAS, and understand manual techniques through practice.

What’s the best way to take OSCP notes?

Use tools like CherryTree, Obsidian, or OneNote to structure your notes by topics and machines.

Can I use ChatGPT during OSCP exam?

No, you’re not allowed to use AI tools like ChatGPT during the exam. All solutions must be your own.

What is the OSCP exam retake policy?

You can retake the exam after purchasing an additional attempt. There’s no waiting period required.

Do employers value OSCP certification?

Absolutely. OSCP is highly regarded by cybersecurity employers for its hands-on difficulty and skill validation.

What job roles can I apply for after OSCP?

Common job roles include Penetration Tester, Red Team Operator, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Security Consultant.

What’s the next step after OSCP?

You can pursue advanced certs like OSEP, OSWE, or focus on niche areas like cloud pentesting or threat emulation.