How to Prepare for CEH Lab Exam Online?

Introduction

The CEH Practical is a 6-hour, 20-flag real-world penetration testing exam conducted on EC-Council iLabs cyber range. You get a network with multiple vulnerable machines and must perform reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, post-exploitation, and web attacks to capture flags.

Passing it upgrades your credential to CEH Master – the version most companies actually demand in 2025-2026.

CEH Practical Exam Blueprint & Scoring Breakdown

Web attacks give the maximum flags – prioritize them.

Recommended Online Lab Platforms for CEH Practical Practice

• Official EC-Council iLabs (included with most training)
• TryHackMe – Complete “Red Team” & “Web” paths
• Hack The Box – Starting Point + retired easy boxes
• PortSwigger Web Security Academy (free SQLi/XSS labs)
• PentesterLab PRO or free exercises
• VulnHub machines + DVWA + Mutillidae

30-Day CEH Lab Exam Preparation Plan

• Week 1 → Nmap mastery + enumeration scripts
• Week 2 → SQL Injection (manual + sqlmap) + XSS
• Week 3 → Windows & Linux privilege escalation
• Week 4 → Full iLabs practice exams + timed mock tests

Setup your own lab for unlimited practice.

Must-Have Tools & Commands for the Exam

• nmap -sS -sV -sC -O -p- --script=vuln
• sqlmap -u URL --dbs --batch --risk=3 --level=5
• Burp Suite Community + manual payloads
• linpeas.sh / winPEAS.exe for privesc
• hashcat -m 1000 hash.txt rockyou.txt
• Metasploit meterpreter commands

Time Management Strategy for 6-Hour Exam

• First 30 min → Recon & scanning all machines
• Next 2.5 hours → Web application attacks (maximum flags)
• Next 2 hours → System hacking & privesc
• Last 30 min → Double-check & submit flags

Avoid common mistakes that waste time.

Common Reasons Students Fail CEH Practical

• No prior hands-on practice
• Poor time management
• Skipping web application section
• Not reading questions carefully
• Getting stuck on one machine

Conclusion: Your Success Formula

Anyone with basic CEH theory knowledge can clear the Practical in first attempt if they practice daily on real labs for 30–45 days. Focus 60% of your preparation on web attacks and privilege escalation – they decide your score.

Join a training program that provides official iLabs access, daily mock lab exams, and 1-on-1 doubt clearing. Students who follow this strategy consistently score 18–20/20 flags.

Book your CEH Practical slot today and become CEH Master in 2025!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many flags do I need to pass CEH Practical?

Minimum 14 out of 20 flags (70%).

Is CEH Practical harder than theory?

Yes, because it is 100% hands-on.

Can I take CEH Practical online from home?

Yes, fully proctored online with webcam.

How long is the CEH lab exam?

Exactly 6 hours.

Do I get Kali Linux in the exam?

Yes, pre-configured Kali with all tools.

Is internet allowed during exam?

No. Only provided Kali machine and target network.

Can I use Metasploit?

Yes, and it is recommended for speed.

How many machines are there usually?

6–10 machines in the network.

Is SQL injection always present?

Almost always – 5–7 flags come from web attacks.

What if I get stuck?

You can skip and come back later.

Do flags have different points?

No, each flag = 5 points (total 100).

Can I retake if I fail?

Yes, but you pay full exam fee again.

How soon can I book the practical after theory?

Immediately after clearing theory.

Is 1 month enough for CEH Practical prep?

Yes, if you practice 4–6 hours daily on labs.

Which institute gives best lab access?

Check for official EC-Council ATC with 24×7 iLabs.