How I Passed eJPTv2 with 88% on My First Attempt
Introduction
After months of learning, practicing, failing, and improving, I am excited to share that I successfully passed the eJPTv2 (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester) certification with an 88% score on my first attempt.
For me, this certification was not just about earning a badge. It was about proving that I could apply penetration testing concepts in realistic environments and think like an ethical hacker.
In this article, I want to share my preparation journey, the labs I practiced, lessons I learned, and some advice for future eJPT candidates.
Why I Chose eJPTv2
As a Cybersecurity graduate, I wanted a certification that focused on practical skills rather than memorization.
The eJPTv2 stood out because it tests:
Network Enumeration
Vulnerability Assessment
Web Application Testing
Exploitation
Pivoting
Post-Exploitation
Reporting and Analysis
Unlike many multiple-choice exams, eJPT requires hands-on problem-solving in a realistic penetration testing environment.
My Preparation Journey
My preparation was based on two major components:
1. INE eJPTv2 Training
I completed the official training materials and labs provided by INE.
The course helped me understand:
Information Gathering
Active and Passive Reconnaissance
Network Scanning
Enumeration Techniques
Exploitation Fundamentals
Web Application Security
Metasploit Usage
Pivoting Concepts
The labs were extremely valuable because they simulated real-world scenarios rather than simple capture-the-flag challenges.
2. TryHackMe Practice
To strengthen my practical skills, I spent time solving machines on TryHackMe.
Some of the rooms that helped me the most were:
Ice
The Ice room introduced me to:
Service Enumeration
Vulnerability Identification
Exploitation using Metasploit
Privilege Escalation Concepts
It was a great beginner-friendly room that helped build confidence.
Blue
Blue is one of the most famous beginner rooms and focuses on:
SMB Enumeration
EternalBlue Exploitation
Windows Post-Exploitation
This room helped me understand how critical proper enumeration is before exploitation.
Blast
The Blast room challenged me to think more critically about:
Network Services
Enumeration Strategies
Exploitation Workflow
Privilege Escalation
Working through Blast improved my methodology and troubleshooting skills.
Exam Experience
When I started the eJPTv2 exam, my primary strategy was simple:
Enumerate Everything
One lesson I learned during practice was:
Enumeration is the key to penetration testing.
Instead of rushing into exploitation, I spent significant time identifying:
Open Ports
Running Services
Potential Vulnerabilities
Hidden Information
This approach helped me avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Stay Organized
I maintained notes throughout the exam:
IP Addresses
Credentials
Interesting Findings
Exploitation Steps
Good note-taking made the process much smoother.
Think Methodically
Whenever I got stuck, I followed a structured approach:
Enumerate
Verify
Exploit
Escalate
Document
This prevented me from wasting time.
My Result
🎉 eJPTv2 Passed
Score: 88%
Attempt: First Try
Seeing the passing result was incredibly rewarding because it validated all the effort spent learning cybersecurity fundamentals and practicing in labs.
Key Lessons Learned
1. Enumeration Wins Exams
Most exam solutions begin with proper enumeration.
2. Practice Matters More Than Theory
Reading about penetration testing is useful, but performing attacks in labs builds real skills.
3. Take Notes
Good documentation saves time and prevents confusion.
4. Don't Panic
If one path fails, return to enumeration and investigate further.
5. Build a Methodology
A repeatable process is more valuable than memorizing exploits.
Advice for Future eJPT Candidates
If you're preparing for eJPTv2, I recommend:
✅ Complete the official INE course
✅ Practice regularly on TryHackMe
✅ Focus heavily on enumeration
✅ Learn Nmap thoroughly
✅ Understand Metasploit fundamentals
✅ Practice Windows and Linux privilege escalation basics
✅ Develop a note-taking system
Most importantly:
Don't chase shortcuts. Build skills. The certification will follow naturally.
What's Next?
Passing eJPTv2 is just the beginning of my cybersecurity journey.
My next goals include:
Advanced Penetration Testing
Bug Bounty Hunting
AI Security Engineering
Building Security Tools
Sharing Knowledge through PWNAISEC
I plan to document my learning journey, write technical blogs, and build practical projects that help me grow as a cybersecurity professional.
Final Thoughts
Passing eJPTv2 with an 88% score on my first attempt was a major milestone for me.
The combination of official training, TryHackMe practice, and consistent hands-on learning played a huge role in my success.
To anyone currently preparing for the exam:
Stay consistent, practice daily, trust the process, and never stop learning.
See you in the next PWNAISEC article.
