CAPE Study Plan

Advanced AD exploitation, the step beyond CPTS. A free, day-by-day CAPE schedule built from the official HTB Academy: Active Directory Penetration Tester Job Role Path syllabus, scaled to your exam date and weekly hours.

Approx. cost
$490–$1,400
Difficulty
♥♥♥♥♥
Study time
about 196h
Start level
Intermediate

▶ Build my CAPE plan

> How long does CAPE take?

The plan assumes about 196 study hours. Here is how that stretches across different weekly schedules.

Hours per weekTime to finish
5 hoursabout 40 weeks (9.2 months)
10 hoursabout 20 weeks (4.6 months)
15 hoursabout 14 weeks (3.2 months)
20 hoursabout 10 weeks (2.3 months)
30 hoursabout 7 weeks (1.6 months)

> CAPE exam format

Hack The Box · HTB Academy: Active Directory Penetration Tester Job Role Path

  • Advanced Active Directory penetration test in a realistic multi-host AD environment
  • Must complete 100% of the Active Directory Penetration Tester job-role path first
  • No multiple-choice questions; a letter of engagement sets the scope
  • Commercial-grade report with remediation required to pass
  • Positioned as the advanced step beyond HTB CPTS

Official CAPE page ↗

> CAPE syllabus and study hours

Every topic in the plan, in order, with its baseline hours. The planner shrinks or stretches these to fit your dates.

AD Enumeration Toolkit

Every major way to map a domain, tool by tool.

  • Active Directory Enumeration & Attacks20h · learn
  • Active Directory LDAP7h · learn
  • Active Directory PowerView5h · learn
  • Active Directory BloodHound8h · learn

Lateral Movement & Authentication Abuse

Move through the domain and abuse how it authenticates.

  • Windows Lateral Movement8h · learn
  • Using CrackMapExec15h · learn
  • Kerberos Attacks13h · learn
  • NTLM Relay Attacks6h · learn

Advanced Domain Attacks

DACLs, certificate services, trusts, C2, and evasion.

  • DACL Attacks I4h · learn
  • DACL Attacks II5h · learn
  • ADCS Attacks10h · learn
  • Active Directory Trust Attacks12h · learn
  • Intro to C2 Operations with Sliver10h · learn
  • Introduction to Windows Evasion Techniques8h · learn
  • MSSQL, Exchange, and SCCM Attacks10h · learn

Range Time

Chain the full path against a fresh forest.

  • Redo the AD path labs from memory18h · lab
  • Extra practice on a GOAD-style multi-forest range18h · lab

Final Boss Prep

A cheat sheet and a full-length dry run.

  • Build an advanced AD attack-path cheat sheet7h · review
  • Timed mock exam on an unfamiliar forest12h · review

> Where to practise for CAPE

Each task in your plan lists practice labs for its own topic. These are the best places to put in extra hands-on hours:

> CAPE exam-day checklist

General logistics for exam week. The official exam guide always takes priority if it differs.

One to two weeks before

  • Schedule your exam and add the start time, time zone and deadline to your calendar
  • Read the official exam guide end to end: rules, allowed and banned tools, and what counts as proof
  • Have an advanced AD attack-path cheat sheet ready for an unfamiliar forest
  • Complete a full-length timed practice run on your exam setup
  • Finalize your note-taking setup and templates (see the notes starter below)
  • Build and review your cheat sheets and command references
  • Arrange time off, tell people you will be unavailable, and plan your meals ahead

Machine and network

  • Charge and test a backup device or phone hotspot, and know how to contact support if your connection drops
  • Plug in your laptop and turn off sleep, updates and notifications for the exam
  • Test the VPN or lab connection early and know how to reconnect after a drop
  • Update your attack VM, take a clean snapshot and keep a spare
  • Install and test every tool you plan to use, and check none of them are banned
  • Test your screenshot hotkeys and make sure you have plenty of free disk space

During the exam

  • Sleep well the night before, and skip last-minute cramming
  • Prepare food and water, and set timers for break reminders
  • Read the brief and scope carefully before you touch anything
  • Write notes and capture proof as you go, not at the end
  • Time-box each target and move on when stuck. You can come back later

Report and submission

  • Copy your report template and fill in the easy parts (scope, methodology) while you work
  • Check every finding has reproducible steps and screenshots
  • Proofread: could someone else follow each step?
  • Export in the exact format and naming the exam guide requires
  • Submit with a buffer before the deadline and confirm it was received

Suggested exam-day rhythm

  • Before you start. Check how long the exam window is and work backwards from the deadline.
  • Daily. Fixed working blocks of about 90 minutes, a 10-minute break after each, and a proper stop at night.
  • Each day. Update notes, list your next ideas and back up your evidence.
  • Near the end. Stop new attacks early enough to verify findings and write the report.
  • Submission. Submit with a buffer before the deadline and confirm it was received.

▶ Open the interactive CAPE exam kit

The kit lets you tick items off, download a notes starter and report template, and see a readiness score from your plan progress.

> Passed CAPE with PWN PATH

No CAPE debriefs yet

Passed a cert? A short debrief helps the next learner plan their own run, and it only takes a couple of minutes.

▶ Share my debrief

Debriefs are self-reported. See all pass stories.

> Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to prepare for CAPE?

PWN PATH builds the CAPE plan on about 196 study hours. At 10 hours a week that is roughly 20 weeks, and at 20 hours a week roughly 10 weeks. Your own timeline depends on how much of the material you already know.

What is the CAPE exam like?

Advanced Active Directory penetration test in a realistic multi-host AD environment. Must complete 100% of the Active Directory Penetration Tester job-role path first. No multiple-choice questions; a letter of engagement sets the scope. Commercial-grade report with remediation required to pass. Positioned as the advanced step beyond HTB CPTS.

How hard is CAPE?

We rate CAPE 4 out of 5. It suits people who want to go deep on modern AD attack paths after CPTS. CPTS or equivalent AD knowledge. Must finish the full job-role path.

How much does CAPE cost?

HTB Academy subscription plus a $210 exam voucher. Silver Annual is about $490–550 with a voucher included; some advanced paths need Gold. Prices are approximate, in US dollars unless a currency is shown, and change often. Confirm with the vendor before you buy.

What should I study first for CAPE?

Start with the "AD Enumeration Toolkit" phase: Active Directory Enumeration & Attacks, Active Directory LDAP, Active Directory PowerView. The planner puts topics in a sensible order and scales the hours to the time you have.

What are the prerequisites for CAPE?

CPTS or equivalent AD knowledge. Must finish the full job-role path.

What should I do the week before the CAPE exam?

Re-read the official exam guide for rules and banned tools, test your machine, network and VPN or lab connection, finish a full timed practice run, finalize your notes and cheat sheets, and plan your meals, breaks and sleep. The exam-day checklist on this page covers it step by step.

How should I handle breaks and sleep during the CAPE exam?

Before you start: Check how long the exam window is and work backwards from the deadline. Daily: Fixed working blocks of about 90 minutes, a 10-minute break after each, and a proper stop at night. Each day: Update notes, list your next ideas and back up your evidence. Near the end: Stop new attacks early enough to verify findings and write the report.

What should I take after CAPE?

Common next steps are OSEP. See the roadmap to compare them.

Is the PWN PATH study planner free?

Yes. There are no accounts and no sign-up. Your plan and progress are saved in your browser, and you can export a backup file, add the schedule to your calendar or print it.

> Plan your path

Good stepping stones before CAPE:

CPTSCRTP

Where it leads:

OSEP

More in active directory & red team:

CRTPCRTECRTOOSEP

Not sure CAPE is right for you? Take the one-minute cert quiz.