OSDA Study Plan

Learn to see the attacks that OSCP teaches you to launch. A free, day-by-day OSDA schedule built from the official SOC-200: Security Operations and Defensive Analysis syllabus, scaled to your exam date and weekly hours.

Approx. cost
$1,749–$2,749
Difficulty
♥♥♥♥♥
Study time
about 117h
Start level
Junior

▶ Build my OSDA plan

> How long does OSDA take?

The plan assumes about 117 study hours. Here is how that stretches across different weekly schedules.

Hours per weekTime to finish
5 hoursabout 24 weeks (5.5 months)
10 hoursabout 12 weeks (2.8 months)
15 hoursabout 8 weeks (1.8 months)
20 hoursabout 6 weeks (1.4 months)
30 hoursabout 4 weeks (0.9 months)

> OSDA exam format

OffSec · SOC-200: Security Operations and Defensive Analysis

  • 24-hour hands-on exam analyzing a live, simulated attack
  • Identify indicators of compromise across logs, network traffic and endpoints
  • Professional incident report required after the hands-on window
  • Covers detection engineering, SIEM analysis and attacker TTPs (MITRE ATT&CK)
  • OSDA certification does not expire

Official OSDA page ↗

> OSDA 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.

Blue Team Foundations

The defender's view of systems and networks, before the SOC content.

  • Windows & Linux system/network fundamentals for defenders8h · learn
  • Introduction to Threat Detection & SIEM concepts6h · learn

SOC-200 Course

Work through the official modules and their exercises.

  • Network Security & Monitoring10h · learn
  • Endpoint Detection & Analysis10h · learn
  • Understanding Attacker TTPs & MITRE ATT&CK8h · learn
  • Detecting Web Attacks8h · learn
  • Detecting Host & Network Exploitation10h · learn
  • Detecting Post-Exploitation & Lateral Movement10h · learn
  • Incident Handling & Reporting6h · learn

Training Grounds

Practice triage and investigation end to end.

  • SIEM alert triage drills14h · lab
  • Sample-dataset investigations end to end14h · lab

Final Boss Prep

A checklist and a full-length dry run.

  • Build a detection & triage checklist5h · review
  • Timed mock incident-response exam8h · review

> Where to practise for OSDA

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

> OSDA 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
  • Practice triaging alerts across SIEM, network and endpoint data
  • Have your detection and triage checklist ready
  • Complete a full-length timed practice run (24 hours if you can) 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
  • Check your ID is valid and matches the name on your exam account

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

Proctoring and room

  • Test your webcam, microphone and screen sharing on the proctoring platform
  • Clear your desk and room as the rules require, and tell housemates not to interrupt
  • Confirm what is allowed at your desk (second monitor, phone, notes, paper) and follow it exactly
  • Learn the rules for breaks and for leaving the camera view
  • Have your ID ready and know the check-in steps

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
  • Stop new attacks with enough time left to verify your evidence

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

  • Hour 0 to 0:30. Connect, confirm the VPN, read the brief and set up your notes.
  • Hour 0:30 to 2. Enumerate everything first. Rank targets by points and how promising they look.
  • Through the day. Work in blocks of about 90 minutes with a 10-minute break after each. Time-box each target and rotate when stuck.
  • Meals. Eat real meals away from your desk roughly every 5 to 6 hours.
  • Around hour 12. Decide on a sleep window of 4 to 6 hours. A rested brain spots what a tired one misses.
  • Last 3 hours. Stop new attacks unless you are very close. Verify proof, collect screenshots and outline the report.
  • After the hands-on part. Write the report in one focused block, proofread, and submit with a buffer before the deadline.

▶ Open the interactive OSDA 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 OSDA with PWN PATH

No OSDA 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 OSDA?

PWN PATH builds the OSDA plan on about 117 study hours. At 10 hours a week that is roughly 12 weeks, and at 20 hours a week roughly 6 weeks. Your own timeline depends on how much of the material you already know.

What is the OSDA exam like?

24-hour hands-on exam analyzing a live, simulated attack. Identify indicators of compromise across logs, network traffic and endpoints. Professional incident report required after the hands-on window. Covers detection engineering, SIEM analysis and attacker TTPs (MITRE ATT&CK). OSDA certification does not expire.

How hard is OSDA?

We rate OSDA 2 out of 5. It suits defenders who want hands-on detection work tied to MITRE ATT&CK. Windows and Linux basics and some networking.

How much does OSDA cost?

OffSec bundles start around $1,749 (course, 90 days of labs, one exam attempt); Learn One is about $2,749 per year with two attempts. 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 OSDA?

Start with the "Blue Team Foundations" phase: Windows & Linux system/network fundamentals for defenders, Introduction to Threat Detection & SIEM concepts. The planner puts topics in a sensible order and scales the hours to the time you have.

What are the prerequisites for OSDA?

Windows and Linux basics and some networking.

What should I do the week before the OSDA 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 OSDA exam?

Hour 0 to 0:30: Connect, confirm the VPN, read the brief and set up your notes. Hour 0:30 to 2: Enumerate everything first. Rank targets by points and how promising they look. Through the day: Work in blocks of about 90 minutes with a 10-minute break after each. Time-box each target and rotate when stuck. Meals: Eat real meals away from your desk roughly every 5 to 6 hours.

What should I take after OSDA?

Common next steps are CDSA. 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 OSDA:

CJCA

Where it leads:

CDSA

More in blue team & soc:

CJCABTL1OSIRCDSA

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