OSEE Study Plan

Widely regarded as the hardest cert in offensive security. Seats are limited. A free, day-by-day OSEE schedule built from the official EXP-401: Advanced Windows Exploitation syllabus, scaled to your exam date and weekly hours.

Approx. cost
$9,000–$13,000
Difficulty
♥♥♥♥♥
Study time
about 232h
Start level
Advanced

▶ Build my OSEE plan

> How long does OSEE take?

The plan assumes about 232 study hours. Here is how that stretches across different weekly schedules.

Hours per weekTime to finish
5 hoursabout 47 weeks (10.9 months)
10 hoursabout 24 weeks (5.5 months)
15 hoursabout 16 weeks (3.7 months)
20 hoursabout 12 weeks (2.8 months)
30 hoursabout 8 weeks (1.8 months)

> OSEE exam format

OffSec · EXP-401: Advanced Windows Exploitation

  • 72-hour hands-on exam against fully patched, modern Windows targets
  • Must defeat kernel and user-mode mitigations: CFG, ACG, ASLR, DEP and more
  • Completing EXP-301 (OSED) or equivalent exploit-dev experience is required first
  • Delivered live online or in person; seats are limited and application-based
  • OSEE certification does not expire, and is considered a career-defining credential

Official OSEE page ↗

> OSEE 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.

Prerequisite Mastery

OSED-level exploit dev has to be automatic before this course even starts.

  • Re-drill OSED-level exploit dev fundamentals20h · learn
  • Windows kernel architecture & driver basics14h · learn

EXP-401 Course

Work through the official modules and their exercises.

  • Advanced fuzzing harness design12h · learn
  • Patch diffing & 1-day exploit development14h · learn
  • Kernel debugging & driver exploitation16h · learn
  • Defeating modern kernel & user-mode mitigations14h · learn
  • Client-side exploitation under modern mitigations16h · learn
  • Advanced ROP/JOP chain construction16h · learn
  • Kernel privilege escalation exploitation14h · learn

Range Time

Rebuild every exploit chain until none of it needs notes.

  • Rebuild every exploit chain from memory30h · lab
  • Practice against fresh, patched builds30h · lab

Final Boss Prep

A from-scratch toolkit and a full-length dry run.

  • Build a from-scratch exploit dev toolkit12h · review
  • Timed 72-hour mock exam simulation24h · review

> Where to practise for OSEE

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

> OSEE 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
  • Confirm the delivery format, schedule and anything you must bring with OffSec
  • Complete a full-length timed practice run (72 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 (if required)

  • 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 1. Connect, confirm the VPN, read the brief, set up your notes and plan the first day.
  • Day 1. Enumerate everything, then go after the most promising targets in 90-minute blocks with short breaks.
  • 2 sleep windows. Plan 6 or more hours each night. Write down where you stopped and your next three ideas before you sleep.
  • Meals and movement. Eat proper meals away from the desk and walk outside at least once a day.
  • Last 6 hours. Stop new attacks, verify evidence and outline the report while everything is fresh.
  • After the hands-on part. Write the report in focused blocks, proofread, and submit with a buffer before the deadline.

▶ Open the interactive OSEE 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 OSEE with PWN PATH

No OSEE 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 OSEE?

PWN PATH builds the OSEE plan on about 232 study hours. At 10 hours a week that is roughly 24 weeks, and at 20 hours a week roughly 12 weeks. Your own timeline depends on how much of the material you already know.

What is the OSEE exam like?

72-hour hands-on exam against fully patched, modern Windows targets. Must defeat kernel and user-mode mitigations: CFG, ACG, ASLR, DEP and more. Completing EXP-301 (OSED) or equivalent exploit-dev experience is required first. Delivered live online or in person; seats are limited and application-based. OSEE certification does not expire, and is considered a career-defining credential.

How hard is OSEE?

We rate OSEE 5 out of 5. It suits seasoned exploit developers chasing the most respected Windows exploitation credential. OSED or equivalent experience. Application-based, limited seats.

How much does OSEE cost?

Sold as in-person training with limited seats and listed at roughly $9,000–13,000 depending on venue. Check OffSec. 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 OSEE?

Start with the "Prerequisite Mastery" phase: Re-drill OSED-level exploit dev fundamentals, Windows kernel architecture & driver basics. The planner puts topics in a sensible order and scales the hours to the time you have.

What are the prerequisites for OSEE?

OSED or equivalent experience. Application-based, limited seats.

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

Hour 0 to 1: Connect, confirm the VPN, read the brief, set up your notes and plan the first day. Day 1: Enumerate everything, then go after the most promising targets in 90-minute blocks with short breaks. 2 sleep windows: Plan 6 or more hours each night. Write down where you stopped and your next three ideas before you sleep. Meals and movement: Eat proper meals away from the desk and walk outside at least once a day.

What should I take after OSEE?

OSEE is one of the furthest steps in its track. The roadmap shows related certs in other tracks.

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 OSEE:

OSED

More in exploit development:

OSED

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