Introduction
The PCWPT (PCTF Certified Web Penetration Tester) is a practical web application penetration testing certification. It is Designed to validate your skills in identifying and exploiting web vulnerabilities, this certification demonstrates your ability to conduct professional web application security assessments in real-world scenarios.
Whether you’re transitioning into application security, preparing for bug bounty hunting, or looking to validate your web pentesting skills, this guide will help you prepare effectively for the PCWPT exam.
What to Expect
The PCWPT exam simulates a real-world web application penetration test. You’ll be tasked with:
- Identifying vulnerabilities in live web applications
- Exploiting discovered weaknesses to demonstrate impact
- Documenting your findings in a professional manner
- Providing remediation recommendations for each vulnerability
- Demonstrating a methodical approach to web application testing
The exam is designed to mirror actual client engagements, testing not just your technical skills but also your ability to communicate findings effectively.
Target Audience
- Senior Penetration Testers
- Mid Level Penetration Testers
- Web Application Penetration Testers
- Web Developers (front-end & back-end)
- Web Application Security Engineers
- Web Source Code Reviewers
- Senior Bug Bounty Hunters
Core Skills You Need to Master
- OWASP TOP 10 Vulnerabilites
- Web Application Architecture
- Recon and Web Application Exploitation
Alternatively you can check out the web application penetration testing job path.
Certifications Comparison
| Certification | Provider | Cost | Exam Duration | Difficulty | Testing Type | Report | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCWPT | Parrot CTFs | $300 | 24 hours | Intermediate | Black Box | ✓ | Lifetime |
| eWPT | INE Security | $499-599 | 7 + 7 days | Intermediate | Black Box | ✓ | 3 years |
| CWEE | Hack The Box | $350 | 10 days | Advanced | Black & White Box | ✓ | Lifetime |
| OSWE | OffSec | $1,749 | 48 + 24 hours | Advanced | White Box | ✓ | Lifetime |
| BSCP | PortSwigger | ~$500 | 4 hours | Intermediate | Black Box | ✗ | 3 years |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | PCWPT | eWPT | CWEE | OSWE | BSCP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training Included | Lifetime VIP Sub | ✓ | Separate | ✓ | Free |
| Black Box Testing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| White Box Testing | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom Exploits | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Patch Development | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free Retake | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Best For | Intermediate | Intermediate | Advanced | Expert | Bug Bounty |
Additional Resources
- Official Parrot CTFs: https://parrot-ctfs.com
- Parrot CTFs Academy: https://academy.parrot-ctfs.com
- Parrot CTFs Help Center: https://help.parrot-ctfs.com
- Community Discord: Check Parrot CTFs website for invite link
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