HTB CJCA exam-day guide
HTB CJCA · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid government-issued photo ID
HTB certification exams are proctored, and the proctor will verify your identity before the session starts. Use the exact name that appears on your HTB account and exam booking; a mismatch can delay or block entry. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Stable wired internet connection and a backup option
The exam is delivered remotely and typically runs for many hours. Prefer Ethernet over Wi-Fi, and have a mobile hotspot or tethering plan ready as a fallback. Test the connection the day before, including upload stability, since screen sharing and proctoring consume bandwidth.
Compatible machine meeting proctoring requirements
Check the provider's stated OS, browser, webcam, microphone, and screen-sharing requirements in advance. Run any required system or proctoring-tool compatibility check at least 24 hours before the exam so you have time to fix driver or permission issues.
Working webcam and microphone
Proctoring usually requires a live camera view of you and your workspace plus audio. Test both in the exact browser and tool you will use, and grant camera and microphone permissions ahead of time so the browser does not prompt you mid-check-in.
A private, quiet room with a clear desk
Remove notes, second screens, phones, and anything the proctoring policy disallows from the desk and surrounding area. Tell household members not to enter. Confirm with the provider whether a closed door, a specific camera angle, or a room scan is required.
Your HTB account credentials and exam access details
Have your login, exam voucher or access link, and any session instructions ready. Verify you can reach the exam environment and the target VPN or connection method before the day, and confirm with the provider what to do if access fails at start time.
Preferred tooling installed and tested
Install and smoke-test the tools you rely on (terminal, VPN client, browser with proxy settings, note-taking app, screenshot utility) so you are not debugging installs under time pressure. Keep your own notes organized in a format you can review quickly.
Note-taking and time-tracking setup
Prepare a simple template for recording findings per target: host, service, credential, vulnerability, and proof. Track elapsed time against your plan so you can decide when to move on from a stuck objective. Confirm whether the provider restricts note-taking tools or requires notes to stay on-screen.
Water, snacks, and any permitted comfort items
Long exams are draining; keep water and quiet snacks within reach if the rules allow. Confirm with the provider what food, drink, and medication are permitted at the desk, since some proctoring policies restrict items near the keyboard.
Review the exam rules and scoring model
Re-read the provider's rules on flags, submitted proofs, partial credit, and prohibited actions. Know exactly what constitutes a valid answer for each objective, because format errors can cost points even when the technical work is correct.
Plan for breaks according to policy
Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock pauses, and whether you must notify the proctor before leaving the camera. Some remote proctoring setups treat leaving the view as a violation, so know the rules before you need a break.
Backup contact and contingency plan
Know how to reach the provider's support if the platform, proctoring tool, or connection fails. Save the support channel somewhere you can reach without the exam machine. Confirm with the provider the policy for technical interruptions and time extensions.
Plan the day
Re-read the exam objectives and scoring rules, then do a focused review of weak areas rather than broad re-study. Confirm your booking time, time zone, and access instructions. Run the full proctoring compatibility check and test your VPN or connection method against the exam environment if the provider allows a practice connection. Prepare your workspace and clear the desk. Sleep on a normal schedule; do not cram the night before.
Do a light pass over your own notes and common pitfalls, then stop heavy studying. Re-test webcam, microphone, browser, and internet. Charge devices and confirm backup connectivity. Gather your ID and permitted items. Confirm with the provider any last details about check-in time, room requirements, and break policy. Set alarms and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper meal and hydrate. Log in early to complete check-in and identity verification without rushing. Close unnecessary applications, silence notifications, and put away phones and second screens per policy. Open your note template and time tracker. Do a final camera and microphone check, then take a few minutes to settle before the clock starts.
Read each objective fully before acting, and record findings as you go so partial progress is captured. Work in planned blocks: enumerate, exploit, and document, then move on if an objective stalls past your time budget. Save proofs in the exact format the rules require and re-check them before submitting. Watch the clock and reserve time near the end to verify submissions and confirm nothing was left unsubmitted.
Rules to check
Follow the provider's identity-verification requirements exactly; the name on your ID, HTB account, and booking should match. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted before exam day.
Treat the exam as individual work unless the provider explicitly permits collaboration. Do not share targets, flags, answers, or proofs with others during or after the session in ways the rules prohibit.
Do not use unauthorized assistance, automation, or tools the rules forbid. If you are unsure whether a technique or tool is allowed, confirm with the provider beforehand rather than risk disqualification.
Stay within the proctored camera view and keep your workspace clear of disallowed materials. Confirm with the provider whether room scans, closed doors, or specific camera angles are mandatory.
Confirm the break policy in advance: whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock pauses, and what you must do before leaving the camera. Do not assume you can step away freely.
Understand the scoring and submission rules before you start. Know how flags, proofs, and partial credit are evaluated, and submit in the required format; confirm with the provider how disputed or malformed submissions are handled.
Report technical failures to the provider's support channel immediately and follow their instructions. Confirm with the provider the policy on time extensions or rescheduling for interruptions.
Do not record, screenshot, or distribute exam content beyond what the rules permit. Confirm with the provider what documentation you may keep after the session ends.