This is an important milestone in the life of IT professionals eager to demonstrate their competence in Ethical Hacking. Some of them will probably have the following questions: How difficult is the CEH exam? How does it compare to Security+, and how much is it? This comprehensive guide will answer all those and many more questions so that you’ll have an idea of what it takes to be able to pass the CEH exam.
Understanding the CEH Exam
But let’s first understand what a CEH exam is. The CEH certification focuses on such professionals who want to achieve and demonstrate their expertise in the field of ethical hacking. Accordingly, the exam trains a candidate in almost all aspects of network security, techniques of conducting effective and successful advanced Penetration Testing, and how to perform effective Ethical Hacking. Important areas underlined below:
Network Security: This explains how the networks work and identifies weak points of the network. Cryptography: Techniques in making data secure by using encryption.
Penetration Testing: A way in which an attack is simulated to identify fixable security weaknesses. Ethical Hacking Tools: This refers to a set of tools that ethical hackers use in order to evaluate and secure systems.
Web Application Security: It involves the web application, which should be kept safe and secured from different kinds of threats.
Social Engineering: Various techniques used fraudulently to force people to disclose confidential information.
Malware Threats: Identification and combating of malware.
The CEH examination consists of 125 multiple-choice questions, which include not only theoretical but also practical aspects. The four-hour exam determines the effectiveness of your application of theoretical knowledge in real-life settings.
Is CEH Hard to Pass?
One of the most frequently asked questions by aspiring candidates is that of how tough the certification exam for CEH actually is. There are many reasons it can be considered difficult:
- Breadth and Depth of Knowledge
The certification of CEH encompasses great breadth and depth in cybersecurity and ethical hacking. The depth may be highly challenging, considering that some of the concepts might be new to your study. CEH will not test your theoretical knowledge alone but your ability to apply theory to real-world situations.
In-depth coverage: the exam would involve areas of network security, cryptography, and penetration testing. Therefore, it is required for you to go in for an in-depth study of all the aspects of ethical hacking as mentioned.
Application of knowledge to a real-life situation which may appear pretty challenging in the case without hands-on experience.
- Comparison with Security+
Many candidates find the CEH more challenging compared to CompTIA Security+. Below is a comparison of the two certifications:
- Security+: CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level certification dealing in fundamental security concepts, network security, and basic risk management concepts. The certification is tailored for those people relatively new in the field of cybersecurity.
- CEH: The course of CEH is pretty advanced in nature and focuses totally on ethical hacking and penetration testing. This course targets those who have already gained some experience in the cybersecurity domain and who would want to have advanced expertise in the field of ethical hacking methodologies.
Generally speaking, this particular course is considered somewhat more complicated compared to Security+, as it deals with advanced subjects and requires practical knowledge at much-advanced levels.
- Exam Format and Question Types
The knowledge and skills assessed by the CEH exam combine theoretical and practical areas. Of course, the questions in this certification are multiple-choice in nature; most of them require critical thinking and the application of knowledge to solve the problem posed. This format is more challenging compared to exams based only on rote memorization.
How to Prepare and Pass the CEH Exam?
Preparation is very important to success in the CEH exam. Here is a step-by-step guide on how one can prepare in an effective manner:
- Understand the Exam Blueprint
First and foremost, in your preparation, you need to understand the blueprint of the CEH exam: the areas the exam will test and their respective weightings. Familiarizing yourself with the blueprint helps you make sure your study efforts are focused on those key areas.
Study Exam Objectives: Learn what objectives or domains are covered and the weightings of each domain. This shall help you to know how you should distribute your time to study effectively.
Identify Key Areas: Those areas in which you are not very confident and the high-weight domains.
- Attend a Training Course
Enrol yourself in one of the following CEH training courses for structured learning of concepts:
Official EC-Council Training: Official training classes by EC-Council cover all the details of the respective CEH exam objectives. They come as instructor-led classroom training or can also be a self-paced e-learning course targeted toward extensive coverage. Third-Party Providers: Quite a few companies offer courses to help prepare for CEH. Research positive reviews and instructors with good experience. Training courses provide insight, hands-on experience, and expert advice that might raise the bar on how well one is prepared for this certification.
- Leverage Study Aids to the Maximum
Coupled with the training classes, utilize all types of study materials in supplementing your knowledge:
Books: Several types of CEH study guides or texts are available. Choose books covering the subjects of the exam in-depth, with practice questions:
Practice Questions: These introduce you to question formats and also let you know where you need to study more. They help you in managing your time wisely during the actual examination.
Online Study Aids: Avail yourself of online forums, study groups, and videos that give you more detail and support. You could even be engaging with the very community who will help you clear your doubts and extend your knowledge.
- Hands-on Experience
Practical experience also plays a great role in this examination. You must set up a lab environment wherein you will practice using different hacking tools and techniques in an ethical manner. Such hands-on practice will definitely help you reinforce your theoretical knowledge and therefore develop problem-solving skills.
Establish a Home Lab: You can set up a home lab by using virtual machines and open-source tools to practice methods of ethical hacking in a non-destructive manner.
Take part in CTF challenges. This is a more efficient way to assess your hands-on skills in Ethical Hacking. This would be an area for actualization of theories you shall have learned from the class.
- Revision and Practice
As the exam date draws closer, revise your study material and practice questions. This time, focus on areas that you don’t feel so confident in. Revision consolidates your knowledge and ensures that you give your best shot.
Review Key Concepts: Concentrate on the most critical areas first and review key concepts and techniques. Practice Time Management: Utilize the time allocated to various questions to practice your pacing skills for this examination.
Cost of CEH Exam in Australia
Knowing approximately how much money you could be expected to pay for taking the CEH exam and to study for it is key budgeting. Here’s what you need to know:
- Exam Fees
The price, of course, will vary, depending on where you are and through whom you take the test. Normally, in Australia, the test takes approximately AUD 1,000 to 1,200. Prices may periodically change, so you can check the latest with the EC-Council website or any authorized examination centers.
Website: EC-Council: Check updated pricing and information about exam centers.
Authorized testing centers: Contact regional testing centers for verification of the exam cost and availability
- Other Expenses
Besides the testing charge, some other expenses a candidate might have to bear:
The training courses: These vary between a minimum of AUD 1,500 to a maximum of AUD 3,000 based on who the provider is and the format of the venue. Indeed, the key investment can be made in a good training course that would prepare an individual amply.
Books, practice exams, along with other study materials-all these add up to the total expenditure at hand. Make a provision for these expenses so that you may get proper preparation material with their aid.
CEH is one tough yet rewarding certification course which shall add enormous value to your career in cybersecurity. However critical the exam sounds, as it encompasses such a wide range of advanced topics, or however practical the knowledge might be, an appropriate preparation would be a guaranteed way to achieve success.
Invest your precious time and effort in preparation; know what the exam is demanding from you, and voilà. You go all out, taking up the challenge of the CEH exam, and soar high in your career as a professional ethical hacker in cybersecurity. The challenge can also be positively changed into an opportunity regarding professional growth and success by using the right approach towards the CEH exam.
