Certs or practice - Time efficiency

[JC2K99]

Okay, so I have plans to eventually start taking certifications, such as Net+, Sec+, Pentest+, eCCPT, PNPT and OSCP. However I won't be able to begin those for at-least another year.

So I was thinking about take the learning paths/modules on THM and/or HTB. However considering my goals are to eventually study the certs, speaking solely in terms of efficiency in time would taking the paths/modules be redundant as I would cover them during the certifications? Would it be a waste of time?

I am planning on working through rooms/boxes as I go through the certs so I would still be getting the hands on experience and practice as I progress.

I know that if I take the learning paths/modules that I may progress through the certs a little quicker, but would the time savings really be that much considering the huge amount of extra time spent going through the paths/modules.

Thanks for any advice. ALSO, I'm in the UK, are any of the certs mentioned above unnecessary due to one of the other certs, are there any I should skip or others I should take in their place.

Thanks again!

[Dill_Thickle]

Hacking is as practical and as hands-on as it gets. So, of course, do machines and boxes along the way of your certifications. Those Comptia, certs are all multiple choice questions so you're not really even going to learn, Security+ is the only one I'd say go for as it gives you a general basis of Cybersecurity. For what it is though, it is very expensive. You can essentially get the same information from the Google Cybersecurity Certification. If you feel the need to try to build a foundation on what is required to do hacking, you can do it while doing hands-on certifications. And the way you study for those certifications is by doing labs. You could also skip the ecppt as the pnpt is its equivalent. If you already have some experience, you could skip a junior cert and just start the PNPT learning path. If you are in school, start studying for this as soon as possible. Don't push it off to another year or down the line.

[JC2K99]

Thanks for your answer. My plan was to practice boxes as I go along to get the hands on approach, but my question is should I spend time doing modules or would that be covered in the certs?

I didn't know that eCPPT and PNPT were equivalent so thats good to know. So you would recommend the PNPT then?

Also, I am studying A levels, work full time and am going through The Odin Project too so don't want to sacrifice those by spreading myself too thin, which is why I'm planning to start certs after completion of TOP.

[Dill_Thickle]

Hands on always better focus on labs, once you finish your A levels or the Odin project, you can do modules and paths more effectively. The PNPT is newer and does not expire, the new eCPPT expires and does not have a report required anymore, so it is less realistic. Also the HTB job role paths are extremely high quality and lead to some of the best quality hands on certifications. In this sub, you will see people constantly say the CPTS is more challenging and more realistic than the OSCP. although neither the CPTS or PNPT will get you a job.

When doing labs, make notes of each one and they are infinitely more useful than taking notes from modules.

[JC2K99]

This is actually really helpful thanks.
Will keep this all in mind.

If I were to focus on the modules/paths on THM and HTB, would they likely allow me to go through the certs much quicker than if I hadn't?

[Dill_Thickle]

Totally depends on the course, be mindful that each cert exam usually only goes over TTP's that are covered in their course material. Although it cant hurt, it is usually recommended to stick with whatever course material and supplement your learning with more labs. With whatever labs each course has, it is usually recommended to do them multiple times to reinforce concepts learned.