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Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
GIAC · expert
GXPNGIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester
GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester
Official pageComparing
GIACGXPN
› Cost
Exam fee
GXPN$979
Exam fee
$979
Annual maintenance fee
GXPN—
Annual maintenance fee
—
3-year cost of ownership
GXPN$979
3-year cost of ownership
$979
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
GXPN67% (scaled per attempt)
Pass mark
67% (scaled per attempt)
Retake policy
GXPN$999 fee · 30d wait
Retake policy
$999 fee · 30d wait
Study time
GXPN200–400 hrs
Study time
200–400 hrs
Validity
GXPN4 yrs
Validity
4 yrs
CPE / yr
GXPN9 CPEs
CPE / yr
9 CPEs
Delivery
GXPNmixed
Delivery
mixed
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
GXPN$135K – $200K
Range
$135K – $200K
Median
GXPN$160,000
Median
$160,000
Premium %
GXPN—
Premium %
—
Role context
GXPNSenior pentester / exploit developer, US, 5+ years.
Role context
Senior pentester / exploit developer, US, 5+ years.
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
GXPN8.5
Schema quality
8.5
Practice evidence
GXPN7.5
Practice evidence
7.5
Maintenance
GXPN6.5
Maintenance
6.5
Market recognition
GXPN6.5
Market recognition
6.5
Average
GXPN7.3
Average
7.3
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
GXPNGlobal
Recognition
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
GXPN—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
DoD 8140 baseline
GXPN—
DoD 8140 baseline
—
Holders worldwide
GXPN4,000
Holders worldwide
4,000
Current version
GXPN2024 SEC660 refresh (2024-06)
Current version
2024 SEC660 refresh (2024-06)
› Domain coverage
A21Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering
GXPN● core
A21Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering
● core
A9Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
GXPN● core
A9Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
● core
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