I still remember the sinking feeling when the 24-hour timer hit zero on my first OSCP exam. I had 45 points. Not even close.

I thought I was prepared. I had gone through the official PWK course, practiced in the labs, and kept a massive collection of my own notes open during the exam — just like everyone says you should. But when the pressure hit, I spent hours jumping between disorganized text files, screenshots, and random Markdown notes trying to find the right command or methodology. By the time I realized I was stuck on enumeration and privilege escalation, half the day was gone.

That failure hurt, but it taught me one brutal truth: Having notes isn't enough. Having the right notes, perfectly organized and instantly accessible, makes all the difference.

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The Turning Point: Discovering the OSCP+ Obsidian Notes Bundle

After licking my wounds for a couple of weeks, I started researching better ways to prepare. That's when I came across the OSCP+ Obsidian Notes Bundle by ZishanHack.

I was skeptical at first. There are tons of OSCP note dumps and "cheat sheets" floating around. But this one stood out because it wasn't just a PDF dump — it was a complete Obsidian vault with linked notes, plus a PDF version.

Here's exactly what I got:

  • A fully linked Obsidian Notes Vault covering the entire OSCP methodology
  • Ready-to-copy-paste commands organized by attack phase (recon, enumeration, exploitation, post-exploitation, etc.)
  • Dedicated sections for Active Directory attacks (including BloodHound usage, Kerberos attacks, and enumeration)
  • Comprehensive Linux and Windows Privilege Escalation checklists with automated scripts
  • Clear workflows for initial reconnaissance (nmap, rustscan, etc.)

The structure was clean, logical, and built for speed — exactly what I needed under exam pressure.

My Second Attempt: Night and Day Difference

I spent the next 6–7 weeks revisiting the PWK labs and PWNING machines while using the Obsidian vault as my single source of truth. Instead of hunting through scattered notes, I could click through linked pages in seconds.

During my second exam attempt:

  • I started with a solid methodology and never felt lost.
  • When I got stuck on a Windows box, I quickly navigated to the privilege escalation section and found the exact technique I needed.
  • The AD set felt manageable because the BloodHound and Kerberos notes were crystal clear and ready to use.
  • I finished with 85 points in under 14 hours.

I passed.

The difference wasn't that I suddenly became a better hacker overnight. The difference was organization and speed. The Obsidian vault turned my chaotic knowledge into a weapon I could actually use when the clock was ticking.

What I Wish I Knew Before My First Attempt

  1. Notes quality > notes quantity — My homemade notes were long but messy. The bundle's notes are concise, linked, and actionable.
  2. Obsidian is a game-changer for OSCP. The graph view and backlinks helped me connect concepts I previously treated in isolation.
  3. Copy-paste commands save lives — Especially when you're tired and stressed. Having them categorized by phase removed so much mental overhead.
  4. Active Directory is no longer scary if you have a clear attack path documented.

If you're preparing for OSCP right now — whether it's your first attempt or a retake — I strongly recommend checking out the OSCP+ Obsidian Notes Bundle. It's currently available at a heavy discount (I paid a fraction of the original price).

Link: https://zishanhack.com/products/oscp-bundle

Would I have passed on my first attempt if I had this bundle? Maybe. Would I have passed on my second without it? I seriously doubt it.

If you're on the fence, just remember: OSCP isn't just about knowing techniques — it's about executing them efficiently when every minute counts.

Try Harder — but try smarter.