CEH-V13: EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v13

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Official learning paths, exam details, skills measured, and community resources to supplement your study.

About the CEH-V13 Exam

Industry-leading offensive security certification — ethical hacking methodology, tools, and techniques

200 original practice questions for the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v13 certification (312-50). Covers reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, social engineering, web attacks, wireless networks, cloud security, cryptography, and AI-driven ethical hacking. Each question includes realistic penetration testing scenarios with character-driven narratives.

Who Should Take This Exam?

The CEH-V13 is designed for experienced professionals seeking advanced validation. 2+ years of hands-on experience recommended.

Typical study time: 8-12 weeks of intensive study

Exam Quick Facts

DetailValue
Exam CodeCEH-V13
TitleEC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v13
Duration240 minutes
Questions125
Pass Score70%
Cost$950–$1,199 USD
ProviderPearson VUE / ECC Exam
Validity3 years (ECE required)
Question TypesMultiple choice
Official PageView on EC-Council →

Exam Domains & Weights

The CEH-V13 exam covers 5 domains. Focus your study time based on the weights below — higher-weighted domains have more exam questions.

DomainWeightPractice Qs
Reconnaissance & Scanning18%36
Gaining Access20%40
Social Engineering & Attack Techniques20%40
Web & Application Attacks17%34
Advanced Topics — Wireless, Mobile, IoT, Cloud & Cryptography25%50
Total100%200

💡 Study tip: Advanced Topics — Wireless, Mobile, IoT, Cloud & Cryptography carries the most weight (25%) — start there. Web & Application Attacks has the least (17%), but don’t skip it — exam questions can come from any domain.

Practice Exam — 200 Questions

Prepare for the CEH-V13 with our 200-question practice exam covering all 5 exam domains. Every question includes detailed explanations and maps to official exam objectives.

What you get:

  • ✅ Exam simulation mode with timer
  • ✅ Spaced repetition for weak areas
  • ✅ Detailed explanations for every question
  • ✅ Progress tracking across domains
  • ✅ 20 free questions — no account needed

EC-Council Certification Path

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) is the flagship cert. CND for network defence, CHFI for forensics. No strict hierarchy.

If you’re studying for the CEH-V13, you might also be interested in these EC-Council certifications:

Study Tips

  1. Start with the heaviest domain — focus your time where the exam focuses its questions
  2. Use our practice exam — try the 20 free questions first to gauge your readiness
  3. Review explanations — don’t just check if you got it right; read why each answer is correct
  4. Simulate exam conditions — use the timed exam mode to practice under pressure
  5. Check the official pageofficial exam details always have the latest objectives

Frequently asked questions

The CEH v13 questions I hear most — almost always opening with ‘is CEH still worth it?’ and ‘is the price tag real?’

Is CEH v13 worth getting in 2026? #

Mixed honest answer. CEH carries weight in compliance-driven hiring (DoD 8570, government contractors, MSSPs) and is widely recognised by HR and recruiters — that’s the real value. For pure technical skill, OSCP, PNPT, or HackTheBox CPTS will teach you more and cost less. If your target job ad lists CEH as required or preferred, get it. If you’re choosing for skill development alone, go elsewhere first.

How much does the CEH v13 exam cost? #

USD $950 to $1,199 for the exam alone, depending on whether you take the official training. The full iLabs + courseware bundle is significantly more. EC-Council requires either accredited training OR two years of documented security experience to sit the exam without training. Renewal needs CPE credits over 3 years. Compare against alternatives like PNPT (around $299) or HTB CPTS (around $200) for similar skill validation at lower cost.

What's new in CEH v13 vs v12? #

CEH v13 (released 2024) added AI-assisted ethical hacking as a major theme — using AI to accelerate reconnaissance, vulnerability triage, social-engineering payload generation, and defensive automation. The 5-domain structure stayed similar but the AI lens runs through every domain. If your study material is for v12 or earlier, the AI content will be the biggest gap to close.

How long does it take to prepare for CEH v13? #

Eight to twelve weeks for most candidates with two years of security experience. Longer if you’re new to penetration testing or only know defensive security. Block hands-on lab time — CEH is multiple-choice but the questions assume you’ve actually used the tools (Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Wireshark, Hashcat). Our 200-question practice exam covers all 5 domains with realistic pentest scenarios.

Do I need EC-Council official training to take CEH v13? #

Not if you have two years of documented information security work experience — you can self-study and sit the exam directly. You’ll submit an eligibility application with employment proof and pay a non-refundable application fee. Without two years of experience, you must complete official EC-Council training (online or via an Accredited Training Centre) — which makes up most of the total cost. Self-study + exam-only is the cheaper path if you qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is CEH v13 worth getting in 2026?

Mixed honest answer. CEH carries weight in compliance-driven hiring (DoD 8570, government contractors, MSSPs) and is widely recognised by HR and recruiters — that's the real value. For pure technical skill, OSCP, PNPT, or HackTheBox CPTS will teach you more and cost less. If your target job ad lists CEH as required or preferred, get it. If you're choosing for skill development alone, go elsewhere first.

2. How much does the CEH v13 exam cost?

USD $950 to $1,199 for the exam alone, depending on whether you take the official training. The full iLabs + courseware bundle is significantly more. EC-Council requires either accredited training OR two years of documented security experience to sit the exam without training. Renewal needs CPE credits over 3 years. Compare against alternatives like [PNPT](https://www.tcm-sec.com/certifications/) (around $299) or HTB CPTS (around $200) for similar skill validation at lower cost.

3. What's new in CEH v13 vs v12?

CEH v13 (released 2024) added AI-assisted ethical hacking as a major theme — using AI to accelerate reconnaissance, vulnerability triage, social-engineering payload generation, and defensive automation. The 5-domain structure stayed similar but the AI lens runs through every domain. If your study material is for v12 or earlier, the AI content will be the biggest gap to close.

4. How long does it take to prepare for CEH v13?

Eight to twelve weeks for most candidates with two years of security experience. Longer if you're new to penetration testing or only know defensive security. Block hands-on lab time — CEH is multiple-choice but the questions assume you've actually used the tools (Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Wireshark, Hashcat). Our [200-question practice exam](/cert-tracker/eccouncil-ceh-v13/) covers all 5 domains with realistic pentest scenarios.

5. Do I need EC-Council official training to take CEH v13?

Not if you have two years of documented information security work experience — you can self-study and sit the exam directly. You'll submit an eligibility application with employment proof and pay a non-refundable application fee. Without two years of experience, you must complete official EC-Council training (online or via an Accredited Training Centre) — which makes up most of the total cost. Self-study + exam-only is the cheaper path if you qualify.

20 Free Questions Practice Exam $9 →