Exam Retake Policy

Candidate Support Policy

A second chance, with the same professional standard.

Every certification is earned through a seven-day practical lab exam and professional report. If the first attempt does not go as planned, our policy provides a clear path forward.

CEPT · CDOE · CCESOne free second attemptFull seven-day retake window
Your attempt pathway

Simple, transparent, and consistent

Each attempt includes a complete exam environment, a new submission deadline, and manual evaluation against the certification standard.

ATTEMPT 01

Initial exam

Included with separate exam purchase

Your first seven-day practical exam window, exam lab access, and report submission come with the exam purchase. For CEPT, the exam costs $99 separately from the $25/month training subscription.

ATTEMPT 02

Free retake

No additional exam fee

Available after a failed first attempt. Start immediately or within seven days of the result notice.

ATTEMPT 03+

Additional attempts

$99 voucher per attempt

A new voucher provides another complete seven-day window. The exam version is assigned by Encrypted Syntax.

Eligibility

When the free retake applies

You are eligible when

  • Your CEPT, CDOE, or CCES attempt received a fail decision
  • You followed the academic-integrity and exam-conduct rules
  • You submitted a report or clearly engaged with the exam environment
  • You begin the retake immediately or within seven days of notice

Eligibility may be denied for

  • Fraud, account abuse, or identity misrepresentation
  • Collaboration or sharing exam content with another person
  • Publishing flags, screenshots, configurations, or walkthroughs
  • Attacking or disrupting lab infrastructure outside the authorized scope
Important: The free retake normally uses the same exam version and lab environment. Failure to begin within the seven-day eligibility period may forfeit the free attempt and require a paid voucher.
Scheduling rules

Protect your exam window

01

Select a window

Choose from dates offered through your exam portal or by the exam support team.

02

Reschedule early

Requests made before the window begins are considered based on availability and reasonable notice.

03

Avoid a no-show

Once the window opens, non-participation or failure to submit may still count as a used attempt.

Request process

Three steps to your next attempt

Follow your result email

Use the instructions in the failure notification to begin the retake request.

Confirm your details

Provide your full name, certification track, and whether this is the free or paid attempt.

Choose an available date

Select from the exam windows offered by the Encrypted Syntax exam team.

Paid vouchers are generally non-refundable after an exam window has been scheduled or started. The policy in effect when you schedule is the policy that applies to that attempt.

Prepare before the clock starts.

Review the readiness system, technical setup, reporting workflow, and exam-week strategy before selecting your next window.

Open the Preparation Guide