Note Taking and Mind Mapping
Note Taking & Mind Mapping for Penetration Testing
A tactical approach for organizing knowledge during OSCP and beyond
Personal Admission
“Note-taking is personally my greatest weakness.”
You're not alone—many technical learners struggle with organizing information effectively. The key is finding what works for you and sticking with it.
Note Taking: Why It Matters
Keeps track of:
Tools, payloads, IPs, and commands
Exploitation steps
Screenshots and flags
Useful for:
Writing your final OSCP report
Reviewing past methodologies
Avoiding repetitive mistakes
Choosing a Method That Works for You
Everyone learns differently. Consider:
Do you remember better with visual diagrams?
Do you prefer bullet points, outlines, or full walkthroughs?
Do you find value in typing, writing by hand, or recording audio?
There’s no one-size-fits-all, but you must choose before the exam day.
Popular Tools and Formats
Note-Taking Tools
CherryTree
Structured, tree-based hacking notes
Obsidian
Markdown-based, backlinks for context
OneNote
Easy sketching and screenshot pasting
Joplin
Markdown, encryption, sync options
GitBook
Clean publishing and documentation
Mind Mapping Tools
XMind
Easy to structure attack paths
draw.io
Free, customizable flowcharts
MindNode
Visual and intuitive interface (Mac)
pen & paper
Surprisingly effective for memory
Important Warning
“Don't try a new mind mapping or note-taking application the day of the OSCP.”
Stick with what you've practiced.
Switching tools mid-way = confusion + wasted time.
Know your chosen tool inside-out before exam day.
Mind Map Use Cases in OSCP
Organize machine data (IP, OS, vulnerability, exploit path)
Visualize attack chains
Track privilege escalation vectors
Quickly retrace steps during your exam
Pro Tips
Keep notes organized by machine or topic.
Create a template (e.g., for each box: Recon, Vuln, Exploit, Flag).
Include links to resources, CVEs, and command history.
Regularly review and update your notes during labs.
Note-Taking Tips for OSCP and Penetration Testing
Where to Take Notes
Take Notes Outside Your Kali VM
Keeps your VM clean and fast
Prevents note loss if the VM crashes
Use Cloud-Based Applications
Protects against hardware failure
Accessible from any device
Examples:
OneNote – supports screenshots, cloud sync
Obsidian with Sync – Markdown, searchable
Notion, Joplin, Google Docs
Avoid saving notes solely in your VM—if it bricks, your notes are gone.
What NOT to Do
Do NOT try a new app on exam day
Unfamiliarity = frustration = lost time
You've been warned (twice) for a reason
Do NOT check notes on your phone in between breaks
May be seen as cheating or violating exam rules
When to Start Taking Notes
Start early—from your first lab machine
The earlier you build your database of tactics and tools, the better
Make Your Notes Searchable
Structure matters:
Use headings, tags, categories (e.g., Recon, Exploits, PrivEsc)
Include:
CVEs, tools used, syntax, screenshots, post-exploitation steps
Use a tool with a robust search function so you’re not digging manually
Include Visuals
Screenshots are powerful:
Show command output, flags, or proof.txt
Annotate with IPs and timestamps
OneNote and Obsidian (with plugins) allow easy image embedding.
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