Badges are one of the biggest progression systems in Examination. While some are simply collectibles that mark your accomplishments, many of them unlock important gameplay features like new classes, rank advancements, abilities, and even exclusive weapons.
As of July 13, 2026, the game features:
- 24 Obtainable Badges
- 1 Restricted Badge
- 14 Unobtainable Badges
- 12 Challenge-Based Badges
If you’re planning to unlock every class and reward, understanding which badges matter most should be your first priority.
Examination Badges Guide – All Obtainable Achievements, Rewards & How to Unlock Them
Not every badge is just for bragging rights.
Many of the challenge badges unlock major gameplay features, including:
- New Classes
- Special-Ops Classes
- Night Vision
- Sliding
- Door Bashing
- Rank Advancement
- Exclusive Weapons
Some badges are required if you want access to the strongest loadouts in the game.
Regular Obtainable Badges
These badges can currently be earned through normal gameplay.
NECROTIC-CONTROL
Description
“No turning back now.”
How to Unlock
Enter Sector 1.
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
This is usually the very first badge most players earn.
DONT-LOOK-AT-ME
Description
“Comrade soldier, you’re done.”
How to Unlock
Enter the Basement beneath Reactor 4.
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
UNFORTUNATE
Description
“Alone in this cold world.”
How to Unlock
Find Josh Katzmann.
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
SECTOR-SWEEP
How to Unlock
Reach Sector 2.
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
NUMBER-FOUR-REACTOR
How to Unlock
Release the Basement Valve.
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
This is also required for progressing through the early parts of the game.
TAKE-OVER
How to Unlock
Become Infected.
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
SURVIVOR’S_GUILT
Requirement
Reach the entrance of Sector 3 after every teammate has died at least once.
Requires:
- Minimum of 4 players
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
FULL_HOUSE
Requirement
Join a full server.
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Simple, but depends on finding a full lobby.
REQUIEM
Requirement
Obtain the R-12.
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
The R-12 can be found in Sector 3 Contraband crates.
RASONIAN_STEEL
Requirement
Obtain the SHC-23.
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
ESCAPE_FROM_ITAGURA
Requirement
Obtain every Contraband weapon in one life:
- R-12
- SHC-23
- AK-74
- AEN-50
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Planning your route through Sector 3 makes this much easier.
NO_MAN’S_LAND
Requirement
Collect 7 Dog Tags during one life.
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
One mistake can force you to restart the entire run.
TOTAL-WAR
Requirement
Restart the server using the Restart Notebook.
INITIATION
Requirement
Begin the Blood Handed Retriever Quest.
Restricted Badge
HEART-OF-MENLO
This badge is only obtainable by participating in official developer events.
Because access depends entirely on developer-hosted activities, most players won’t be able to earn it whenever they choose.
Currently Unobtainable Badges
Several older badges can no longer be earned.
These include:
- DECEIVER
- CONTRACTED
- PEACE_PAWN
- ONE-GRAIN-OF-SAND
- A-DROP-IN-THE-OCEAN
- NIGHTMARE
- SAVING_GRACE
- GRITTED-TEETH
- TILL-THE-LAST-BREATH
- ROLE-REVERSAL
- WE-30 CHASSEUR
- PREVIEW
- IN-A-NAME-OF-SCIENCE-!
- IN-THE-NAME-OF-SCIENCE
Most were tied to limited-time events, April Fools updates, or content that has since been removed.
Challenge-Based Badges
These are the badges that most experienced players focus on.
Besides increasing your Rank, many unlock important gameplay features.
VETERAN-OF-PURGATORY
Requirement
Reach the entrance of Sector 3 without dying.
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Rewards
- Rank Advancement
- Leader Class
If you plan on unlocking Leader, this should be one of your first long-term goals.
THE_POINTMAN
Requirement
Kill Gilbert.
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Reward
- Rank Advancement
ONE-MAN-ARMY
Requirement
Reach Sector 3 while playing alone in a Private Server.
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Rewards
- Rank Advancement
- Night Vision
- Sliding
- Door Bashing
This badge significantly expands your available movement options.
UNDEREQUIPPED
Requirement
Complete the game:
- Solo
- Private Server
- Without selecting any class
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Rewards
- Rank Advancement
- Unlocks every Special-Ops Class
This is arguably one of the most important badges in Examination because it grants access to:
- Operator
- Pointman
- Corpsman
- Commander
TEMPORAL_ANOMALY
Requirement
Escape the Tunnels.
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Reward
- Rank Advancement
SCOUT-OF-CHERENKOV
Requirement
Complete Manhattan Ristretto’s Quest.
Reward
- Rank Advancement
THE_JUGGERNAUT
Requirement
Kill Sinitzyn.
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Reward
- Rank Advancement
LOST_COMMAND
Requirement
Reach Sector 3:
- Solo Private Server
- While playing as Leader
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Reward
- Rank Advancement
Since Leader itself requires another badge first, this becomes one of the later achievements most players earn.
GUINEA_PIG
Requirement
Complete Elsher Tachyon’s Quest.
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Reward
- Rank Advancement
THE_COMMANDER
Requirement
Defeat Chimera.
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Reward
- Rank Advancement
EXOTIC-EXONERATION
Requirement
Complete the Blood Handed Retriever Quest.
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Reward
- Rank Advancement
LAST-RITES-OF-A-RUINED-KING
This is currently considered the hardest badge in Examination.
As of July 13, 2026, only 228 players have successfully earned it.
Requirement
Complete the Blood Handed Retriever Quest while remaining Classless.
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Rewards
- Rank Advancement
- Exclusive M1911 “Regalia”
This is one of the most prestigious achievements currently available in the game.
Best Badges to Prioritize
If you’re progressing through Examination for the first time, focus on these badges in order:
- NECROTIC-CONTROL – Enter Sector 1.
- NUMBER-FOUR-REACTOR – Complete the Basement objective.
- VETERAN-OF-PURGATORY – Unlock the Leader class.
- ONE-MAN-ARMY – Gain Night Vision, Sliding, and Door Bashing.
- UNDEREQUIPPED – Unlock every Special-Ops class.
- LAST-RITES-OF-A-RUINED-KING – Work toward the game’s ultimate challenge once you’re experienced.
Examination’s badge system is much more than a collection of achievements—it acts as the game’s primary progression path. While the early badges introduce you to the different sectors and objectives, the challenge-based badges gradually unlock new classes, movement abilities, and powerful rewards that noticeably expand your gameplay options.
For most players, UNDEREQUIPPED should be the long-term goal because it grants access to every Special-Ops class. Veteran players looking for the ultimate test can eventually aim for LAST-RITES-OF-A-RUINED-KING, a badge that remains one of the rarest accomplishments in the entire game and rewards the exclusive M1911 “Regalia” for those skilled enough to earn it.