diff --git a/.github/skills/ctf-testing/test_ctf_challenges.sh b/.github/skills/ctf-testing/test_ctf_challenges.sh
index 9a43c52..25a29dc 100644
--- a/.github/skills/ctf-testing/test_ctf_challenges.sh
+++ b/.github/skills/ctf-testing/test_ctf_challenges.sh
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ if [[ -f "${REBOOT_MARKER}" ]]; then
         EXPECTED=$(cat "$PROGRESS_SNAPSHOT")
         ACTUAL=$(sort -u /var/ctf/completed_challenges 2>/dev/null | wc -l)
         if [ "$ACTUAL" -ge "$EXPECTED" ]; then
-            _pass "Progress persisted after reboot ($ACTUAL challenges)"
+            _pass "Progress persisted after reboot ($ACTUAL checks)"
         else
             _fail "Progress lost after reboot (expected ${EXPECTED}, got ${ACTUAL})"
         fi
@@ -192,6 +192,12 @@ else
     exit 1
 fi
 
+if echo "${VERIFY_OUTPUT}" | grep -q "1/19"; then
+    _pass "verify progress counts the example check"
+else
+    _fail "verify progress did not show 1/19 after the example check"
+fi
+
 if [[ -f /var/ctf/ctf_start_time ]]; then
     _pass "Timer starts after first numeric verify command"
 else
@@ -580,10 +586,10 @@ fi
 _section "VERIFICATION TOKEN TEST"
 
 PROGRESS=$(verify progress 2>&1)
-if echo "${PROGRESS}" | grep -q "18/18"; then
-    _pass "All 18 challenges completed"
+if echo "${PROGRESS}" | grep -q "19/19"; then
+    _pass "All 19 progress checks completed"
 else
-    _fail "Not all challenges completed: ${PROGRESS}"
+    _fail "Not all progress checks completed: ${PROGRESS}"
 fi
 
 EXPORT_OUT=$(verify export testuser 2>&1) || true
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0084325..11d1008 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -59,8 +59,9 @@ Save the token it generates — you'll need it to verify your progress at [learn
 
 - `verify time` shows **wall clock elapsed time** (not active keyboard time).
 - The timer starts when you first submit a challenge with `verify <number> <flag>`.
-- The timer freezes on your first successful `verify export` after reaching 18/18.
-- Run `verify 0 CTF{example}` early. The example challenge is part of verify progress tracking.
+- Progress tracks 19 total checks: the example verification plus the 18 real challenges.
+- After `verify 0 CTF{example}`, `verify progress` should show `1/19`.
+- The timer freezes on your first successful `verify export` after you've solved all 18 real challenges.
 
 ### Troubleshooting Your Token
 
diff --git a/gcp/README.md b/gcp/README.md
index 318649b..6fb0b8b 100644
--- a/gcp/README.md
+++ b/gcp/README.md
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
 
 ## Timer Behavior
 
-`verify time` uses wall clock elapsed time. The timer starts on your first challenge submission and freezes on your first successful `verify export` after 18/18.
+`verify time` uses wall clock elapsed time. The timer starts on your first challenge submission and freezes on your first successful `verify export` after you've solved all 18 real challenges.
 
 
 ## Cleaning Up
diff --git a/verify/src/verify/commands.py b/verify/src/verify/commands.py
index a25bc1a..a53b05f 100644
--- a/verify/src/verify/commands.py
+++ b/verify/src/verify/commands.py
@@ -68,15 +68,25 @@
 ]
 
 
-def completed_count() -> int:
+EXAMPLE_CHALLENGE_NUMBER = 0
+MAX_CHALLENGE_NUMBER = len(CHALLENGE_NAMES) - 1
+REAL_CHALLENGE_COUNT = MAX_CHALLENGE_NUMBER
+TOTAL_PROGRESS_CHECKS = len(CHALLENGE_NAMES)
+
+
+def completed_progress_count() -> int:
+    return len(read_completed())
+
+
+def completed_challenge_count() -> int:
     completed = read_completed()
-    return max(len(completed - {0}), 0)
+    return max(len(completed - {EXAMPLE_CHALLENGE_NUMBER}), 0)
 
 
 def show_progress() -> None:
-    count = completed_count()
-    console.print(f"Flags Found: {count}/18")
-    if count == 18:
+    count = completed_progress_count()
+    console.print(f"Flags Found: {count}/{TOTAL_PROGRESS_CHECKS}")
+    if count == TOTAL_PROGRESS_CHECKS:
         console.print("Congratulations! You've completed all challenges!")
 
 
@@ -98,7 +108,7 @@ def elapsed_seconds() -> int | None:
 def freeze_end_time_on_export() -> None:
     if END_TIME_FILE.exists():
         return
-    if completed_count() >= 18:
+    if completed_challenge_count() >= REAL_CHALLENGE_COUNT:
         END_TIME_FILE.write_text(f"{int(time.time())}\n")
         END_TIME_FILE.chmod(0o666)
 
@@ -114,8 +124,8 @@ def format_elapsed(seconds: int, *, include_seconds: bool) -> str:
 
 def check_flag(state: CtfState, challenge_num: str, submitted_flag: str) -> int:
     init_timer()
-    if not challenge_num.isdigit() or not 0 <= int(challenge_num) <= 18:
-        console.print("✗ Invalid challenge number. Use 0-18.")
+    if not challenge_num.isdigit() or not 0 <= int(challenge_num) <= MAX_CHALLENGE_NUMBER:
+        console.print(f"✗ Invalid challenge number. Use 0-{MAX_CHALLENGE_NUMBER}.")
         return 1
 
     num = int(challenge_num)
@@ -158,8 +168,8 @@ def show_list() -> int:
 
 
 def show_hint(num_text: str | None) -> int:
-    if num_text is None or not num_text.isdigit() or int(num_text) > 18:
-        console.print("Usage: verify hint [0-18]")
+    if num_text is None or not num_text.isdigit() or int(num_text) > MAX_CHALLENGE_NUMBER:
+        console.print(f"Usage: verify hint [0-{MAX_CHALLENGE_NUMBER}]")
         return 1
     num = int(num_text)
     console.print("======================================")
@@ -171,10 +181,10 @@ def show_hint(num_text: str | None) -> int:
 
 
 def export_certificate(state: CtfState, github_username: str | None) -> int:
-    count = completed_count()
-    if count < 18:
-        console.print("Complete all 18 challenges to earn your certificate!")
-        console.print(f"Current progress: {count}/18")
+    count = completed_challenge_count()
+    if count < REAL_CHALLENGE_COUNT:
+        console.print(f"Complete all {REAL_CHALLENGE_COUNT} challenges to earn your certificate!")
+        console.print(f"Current progress: {count}/{REAL_CHALLENGE_COUNT}")
         return 1
 
     if not github_username: