Exams & certifications
Browse every exam by field
Browse professional exams and certifications across IT and cloud, cybersecurity, project management and finance - with costs, difficulty and honest guidance.
IT & Cloud
Vendor certifications for cloud platforms, infrastructure and IT operations - AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Cisco and more.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): the entry-level AWS exam explained - format, fee, who it suits and whether it is worth taking in 2026.
beginner
Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS Developer – Associate (DVA-C02)
AWS Developer – Associate (DVA-C02): exam format, cost, domains, difficulty and whether this AWS developer certification is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03): exam format, cost, difficulty, domains and an honest take on whether it is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104): exam format, cost, skills measured, difficulty and who should take this Azure certification in 2026.
intermediate
Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02)
SOA-C02 has retired - the associate AWS operations exam is now CloudOps Engineer (SOA-C03). Domains, cost, study path and an honest take on the SysOps/CloudOps
advanced
MicrosoftAzure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305): the design areas, cost, difficulty and whether the Azure architect certification is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
expert
Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C02)
AWS Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C02): the four domains, cost, difficulty and whether the advanced AWS architecture certification is worth it in 2026.
expert
MicrosoftAzure Developer Associate (AZ-204)
Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204): the skill areas, cost, difficulty and whether the Azure development certification is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
advanced
MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): the entry-level Azure exam explained - format, cost, who it suits and whether it is worth taking in 2026.
beginner
CiscoCisco CCNA (200-301)
Cisco CCNA (200-301): exam format, cost, topics, difficulty and whether the entry-level Cisco networking certification is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation)CKA (CNCF)
CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator): the hands-on format, cost, difficulty, the curriculum domains and whether it is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
advanced
CompTIACompTIA Network+ (N10-009)
CompTIA Network+ (N10-009): exam format, cost, topics, difficulty and how this vendor-neutral networking certification compares to CCNA in 2026.
intermediate
CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation)CKAD (CNCF)
CKAD exam (Kubernetes Application Developer): the hands-on format, cost, difficulty and whether it is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
advanced
Google CloudGoogle Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE)
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE): exam format, cost, difficulty and whether this entry associate GCP certification is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
Google CloudGoogle Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
Google Professional Cloud Architect (PCA): the exam sections, cost, difficulty and whether the GCP architect certification is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
expert
HashiCorpHashiCorp Terraform Associate (004)
HashiCorp Terraform Associate (004): the objectives, cost, difficulty and whether the infrastructure-as-code certification is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
intermediate
Cybersecurity
Security certifications from entry level to expert - CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CISM and other vendor-neutral and specialist credentials.
CCSP (ISC2)
CCSP by ISC2: the six cloud-security domains, exam format and passing score, the five-year experience rule, cost, renewal and whether this cert is worth it.
expert
EC-CouncilCertified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): exam format, cost, eligibility, difficulty and an honest take on whether this offensive-security certification is worth it.
intermediate
ISACACISA (ISACA)
CISA by ISACA: the five domains and official weights, the 150-question exam, the five-year audit experience rule, cost, and whether it is worth it in 2026.
advanced
ISC2CISSP (ISC2)
CISSP by ISC2: exam format, the eight domains, the work-experience requirement, cost and whether this senior cybersecurity certification is worth it.
expert
ISACACISM (ISACA)
CISM by ISACA: exam format, the four domains, experience requirement, cost and whether this security-management certification is worth it in 2026.
advanced
CompTIACompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003)
CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003): exam format, cost, focus areas, difficulty and how this analyst-level certification compares to Security+ in 2026.
intermediate
CompTIACompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701): exam format, cost, the five domains, difficulty and whether this entry-level cybersecurity certification is worth it.
intermediate
OffSec (Offensive Security)Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP): the 24-hour hands-on exam format, cost, the PEN-200 course, difficulty, and whether the cert is worth it.
expert
Project Management
Project and delivery certifications including PMP, PRINCE2, Scrum and agile credentials recognised worldwide.
CAPM (PMI)
CAPM by PMI: exam format, cost, the education requirement, difficulty and whether this entry-level project management certification is worth it.
beginner
Scrum AllianceCertified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): the required 16-hour CST course, the open-book exam, cost, validity and whether the Scrum Alliance cert is worth it. Verified.
beginner
PeopleCert (AXELOS)ITIL 4 Foundation (PeopleCert)
ITIL 4 Foundation: exam format, pass mark, cost and what this IT service management certification covers - a clear 2026 overview.
beginner
International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC)Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (IASSC ICBB)
IASSC Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (ICBB): the DMAIC phases, deeper statistics, cost, difficulty and whether it is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
expert
International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC)Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (IASSC ICGB)
IASSC Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (ICGB): the DMAIC phases, cost, difficulty and whether the certification is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
intermediate
Project Management Institute (PMI)PMP - Project Management Professional (PMI)
PMP by PMI: eligibility, exam format, cost, the three domains and an honest look at whether the Project Management Professional is worth it in 2026.
advanced
Project Management Institute (PMI)PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner): the four domains, cost, difficulty and whether the agile certification is worth it in 2026. Source-checked.
intermediate
PeopleCert (AXELOS)PRINCE2 Foundation (PeopleCert)
PRINCE2 Foundation: exam format, pass mark, cost, what it covers and how it compares to PMP for project managers - a clear 2026 overview.
beginner
Scrum.orgProfessional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I): exam format, the 85% pass mark, cost and how this Scrum.org agile certification compares to PMP in 2026.
intermediate
Finance & Accounting
Finance, accounting and investment qualifications such as CFA, CPA, ACCA and CMA - high-value, multi-year study paths.
ACCA Qualification
ACCA qualification: the three levels, up to 13 exams, cost, entry routes and an honest take on whether becoming ACCA-qualified is worth it in 2026.
advanced
CAIA AssociationCAIA (CAIA Association)
CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst): the two levels, cost, difficulty and how it compares with the CFA and FRM in 2026. Source-checked.
advanced
CFA InstituteCFA Level I (CFA Institute)
CFA Program Level I: exam format, the ten topics, cost, pass rates and an honest take on whether starting the CFA is worth it in 2026.
advanced
CFP BoardCFP (CFP Board)
CFP certification explained: the computer-based exam format, eight knowledge areas, cost, the education, experience and ethics requirements, and is it worth it.
advanced
CFA InstituteCFA Level III (CFA Institute)
CFA Level III: the essay (constructed-response) format, the 2025 specialised pathways, pass rates, and how passing it plus experience earns the CFA charter.
advanced
CFA InstituteCFA Level II (CFA Institute)
CFA Level 2 (CFA II) explained: the item-set format, syllabus and topic weights, difficulty, pass rate, and how to plan your study. Source-checked.
advanced
Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) from The IIA: the three exam parts, the 600 passing score, cost, eligibility and whether it is worth it in 2026.
advanced
IMA (Institute of Management Accountants)CMA (IMA)
CMA (IMA): the two parts, cost, requirements, difficulty and how the management-accounting certification compares to CPA and CFA in 2026.
advanced
AICPA & CIMA (NASBA)US CPA (AICPA)
US CPA exam (AICPA): the four sections, the 150-hour requirement, cost, pass rates and an honest take on whether the CPA is worth it in 2026.
advanced
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)Enrolled Agent (EA)
Enrolled Agent (EA): the three-part SEE exam, fee, PTIN requirement, 72-hour CPE renewal and an honest take on whether the EA is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
GARP (Global Association of Risk Professionals)FRM (GARP)
FRM (GARP): the two parts, cost, difficulty, pass rate and how the Financial Risk Manager certification compares with the CFA in 2026. Source-checked.
advanced
Human Resources
HR certifications for people professionals - SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP, and the HRCI PHR and SPHR - compared side by side so you can pick the right one.
Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)
The HRCI aPHR exam: the five weighted functional areas, US$400 cost, no-experience eligibility, format and whether the entry-level HR credential is worth it.
beginner
HRCI (HR Certification Institute)Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
The HRCI PHR exam explained: the seven weighted functional areas, cost, eligibility, format and whether the HR certification is worth it. Source-checked.
intermediate
SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
SHRM-CP exam guide: the 134-question format, cost, eligibility, difficulty and whether the SHRM Certified Professional credential is worth it. Source-checked.
intermediate
SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
SHRM-SCP exam guide: the 134-question format, US$595-695 cost, strategic-experience eligibility, renewal and whether the senior SHRM credential is worth it.
advanced
HRCI (HR Certification Institute)Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
The HRCI SPHR exam explained: the five weighted functional areas, cost, senior HR-experience eligibility, format and whether it is worth it. Source-checked.
advanced
Data & Analytics
Data and analytics certifications compared on cost, difficulty and focus - from business-intelligence tools (Power BI, Tableau) to data engineering platforms (Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Snowflake, Google Cloud).
Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate
Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate guide: the 45-question format, US$200 cost, two-year validity, what it covers and whether it is worth it.
intermediate
MicrosoftMicrosoft Fabric Data Engineer (DP-700)
Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer (DP-700): exam format, cost, the three skills measured, difficulty and whether this Fabric certification is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
Google CloudGoogle Cloud Professional Data Engineer
Google Professional Data Engineer (PDE): the exam domains, cost, difficulty and whether the GCP data engineering certification is worth it in 2026.
expert
MicrosoftMicrosoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300): exam format, cost, the four skills measured, difficulty, and whether this Power BI certification is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
Tableau (Salesforce)Tableau Desktop Specialist (Tableau Desktop Foundations)
Tableau Desktop Specialist (now Tableau Desktop Foundations) explained: format, cost, the four weighted domains and whether this entry-level exam is worth it.
beginner
SnowflakeSnowPro Core Certification (COF-C03)
SnowPro Core (COF-C03) exam guide: the format, ~100-question structure, cost, the 750/1000 pass mark, what it covers, and whether the credential is worth it.
intermediate
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing certifications - Google Ads, Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Blueprint and related credentials - compared so you can choose the right platform certification.
Google Ads Search Certification
Google Ads Search Certification explained: the free Skillshop assessment, its format, the 80% pass mark, and whether the Search badge is worth earning.
intermediate
Google (Skillshop)Google Analytics Certification (GA4)
Google Analytics Certification explained: the free, online GA4 assessment on Skillshop, the 80% pass mark, 12-month validity and what it covers. Source-checked.
beginner
HubSpot AcademyHubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification guide: the free online course and exam, the 60-question format, two-year validity, retake rule and if it is worth it.
beginner
MetaMeta Certified Digital Marketing Associate (100-101)
The Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate (exam 100-101): the entry-level Meta Blueprint certification explained - cost, format, domains and who it suits.
beginner
OMCPOMCP (Online Marketing Certified Professional)
OMCP certification guide: the three-exam format, the US$395 fee, the experience-and-training eligibility gate, OMCA vs OMCP, renewal and whether it is worth it.
intermediate
Salesforce & CRM
Salesforce certifications compared on cost, difficulty and focus - from the Administrator credential to the Platform App Builder - for careers on the world's most-used CRM.
Salesforce Platform App Builder
Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder (Plat-Admn-202): format, the 63% pass mark, cost, the five domains, and whether it is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
SalesforceSalesforce Certified Administrator
Salesforce Certified Administrator (Plat-Admn-201): format, cost, the eight domains including the new Agentforce area, and whether it is worth it in 2026.
beginner
Graduate & Business School Admissions
Standardised admissions tests for MBA, business and graduate school - the GMAT, GRE and Executive Assessment - compared on format, scoring and which programmes accept them.
Executive Assessment
The Executive Assessment: the three sections, the 100-200 score, cost, validity, and whether this shorter GMAC test fits your EMBA application.
intermediate
Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)GMAT Focus Edition
GMAT Focus Edition: the 3 sections (Quant, Verbal, Data Insights), the 205-805 score scale, cost, validity, and whether the GMAT or GRE fits your MBA plan.
advanced
ETS (Educational Testing Service)GRE General Test
The GRE General Test: the shorter format (about 1h 58m), the three measures, 130-170 scoring, percentiles, cost, and whether the GRE is worth taking.
intermediate