Prep and buying guides: which course, which exam, how to pay less
Before you pay for a course, a practice test bank or a voucher, check what each one costs on the vendor's own page and whether it matches the exam version you will sit. Each guide lists the prices it quotes, where they came from and the date they were checked.
The guides
- SY0-701 or SY0-801: which Security+ to sit, and whether your prep still worksSecurity+ V8 (SY0-801) launches 17 Nov 2026; SY0-701 retires 11 June 2027. Which to sit and what prep carries over.
- ExamTopics alternatives: legit practice questions for AWS, Azure, CompTIA and Cisco, free and paidFree official practice questions and paid banks for AWS, Azure, CompTIA and Cisco, with prices checked Nov 2026.
- Best Security+ practice tests compared: prices for Dion, Messer, Boson and moreDion, Messer, Boson ExSim-Max, CertMaster and Pocket Prep for Security+, with list prices and V8 status.
- Professor Messer vs Jason Dion: free videos, paid practice exams, and which to use for A+, Network+ and Security+Messer's free courses vs Dion's paid courses and practice exams, with prices for A+, Network+ and Security+.
- Best AWS practice exams for SAA and Cloud Practitioner, compared with pricesTutorials Dojo, AWS Skill Builder, Digital Cloud Training and Whizlabs for AWS SAA and CCP, with list prices.
- Best CCNA course and practice exams: Jeremy's IT Lab, Boson ExSim, CBT Nuggets and Cisco NetAcadJeremy's IT Lab, Boson, CBT Nuggets and Cisco NetAcad for CCNA 200-301, with prices and the v2.0 exam date.
- AZ-900 and AZ-104 practice tests: Microsoft Learn's free assessments vs MeasureUp vs Tutorials DojoMicrosoft's free practice assessments, MeasureUp and Tutorials Dojo for AZ-900 and AZ-104, with prices.
- CompTIA A+ vs Google IT Support Certificate: cost, time and what help desk employers ask forA+ vs the Google IT Support Certificate: exams, hours, Coursera and voucher costs, and the dual credential route.
- Best NCLEX prep course: UWorld vs Archer vs Bootcamp vs Kaplan, with prices and a plan for retakersUWorld, Archer, Bootcamp and Kaplan NCLEX-RN prep compared, with prices, retaker options and the 2027 fee rise.
- Best CFA Level I prep provider: Meldrum, AnalystPrep, Schweser or the official study platformCFA Institute's Learning Ecosystem, Mark Meldrum, AnalystPrep and Schweser for Level I, with prices and 2027 dates.
- Best bar prep course: Barbri vs Themis vs UWorld vs Kaplan, with prices and the best options for retakersBarbri, Themis, UWorld and Kaplan bar prep compared, with 2027 prices, free repeat terms and options for retakers.
- Best GMAT Focus prep course: Target Test Prep vs e-GMAT vs Magoosh vs Manhattan, with prices and trialsTarget Test Prep, e-GMAT, Magoosh and Manhattan Prep for GMAT Focus, with prices, free trials and round 2 timing.
- Best CPA review course: Becker vs UWorld vs Gleim, prices compared, and what happened to SurgentBecker, UWorld (now including Surgent) and Gleim CPA review packages compared, with prices and pass guarantees.
- Best PMP exam prep for the 2026 exam: which courses meet the 35 hours, with pricesPMP prep that meets PMI's 35 training hours for the July 2026 exam: PrepCast, live bootcamps, Udemy and Study Hall.
- Best CISSP course and practice questions: Destination Certification, Thor Pedersen, ISC2 official and BosonDestination Certification, ISC2 training, Boson and Thor Pedersen for CISSP, with prices and the 2027 outline.
- Best IELTS preparation online: free official material, IDP and British Council resources, paid courses and what they costFree official IELTS practice from IDP and ielts.org, then Magoosh and E2 courses, with prices and what to buy.
- CompTIA voucher discounts: student pricing, bundles, retake vouchers and the Black Friday saleSecurity+ is $439 at CompTIA. Every legit way to pay less: student pricing, bundles, retake vouchers and partners.
- AWS certification discounts in 2026: the 50% voucher, free programmes and the re:Invent offerThe 50% voucher after your first pass, the re:Invent voucher, free AWS programmes and the 2026 promos that ended.
- Free and discounted Microsoft exam vouchers: student pricing, Exam Replay and the Azure exams that retired in 2026Student pricing, Exam Replay at $230, free practice assessments, and the Azure exams Microsoft retired in 2026.
- Best IT certifications for 2027, ranked by cost, time to pass and the jobs they openSeven IT certifications for 2027 ranked by exam fee, prerequisites, renewal and BLS pay for the job each leads to.
- Best cybersecurity certifications for beginners: CC, Security+, Google's certificate and CySA+, in the order to take themGoogle's certificate, ISC2 CC, Security+ and CySA+ in the order to take them, with today's prices and what changed.
- CSM vs PSM I: cost, renewal and which one employers ask forCSM needs a trainer-led course and $100 renewals. PSM I is $200 an attempt and never expires. How to pick one.
- CISM vs CISA: which ISACA exam fits your job, what each costs, and the CISM outline changeCISM suits security managers, CISA suits IT auditors. ISACA's fees, experience rules and CISM's 3 Nov 2026 outline.
- PTE vs IELTS: which is easier for you, what each costs, how fast results arrive and who accepts eachPTE vs IELTS fees in 5 countries, results times, UK, Australia and Canada visa lists, and Pearson's score table.