July 10, 2026 · 2 min read
Which IT Certification Should You Get First?
The right first certification depends on where you are starting from, not on which exam is trending. Here is the decision in three questions.
strategybeginners
Book 1 of the Smart Career Playbook Series
The Smart IT Certification Playbook
Read this before you spend $425 on the wrong exam.
The certification strategy guide that turns a confusing, expensive guessing game into a clear, evidence-based career plan across cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and DevOps.
The book you read before you buy the study guide
Which IT certifications are worth your money, which to skip, and how to study faster with AI - responsibly. A 6-8 hour read where every chapter ends in a decision, not a reading assignment.
Latest certification updates
AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam refresh announced (sample)
A new exam version with heavier AI and cost-optimization coverage is expected; if you are mid-study, check which version your exam date falls under.
CompTIA exam voucher prices increase (sample)
Voucher prices rose again this cycle; bundles with a retake still beat two single vouchers if you are unsure of a first-attempt pass.
Now tracking the new wave of AI certifications (sample)
Cloud vendors and CompTIA have all shipped AI credentials in the last year; we are adding them to the ROI scorecard as market data comes in.
From the blog
All postsJuly 3, 2026 · 1 min read
The Hidden Renewal Tax: What Your Certifications Cost After You Pass
Exam day is not the end of the bill. Renewals, continuing education, and memberships can quietly cost $700-900 a year. Here is how to add it up before you buy.
coststrategy
June 24, 2026 · 1 min read
How to Study for Certifications with AI (Without Cheating)
AI can compress weeks of certification study into days - or it can get your certification revoked. The difference is which side of the exam you use it on.
aistudy
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