Certification study guides
Study guides for IT and security certifications: how the exams are built, how to prepare, and which certification fits the work you do. Every exam fact is checked against the vendor’s own published material, and each guide shows when it was last updated.
IASAE Level II: which certification should you actually get?
Three certifications satisfy IASAE Level II, the same three as Level I: SecurityX, CISSP, and CSSLP. Experience rules, exam formats, reach, and upkeep.
Updated 2026-11-13
CCNA v1.1 vs v2.0: what changes on February 3, 2027
CCNA 200-301 v2.0 replaces v1.1 on Feb 3, 2027 with no overlap. The new domain weights, the AI and troubleshooting topics, and which version to take.
Updated 2026-11-12
CISA vs CISM: which ISACA certification should you get?
CISA vs CISM from ISACA: the same 150 questions, 4 hours, 450 to pass, and fees. What differs is the domains and the experience you need. How to pick.
Updated 2026-11-10
PenTest+ exam format: questions, PBQs, and the 750 passing score
PenTest+ PT0-003 is up to 90 questions in 165 minutes with simulation PBQs; 750 on a 100 to 900 scale passes. Domains, scoring, retakes, and renewal.
Updated 2026-11-09
Network+ exam format: questions, PBQs, and the 720 passing score
Network+ N10-009 is up to 90 questions in 90 minutes with simulation PBQs; 720 on a 100 to 900 scale passes. Domains, scoring, and the retake rules.
Updated 2026-11-06
A+ exam format: Core 1, Core 2, and the passing scores
CompTIA A+ is two exams, 220-1201 and 220-1202: up to 90 questions in 90 minutes each, 675 and 700 to pass on a 900 scale, taken in any order.
Updated 2026-11-05
GSEC vs Security+: which one should you get?
GSEC vs Security+ from GIAC and CompTIA: 106 questions open book vs up to 90, the $999 GSEC attempt, upkeep, and why GSEC does not renew Security+.
Updated 2026-11-03
CISM renewal: CPE hours, the annual fee, and the audit
CISM renewal takes 20 CPE hours every year, 120 per 3 year cycle, and a $45 or $85 annual fee. How ISACA counts hours, the audit, and revocation.
Updated 2026-11-02
CISM exam changes on November 3, 2026: what the new outline changes
The CISM exam changes November 3, 2026. ISACA's new domain weights, the two new architecture content areas, and what to do if your exam date is close.
Updated 2026-10-30
CySA+ CS0-003 vs CS0-004: which version should you take?
CySA+ CS0-003 retires December 22, 2026. Same 85 questions, 165 minutes, and 750 to pass, but new domain weights and AI in V4. Which version to take.
Updated 2026-10-29
CySA+ vs PenTest+: which one should you get after Security+?
CySA+ vs PenTest+ from CompTIA's own pages: exam format, the 750 passing score, domain weights, 60 CEUs each, and why earning either one renews the other.
Updated 2026-10-27
CISSP exam format: questions, time, and the 700 passing score
CISSP exam format from ISC2: adaptive testing, 100 to 150 questions in 3 hours, 700 of 1000 to pass, no going back, domain weights, the $749 fee, retakes.
Updated 2026-10-26
CCSP vs CISSP: which one should you get?
CCSP vs CISSP from ISC2: the same adaptive format, $599 vs $749, the experience rules, why an active CISSP covers all CCSP experience, and one annual fee.
Updated 2026-10-23
SSCP vs Security+: which one should you get?
SSCP vs Security+ from ISC2 and CompTIA: exam format, the one year SSCP experience rule, the $249 fee, upkeep, and why SSCP renews Security+.
Updated 2026-10-22
IAM Level I: which certification should you actually get?
Six certifications sit in the IAM Level I cell and one is retired. Exam formats, the two experience gates, upkeep costs, and which ones cover Level II too.
Updated 2026-10-20
Security+ vs CISSP: which one do you need?
Security+ vs CISSP from CompTIA and ISC2: exam format, the five year CISSP experience rule, the $749 fee, upkeep, and how each one helps with the other.
Updated 2026-10-19
IAM Level III: which certification should you actually get?
Four certifications satisfy IAM Level III and three want five years of experience. The ways around it, the overlap with other levels, and upkeep costs.
Updated 2026-10-16
IAM Level II: which certification should you actually get?
Seven certifications satisfy IAM Level II; one is retiring, two were renamed. Experience rules, which ones also cover Level III, and upkeep costs.
Updated 2026-10-15
CISSP renewal: CPE credits, the annual fee, and the grace period
CISSP renewal from ISC2's own policy: 120 CPE credits per three year cycle, the $135 annual fee, Group A vs B, the 90 day grace period, and rollover.
Updated 2026-10-13
CISSP endorsement: how it works after you pass
After you pass the CISSP: the nine month application deadline, who can endorse you, proof of employment, the 4 to 6 week review, and the $135 first fee.
Updated 2026-10-12
IAT Level I: which certification should you actually get?
Five certifications sit in the IAT Level I cell and one is retired. Exam formats, the two experience gates, renewal costs, and why Security+ covers it too.
Updated 2026-10-09
Network+ renewal: 30 CEUs, the $150 fee, and the shortcuts
Network+ expires three years after you pass. CompTIA's renewal rules: 30 CEUs and $150, the caps, CertMaster CE, and how Security+ renews it with no fee.
Updated 2026-10-08
CySA+ renewal: 60 CEUs, the $150 fee, and the shortcuts
CySA+ expires three years after you pass. CompTIA's renewal rules: 60 CEUs and $150, the cap on each activity, and the certifications that renew it.
Updated 2026-10-06
Network+ vs Security+: which one should you take first?
Network+ vs Security+ from CompTIA's own pages: exam format, 720 vs 750 to pass, domains, renewal CEUs, and why earning Security+ renews Network+.
Updated 2026-10-05
SecurityX, formerly CASP+: what the rename changed
CASP+ became SecurityX with the CAS-005 exam on Dec 17, 2024. What changed for holders, the new domain weights, 23 objectives, and 75 CEUs to renew.
Updated 2026-10-02
CCNA vs Security+: which one should a network person get?
CCNA vs Security+ from Cisco and CompTIA: exam format, domains, the $300 CCNA fee, both version changes, and why CCNA does not renew Security+.
Updated 2026-10-01
CEH vs PenTest+: which penetration testing certification to get
CEH vs PenTest+ from EC-Council and CompTIA: exam format, the CEH eligibility rules and $100 fee, voucher prices, and why PenTest+ renews Security+.
Updated 2026-09-29
CISM vs CISSP: which one should a security manager get?
CISM vs CISSP from ISACA and ISC2: exam format, domains, fees, experience rules, how each waives experience for the other, and the Nov 3, 2026 CISM update.
Updated 2026-09-28
Security+ exam format: questions, PBQs, and the 750 passing score
Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes with simulation PBQs; 750 on a 100 to 900 scale passes. What CompTIA says about PBQs, scoring, and retakes.
Updated 2026-09-25
Security+ vs CySA+: which one should you get next?
Security+ vs CySA+ from CompTIA's own pages: exam format, recommended experience, domains, renewal CEUs, and why earning CySA+ renews Security+.
Updated 2026-09-24
CISSP experience requirements and the Associate of ISC2 route
Five years in two of the eight domains, or pass first and hold Associate of ISC2 for six years. The waiver rules, part-time math, and the 9 month clock.
Updated 2026-09-22
IAT Level III: which certification should you actually get?
Seven certifications satisfy IAT Level III. Three need five years of experience first. Exam formats, the experience gates, and what each costs to keep.
Updated 2026-09-18
Security+ SY0-701 vs SY0-801: what is changing in V8
CompTIA's draft SY0-801 objectives vs SY0-701: new domain weights, a renamed domain, and an AI objective. Same 90-question format. Kept current.
Updated 2026-09-23
The AI topics in the draft Security+ SY0-801 objectives
What CompTIA's draft SY0-801 objectives say about AI: prompt injection, poisoning, jailbreaking, LLMs as an attack surface, and AI in automation.
Updated 2026-09-23
Security+ SY0-801 release date and SY0-701 retirement
CompTIA has confirmed Security+ SY0-801 launches on or around November 17, 2026, and SY0-701 retires June 11, 2027. What that means for you.
Updated 2026-09-23
Think Like a Manager: The CISSP Study Guide for Technical People
Technical pros fail the CISSP by answering like engineers. Learn the manager mindset, the 8 domain weights, CAT strategy, and a study plan that works.
Updated 2026-09-15
Security+ renewal: CEUs, fees, and the three year cycle
Security+ expires three years after you pass. What CompTIA requires to renew: 50 CEUs, $150 in fees, which activities count, and the 30 day grace period.
Updated 2026-09-15
IAT Level II: which certification should you actually get?
Seven certifications satisfy IAT Level II. For almost everyone the answer is Security+. Here is the honest comparison, and the exceptions.
Updated 2026-08-04
CSSP explained: the five roles and which certification each needs
CSSP is five standalone specialties, not levels. What each role does, which certifications satisfy it, and the picks that cover several at once.
Updated 2026-08-04
Free practice questions
Ten original questions per exam, each with the answer and an explanation.