CertPath

Study Guides

Free, in-depth prep guides from people who passed. Study plans, resource picks, and exam tips.

AWS SAA-C03

How to Pass AWS Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03)

The SAA-C03 is the most popular cloud cert in the world. This guide covers the actual domain weights, what trips candidates up, and the study path that consistently produces passing scores — by background.

14 min readRead guide →
CISSP

CISSP Study Guide: How to Think Like a CISO and Pass

CISSP has a ~50% first-attempt pass rate for a reason — it's not a technical exam, it's a judgment exam. This guide covers the mindset shift, domain breakdown, study resources, and the specifics of the CAT format that most candidates don't know about.

16 min readRead guide →
PMP

PMP Exam Prep: A Realistic Guide to Passing the Current Exam

The PMP has changed more in the last 5 years than any other major cert. Since 2021, roughly half the exam is agile and hybrid — and most candidates still don't study for it. This guide covers the application process, updated exam content, and what actually works.

15 min readRead guide →
Security+

How to Pass CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 on Your First Try

Security+ is the most widely-held baseline security cert in the world — and the current SY0-701 version is meaningfully harder than SY0-601. This guide covers what changed, how to study efficiently, and the specific traps that fail candidates.

13 min readRead guide →
AWS CLF

AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): Pass in 3–4 Weeks

CLF-C02 is intentionally an entry-level exam that tests foundational cloud literacy, not technical skill. This guide covers who it's actually valuable for, what's on the exam, and how to study efficiently without wasting time.

9 min readRead guide →
OSCP

OSCP Exam Guide: How to Approach the 24-Hour Penetration Test

OSCP is the gold standard entry-level offensive security credential — and one of the hardest exams you can take. There are no multiple-choice questions. You have 24 hours to compromise target machines, and another 24 hours to write a professional penetration test report.

15 min readRead guide →
PSM I

PSM I Study Guide: Pass Scrum.org's 85% Threshold Without a Training Course

PSM I requires 85% to pass — one of the highest thresholds of any cert — but it only costs $200 with no mandatory training. If you know the Scrum Guide deeply, you can pass with 2 weeks of focused study.

10 min readRead guide →
GA4

Google Analytics 4 Certification: Study Guide and Exam Tips

The Google Analytics 4 certification is free, widely recognized in marketing roles, and practical to earn — but it's not as easy as it looks. Questions are scenario-based and Google updates the exam regularly. Here's how to prepare efficiently.

8 min readRead guide →
HubSpot Marketing

HubSpot Marketing Hub Certification: Everything You Need to Know

HubSpot's Marketing Hub certification is free, respected by employers in inbound marketing roles, and takes most people less than a week to earn. This guide covers what's on the exam, the best way to prepare, and how to get the most career value out of it.

7 min readRead guide →