Author: Anthony Wint II

This guide is meant for those planning to take any version of the CySA+ exam.

Taking multiple certifications can add up to be extremely expensive. This is no exception for CompTIA’s certifications either. Just the certification vouchers alone from CompTIA can range anywhere from $126 to $466. That’s only the cost for only the voucher itself. It does not include learning materials and the potential to have to retake the test back over. In this blog post we will go over three different ways that your pathway to CompTIA certifications can cost a little bit less than expected.

1. Cheaper Learning Materials

There are lots of different options for learning materials to use for these certifications. My personal favorite has been the website Udemy. On Udemy users can purchase video courses and quizzes to learn and build skills. My personal recommendations for taking CompTIA certifications are Jason Dion’s courses and Mike Meyers courses. Both teachers courses have provided me with all the information that I needed to know to pass both the A+ certification and the Security+ certification. The best part is that I was able to get hours of video courses and multiple different practice tests for under $30. I was able to receive such low-priced materials because Udemy holds sales that usually discount their courses heavily, up to 94%. For example, I was able to pick up Jason Dion’s Security+ course for 12.99, which includes 21 hours worth of material plus a 90 question practice exam and his practices tests for 13.99, which include 6 practice exams that consist of 65 questions each. That totals to be $26.98! This is a pretty good price in comparison to CompTIA’s CertMaster practice which can range from anywhere from $69 to $249.

2. Student Store Vouchers

If you are a college student within the United States, it is really beneficial to obtain your vouchers from CompTIA’s Academic Store. There is a heavy discount for certification vouchers on the Academic Store, about 40% discounts. For example, to pass the A+ certification you would need to purchase two A+ Vouchers (because the test is split into two different parts). Two A+ vouchers on CompTIA’s store totals $464. On CompTIA’s Academic Store two A+ vouchers total only $212. That’s a savings of $252! That’s just enough to go back on the Academic Store and purchase a Security+ voucher. So far, I saved $512 just by using the Academic Store that CompTIA provides.

3. A 10% off Discount

Just another helpful tip you can subscribe to CompTIA’s career newsletter to receive a 10% discount off of your next purchase. 10% may not seem like much but it really adds up if you are purchasing a more expensive certification like the CASP+ which is $466. That 10% discount would yield a $46.60 discount.