Compare the ten credentials side by side
Exam length, pass marks, renewal and fees differ more than the names suggest. The table below puts the published figures from each book next to each other; the sections after it answer the four comparisons readers ask for most. Every figure was verified in October 2026 and can change, so confirm it with the issuing body.
Ten credentials in one table
| Credential | Level | Exam format | Pass mark | Renewal or validity | Exam fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMP | Experienced practitioner | 180 questions, 240 minutes | Not fixed in the book | 60 PDUs every 3 years | Varies with membership and region |
| IELTS | English test | Four skills; Academic takes 2 h 45 min | Bands 0 to 9 | Recommended for 2 years | Set locally by test centre |
| TOEFL iBT | English test | About 90 minutes of section time | Scores 1 to 6 | Valid 2 years | Set by test location |
| Security+ | Core, early-career | Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes | 750 out of 900 | 50 CEUs every 3 years | Varies by country |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | Foundational | 65 questions, 90 minutes | 700 out of 1,000 | Valid 3 years | US$100 plus tax |
| AZ-900 | Fundamentals | 45 minutes of exam time | 700 out of 1,000 | Does not expire | Set by country |
| CCNA | Associate | 120 minutes; question count not published | Not published by Cisco | 3 years; exam or 30 CE credits | US$300 plus tax |
| CompTIA A+ | Entry-level support | Two exams, up to 90 questions and 90 minutes each | Core 1: 675; Core 2: 700 (of 900) | 3 years; 20 CEUs | Two vouchers; varies by country |
| CISSP | Advanced | 125 to 150 adaptive items, up to 3 hours | 700 out of 1,000 | 120 CPE credits per 3 years; US$135 a year | US$749 in most regions |
| CFA Program | Three levels | Level I: 180 questions in two 135-minute sessions | Not fixed | Annual dues and Code commitment | US$1,140 to US$1,590 per level |
“Not fixed” or “not published” means the issuing body does not state a fixed pass mark. Fees exclude tax unless stated, and several are set locally, so no single figure is given.
AWS Cloud Practitioner or AZ-900?
Choose the one that matches the cloud your employer or target employer runs. Both are broad foundation exams for technical and business staff, and both teach shared responsibility, regions, pricing models, identity and cost tools in different vocabularies.
| Item | AWS Cloud Practitioner | AZ-900 |
|---|---|---|
| Exam time | 65 questions in 90 minutes | 45 minutes of exam time |
| Pass mark | 700 on a scale of 100 to 1,000 | 700 on a scale of 1 to 1,000 |
| Fee | US$100 plus tax | Set by country |
| Validity | Three years, renewable | Does not expire |
| Biggest topic | Cloud Technology and Services, 34% | Azure architecture and services, 35–40% |
| Watch for | Replaced support plans; security now 30% | Skills updated 20 July 2026; renamed products |
| Read | Is it worth it? | Is it worth it? |
IELTS or TOEFL iBT?
Choose the test your institutions accept. If a university, funder or visa route accepts only one, the decision is made. If every institution accepts both, compare the formats: TOEFL iBT takes about two hours and records Speaking on a computer, while IELTS Speaking is face to face.
| Item | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | Bands 0 to 9 in half bands | 1 to 6 in half bands since January 2026 |
| Test time | Academic: 2 h 45 min | About 90 minutes of section time |
| Speaking | Face to face for some versions | Recorded on a computer |
| Retake option | One Skill Retake within 60 days of a computer test | See the TOEFL guides |
| Validity | Recommended for two years | Two years |
| Read | TOEFL or IELTS? | TOEFL or IELTS? |
A+, Security+ or CCNA?
Choose by the job you want first. A+ is the entry point for support work, Security+ for a security analyst path and CCNA for network technician and junior engineer roles.
| Item | CompTIA A+ | Security+ | CCNA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exams | Two (Core 1 and Core 2) | One | One |
| Recommended experience | About 12 months of hands-on support | About two years of hands-on experience | None required |
| Version to watch | V15 current since 25 March 2025 | V8 expected about 17 November 2026 | v2.0 from 3 February 2027 |
| Renewal | 20 CEUs | 50 CEUs | Exam or 30 CE credits |
| Read | Is it worth it? | Is it worth it? | Is it worth it? |
Security+ or CISSP?
Security+ is the early-career baseline; CISSP is for experienced professionals. CISSP asks for five years of full-time experience in two or more of its eight domains, with one year waived in some cases. Without it you can pass and become an Associate of ISC2, with six years to gain the experience.
| Item | Security+ | CISSP |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Core, early-career | Advanced |
| Format | Up to 90 questions, 90 minutes | 125 to 150 adaptive items, up to 3 hours |
| Pass mark | 750 out of 900 | 700 out of 1,000 |
| Fee | Varies by country | US$749 in most regions |
| Read | Security+ V7 or V8? | Experience and the Associate route |
Still unsure?
Use the reading order by goal or take the four-question decision test at the start of any book’s first guide.