◦ Study notes & exam intel

The CertCrush Blog

Expert guides, study strategies, and exam tips for IT certification success.

Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the Microsoft AZ-400 Exam in 2026: A 12-Week Azure DevOps Engineer Study Plan

A week-by-week AZ-400 study plan for 2026, covering the updated objectives, the 27 July refresh, the AZ-204 prerequisite change, and how to master CI/CD, source control, security and SRE in twelve weeks.

11 Jul 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the CKS Exam in 2026: A 6-Week Kubernetes Security Study Plan for the v1.34 Blueprint

A practical 6-week study plan to pass the Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) exam in 2026. Domain weights, the v1.34 blueprint, the tools you must drill and a week-by-week schedule built for the hands-on format.

10 Jul 2026

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Study Tips10 min

How to Pass the CKA Exam in 2026: A 12-Week Study Plan for the New v1.35 and Gateway API Syllabus

A complete 12-week study plan to pass the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) exam in 2026, built around the new Kubernetes v1.35 syllabus, the Gateway API, domain weights, cost and hands-on practice.

10 Jul 2026

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Study Tips10 min

How to Pass the CompTIA Linux+ (XK0-006) Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan

A week-by-week study plan to pass the new CompTIA Linux+ XK0-006 exam in 2026, with the five domain weightings, PBQ tactics, and the hands-on lab routine that gets first-time passes.

9 Jul 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the CompTIA Cloud+ (CV0-004) Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan

A complete 8-week study plan to pass the CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-004 exam in 2026. Covers all six domains, the pass mark, performance-based questions and a week-by-week schedule that fits around a full-time job.

8 Jul 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the Cisco CCNP ENCOR 350-401 Exam in 2026: A 12-Week Study Plan for the New v1.2 Blueprint

The CCNP ENCOR 350-401 exam moved to the v1.2 blueprint on 19 March 2026. Here is a realistic 12-week study plan built around the new automation and security weightings, so you do not waste time on removed topics.

7 Jul 2026

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Study Tips8 min

How to Pass the Microsoft AZ-305 Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Azure Solutions Architect Study Plan

AZ-305 is the design exam that turns your AZ-104 into the Azure Solutions Architect Expert badge. Here is a realistic 8-week study plan, the current 2026 domains, and how to pass it first time.

7 Jul 2026

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Study Tips10 min

How to Pass the ISACA CISA Exam in 2026: A 12-Week Study Plan

A week-by-week CISA study plan for 2026 covering all five domains, the exam format, and the tips that get auditors through first time. Learn how to pass CISA without wasting months.

6 Jul 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the Microsoft AI-901 Exam in 2026: A 4-Week Azure AI Fundamentals Study Plan

AI-900 has retired and AI-901 is now the only route to Azure AI Fundamentals. Here is a focused 4-week study plan to pass AI-901 first time, with a domain-by-domain breakdown and a heavy focus on the new Microsoft Foundry hands-on content.

2 Jul 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the Microsoft SC-401 Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan for the New Information Security Administrator Certification

SC-401 replaced the retired SC-400 and is now Microsoft's information security admin exam. This 8-week study plan breaks down the three Purview-heavy domains, the exam format and exactly what to revise each week so you pass first time.

2 Jul 2026

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Study Tips8 min

How to Pass the AWS Certified Security Specialty (SCS-C03) Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan

A week-by-week study plan for the new AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C03 exam, updated for the December 2025 refresh. Covers the six domains, the new generative AI security content, exam-day facts and the fastest route to a pass.

30 Jun 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the Microsoft AZ-104 Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Azure Administrator Study Plan

A week-by-week plan to pass the Microsoft AZ-104 Azure Administrator exam in 2026, with the latest domain weightings, the April 2026 objective refresh, and a realistic study schedule that works around a full-time job.

29 Jun 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer Associate (MLA-C01) Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan

A week-by-week AWS MLA-C01 study plan for 2026. Get the exam domains, cost, passing score and a realistic 8-week schedule to pass the AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam on your first attempt.

29 Jun 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the Microsoft AZ-900 Exam in 2026: A 4-Week Azure Fundamentals Study Plan

A realistic 4-week study plan to pass the Microsoft AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals exam in 2026, including the new January 2026 AI services, domain weightings, exam format and a week-by-week schedule.

28 Jun 2026

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Study Tips10 min

How to Pass the Microsoft AI-300 Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan for the New Azure Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) Engineer Certification

AI-300 is Microsoft's new MLOps Engineer Associate exam, replacing DP-100. Here is a complete 8-week study plan covering all five domains, the 700/1000 pass mark, and the Azure ML and Foundry skills you need to pass first time.

28 Jun 2026

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Study Tips10 min

How to Pass the Microsoft AI-200 Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan for the New Azure AI Cloud Developer Certification

The new Microsoft AI-200 exam turns the old AZ-204 developer track into an AI-first certification. Here is an 8-week study plan covering all four domains, the vector database content that trips people up, and how to pass on your first attempt.

27 Jun 2026

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Study Tips10 min

How to Pass the Microsoft AI-103 Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan for the New Azure AI App and Agent Developer Certification

Microsoft's AI-102 retires on 30 June 2026 and the new AI-103 Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer exam takes its place. Here is a realistic 8-week study plan covering every domain, the exam format, the cost and the agent and RAG skills you need to pass first time.

25 Jun 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the CompTIA A+ (220-1201 and 220-1202) Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan

A week-by-week plan to pass both CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) on the new V15 objectives in 2026, with exam facts, domain weightings and the study order that actually works.

25 Jun 2026

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Study Tips8 min

How to Pass the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan

A realistic 8-week study plan to pass the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam in 2026. Get the domain weights, exam format, subnetting strategy and a week-by-week schedule built for working professionals.

24 Jun 2026

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Study Tips10 min

How to Pass the Microsoft SC-500 Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan for the New Cloud and AI Security Engineer Certification

SC-500 is the new Microsoft Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate exam that replaces AZ-500. This 8-week study plan walks through every domain, the new AI security objectives and exactly how to pass on your first attempt.

24 Jun 2026

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Study Tips8 min

How to Pass the Microsoft SC-100 Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan for the Updated Objectives

A week-by-week plan to pass the Microsoft SC-100 Cybersecurity Architect exam in 2026, built around the refreshed objectives, the four design domains and the scenario questions that catch most candidates out.

23 Jun 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) Exam in 2026: An 8-Week Study Plan

A week-by-week study plan to pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) exam in 2026. Covers all four domains, exam format, hands-on labs and a realistic eight-week schedule.

22 Jun 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass the Cisco CCNA (200-301) Exam in 2026: A 12-Week Study Plan

The Cisco CCNA 200-301 packs six domains into one 120-minute exam, and most people need around three months to prepare. This realistic 12-week study plan breaks down exactly what to study each week so you pass on your first attempt.

22 Jun 2026

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Study Tips11 min

How to Pass the CISSP Exam in 2026: A 12-Week Study Plan

A realistic 12-week CISSP study plan for 2026 covering all eight domains, the CAT exam format, the manager mindset, and how to revise so you pass on your first attempt.

21 Jun 2026

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Study Tips8 min

How to Pass the CCSP Exam in 2026: A 12-Week Study Plan for the Updated Domains

A practical 12-week CCSP study plan for 2026, built around the new 1 August exam outline, the six domains, AI security additions and the CAT format. Pass on your first attempt.

21 Jun 2026

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Study Tips9 min

How to Pass CompTIA CySA+ CS0-004: An 8-Week Study Plan

A complete 8-week CompTIA CySA+ CS0-004 study plan covering all four domains, PBQ strategy, and the practice approach that delivers first-attempt passes for prepared candidates.

22 May 2026

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Study Tips8 min

How to Pass ITIL 5 Foundation: A Beginner's Study Plan

A complete 4-week study plan for ITIL 5 Foundation beginners. Covers the syllabus, the four question types, and the practice strategy that consistently delivers first-attempt passes.

22 May 2026

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Study Tips8 min

How I'd Pass Security+ in 30 Days

A realistic 30-day plan to pass CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 on your first attempt. Week-by-week schedule, domain-weighted focus, performance-based question drills, and the exact daily routine that works for busy professionals.

17 Apr 2026

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Study Tips10 min

The 48-Hour Cram Strategy: How to Maximise Retention Before Exam Day

Learn the science-backed 48-hour cram strategy that maximises retention before your IT certification exam. Includes hour-by-hour plans, active recall drills, and sleep-based memory consolidation tactics proven to lift pass rates.

14 Apr 2026

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Study Tips11 min

Why Most People Fail Certification Exams (And What to Do Instead)

Nearly half of IT certification candidates fail on their first attempt. Learn the seven reasons why, backed by data, and the proven study strategies that fix each one.

13 Apr 2026

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Study Tips11 min

How to Pass CompTIA Security+ on Your First Attempt

Pass CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 on your first attempt with this proven study plan. Covers all five domains, PBQ strategy, and an 8-week schedule that works.

10 Apr 2026

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