Guaranteed To Pass!
This is, of course, old news, and the topic probably dates back to or prior to Plato's day. Nonetheless, what I am about to tell you may turn your stomach. Especially if you are an honest, ethical professional.
You're no doubt aware of the myriad of certifications available out there. Many industries have designed their own certification models to demonstrate various levels of mastery in a wide range of subjects. In short: professionals that desire a particular certification either study for, or take training courses for an exam. They then schedule the test with the certification vendor or their representative... and then you take the exam. Ideally, you pass the exam and obtain this new level of professional certification. As a rule, it makes your resume look that much more attractive to new employers, and can certainly impress your existing employer.
The only way that you can guarantee passing an exam, is to learn the material, study it well, and otherwise prepare.
I have been contacted a few times by organizations that see it a bit differently, and I have the screenshots to prove it. These organizations do not even bother trying to hide it. They exist all over LinkedIn.
Wow...
It seems they are persistent, as well.
I did not respond beyond that. In fact, I kept the connection just in case I need to show someone the original message.
In short, you pay them money. That money covers the cost of the exam voucher, any associated fees with the certifying organization or accompanying membership, and of course some manner of markup to cover the actual test-takers fee.
You next give them copies of your legitimate ID.
They schedule the test on your behalf and show up to the testing center with your ID.
Professionals that have taken this exam numerous times take the exam on your behalf, and you often will pass.
Great! Now you are certified in a relatively complex industry to do a certain set of tasks or work on a certain set of products... but here are the facts:
- You have absolutely no idea what you are doing, and should not be working in that particular industry if you have to buy your credentials. What if you worked in the medical field... and the patient learned that you bought your credentials? Or the information security field?
- You just placed a ticking time bomb in your resume. At some point, someone will find out that this certification is bogus. They will no doubt ask how you even passed the test. Or why you might have taken the exam in a city far away from where you live. Or in another country??
If you're thinking to yourself "oh, that's nothing, I heard of people doing that in college or university"... yes, it's the same thing.
Be on the lookout for anyone that pitches "guaranteed to pass" in conjunction with their training services. The only person that can guarantee that you pass is you.
Do it the right way. Get training somehow, do some time in the industry if you can, and study. Do it yourself. It is at that point that you can say you earned that certification.