I've taken the A+, Net+, and Sec+ four times and the Project+ and CySA+ twice. Honestly, the exams don't change radically from one version to the next. I'll take them if an employer requires it but I don't see a lot of value in spending that much money when I can just renew my highest level cert with CEUs and renew all the rest.
But when we can renew these certs via TTT vouchers, it's not "spending money", it's instructors keeping up with the exams as the TTTs are intended to do. I think keeping certs current is less important to me than seeing the exams regularly, so I can better help my students know what to expect and help them get past that test anxiety. I've passed almost every exam I've taken. But I often go in to take an exam I don't really feel ready for (bc the voucher is expiring) to make sure I at least get to see the exam and can share insights with students. I've passed those every time except once. This was advice from
@dwightwatt that has gotten me past a lot of test anxiety and resulted in me walking through those test center doors a lot more than I would have if my focus was on passing, even when I pay for the exam myself.
Maybe for those who have been teaching the exams for decades, it's not so important to take every one. But there are so many instructors who have never taken the exams they're teaching, or they've only taken it once. This is what really needs to change.
