- Authority Index
- Structural bucket scores (identity, logistics, difficulty, curriculum, market signal, outcomes) plus a small sentiment layer from verified holders. Hard filters (e.g., unproctored, dormant issuer) cap the maximum score.
- Structural score
- Editorial assessment of registry presence, proctoring, pass-rate difficulty, curriculum fit, employer signal, and stated ROI — independent of community reviews.
- Market signal
- Higher values indicate stronger hiring-market and job-posting signal for this credential. Used inside the structural score, not a standalone hiring guarantee.
- Exam vs reality gap
- When verified holder reviews exist, gap reflects blueprint match, surprise narratives, and study-hour deltas. Without reviews we show an editorial estimate (~) from official pass rates and study load — not holder-verified.
- Holder reviews
- Only reviews from credential holders who completed verification are counted. Sentiment aggregates and verified gap scores unlock at n≥5 published reviews.
- Exam cost
- Ranges reflect list exam fees; training bundles, retakes, and membership dues may add materially — especially for multi-part finance and compliance programs.
- Prep duration
- Editorial planning estimate for working professionals (~8–12 hrs/week). Your timeline varies with prior experience and retakes.
- Difficulty
- Combines issuer-reported pass rates (when available) with typical study hours. Low pass rates and long prep windows indicate rigorous filters.