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Why does Check Point make it so difficult to get certified?  And by that, I mean getting study materials.  Oficial study materials are impossible to get without taking a $5000 course.  Palo Alto gives their cert guides away for free.  It's almost as if they want people to get certified.

I cannot afford to spend 5 grand on a course.  So between Vladimir Yakovlev's Check Point Firewall Administration R81.10+ (great book), building the lab, and the practice exam on Pearson Vue, I was able to pass the CCSA. 

But there is much more material listed on the CCSE objectives than that book covers.  

Throughout my career, I've found self study and labs, along with real world experience, to be the best way for me to get certified.  I've found little value in the 3 - 5 day courses companies have.

Check Point, if you want people to get certified, make your training materials more accessible.