I still wonder why some certifications cost 200$+ just to answer some questions to get a PDF certificate without actually being trained or receiving studying material.

Hmmm which certifications are like that?

@Jumpshot44 a few examples.
PSM I = 150$
PSM 2 = 500$
Acquia Certified Developer - Back-end Specialist = 350$
There are a some MS certs as well where you'll have to buy a book separate from the 150$ exam.

never understood these certificate things. do they even matter? I've never heard of in sweden. might be an us thing?

@doskallemaskin it's an EU thing as well. A lot of companies ask for your certifications here.

In Belgium at least :)

If the person is honest (didn't cheat) they certify that the person has a minimum knowledge to achieve the certification (that person may have more knowledge) so supposedly the interviewer doesn't need to test all the skills that make up to the certification... He should have them, he paid to demonstrate that with that paper... And save time.

@figus but why so expensive for just an exam? ;)

@bdriesen You can brag about it... And that's priceless 😆 haha, nah, I guess it's just to make them special... In some way... Maybe like camera lenses? I read somewhere that some lenses are way cheaper to make, but they sell them really high so not everyone can buy it, that way only professionals that really know how to use them will be able to afford them and won't go saying that the lens is crap just because he didn't know how to use it properly... I this case... That $200 or more paper will set you apart more easily in the resumes stack that they have to go through, or if they use a software to classify them that will rank you higher, giving you better chances on the market and... Maybe they feel 200 is an ok price so you can have better chances... I used to have the CCNA and they called me because of that... But networks aren't really my thing...

IMO it is so you only think about getting certificate when you really feel that you will pass the exam. If the exams where cheap, then everybody would do them, and some of these individuals would pass thanks to luck. If you need to pay 200$(or more) there's a higher chance that you won't rely sorely on your luck.