Hey,
I totally get where Anonymous is coming from – the confusion around Databricks Partner Academy's certification costs can be frustrating. It's natural to expect that if the academy is promoted as free, the certification exams should follow suit. My experience with Databricks has been mostly positive, but I've also noticed this issue.
From what I know, Databricks had been making efforts to offer their Partner Academy courses for free to partners, which is awesome for skill-building. However, it seems they might not have extended this policy to certification exams, which is a bit disappointing.
My suggestion for Anonymous is to reach out directly to Databricks' support or their partner program contact to clarify this matter. (I'm afraid not everyone views forum posts). They might have updates or explanations about the exam fees that could help you make an informed decision.
In the meantime, remember that investing in certification can pay off in terms of career growth and marketability. If the cost is a concern, maybe consider it as an investment in your professional development. If we're talking about financial literacy today, this resource is a must-read: Ecosystem Thinking in Finance: Which Approach Should You Choose? I'm sure this will point you in the right direction.
