ExamTopics is a free, community-driven site with large collections of certification questions and discussion threads. Many of those questions are contributed by test-takers and are widely reported to be real exam questions - i.e. "braindumps". Using real or leaked exam content violates the certification agreements of most vendors (Microsoft, AWS, Google, Cisco, CompTIA and others) and can result in a failed sitting, a revoked certification, or a ban from the program. CertGrid takes the opposite approach: every question is an original practice item written to the exam blueprint, so you build understanding without risking your certification.
CertGrid vs ExamTopics at a glance
| CertGrid | ExamTopics | |
|---|---|---|
| Question source | Original practice items written to the exam blueprint | Community-submitted; widely reported to include real/leaked exam questions |
| Certification risk | None - original content, no exam agreement is breached | Using real/leaked questions can breach the vendor exam agreement and get a certification revoked |
| Explanations | A reviewed explanation for every question (why right, why each wrong) | Community comments of variable quality; answers are often debated |
| What it trains | Understanding that transfers when questions are reworded | Memorizing specific questions - which fails when the real exam is reworded |
| Cost | Freemium - free daily sample; paid for full access | Free (with the risks above) |
Key differences
- Legitimacy and risk. This is the core difference. Dump content is frequently real exam material, and using it breaches vendor exam agreements - vendors can and do revoke certifications for it. CertGrid’s questions are original, so there is no such risk.
- Learning vs memorizing. Dumps train you to recognize specific questions; when the live exam is reworded (as it regularly is), recognition fails. CertGrid’s explanations and domain drills build the underlying understanding that transfers.
- Answer reliability. On community sites the "correct" answer is often debated and unverified. CertGrid provides a reviewed explanation for the correct answer and for why each distractor is wrong.
Which is right for you?
If your only priority is free questions and you are willing to accept the policy risk, ExamTopics is free. But if you want to actually learn the material, get reliable explanations, and avoid putting your certification at risk, use a legitimate practice platform with original questions - CertGrid has a free daily sample so you can start without paying.
Frequently asked questions
Are ExamTopics questions real exam questions?
Many are reported to be. ExamTopics is community-sourced, and contributors frequently post questions they saw on the real exam. That is what makes it a "braindump" resource, and it is why using it carries certification risk.
Is it against the rules to use exam dumps?
Yes, for most vendors. Microsoft, AWS, Google, Cisco, CompTIA and others prohibit using real or leaked exam content in their certification agreements. Violations can result in a revoked certification or a program ban - always check the specific vendor’s policy.
Is CertGrid a free alternative to ExamTopics?
CertGrid is freemium: a free daily sample pool per exam, with paid plans for the full question bank and timed exams. Unlike a dump site, every CertGrid question is original and comes with an explanation, so you learn the concepts rather than memorizing leaked questions.
This comparison is based on publicly available information and each provider’s stated positioning, and may change - verify current details on their own site. Product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CertGrid is independent and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any provider mentioned here.