The Charlotte Observer’s Careers & Education team reviews learning products across every field — from AICPA-aligned CPA prep and LSAC-governed law-school exams to professional certifications and skill-building apps. Whatever the subject, our standard is the same: we test before we recommend. Here’s the six-step process behind our reviews.
1
Start With Reader Needs
We identify what our readers across the Carolinas are actually trying to accomplish — a certification, a new skill, a career move — and review against that goal.
2
Get Hands-On Firsthand
Our team gets hands-on with each course, program, or app — through trials, demos, and direct testing — so every review reflects the real product rather than a marketing summary.
3
Test Across Real Use Cases
We evaluate each product the way different learners would use it — checking content quality, usability, and whether it delivers on its promise.
4
Verify Credentials, Pricing & Claims
We confirm accreditation, fact-check pricing and guarantees, and challenge any claim that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.
5
Cross-Check Verified Reviews
We weigh feedback from verified users to broaden our perspective beyond our own hands-on testing.
6
Score, Publish & Keep Current
We rate each product on a consistent rubric, publish our findings, and update them as products and prices change.
Our Careers & Education reviews are produced independently by our editorial team to help readers make confident decisions.