{"id":11498,"date":"2026-07-05T11:49:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T16:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/?page_id=11498"},"modified":"2026-11-03T13:55:39","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T18:55:39","slug":"how-courses-are-ranked","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/how-courses-are-ranked\/","title":{"rendered":"How We Review Courses &#038; Learning Products"},"content":{"rendered":" <style id=\"methodology-title-style-11498\"> .page-id-11498 .wp-site-blocks > .wp-block-group.has-custom-background-light-gray-background-color { background-color: #fff !important; } .page-id-11498 .wp-block-post-title, .page-id-11498 h1.wp-block-heading { text-align: center !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; } <\/style> <h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How We Review Courses &amp; Learning Products<\/h1> <div class=\"wp-block-group has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8f5f0c02 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:6px;background-color:#f4f7fa;margin-bottom:32px;padding-top:32px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:32px;padding-left:32px\"> <p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The Charlotte Observer&#8217;s Careers &#038; Education team reviews learning products across every field \u2014 from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aicpa.org\/interestareas\/frc\/cpaexam.html\">AICPA<\/a>-aligned CPA prep and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lsac.org\/\">LSAC<\/a>-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&#8217;s the six-step process behind our reviews.<\/p> <\/div> <hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/> <div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e6982796 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-left-color:#1e3a5f;border-left-width:4px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:28px\"> <div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60px\"> <p class=\"has-contrast-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2.25rem;font-weight:700;line-height:1\">1<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:8px\">Start With Reader Needs<\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We identify what our readers across the Carolinas are actually trying to accomplish \u2014 a certification, a new skill, a career move \u2014 and review against that goal.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/> <div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e6982796 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-left-color:#1e3a5f;border-left-width:4px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:28px\"> <div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60px\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2.25rem;font-weight:700;line-height:1\">2<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:8px\">Get Hands-On Firsthand<\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our team gets hands-on with each course, program, or app \u2014 through trials, demos, and direct testing \u2014 so every review reflects the real product rather than a marketing summary.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/> <div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e6982796 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-left-color:#1e3a5f;border-left-width:4px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:28px\"> <div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60px\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2.25rem;font-weight:700;line-height:1\">3<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:8px\">Test Across Real Use Cases<\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We evaluate each product the way different learners would use it \u2014 checking content quality, usability, and whether it delivers on its promise.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/> <div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e6982796 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-left-color:#1e3a5f;border-left-width:4px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:28px\"> <div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60px\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2.25rem;font-weight:700;line-height:1\">4<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:8px\">Verify Credentials, Pricing &amp; Claims<\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We confirm accreditation, fact-check pricing and guarantees, and challenge any claim that doesn&#8217;t hold up to scrutiny.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/> <div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e6982796 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-left-color:#1e3a5f;border-left-width:4px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:28px\"> <div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60px\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2.25rem;font-weight:700;line-height:1\">5<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:8px\">Cross-Check Verified Reviews<\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We weigh feedback from verified users to broaden our perspective beyond our own hands-on testing.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/> <div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e6982796 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-left-color:#1e3a5f;border-left-width:4px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:28px\"> <div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60px\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2.25rem;font-weight:700;line-height:1\">6<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:8px\">Score, Publish &amp; Keep Current<\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We rate each product on a consistent rubric, publish our findings, and update them as products and prices change.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/> <hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/> <blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-plain is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:#1e3a5f;border-left-width:4px;padding-top:20px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:24px\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Our Careers &amp; Education reviews are produced independently by our editorial team to help readers make confident decisions.<\/strong><\/p> <\/blockquote> <section class=\"hwr-hub\" aria-labelledby=\"hwr-hub-title\"> <style> .hwr-hub{margin:40px 0 8px;padding:32px;border:1px solid #d9e2ea;border-radius:12px;background:linear-gradient(180deg,#f4f7fa 0%,#ffffff 160px);box-sizing:border-box;width:100%} .hwr-hub *{box-sizing:border-box} .hwr-hub .hwr-eyebrow{margin:0 0 6px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0d66b3} .hwr-hub h2.hwr-title{margin:0 0 8px;font-size:28px;line-height:1.2;color:#0f172a;text-align:left} .hwr-hub .hwr-intro{margin:0 0 26px;max-width:720px;font-size:17px;line-height:1.55;color:#334155} .hwr-hub .hwr-group{margin:0 0 24px} .hwr-hub .hwr-group:last-child{margin-bottom:0} .hwr-hub h3.hwr-group-title{margin:0 0 12px;padding:0 0 6px;border-bottom:2px solid #e2e8f0;font-size:14px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.06em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#1e3a5f} .hwr-hub ul.hwr-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(230px,1fr));gap:12px;margin:0;padding:0;list-style:none} .hwr-hub li.hwr-card{position:relative;display:flex;flex-direction:column;margin:0;padding:16px 16px 14px;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:10px;transition:border-color .2s ease,box-shadow .2s ease,transform .2s ease} .hwr-hub li.hwr-card::before{content:none} .hwr-hub li.hwr-card:hover,.hwr-hub li.hwr-card:focus-within{border-color:#0d66b3;box-shadow:0 6px 16px rgba(13,102,179,.12);transform:translateY(-2px)} .hwr-hub li.hwr-card.hwr-featured{border:2px solid #0d66b3} .hwr-hub .hwr-tag{align-self:flex-start;margin:0 0 8px;padding:2px 10px;border-radius:999px;background:#e8f3ff;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.6;color:#0d66b3} .hwr-hub li.hwr-card a{font-size:17px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.3;color:#0f172a;text-decoration:none} .hwr-hub li.hwr-card a::after{content:\"\";position:absolute;inset:0;border-radius:10px} .hwr-hub li.hwr-card a:focus-visible{outline:none} .hwr-hub li.hwr-card:focus-within{outline:3px solid #0d66b3;outline-offset:2px} .hwr-hub .hwr-desc{flex:1;margin:6px 0 12px;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;color:#475569} .hwr-hub .hwr-more{font-size:14px;font-weight:700;color:#0d66b3} @media (max-width:600px){.hwr-hub{padding:22px 16px}.hwr-hub h2.hwr-title{font-size:23px}.hwr-hub ul.hwr-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}} <\/style> <p class=\"hwr-eyebrow\">Put to the test<\/p> <h2 class=\"hwr-title\" id=\"hwr-hub-title\">Our Course Rankings<\/h2> <p class=\"hwr-intro\">Every ranking below was built with the six-step process above. Pick your exam or goal to see which courses came out on top.<\/p> <div class=\"hwr-group\"> <h3 class=\"hwr-group-title\">Accounting &amp; Tax<\/h3> <ul class=\"hwr-grid\"> <li class=\"hwr-card hwr-featured\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">Most read<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-cpa-review-courses\/\">Best CPA Review Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">CPA review courses compared on lectures, practice questions and pass-ready value.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">CMA<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-cma-review-courses\/\">Best CMA Review Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">How the top CMA prep courses stack up on study plans and test banks.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">CIA<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-cia-review-courses\/\">Best CIA Review Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">CIA prep courses tested across all three exam parts.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">EA<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-ea-exam-prep-course\/\">Best Enrolled Agent Prep Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">EA review courses compared on SEE coverage, practice exams and support.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">EA CE<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-enrolled-agent-continuing-education-courses\/\">Best Enrolled Agent Continuing Education Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">CE providers that make your EA renewal credits easy to earn and track.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">CPE<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-cpe-courses-for-cpas\/\">Best CPE Courses for CPAs<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">CPE subscriptions compared on course variety, credit tracking and value.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <div class=\"hwr-group\"> <h3 class=\"hwr-group-title\">Finance<\/h3> <ul class=\"hwr-grid\"> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">CFA<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-cfa-prep-programs\/\">Best CFA Prep Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">CFA prep programs for every level and budget, from Level I to Level III.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">CFP<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-cfp-exam-prep-courses\/\">Best CFP Exam Prep Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">CFP review courses compared on case studies, practice exams and support.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <div class=\"hwr-group\"> <h3 class=\"hwr-group-title\">Engineering &amp; Architecture<\/h3> <ul class=\"hwr-grid\"> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">FE<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-fe-prep-courses\/\">Best FE Prep Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">FE review courses for new grads and engineers starting their licensure path.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">PE<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-pe-exam-prep-course-comparisons\/\">Best PE Exam Prep Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">PE prep courses compared by discipline, format and practice exam quality.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">SE<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-se-exam-review-courses\/\">Best SE Exam Review Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">Review courses built for the PE Structural (SE) exam.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">ARE<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-are-prep-courses\/\">Best ARE Prep Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">ARE 5.0 prep for architects, compared on price, practice exams and help.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <div class=\"hwr-group\"> <h3 class=\"hwr-group-title\">Law School<\/h3> <ul class=\"hwr-grid\"> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">LSAT<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-lsat-prep-courses\/\">Best LSAT Prep Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">LSAT courses ranked on official practice tests, drilling tools and score gains.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">LSAT<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-lsat-tutors\/\">Best LSAT Tutors<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">One-on-one LSAT tutoring options for test takers who want personal coaching.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <div class=\"hwr-group\"> <h3 class=\"hwr-group-title\">College Admissions<\/h3> <ul class=\"hwr-grid\"> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">SAT<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-sat-prep-courses\/\">Best SAT Prep Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">SAT prep courses compared on practice tests, lessons and score improvement.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">ACT<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-act-review-courses\/\">Best ACT Review Courses<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">ACT review courses for students aiming to raise their composite score.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">Admissions<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-college-consulting-services-for-admissions\/\">Best College Consulting Services<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">Admissions consultants compared on essay help, strategy and cost.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <div class=\"hwr-group\"> <h3 class=\"hwr-group-title\">Real Estate<\/h3> <ul class=\"hwr-grid\"> <li class=\"hwr-card\"><span class=\"hwr-tag\">North Carolina<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-online-real-estate-schools-in-north-carolina\/\">Best Online Real Estate Schools in North Carolina<\/a><p class=\"hwr-desc\">Online pre-licensing schools for aspiring North Carolina real estate agents.<\/p><span class=\"hwr-more\" aria-hidden=\"true\">See the rankings &rarr;<\/span><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/section> <!-- old crush\/more-resources block replaced by the static rankings hub above: \\u0026 --> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How We Review Courses &amp; Learning Products The Charlotte Observer&#8217;s Careers &#038; Education team reviews learning products across every field \u2014 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&#8217;s the six-step process behind our reviews. [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":544,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11498","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_author":[6984],"external_editor":""},"featured_image_src":null,"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.6 (Yoast SEO v28.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How We Review Courses &amp; Learning Products - Charlotte Observer - Careers &amp; Education<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/how-courses-are-ranked\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How We Review Courses &amp; Learning Products\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"How We Review Courses &amp; Learning Products The Charlotte Observer&#8217;s Careers &#038; Education team reviews learning products across every field \u2014 from AICPA-aligned CPA prep and LSAC-governed law-school exams to professional certifications and skill-building apps. 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[&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/how-courses-are-ranked\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Charlotte Observer - Careers &amp; Education\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-11-03T18:55:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":null}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How We Review Courses & Learning Products - Charlotte Observer - Careers &amp; Education","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/how-courses-are-ranked\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How We Review Courses & Learning Products","og_description":"How We Review Courses &amp; Learning Products The Charlotte Observer&#8217;s Careers &#038; Education team reviews learning products across every field \u2014 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&#8217;s the six-step process behind our reviews. 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