I’d wanted to understand for a while how Apple structures its own support approach and what really lies behind the Apple Certified Support Professional certification. So I decided to take the exam myself. In this post, I’ll share how I prepared, which learning resources helped me most, and what I’d recommend to anyone planning to do the same.
The Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) certification validates comprehensive knowledge in supporting and administering Apple devices.
It’s designed for IT professionals, help desk staff, and administrators who regularly work with macOS, iOS, or iPadOS and provide daily end-user support.
“This course introduces you to the knowledge, skills, and tools used to support and troubleshoot Apple devices in a large organization as a level 1 or 2 help desk professional.”
Learning Resources and Preparation
Apple offers free official learning modules on the Apple Training platform. These cover all topics included in the exam, such as user management, system and network settings, iCloud, FileVault, startup and recovery processes, and troubleshooting.
For best results, Apple recommends reading all articles, reviewing linked resources, and completing the tutorials in full. For my own preparation, I went through the Udemy course “Apple Device Support Exam (SUP-2025) Preparation for iOS 18 and macOS 15 Sequoia.” It offers a clear structure, practical examples, and quiz questions closely aligned with the actual exam format. What I found especially helpful was that the course organizes Apple’s training content thematically and highlights common pitfalls.
If you prefer learning with an instructor, I can recommend Russell Newton, International Apple Certified Mentor Trainer. He offers interactive prep sessions. Ideal for anyone who prefers guided learning or wants to ask questions and discuss topics directly.
Studying with Flashcards
To review key content, I used the iOS app Brainscape. It features flashcards with multiple-choice questions related to the Apple Device Support Exam (SUP-2025) / Apple Certified Support Professional, perfectly aligned with the exam topics. Brainscape tracks how confidently you can answer each card and repeats difficult questions more often an efficient way to reinforce your knowledge. It’s perfect for short study sessions on the go.
My Study Strategy
I worked through the Udemy course over several weeks whenever my work schedule allowed. During commutes or in the evenings before bed, I regularly practiced with Brainscape flashcards. Additionally, I took the Apple Certified Support Professional Practice Exam to get a feel for the structure and question style, check my progress, and see if I was truly ready to pass confidently.
Exam Format and Registration
The exam is offered online via Pearson VUE. That means no testing center, no fixed location the entire process is remote, with live monitoring through camera and microphone. One important detail: you should take the exam on an unmanaged MacBook a device that is not enrolled in an MDM. I recommend using a freshly installed version of macOS to ensure that no company policies or security profiles interfere with the exam environment.
Conclusion
The Apple Certified Support Professional exam is an excellent first step into Apple’s certification path for IT professionals. It combines technical understanding with practical troubleshooting skills and helps build confidence in supporting Apple devices at scale.
Preparing for it gave me a deeper insight into Apple’s support philosophy far beyond what I expected.
Have you already taken the ACSP exam or are you planning to? I’d love to hear how you prepared and what your biggest takeaways were feel free to share your thoughts.
