Exams are free for the first XX takers, then they cost.
At my previous employer, a worldwide data processing company, the Brainbench certs were used to screen potential applicants. They would accept the Brainbench cert or, if you didn't have one, they would have you take the Brainbench
test to see if you knew your stuff enough to pass. (I have about a dozen BB certs, but I probably won't renew them...)
Give a man a fish, he'll eat for one day. Teach a man to fish, he'll drink all your beer.
Cheers, Jeff (SCJP 1.4 all those years ago...)