Can I learn 3D MAX by myself or is it more beneficial to do certified Max courses?

Learning 3ds Max is an endless joy so : Start with the available option to you.

if you can attend a certified Max course that will be great then you can move faster on your own

or you can start on your own and then fill gaps with certified courses.

Hai,

You can learn your self, with the help of tutorials from youtube or another websites also.

i am a certified professional in3ds Max, also i have around years experince in3ds Max as teacher and visulizer. if u learn3dsmax from a certified institution or certified person, they teach u simple and faster way, because their technical knowledge is higher than others, it will help you work with correct way . the benefit is you can finalize your work faster and smoother.  if u are teacher is doing3d visualizing ,he can teach you in different way. 

3ds max Without vray is Nothing for High level professional devolopment compulsary want to need support is vray and 3ds max better is Modeling And high Quality Project for final output Vray texturing Vray lignhting Vray Camera Animation VRAY is not 3ds max software by defualt in 3ds for rendering Scanline & Mental ray