Get Certified as a Base and Advanced SAS Programmer

Get Certified as a Base and Advanced SAS Programmer

Pinchao Ma

June 12th 2014

23-04-20Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada2

Introduction SAS Certified Professional Program has been launched by SAS

Institute, Inc. since 1999

Recognize users who can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of SAS software

Consist of several certifications across a number of functional areas, and the most common two certifications are the Base and Advanced SAS programmer Certifications

As of April 2014, there are ~40, 000 certified SAS base programmer and ~11, 000 certified SAS advanced programmer worldwide


Benefits of SAS Certifications

Enhance your credibility as a technical professional and earn industry validation on your SAS knowledge

Increase career opportunities and marketability

Enhance and broaden your SAS knowledge


Coverage of Certification Exams

The SAS Base Programming Exam covers the following areas:

• import and export raw data files• manipulate and transform data• combine SAS data sets• create basic detail and summary reports using SAS procedures• identify and correct data, syntax and programming logic errors


Coverage of Certification Exams (cont’d)

The SAS Advanced Programming Exam covers the following areas:

• write and interpret SAS SQL code

• create and use SAS MACRO facility

• using advanced DATA step programming statements and efficiency techniques to solve complex problems


Exams Details and RegistrationOn-line Registration

• http://www.pearsonvue.com/sas/

SAS Base Programming for SAS 9• 64 multiple-choice and short-answer questions

• Passing score: >= 70%

• Duration: 110 minutes

SAS Advance Programming for SAS 9• 60-65 multiple-choice and short-answer questions

• Passing score: >= 65%

• Duration: 2 hours

http://www.pearsonvue.com/sas/


Preparation Methods

Three options:

• Instructor-led training

• Self-paced e-learning

• Self-study on the exam-preparation books published by SAS Institute Inc


SAS Certification Prep Guide

SAS Certification Prep Guide: Base Programming for SAS 9

SAS Certification Prep Guide: Advanced Programming for SAS 9

Notes:• cover all the topics and objectives tested on the exams

• may not completely cover everything that could appear in the exams


Preparation Strategy

Choose option(s) for preparation

Create a personal plan and aim to pass the exam within several months

Repetitively study the SAS Certification Prep Guide and do the quiz after each chapter

Take extra practice exams offered by SAS


Sample Exam Question

To accumulate the total value of Cost for the 10 observations in WORK.INPUT, which statement correctly completes the program?

data WORK.TOTAL; set WORK.INPUT; <insert code here> Total=Total + Cost;run;

A. keep Total; B. retain Total 0; C. Total = 0; D. if _N_= 1 then Total = 0;

Answer is “B"


My Own Experience

~3 months to prepare SAS Base programming certification exam; it is easier than the SAS Advanced certification progamming exam

~3 months to prepare SAS Advance programming certification exam with 3 years working experience

All questions are multiple choice in the previous exams

At least ~ 95% questions are covered by SAS Certification Prep Guide


After Certification Exams

Receive a Score Report immediately

Welcome E-mail and Certificate


Useful Resources

http://support.sas.com/certify/

http://support.sas.com/publishing/cert/

http://pearsonvue.com/

23-04-20Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada14 23-04-20Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada14

My Contact Info

Pinchao MaCS Recruit

Statistics Canada

[email protected]

Documents

Get Certified as a Base and Advanced SAS Programmer