Get Certified as a Base and
Advanced SAS Programmer
Pinchao Ma
June 12th 2014
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
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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
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Coverage of Certification Exams
 The SAS Base Programming Exam covers the
following areas:
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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
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09/04/2015
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
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Exams Details and Registration
On-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
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Preparation Methods
 Three options:
• Instructor-led training
• Self-paced e-learning
• Self-study on the exam-preparation books published by SAS
Institute Inc
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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
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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
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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"
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09/04/2015
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
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After Certification Exams
 Receive a Score Report immediately
 Welcome E-mail and Certificate
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Useful Resources
http://support.sas.com/certify/
http://support.sas.com/publishing/cert/
http://pearsonvue.com/
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My Contact Info
Pinchao Ma
CS Recruit
Statistics Canada
Pinchao.ma@statcan.gc.ca
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