Passing the SAS Base 9 Certification Test
March 31, 2007 Posted by Bryan in : Certification , trackback,
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I completed the SAS Base 9 exam just after it’s production release last July. Since I’m often seeing questions regarding the certification tests on the SAS listserv, I thought I would post some of my thoughts regarding the experience. Call it a preemptive strike.
First, let me say I definitely recommend the prep guide, available here. As with all SAS Publishing books it’s expensive and dense, but the practice exams are helpful and it remains a useful reference after you’ve used it to pass the test. SAS also offers online test preparations which are similar to the prep book, but integrate actual syntax writing and a comprehensive practice test. They are more than twice as much, but when I was preparing SAS was offering a free 90 day “desk copy” to educators. That offer appears to be gone, but a list of current discounts on prep materials and exam fees is available here.
This was my first time taking a SAS certification test so I can’t really comment on whether things are different or not compared to other SAS exams, but a few things that stuck out in my mind were:
1) It was harder than I expected it to be. I ultimately did fine on it, but I really expected it to be easier based on the prep guide. For example, while reading the guide I had no problem with the chapter tests, but the practice exam and the actual exam seemed much harder. I’ll admit the seat did get a little warm in the beginning when I thought I might have to shell out $150 to take the test again. However, the questions became easier as the test progressed.
2) Some of the stuff on the test was not covered in the prep guide. There were not enough questions that weren’t covered to make you fail if you only used the prep guide, but it appears they do expect you to have knowledge other than that presented in the guide.
3) The test tries to be very tricky. I think this was my biggest problem with both the practice and actual exam. They throw some things in there that you would never do or never expect anyone to do in real life. This is actually probably a good thing as far as assessing understanding goes. You really have to know the processes and what results they generate to get the questions correct, but it’s very frustrating from a test taker’s perspective. You have to check every minute detail to make sure they didn’t slip in a “GOTCHA!”. For this reason I *highly* recommend one of the practice exams so that you can get a feel of some of the common tricks. Also, it allows you to mark and return to as many questions as you like during the test so make sure to leave enough time to go back through and look for these things.
4) This seems ridiculous to me, but the first couple of pages of the test are terms and agreement pages and BEWARE! the time you spend on these pages counts to the total 2 hours you have to take the test. It makes no sense at all to expect people to read a couple of pages of legalese while time is ticking away on the actual test. Hopefully SAS has changed this since I took my exam; if you know for sure, please leave a comment.
5) Overall, I think the test is OK and about as fair as possible for the format. As someone who has used SAS for about 5 years, I agree with those who think there is some stuff that you have to know in the real-world that a multiple choice format will never be able to test. However, the scrutiny the test requires, while frustrating, helps gauge understanding rather than rote memorization.
Just on a funny side note, when I called to set up the exam the conversation with the person at the front desk went something like:
Me: “Hi, I’d like to take the SAS Base 9 exam?”
Front desk: “SAS?”
Me: “Yes, the Base 9 version, please”
Front desk: “You mean S-A-S…?”
Me: “Yes, the SAS Institute…” (thinking back on it I wonder if he thought I meant the British S-A-S exam :))
Front desk: “Oh here it is…you know, I’ve been here seven years and never given out a test by this company…”
I guess there’s no worry of my local market becoming saturated with certified SAS professionals….
Questions or comments? Please add them below.
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Comments»
I found the test for SAS Base 9 Certification very difficult. I purchased the practice exam from SAS and passed it with a score of 98. So, I’m thinking the real test is going to be a breeze to pass. In fact, on the way to take the test I’m on the phone planning a celebration party. Boy, was I embarrassed when I failed the test. I’ve been working with SAS since 1983 and I’m considered a Power/Advance SAS user at work. I’ve built power programs (from scratch), that include 20,000 + lines of code, runs in 10 minutes and delivers 100’s of reports, graph, charts and updates databases. I’ve won awards at work for my programs. But I can’t pass the certification test. Shame on me!!! Although, at work I have a multitude of books, online help and of course time to test the code. SAS does not offer this luxury when testing!! The lady at the testing center offered the following: This test must be really hard! I only remember one person passing it in the year that I have been here.
Thank you for your article Bryan and for your comment embarrassed.
I failed the Sas base 9 test today by 4 questions!! I’m SAS novice. For 2 months, I studied the prep guide faithfully, did all the practice exercises and did the practice exam this weekend.
The points you made expressed all the things I was feeling as I was walking out of the test kind of confused as to why I didn’t pass with all the studying/cramming I did. And Yes the test still has the section in the beginning where you read all the legalese.
The test is tricky and I underestimated it. However I studied my ass off so I am unfazed. I’m probably going to buy more practice tests on the net so that the next time I walk into the prometric center, I’ll know what I’m getting into and finally pass the thing.
Defeated and embarrassed,
Sorry to hear you didn’t make it this time. I definitely think the more practice tests the better but with the caveats that embarrassed mentioned - they can be deceptively easy and don’t approximate the way we use SAS in the “real world” very well. Plus they’re expensive, so keep a look out for those deals.
I am going to appear in Ist week of June . From where can I find practice exams or good website for tricky questions ? If someone has that one .Please share with me more tips.
I would be interested in the answer to Anny’s question as well.
I passed the SAS Base Cert at the begining of last year (90%) and foud it very simple. However, i’ve been using it for 5+yrs and have a computer science degree. I purchased the cert prep book and the practice questions from SAS. I think that passing this exam is about three things 1) knowing the stuff; 2) getting used to the way they ask the questions; and 3) whether you are the type of person who does well in tests. I found that for approx 30% of the questions i needed to examine all possible answers - so i didn’t fall victim to the ‘gotcha’.
I don’t consider those that fail the test to have lesser knowledge or ability.
Kundu- april 15, 2008
1 like to take SAS Base certification Exam.As soon as possible.
I am going through “THE LITTLE SAS BOOK” for the first time.That is only I have. I really need help from someone who can send me some kind of sample questions for the Exam.I like to borrow PRACTICE GUIDE SAMPLE QUESTION if any used one is available.
thanks for co-operation.
my email: NARAYANCKUNDU@YAHOO.COM
I am going to appear in Ist week of June . From where can I find practice exams or good website for tricky questions ? If someone has that one .Please share with me more tips.
I am going to appear in last week of May . From where can I find practice exams or good website for tricky questions ? If someone has that one .Please share with me more tips.
i m going to take sas cert.exam in this july, i have prep.guide sor sas base 9.0, but i need some practice exams matireal,if anyone have idea abt it pls tell me on this id.
hardikbharucha@yahoo.com
Did anyone take the SAS Base certification test recently ? Could you please share your experience, exam rules, SAS questions