Can I take SAS Base exam today and take SAS Advanced exam tomorrow?

[whymath]

I think I can handle SAS Advanced exam, bu I don't have SAS Base certification. Can I take SAS Base exam today and take SAS Advanced exam tomorrow? I have registered these two exams like that, but I don't  know would that be accepted by SAS?

[JosvanderVelden · Accepted solution]

Yes. If you are 100% sure you pass the base programmer exam theoretically you could even do the advanced programmer exam on the same day. The only caviat is that you need to have completed the base programmmer exam with success before you can start the advanced programmer exam. The FAQ has this: Can I take an Advanced Programming exam without having to take the Base Programming exam?
If you were to take the SAS Advanced Programming for SAS 9 exam or the SAS 9.4 Advanced Programming Performance-Based exam without holding a Base Programming credential, you will not earn the Advanced Programming credential. A Base Programming Credential (Either SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9, or SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4) is required to earn an Advanced Programming credential (Either SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 or SAS Certified Professional: Advanced Programming Using SAS 9.4).
So my suggestion is to schedule the advanced programmer exam only when you have the base programmer certification.

[Mark2010]

@JosvanderVelden is right that passing the Advanced Programming Professional (A00-232) will get you nothing without also passing Base Programming Specialist (A00-231) and that you could take them both on the same day. But on the specifics of "The only caviat is that you need to have completed the base programmer exam with success before you can start the advanced programmer exam. " - There actually isn't anything in the system that would prevent someone from taking Professional first - but doing so really doesn't make sense. 

[whymath]

Thank you, @JosvanderVelden and @Mark2010. I get both of the two exams passed and own two certifications now. ^_^