Q: In the performance section, is there any opportunity to correct code that has an error?
A: Yes. You will work in a fully functioning SAS and be able to submit and troubleshoot code based on log messages and results.
Q: I have passed the specialist exam. Do you have plans to conduct 'how to prepare for Advanced SAS Programming'?
A: We do currently have plans to hold a webinar about the SAS Advanced Programming Specialist.
Q: What am I supposed to write in comment after each question?
A: You can write anything you want or nothing. Usually, we only see comments if someone wants to comment on the makeup of a question or if they think there is no correct answer.
Q: How can I get a pdf version of the slides?
A: We will add a PDF version of the slides to the Resources widget after the webinar has concluded. You should see those in the Resources widget on the OnDemand version of this webinar that will be available later.
Q: May I ask how do you make dataset tabel01 is READ only (from example shown in the webinar)?
A: I'm not sure that I understand this question but will attempt to answer it. In Michele's example, in.table01 is read-only. This is a source data set and is write-protected/read-only. The out.table01 data set that Michele created in her PROC SORT is not read-only. Michele defined the OUT library which is not read-protected.
Q: Does it matter how you code to get to the correct answer?
A: You have the freedom to code as you wish, such as choosing how you want to do the IF/THEN operators (< vs <=) or loop types. That's a great benefit of a performance-based exam.
Q: What if we used PROC SQL instead of PROC SORT? Or PROC SQL instead of a Data Step Merge?
A: You can Use PROC SQL to answer questions if you wish on this exam. There is no penalty for that. Students do not need to know PROC SQL for the exam as it is not part of the exam content guide. But candidates have the freedom to use it if they want.
Q: I'm a SQL person. If I did that question in SQL would that have been adequate?
A: Yes, you may use SQL to solve the problems if you are more comfortable with PROC SQL.
Q: I do not use SAS studio - rather EG when I take the online course do, I have an option to use?
A: Yes, you can choose your user interface at the beginning of the exam.
Q: What is difference between the two exams below? SAS Certified Associate: Programming Fundamentals Using SAS 9.4 and the SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4 exam?
A: The major difference between the two is the Associate level exam does not have practical coding exercises on the exam and the Specialist exam requires that you do some programming in order to answer the questions presented on the exam.
Q: I assume also that you can choose the version of SAS to use on the exam?
A: No. You can choose your interface, but the software version is constant.
Q: Once you get the credentials, do you have to update it annually? How many years is the certification valid?
A: The credentials do not expire, so you do not have to update the credential annually.
Q: In writing Total.Population, why is your typing in red text? I thought red text was to show errors. (From example shown in the webinar)
A: As I was typing, the value was in red because SAS did not recognize Total.Population as a keyword. Once I typed the equal sign the text color turned to black because it realized that it is a variable that is being created. My final program did not have any red color.
Q: Can you comment on the ideal computer setup for taking the exam? It seems like a laptop with a 13" screen probably wouldn't cut it. Also, given that the virtual environment is Windows, do the keys map correctly when using a macOS system? I know sometimes it can be confusing to use a Windows environment on a macOS system because the keys don't necessarily match.
A: If you take the exam at a Pearson VUE test center, the computers are all set up. If taking the exam from home or office though OnVUE online proctored, Mac OS is not supported (Sept 21, 2020 Update: Macs are now supported). Larger screens are easier to work with, but 13 will work. See tech requirements on the Cert website at support.sas.com/certify.
Q: So it (the exam) has to be written in SAS code not PROC SQL; code? Or can I write in PROC SQL and get to the answer as well?
A: You have the option to use PROC SQL if you are more comfortable with that. That's a great benefit of a performance-based exam. NOTE: When you get to the Advanced Programming Professional exam, then we do care about how you code and we do inspect the code for some important keywords to prove that you used the technique requested. This is because PROC SQL is an exam objective and we don't want someone, on that exam, solving it with DATA Step.
Q: So it's advisable to do the Programming 1 and 2 before taking the specialist exam, correct?
A: Yes, these two courses are a great resource.
Q: You mentioned a SAS YouTube channel in the presentation. What’s the YouTube channel called?
A: It’s called the SAS Users Channel.
Q: If new to SAS, would you recommend the SAS Certified Associate: Programming Fundamentals exam before obtaining the SAS Base Specialist exam?
A: Yes, although it is not required that you take the Programming Fundamentals exam before you take the Base Programming Specialist. The Base Programming Specialist assumes you have 3-6 months experience. The Associate level exam does not assume that you have very much programming experience.
Q: For the multiple-choice portion of the test, are we allowed to use the SAS window to figure out the answers for the multiple choice?
A: While not impossible, it is very awkward/difficult to do so. It is not the intent of those questions. All the information that you need to answer the question is included in the question.
Q: Can we use any code examples while doing the performance-based part of the exam or should we be able to remember the syntax by heart?
A: There are no code examples during the exam, but you have access to SAS documentation and Help just like regular SAS. Having said that, if a candidate must refer to Help or Doc for each coding challenge, they will run out of time.
Q: Should I take Base Programming Specialist without taking the Programming Fundamentals exam?
A: If you are comfortable with SAS programming you can take the Base Programming Specialist exam without taking the Programming Fundamentals exam. The Programming Fundamentals exam is not a prerequisite for the Base Programming Specialist.
Q: That's awesome that the Practice Exam for Base Programming Certification is free now? Is this identical / very similar to the one offered previously for purchase on the Pearson Vue site?
A: The format is different, but the content is the same.
Q: I am scheduled for the SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4. Do you think I can switch to SAS Certified Associate: Programming Fundamentals?
A: Yes, if you reschedule within Pearson VUE's 24-hour policy you can change the exam to the Associate.
Q: Do you have any recommendations for faculty teaching a course in SAS that, in part, prepares students for the certification exam?
A: SAS Has a Global Academic Program that assists professors with doing exactly this. We can even provide instructional materials. More info: https://www.sas.com/en_us/learn/academic-programs.html.
Q: What is the practice exam is for the Base Programming Specialist?
A: The practice exam for the Base level is PE-231P.
Q: Will the PE-231P have programming practice as well?
A: Yes, the PE-231P practice exam will have programming practice.
Q: I would like to confirm that I do NOT need to take the "SQL Processing with SAS" to take the SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4, correct?
A: That is correct. SQL is tested on the Advanced Programming exam.
Q: Do I have to take the Macro 1 and 2 courses as well, correct?
A: You should take Macro 1 for the Advanced Programming Professional, not the Base Programming Specialist. The Macro 2 course is not part of the preparation path for either exam.
Q: I noticed there are a few macro questions for the specialist prep questions, so therefore I wanted to know about the Macro courses.
A: Those are simple use of macro variables, and those are covered in Programming 1 and 2.
Q: How much time is allowed for the exam?
A: The exam is 135 minutes.
Q: Is there any time for the programming part or it is 135 minutes for all exams(Multiple Choice Questions & programming)?
A: The 135 minutes is for the total exam, all questions.
Q: In answering performance-based questions, must I write complete code exactly as instructed? Or does only the answer matter? For example, in the example on NC and SC population, can I just sort on NC and get the sum of the top 10 populations since that's what the 2nd question is about. A related question along the line, can I use "PROC SQL" instead of data step for the answers?
A: The data sets are of such a size and makeup that just sorting by itself would not be possible to arrive at the correct answer. You could use SQL.
Q: Do you think you should point out that the SUM statement in your coding example eliminates the need for a RETAIN statement in the data step (referencing example shown in the webinar)?
A: The SUM statement has numerous advantages. Accumulating variable is automatically retained, no need for a RETAIN statement. Plus, the initial value of the accumulating variable is zero. And if a missing value is added it is ignored.
Q: What should be the logical next step after passing 1) SAS Base and 2) SAS Advanced Programming Exams
A: That depends on your areas of interest. The Advanced Programming is the highest level for programming. Many people go on to different areas such analytics or data management. See the website to see all credentials at support.sas.com/sas.
Q: Are all questions in the exam multiple choice?
A: No. The performance-based questions are short answer.
Q: (Referring to the example shown in the webinar) Your data step ... would the exam be so picky as to see if you took care of the scenario where multiple cities had the same population for the 10th largest?
A: The coding challenge questions would expect a specific answer, so yes.
Q: Is there a sample data sets available to practice for exam?
A: Yes, the free practice exam includes data to download.
Q: Is there any recommended free training that comes with SAS Fusion EG license?
A: For the Base Programming Specialist, the Programming 1 course is free for everyone.
Q: If multiple coding steps are used instead of a more efficient single step, will the test-taker be penalized?
A: No, we are looking for the correct answer. The Advanced Programming exam does expect more efficient techniques.
Q: Can we toggle between sections in the exam?
A: Yes, it is possible. Some candidates find it beneficial to skip questions and mark them at times.
Q: Is there partial credit for scenario questions?
A: No, we are looking for a final answer.
Q: When I look at the Programming Fundamentals exam, it looks like the recommended training path is the same as it is for the Base Programming Specialist Exam. Why? I don’t really understand the difference.
A: The primary difference is there is no programming required for the Programming Fundamentals exam and it is an Associate level exam. It is specifically designed for people who have less practical experience with programming in SAS and only want to take a multiple-choice exam. It is an associate level exam because it does not require that you prove you can program in SAS and the Base Specialist exam requires that you prove you can program in SAS and is therefore a higher-level credential and is a Specialist-level exam.
Q: If I buy the Exam Preparation Guide and work through it. Is that enough to pass the exam?
A: While studying the certification prep guide is a good start on your exam preparation, we highly recommend that you use our Exam Content Guide to help inform your study efforts. We also offer the Programming 1 course as a free e-learning course and highly recommend taking it. We also recommend that you take the free practice exam that we offer. The more you can practice programming, the more comfortable and prepared you will be with taking this exam.
Q: Is there a specific certification for SAS Enterprise Guide?
A: No there is not a certification that is specifically focused on SAS Enterprise Guide. On the Base Programming Specialist, you can choose the interface you wish to use on the exam, and this includes using SAS Enterprise Guide.
Q: How many practical problems/questions can we expect to see on the Base Programming Specialist Exam?
A: Typically, there will be around 7-10 practical programming scenarios on the exam and with each of these you will answer around 1-3 questions.
Here is the link to the Library article on the SAS Community site that provides great tips for taking the BASE Programming Specialist: https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-CommunitiesLibrary/Tips-and-Strategies-for-the-A00-231-SAS-Base-P....
