It is highly recommended to work from the new guide. In addition to it being the right content, the new guide includes a workbook with performance-based projects to work through.

And vs. a version 1 or 2 of the old guide, which is probably a decade old, it's really no contest.

I hope whatever videos are on the SAS training environment are updated and latest, as I'm following those.

I am using the SAS Certification Prep Guide: Base Programming for SAS9 Fifth Edition ... in conjunction with the practice test purchased from pearson vue ... does this seem sufficient or is it highly recommended to purchase the latest edition? If so, will that be available as a hard copy in the near future?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

@JessicaS use this.

SAS Institute Inc. 2019. SAS® Certified Specialist Prep Guide: Base Programming Using SAS® 9.4 Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc. ISBN 978-1-64295-176-9

If I go to the review page in the exam, and then go back to the question from the review page, is there any direct way to go to the review page again?

@JJiru - Yes. There is a 'Review' button in the lower right of the exam window. This will always take you to the review page.

The source data sets are write protected. This is to save you from yourself and ensure that you don't corrupt the source data. So don't be surprised when you can't edit the original data sets. You are going to have to save sorted/edited data somewhere else (which is explained within the exam).

I tried to follow the instructions in the exam to work with the write-protected data but I couldn't seem to figure it out. I'd like to practice doing this so that I can do the project portion of the exam this time around. Does anyone know where I can find the instructions online so I can figure out how to do this on my own time?

During the exam, if system restarts or for some reason connection got lost . Are we allowed to re-enter the exam and start from where we have left?

I know technology is the funny thing it surprises you when you need it bad. Even after checking the system health and connection health , it might give surprises.

I want to know what will be consequences ?

Hi Sirani,

Yes, any interruption to the exam due to network problems suspends the exam and you are allowed to re-enter the exam. Your answers are maintained on the server, as is your lab work. You will pick-up right where you left off.

I just started looking at all of the information on how to actually take the exam. Since it is proctored and I will be expected to show my workspace, does this mean I can’t have notes of any kind? I’ve taken many coding classes before, but have never had to memorize every detail and take the exam without notes.

All SAS certification exams are closed-book, you cannot bring outside materials to your exam. This is pretty standard for all IT certification programs. One benefit of this performance-based exam vs. traditional multiple choice exams is that you do have access to SAS documentation during the performance-based portion of the exam.

If I need to access the SAS documentation, will I just do that through any internet browser like I normally would, or will I do that through the testing window?

Hi ABlake:

You will access it from the within the lab portion of the testing window. Your computer is locked down during the exam by the proctoring software. All you will have access to on your computer is the testing window.

In the introduction video above (top one), you can see an explanation of how doc is accessed.

@Mark2010 Thank you for your help

Hi Mark,

I was wondering if I would need to create library references at the beginning of the lab portion or are they already assigned? Thanks

Hi mshock79

Not to be too snarky, but I might suggest rereading the article, especially the part that says:

You must be able to create a SAS library with a LIBNAME statement. You are going to have a bad time if you can't do this one thing.

My bad, if it had a been a snake it would have bit me, thanks!

In this exam confirmation email says that exams are not supported from Mac, Is it valid? do i need to have windows? i don't have a windows machine 😞

Correct. At the moment there is a technical problem that prevents the lab from working on a Mac. Our vendors are working on it and hope to have a resolution at some point, but are unsure of when that will be. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Update as of Sept 21, 2020 - I am happy to announce that Macs can now be used for all SAS certification exams.

okie 😞 thanks!!

I have booked my exam for mid of July. I have done Sas essential course. But still I feel I am not confident to write programme. Is there any tips that I can go through. Some time I forget system as well.

thanks in advance for help.

hi Mark,

I ran a pre-test system test on my mac before registered the exam. The system replied ok. Had the technical problem on mac you mentioned previously been resolved? Or I need to re-schedule the exam? Thanks in advance.

Sorry but the Pearson check can't pick up on the Mac problem. You will need to reschedule. I don't have a date yet for the fix. Again, sorry.

Update as of Sept 21, 2020 - I am happy to announce that Macs can now be used for all SAS certification exams.

Hi,

Can I work in the SAS 9.4 Windowing environment for the examination?

The exam content guide shows these topics which are not available in the SAS Institute Inc. 2019. SAS® Certified Specialist Prep Guide: Base Programming Using SAS® 9.4 Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc. ISBN 978-1-64295-176-9.

So are they really included in the exam?

1. Remove duplicate observations with the SORT Procedure.

2. Use SAS numeric functions such as SUM, MEAN, RAND, SMALLEST, LARGEST, ROUND,
and INT (Rand, Smallest, Largest are not available in the Guide)

3. Proc Format CNTLIN= option is also not available in the Guide.

4. Univariate procedure.

Kindly let me know if these are included in the examination.

@sas72 The Exam Content Guide is the definitive document for exam content. If it is listed there, it can be on the test.

Regarding 'Can I work in SAS 9.4 Windowing environment?' - Yes, as shown in the video, you have your choice of UI: SAS Studio, Enterprise Guide (now available in both 7.1 and 8.2 versions), or Windowing Environment (AKA Display Manager).

Thanks for the prompt reply Mark. I am sorry for acknowledging it so late though!

Hey Mark,

Can I have a demo of windows environment as all the videos display studio.

Thanks

@pooja86kaushal Here is a screen shot of the lab with SAS Display Manager/Windowing Environment open.

Display Manager / Windowing EnvironmentDisplay Manager / Windowing Environment

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Hi @Mark2010 , can I connect more screens to my laptop?

Thanks for help

Lukas

@Lukas30 @Ripalsshah0 Yes - but there are important considerations. Please check out this (very popular) thread in our community

Hello Mark !

Regarding the dataset for the lab portion of the exam , will that already be available for use in the libraries or do we have to go through the process of creating folders and running the program to create the data sets

Thanks

@ksmahad The folders and files are already present.

Thanks Mark for the quick reply !

Hello, Mark!

What is difference between A00-231 and A00-233(Delta)?

What is Delta here?

The delta exam is available only to people who earned the old SAS Base Programmer for SAS 9.4 credential.

Hello, Mark!

I wonder if it is possible to go back to the performance coding problems(window), when I am solving the multiple choice problems.

Thanks!

@Mindy__Kim The exam isn't designed for the lab to be used for the standard questions. All of the information required to answer the question is contained in the question, so there is no need to go back to the lab. While possible, It is awkward to move back and forth repeatedly and I don't think a candidate would find it to be a good experience. And trying it for a lot of MC's would certainly take too much time. Attacking MC questions as stand-alone questions is the best strategy.

I would really appreciate if i get a resonse.. i had a difficult time with this in the exam..

"I said I wasn't going to get into specific content. I lied. One pointer from the content guide: You must be able to create a SAS library with a LIBNAME statement. You are going to have a bad time if you can't do this one thing"

i need more clarification on that

@Arthur44 Check out the on demand webinar listed at the bottom of the article, above.

Hi, I want to know if SAS software access is available during whole time or just during performance based questions??

For performance based exam at home.

@NP2212 - see answer a few rows up in response to Mindy_Kim.

Hi Mark,

I took the A00-231 exam at 9:30PM on 04/30/2021 with PearsOnVUE. SAS studio kept frozen from time to time during the exam but the clock kept running. My exam was interrupted. At some point of the exam, the OnVUE interface was completely down and I was waiting more than 1 hour for them to tackle the issue. After resuming the exam, the issue still existed and the technician restarted the section a few times. However, the clock just kept running while SAS studio was frozen. I lost at least 20 minutes due to this issue. I am very disappointed with the test experience. Could you help me? I tried to contact PearsOnVue but I could not find any contact on their website. I need the make up time or reschedule the exam. My PearsOnVUE access code is 361-834-295. The technician can confirm that my exam was interrupted.

Thanks a lot!