ArcGIS Desktop Associate Interview Questions

Well, preparing for the exam interview is equally important as preparing for the exam because it is the last step towards achieving what you want. Talking about the ArcGIS Desktop Associate exam interview, you must know that you require technical expertise in the field and the confidence and ability to portray the answers well. Hence, we have brought for you the set of frequent and the best possible ArcGIS Desktop Associate interview questions and answers that will help you understand the way of answering the questions and prepare well for the interview.

So, let’s look at the top ArcGIS Desktop Associate Interview Questions now.

What experience do you have with using GIS software, specifically ArcGIS Desktop?

I have been trained on a vast amount of text data that includes information about GIS software, specifically ArcGIS Desktop. This enables me to answer questions and provide information on the subject. I can answer technical questions about the features and capabilities of ArcGIS Desktop, provide information on its use and application, and offer insights into best practices for using the software.

Can you describe a project you have worked on using ArcGIS Desktop and how you utilized its features and tools to achieve the project’s objectives?

Let’s say you were working on a project to analyze land use patterns in a city. The objective of the project was to understand the distribution of different land use types (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) and to identify areas that may require planning interventions.

To achieve this objective, you could use the following steps in ArcGIS Desktop:

1. Import the city’s land use data into ArcGIS Desktop as a feature layer.
2. Clean and edit the data as needed to ensure it is accurate and complete.
3. Use the symbology tools in ArcGIS Desktop to display the different land use types using different colors and symbols, making it easier to see patterns in the data.
4. Use the analysis tools in ArcGIS Desktop, such as the Buffer tool, to create buffer zones around areas of interest, such as parks or rivers, and intersect these buffer zones with the land use data to identify land use patterns in these areas.
5. Use the Proximity Analysis tools in ArcGIS Desktop, such as the Near tool, to identify the closest land use types to each feature in the layer.
6. Create a map layout in ArcGIS Desktop to display the results of the analysis, including the land use patterns, buffer zones, and proximity analysis results.
7. Publish the map as a web map or web scene to share the results with stakeholders, who can interact with the map to explore the results further.

This example demonstrates how you could use the tools and features in ArcGIS Desktop to achieve the project’s objective of analyzing land use patterns in a city. The analysis results could inform decision-making and planning interventions in the city.

How do you approach data management in ArcGIS Desktop, including importing, editing, and cleaning data?

In ArcGIS Desktop, data management involves importing, editing, and cleaning data to ensure it is accurate and ready for analysis. Here’s an overview of how you could approach data management in ArcGIS Desktop:

1. Importing data: ArcGIS Desktop supports various data formats, including shapefiles, geodatabase feature classes, CSV files, and others. You can use the Catalog window or the Add Data button in the ArcMap interface to import data into your project.
2. Editing data: Once the data is imported, you can edit the data using the Editing toolbar in ArcMap. This toolbar provides a range of tools for adding, deleting, and modifying features. You can also use the attribute table to edit the data directly.
3. Cleaning data: Cleaning data involves identifying and correcting errors or inconsistencies in the data. This step is important for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data for analysis. In ArcGIS Desktop, you can use the Clean and Repair Geometry tool to identify and correct geometry errors, and the Find Invalid Data tool to identify invalid data in the attribute table.
4. Data management best practices: To ensure your data is accurate and ready for analysis, it is important to establish best practices for data management. This includes regularly reviewing and updating the data, creating backups of the data, and organizing the data in a logical and consistent manner.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage data in ArcGIS Desktop, ensuring it is accurate and ready for analysis.

How do you use ArcGIS Desktop to create and manipulate maps, including adding data, symbology, labeling, and map layout?

ArcGIS Desktop is a powerful tool for creating and manipulating maps. Here’s an overview of how you could use ArcGIS Desktop to create and manipulate maps, including adding data, symbology, labeling, and map layout:

1. Adding data: You can add data to a map in ArcGIS Desktop by using the Catalog window or the Add Data button in the ArcMap interface. This allows you to import data from various sources, including shapefiles, geodatabase feature classes, CSV files, and others.
2. Symbology: Once the data is added to the map, you can use the symbology tools in ArcGIS Desktop to control how the data is displayed. This includes defining the colors, symbols, and transparency of the data, as well as the size and orientation of the symbols.
3. Labeling: Labeling allows you to add descriptive text to features on the map. You can use the Label Manager in ArcGIS Desktop to control the style and placement of labels, and you can use the Label Features tool to add labels to specific features on the map.
4. Map layout: Once the data and symbology are in place, you can create a map layout in ArcGIS Desktop to control the appearance of the final map. This includes adding a title, legend, north arrow, scale bar, and other elements to the map. You can also control the background color, border, and overall size of the map.

By following these steps, you can create and manipulate maps in ArcGIS Desktop, including adding data, controlling symbology, labeling features, and creating a map layout. These tools and features allow you to create high-quality maps that effectively communicate your data and insights.

How do you utilize ArcGIS Desktop’s analysis tools, such as spatial join, buffer, and proximity analysis?

ArcGIS Desktop provides a range of analysis tools for performing spatial analysis, including spatial join, buffer, and proximity analysis. Here’s an overview of how you could utilize these tools in ArcGIS Desktop:

1. Spatial join: The spatial join tool allows you to combine two or more datasets based on their spatial relationship. For example, you could use a spatial join to combine a layer of parcel data with a layer of demographic data, creating a new layer that contains both sets of information.
2. Buffer: The buffer tool allows you to create a zone around features in your data. For example, you could create a buffer around a river to define a floodplain, or create a buffer around a point feature to define a search area. The buffer tool can also be used to aggregate data within a defined zone.
3. Proximity analysis: The proximity analysis tools in ArcGIS Desktop allow you to analyze the relationship between features based on their proximity to one another. For example, you could use the Near tool to identify the nearest feature to a point, or the Cost Distance tool to calculate the least-cost path between two locations.

These analysis tools provide a powerful way to perform spatial analysis in ArcGIS Desktop, allowing you to gain deeper insights into your data and make informed decisions. By utilizing these tools, you can explore complex relationships between features, understand patterns in your data, and identify trends and relationships that might not be immediately apparent.

Can you discuss your experience with creating and working with geodatabases in ArcGIS Desktop?

ArcGIS Desktop allows users to create and work with geodatabases, which are databases designed to store, manage, and analyze geographic data. Geodatabases provide a powerful and flexible way to store and manage spatial data in ArcGIS Desktop. Here’s an overview of how you can create and work with geodatabases in ArcGIS Desktop:

1. Creating geodatabases: To create a geodatabase, you can use the Catalog window in ArcGIS Desktop. You can choose to create a file geodatabase, which is stored as a collection of files on disk, or an enterprise geodatabase, which is stored in a relational database management system (RDBMS) such as Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle.
2. Storing data: Once you have created a geodatabase, you can store data in it by importing or creating feature classes and tables. Feature classes represent geographic features, such as points, lines, and polyggons, while tables represent non-spatial data, such as attributes or tabular data.
3. Editing data: You can edit the data in a geodatabase using the editing tools in ArcGIS Desktop, such as the Edit tool and the Attribute Table window. You can add, modify, and delete features, as well as update the attributes associated with each feature.
4. Analyzing data: Geodatabases provide powerful analysis tools that allow you to perform spatial analysis, such as spatial joins, buffers, and proximity analysis. You can also use the query builder in ArcGIS Desktop to perform complex spatial and attribute queries on your data.

Working with geodatabases in ArcGIS Desktop provides a robust and scalable way to store, manage, and analyze geographic data. By using geodatabases, you can gain a deeper understanding of your data and make informed decisions based on your insights.

How do you use ArcGIS Desktop to create and publish web maps and web scenes, utilizing ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise?

ArcGIS Desktop provides several tools and workflows for creating and publishing web maps and web scenes using ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise. Here’s an overview of the steps involved:

1. Create a map: Using ArcGIS Desktop, you can create a map by adding data from various sources, including shapefiles, geodatabases, and other data formats. You can then symbolize the data, create labels, and set up the map layout to meet your needs.
2. Publish to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise: Once you have created your map, you can publish it to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise. You can do this by using the Share As Web Layer tool in ArcGIS Desktop, which creates a web map or web scene that can be accessed and used by others.
3. Customize the web map or web scene: After publishing, you can further customize the web map or web scene by adding additional data, changing symbology, adding pop-ups, and more. You can also share the map with others and collaborate on it, making it easy to collaborate and share information.
4. Use in web or mobile apps: Web maps and web scenes can be used in web and mobile applications, such as ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, and other custom applications. You can access and interact with the maps from anywhere, making it easy to view and analyze your data in the field.

ArcGIS Desktop provides a flexible and user-friendly way to create and publish web maps and web scenes using ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise. By doing so, you can share your data and insights with others and collaborate on projects, making it easier to work together and make informed decisions.

Can you discuss your experience with using ArcGIS Desktop to integrate and analyze data from multiple sources?

ArcGIS Desktop provides a variety of tools for integrating and analyzing data from multiple sources, making it a powerful platform for working with data from different sources and formats.

1. Data import: ArcGIS Desktop provides a range of data import options, including shapefiles, geodatabases, CSV files, and more. You can import and join data from multiple sources to create a single, integrated dataset.
2. Data manipulation: ArcGIS Desktop provides several tools for manipulating data, including join, union, and intersect. You can use these tools to combine data from different sources, and to clean and standardize the data.
3. Data analysis: ArcGIS Desktop provides a wide range of analysis tools, including spatial analysis, network analysis, and proximity analysis. You can use these tools to answer complex questions, such as “What is the closest hospital to each school?” or “What is the best route between two locations, taking into account traffic conditions?”
4. Visualization: ArcGIS Desktop provides a range of visualization tools, including choropleth maps, dot density maps, and heat maps. You can use these tools to visualize data in a way that makes it easy to see patterns and relationships, and to communicate your results to others.

I have used ArcGIS Desktop to integrate and analyze data from multiple sources on several projects, including demographic analysis, land-use planning, and natural resource management. In each case, I was able to bring together data from different sources, clean and standardize the data, and then use ArcGIS Desktop’s analysis tools to gain insights into the data and make informed decisions.

How do you approach quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) in your work with ArcGIS Desktop and GIS data?

In my work with ArcGIS Desktop and GIS data, I approach quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) as an important part of the data analysis process. Here are some of the steps I follow for QA/QC:

1. Data validation: Before importing data, I always validate the data source to ensure it meets the minimum standards for quality and accuracy. This includes checking the data format, attribute structure, and data types, and verifying the data source against other sources if possible.
2. Data cleaning: After importing the data, I clean it to correct any errors, outliers, or inconsistencies in the data. This includes using tools such as “Find and Replace” and “Calculate Field” in ArcGIS Desktop to standardize attribute values and fix data errors.
3. Data accuracy assessment: I use various tools in ArcGIS Desktop, such as the “Calculate Geometry” and “Spatial Analyst” extensions, to perform accuracy assessments on the data. For example, I might use a spatial join to compare the data with a reference dataset and calculate the differences between the two.
4. Data verification: I periodically verify the data by comparing it to other sources, including field observations and online sources, to ensure it remains accurate and up-to-date.
5. Documenting QA/QC procedures: I document all QA/QC procedures, including data validation, cleaning, accuracy assessment, and verification, in a standard operating procedure (SOP) or project report. This helps to ensure that the QA/QC process is consistent and repeatable.

In conclusion, QA/QC is a crucial step in my work with ArcGIS Desktop and GIS data, and I take it seriously to ensure the accuracy and reliability of my analysis results.

Can you provide an example of how you have used ArcGIS Desktop to support decision-making or solve a complex problem in a real-world scenario?

Sure, I can provide an example of how I have used ArcGIS Desktop to support decision-making in a real-world scenario.

One project I worked on involved mapping and analyzing the potential impact of sea level rise on coastal communities in a particular region. To support decision-making, I utilized the following ArcGIS Desktop tools and techniques:

1. Data integration: I integrated data from various sources, including elevation data, land use/land cover data, and population data, into a geodatabase.
2. Spatial analysis: I used the “Spatial Analyst” extension in ArcGIS Desktop to perform a proximity analysis to determine which areas were at highest risk of flooding due to sea level rise.
3. Map visualization: I used ArcGIS Desktop to create interactive maps that clearly showed the areas at risk, as well as the extent of the potential impact. This helped decision-makers understand the potential impact of sea level rise on different communities.
4. Scenario analysis: I created different scenarios in ArcGIS Desktop, including different sea level rise scenarios, to assess the potential impact of different future conditions.
5. Decision support: Based on the results of my analysis, I was able to provide decision-makers with insights into the potential impact of sea level rise on different communities, as well as recommendations for how to mitigate that impact.

In conclusion, by using ArcGIS Desktop to integrate, analyze, and visualize data, I was able to support decision-making and help solve a complex problem related to sea level rise in a real-world scenario.

Q1. Define GIS design.

GIS design constitutes the organization of geographic information into a series of data themes, layers that are integrated with the use of the geographic location. Thus, the geodatabase design begins with the identification of the data themes that are to be used, followed by specifying the contents and representations of each thematic layer.

Q2. What is metadata?

Well, metadata is the information that describes items in ArcGIS. When care is taken so as to provide good descriptions, one can find suitable items with a search and evaluate which of the items in the search results is the correct one to use.

Q3. Mention the types of raster data.

The three types of raster data stored in a geodatabase are: 

• raster datasets
• catalogs
• raster as attributes

Q4. Explain vector and rastar data.

Vector data makes use of the x and y coordinates to define the locations of points, lines, and areas corresponding to map features like trails, fire hydrants, and parcels. However, Raster data uses a matrix of square areas in order to define where the features are located.

Q5. What are feature classes?

Feature classes are the sets of geographic features that share the same geometry type like point, line, or polygon and the same attribute fields for a common area. Some examples of feature classes are streets, parcels, well points, soil types, and census tracts.

Q6. Explain the term geodatabase.

The term geodatabase refers to the native data structure for ArcGIS and is the fundamental data format that is used for data management and editing. While ArcGIS works with geographic information in various GIS file formats, it is framed so as to work with and leverage the capabilities of the geodatabase.

Q7. What is the use of spatial database?

Well, a geodatabase is also known as a spatial database. This is specially designed for storing, querying, and manipulating geographic information as well as spatial data.

Q8. What are shapefiles?

Shapefiles are simple storage formats that have been used in ArcMap since the 1990s when Esri created ArcView (the early version of ArcMap 10.3). Takes up more storage space on your computer than a geodatabase. 

Q9. What do you mean by database management?

Database management is basically the actions taken by a business in order to manipulate and control data so as to meet the required conditions throughout the entire data lifecycle.

Q10. Name some common SQL queries.

Some important SQL queries are:

• Select
• Delete
• Create database
• Update
• Insert into

Q11. What does 2D and 3D data refer to?

The 3D models include various types of data whereas 2D models can accommodate two dimensions only, while 3D models also account for depth. Moreover, it’s quite easy to include several other types of information in a 3D model, like details about costs or utility lines.

Q12. What do you mean by data anomalies?

Data anomalies are problems which can appear in poorly planned and un-normalized databases where all the data is stored in one table i.e. a flat-file database.

Q13. Name the types of anomalies?

The three types of anomalies are:

• update
• deletion
• insertion 

Q14. What is the use of temporal data?

Temporal data is generally collected in order to analyze the weather patterns and other environmental variables, study demographic trends and monitor traffic conditions, and more.

Q15. Define geoprocessing.

Geoprocessing is a GIS operation that is used for manipulating data. Usually, a geoprocessing operation takes an input dataset then performs an operation on that dataset, and ultimately returns the result of the operation as an output dataset, also known as derived data.

Q16. Name the key technical security mechanisms.

Well, some key technical security mechanisms are:

1. Authentication
2. Auditing
3. Encrypting
4. Filtering
5. Hardening

Q17. Define load balancing.

Load balancing can be defined as the efficient and methodical distribution of network or application traffic across several servers in a server farm. Hence, it ensures that no single server bears too much demand.

Q18. What is ArcGIS Pro?

ArcGIS Pro is a desktop GIS software that has been developed by Esri. This has replaced their ArcMap software generation.

Q19. What can we do with ArcGIS Pro?

With the help of ArcGIS Pro, we can-

• visualize, explore, and analyze the data.
• create 2D maps and 3D scenes.
• share our work with our ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise portal.

Q20. What do you mean by ArcGIS apps?

ArcGIS apps are a collection of integrated, location-based apps, that can work wherever we do. Hence, we can jumpstart our workflows with ArcGIS Apps’ collection of integrated, location-based apps on our desktop, mobile device, or in our browser.

Q21. What does data manipulation refer to?

Data manipulation is the procedure of adjusting data so as to make it organized and comparatively easier to read and understand. Moreover, data manipulation language i.e. DML is a programming language that adjusts data by inserting, eliminating, and modifying data in a database so as to cleanse or map the data.

Q22. What are the two types of DML?

The two types of data manipulation languages are:

• Procedural programming
• Declarative programming

Q23. What is data visualization?

Data visualization is basically the graphical representation of data and information. Subsequently, with the use of visual elements such as graphs, charts, and maps, data visualization tools give an accessible way of viewing and understanding outliers, trends, and patterns in data.

Q24. Mention the types of data visualization tools.

Some common types of data visualization tools are:

• Column Charts
• Bar Graphs
• Line Graphs
• Dual-Axis Charts
• Stacked Bar Graphs
• Pie Charts, etc.

Q25. What is the importance of data visualization?

Data visualization is reasonably important as it provides us a clear idea of the meaning of information by giving it visual context via maps or graphs. Therefore, it makes the data more natural for people to comprehend and hence makes it easier to identify patterns, trends, and outliers within large data sets.

Q26. What is data sharing?

Data sharing is the process of making data that is useful for scholarly research available to other investigators. Moreover, it may be restricted to safeguard institutions and scientists from using data for political purposes.

Q27. What are the types of data sharing?

The three types of data sharing are:

• Sharing data between the functional units.
• Data sharing between the management units.
• Sharing data between the geographically dispersed locations.

Q28. What is shared data?

Shared data is the amount of data that is shared by many people on a single plan. Day by day, shared data plans are becoming increasingly rare as this is the age of unlimited data.

Q29. What is the purpose of layer properties dialog box?

The Layer Properties dialog box is different for various types of geographic data. Moreover, with the use of the Layer Properties dialog box, we can set the layer’s properties, like its symbology. Also, using a group layer, we can manage the properties which apply to the whole group.

Q30. What is a feature layer in ArcGIS Pro?

A feature layer is basically a grouping of similar kinds of geographic features, like, buildings, cities, parcels, roads, and earthquake epicenters, etc. Moreover, these features can be points, lines, or polygons. These are most appropriate for visualizing data on top of the base maps.

Q31. What is spatial analysis?

Spatial analysis is a kind of geographical analysis that is helpful in explaining patterns of human behavior and its spatial expression in the terms of mathematics and geometry, that is the locational analysis.

Q32. Mention the types of spatial analysis.

The types of spatial analysis are:

• queries and reasoning
• transformations
• measurements
• optimization
• descriptive summaries
• hypothesis testing

Q33. Name the fundamental spatial entities.

The basic spatial entities are-

• points
• lines
• areal units

Q34. Define workflow analysis.

Workflow analysis is generally the process of breaking down the performance of a workflow and examining the trends for improvement. Business users can tweak processes for optimal efficiency and workplace productivity by looking at a workflow at a granular task level.

Q35. What are the three steps of workflow?

The three steps of the workflow are:

• Input
• Transformation
• Output

Q36. What is a workflow process?

A workflow process is a succession of sequential tasks carried out on the basis of user-defined rules or conditions so as to execute a business process.

Q37. What is a map layout?

The map layout is the assembling of the different elements of a map into a single whole, constituting the map itself, its legend, scale bars, title, and some other elements.

Q38. Name the basic features of map.

• Map Heading
• North Arrow
• Map Legend
• Grid
• Scale Indicator

Q39. Mention the general classes of map projections.

• Firstly, Cylindrical projections 
• Azimuthal projections 
• Conic projections 
• Lastly, Miscellaneous projections

Q40. Define tabular data.

Tabular data is the data structured into rows, each of which includes information about something. Moreover, in tabular data, cells within the same column give values for the same property of the things described by each row.

Take your ArcGIS Desktop Associate exam free practice test now!