SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4
SAS is a leader in business analytics, data warehousing, and data mining. SAS has been recognized as one of the best places to work by organizations like Fortune and the Great Place to Work Institute. The SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4 is based on SAS 9.4 M5. The SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9 exam test the skill and knowledge of the candidate regarding reading and create data files, manipulating and transforming data, creating basic detail and summary reports using Base SAS procedures, identifying and correcting syntax and programming logic errors.
Successful candidates should have experience in programming and data management using SAS®9.4 and should be able to:
- Read and create data files.
- Manipulate and transform data.
- Create basic detail and summary reports using Base SAS procedures.
- Identify and correct syntax and programming logic errors.
Learning Objectives
The relatable domains and their topics that the SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9 exam covers are:
- Access and Create Data Structures
- Manage Data
- Error Handling
- Generate Reports and Output
Learning Path
The SAS Global Certification Program offers 23 credentials across seven categories:
- Foundation Tools
- Advanced Analytics
- Business Intelligence and Analytics
- Data Management
- Administration
- JMP
- Partners
The SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4 is a part of Foundational tools.
Exam Details
The SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4 exam is administered by SAS and Pearson VUE. The exam consists of 40-45 questions which are in the form of multiple-choice or short-answer questions. The candidate needs to obtain 725; uses a score range from 200 to 1,000 points. Also, the candidate will be given 135 minutes to complete the exam. The examination fee is $180 USD in India and most other countries.
Scheduling the Exam
The candidate needs to register for the exam at Pearson VUE. The exam ID i.e A00-231 will be required while registering. The exam fee is $180 USD in India and most other countries. 
SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4 Course Outline
Access and Create Data Structures
- Create Temporary and permanent SAS Data sets. (Reference: SAS Data Sets)
- Investigate SAS data libraries using base SAS utility procedures. (Reference: SAS Base Programming)
- Access data. (Reference: Access Database Files)
- Combine SAS data sets. (Reference: Combining SAS Data Sets: Methods)
- Create and manipulate SAS date values. (Reference: The Essentials of SAS Dates and Times)
- Control which observations and variables in a SAS data set are processed and output. (Reference: OUTPUT Statement)
SAS Reference:
Manage Data
- Sort observations in a SAS data set. (Reference: Sorting Your Data with PROC SORT)
- Conditionally execute SAS statements. (Reference: Techniques for Conditional Execution of SAS)
- Use assignment statements in the DATA step. (Reference: Assignment Statement)
- Modify variable attributes using options and statements in the DATA step. (Reference: Modifying Variable Attributes)
- Accumulate sub-totals and totals using DATA step statements. (Reference: Creating a Running Total)
- Use SAS functions to manipulate character data, numeric data, and SAS date values. (Reference: Manipulating Data)
- Use SAS functions to convert character data to numeric and vice versa.
- Process data using DO LOOPS. (Reference: Loops in SAS)
- Restructure SAS data sets with PROC TRANSPOSE.
- Use macro variables to simplify program maintenance. (Reference: Macro Programming)
SAS Reference:
Error Handling
- Identify and resolve programming logic errors. (Reference: The Basics of Debugging)
- Recognize and correct syntax errors.
Generate Reports and Output
- Generate list reports using the PRINT procedure. (Reference: Writing Reports with SAS)
- Generate summary reports and frequency tables using base SAS procedures. (Reference: Summarizing Data with Base SAS PROCs)
- Enhance reports with user-defined formats, titles, footnotes, and SAS System reporting options. (Reference: Creating Customized Reports)
- Generate reports using ODS statements. (Reference: The Output Delivery System (ODS) from Scratch)
- Export data.
Exam Policies
The candidate should visit the SAS official website for understanding the terms and policies. The exam terms and policies include various important information such as age requirements and policies concerning minors, candidate identification, and authentication, rights and responsibilities, Confidentiality and agreements, etc.
SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4 FAQ
SAS Certified Architecture and Design Specialist for SAS Grid Manager 9.4 Preparation Steps
SAS Official Website
Visiting the SAS official website is an important step while preparing for the SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4 exam. The official site offers a lot of reliable information and sources which are very helpful in preparing for the exam. The resources such as study guide, flashcards, whitepapers, sample questions, faqs, etc. The candidate can find all such important things on the official page.
SAS Training Program
Training programs are a very necessary step in the preparation of such exams as SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4. SAS offers its own training programs on its various examinations and certifications.
Books and Guides
The next step in the preparatory guide should be books and study guides. The candidate needs to find those books which are enriched with information. Finding a good book may be a difficult task, but in order to gather knowledge and skills, the candidate has to find, read, and understand.
SAS Webinars
SAS offers numerous webinars on a very number of topics. You can check out the webinars on the topics related to the exam you are preparing. In case of preparing the SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4 exam, the candidate can opt for the following:
How to Prepare for the SAS® Programming Specialist Exam
Books and Guides
The next step in the preparatory guide should be books and study guides. The candidate needs to find those books which are enriched with information. Finding a good book may be a difficult task, but in order to gather knowledge and skills, the candidate has to find, read, and understand.
Join a Study Group
Joining a group study will also be beneficial for the candidate. It will encourage them to do more hard work. Also, studying in the group will help them to stay connected with the other people who are on the same pathway as them. Also, the discussion of such study groups will benefit the students in their exams. So practice, discuss, and successfully become an SAS Certified Specialist: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4.
Practice with Testprep Training
Practice tests are the one which ensures the candidate about their preparation. The practice test will help the candidates to acknowledge their weak areas so that they can work on them. There are many practice tests available on the internet nowadays, so the candidate can choose which they want. Testprep training also offers practice tests.