SAS 9.4 Programming Associate

Exam Content Guide

Fundamental SAS Concepts

• Recall general rules of DATA and PROC steps
• Recognize general rules of SAS statements including global statements
• Interpret the SAS log
• Distinguish between syntax and logic errors

Explore SAS Data Sets

• Recall naming conventions used for SAS data sets and variables
• Recognize variable types (character and numeric)
• Explain how to create and manipulate SAS date values
• Recognize how SAS stores missing data
• Use the LIBNAME statement to read SAS data sets
• Use PROC CONTENTS to view the descriptor portion of a data set
• Recall how to use Data Set options: DROP=, KEEP=, RENAME=, OBS=

Using the DATA Step to Access SAS Data Sets

• Use the DATA statement to create one or multiple data sets
• Use the SET statement to read a data set
• Explain how to combine data sets
• Explain the compilation and execution process of the DATA step
• Subset observations and variables

Using the DATA Step to Manipulate Data

• Create or update variables
• Recognize SAS Functions
• Perform conditional processing
• Control the output of observations
• Create an accumulating variable
• Explain the function of iterative DO loops
• Assign permanent attributes

Generate Reports Using PROC Steps

• Use PROC PRINT to generate a detail report
• Use PROC MEANS to generate a summary report
• Use PROC FREQ to generate a frequency report
• Identify methods to enhance reports

Use Utility Procedures

• Use PROC SORT to sort a report based on values of a variable
• Use PROC FORMAT to define custom formats

Import and Export non-SAS files

• Use a procedure to transfer a CSV file
• Use the LIBNAME statement to import/export an Excel file with XLSX engine
• Use ODS to direct reports to external files