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SAS Global Certification Program

SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 Credential

Represents the upper echelon of SAS programmers who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in SAS programming expertise

Successful candidates should be skilled in tasks such as:

Using advanced DATA step programming statements and efficiency techniques to solve complex problems

Writing and interpreting SAS SQL code

Creating and using the SAS MACRO facility.

Generate detail reports by working with a single table, joining tables, or using set operators in the SQL procedure.
  • Use the SELECT statement.
  • Select columns in a table.
  • Create new columns.
  • Sort data.
  • Retrieve rows that satisfy a condition.
  • Validate a query.
  • Join tables - inner joins, full joins, right joins, left joins.
  • Combine tables using set operators - union, outer join, except, intercept.
Generate summary reports by working with a single table, joining tables, or using set operators in the SQL procedure.
  • Summarize data.
  • Group data.
  • Filter grouped data.
Construct sub-queries and in-line views within an SQL procedure step.
  • Subset data by using non-correlated subqueries (HAVING clause).
  • Subset data by using correlated subqueries.
  • Reference an in-line view with other views or tables (multiple tables).
Compare solving a problem using the SQL procedure versus using traditional SAS programming techniques.
  • Use SAS data set options with PROC SQL.
  • Use PROC SQL with the SAS Macro Facility.
  • Create SAS Data sets (tables).
  • Insert rows into tables.
  • Update data values in a table.
  • Delete rows.
  • Alter Columns attributes.
  • Create an index.
  • Delete a table.
Access Dictionary Tables using the SQL procedure.
  • Access SAS system information by using DICTIONARY tables.
  • Use the DESCRIBE TABLE statement.

Generate detail reports by working with a single table, joining tables, or using set operators in the SQL procedure.

  • Use the SELECT statement.
  • Select columns in a table.
  • Create new columns.
  • Sort data.
  • Retrieve rows that satisfy a condition.
  • Validate a query.
  • Join tables - inner joins, full joins, right joins, left joins.
  • Combine tables using set operators - union, outer join, except, intercept.

Required Exam

Candidates who earn this credential must have a SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 credential and then take and pass the SAS Advanced Programming for SAS 9 exam. This exam is administered by SAS and Pearson VUE.

  • 60-65 multiple-choice and short-answer questions (must achieve score of 65% correct to pass)
  • 2 hours to complete exam
  • Use exam ID A00-212; required when registering with Pearson VUE.
  • This exam is based on SAS 9.4

Exam topics include:

Accessing Data Using SQL

  • Generate detail reports by working with a single table, joining tables, or using set operators in the SQL procedure.
  • Generate summary reports by working with a single table, joining tables, or using set operators in the SQL procedure.
  • Construct sub-queries and in-line views within an SQL procedure step.
  • Compare solving a problem using the SQL procedure versus using traditional SAS programming techniques.
  • Access Dictionary Tables using the SQL procedure.

Macro Processing

  • Create and use user-defined and automatic macro variables within the SAS Macro Language.
  • Automate programs by defining and calling macros using the SAS Macro Language.
  • Understand the use of macro functions.
  • Use various system options that are available for macro debugging and displaying values of user-defined and automatic macro variables in the SAS log.
  • Create data-driven programs using SAS Macro Language.

Advanced Programming Techniques

  • Demonstrate the use of advanced data look-up techniques such as array processing, hash objects, formats, and combining/merging data.
  • Reduce computing resource requirements by controlling the space required to store SAS data sets using compression techniques, length statements, or eliminating variables and observations.
  • Develop SAS programs which incorporate data step views and use the FCMP procedure.
  • Perform effective benchmarking by using the appropriate SAS System options and interpreting the resulting resource utilization statistics.
  • Identify appropriate applications for using indexes and create them using the DATA step, the DATASETS procedure, or the SQL procedure.
  • Compare techniques to eliminate duplicate data using the DATA step, the SORT procedure, and the SQL procedure.

Exam Preparation

Experience is a critical component to becoming a SAS Certified Professional. These resources are designed to help you prepare.

Training

Get training from SAS experts. To view training options in your country, choose your location above.

Advanced SAS Programmer Certification

Books


SAS Certification Prep Guide: Advanced Programming for SAS 9, Fourth Edition.
The official guide from the SAS Certification Program that covers all of the objectives tested in the exam. Topics include SQL processing with SAS, the SAS macro language, advanced SAS programming techniques, and optimizing SAS programs. Updated for V9.4, the content has been enhanced to better prepare students for the exam and now includes a chapter on creating functions with PROC FCMP which is covered in the exam.

Practice

View the sample questions for this exam.
Practice your skills with the SAS Certification Practice Exam: Advanced Programming for SAS 9.

More information:

Contact the SAS Global Certification Program at certification@sas.com or 800-727-0025.

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