SAS 9.4 Programming Associate

Exam Content Guide

Below we provide a list of the objectives that will be tested on the exam.
For more specific details about each objective download the complete 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

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