SQL Coding Apprentice
Certification
SQL is a standard language for storing, manipulating and retrieving data in databases. Structured Query Language, abbreviated as SQL, is a domain specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS). It is particularly useful in handling structured data, i.e. data incorporating relations among entities and variables.

What are the benefits of getting the SQL Coding Apprentice Certification?
The SQL Coding Specialist is a globally-recognized industry certification on SQL programming, which grants database administrators, system engineers, and developers the ability to assess their knowledge and get credentials for their programming skills.
The unique peculiarity of the SQL Coding Apprentice Certification is the assessment modality, which consists of a real live coding environment, offering candidates the ability to write proper code to perform tasks-based questions. This technology is called LITA (Live in the Application) and Knowledge Pillars is one of the very few organizations able to provide this very advanced assessment solution.
Exam Details
Number of questions: 25
Time limit: 45 minutes
Passing score: 75%
Format: Linear and Live-in-the-App
The examination procedure
The students will have to answer all the question within the given timeframe.
Students are free to ignore as many questions as needed as these questions can be flagged and reviewed again at the end of the test (within the 45 minutes timeframe). All unanswered questions will be marked as incorrect.
When the test finishes the result of the examination is sent to the Knowledge Pillars server for storing.
Find more information about our Exam Retake Policy and Exam Proctoring options.
Exam Objective Domains
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a general background in coding with SQL. Prior to taking the exam, a candidate is expected to have approximately 100 hours of hands-on experience or lectures on developing using SQL.
The elevated level of preparation required is derived from the industry-standard level of the exam and the fact that this certification reflects the candidate’s readiness to enter the job market. Moreover, this Certification is used as a job placement index by recruiting managers, for the correct placement of a job seeker. Knowledge Pillars uses a task-based format in order to ensure the validity of the results.
To optimize the examination experience for the Candidate, Knowledge Pillars has taken certain steps to utilize a real SQL coding environment during the examination. The exam is provided both in Testing Centers or remotely, via the remote proctoring system.
Skills Measured:
- Introduction to SQL
- Tables
- Getting data from more than one table
- Programming
Introduction to SQL
- Discern Flat File, Hierarchical and Relational
- Differentiate between data types
Tables
- Create Tables
- Keys (Primary, Foreign, Candidate)
- Alter Table command
- INSERT INTO
- GROUP BY (HAVING)
- Relations and Normalization
- Doing math with data
- Simple Queries (SELECT FROM, WHERE, ORDER BY, DISTINCT)
Getting data from more than one table
- Aggregate Functions (COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX)
Programming
- Joining Tables (INNER JOIN, OUTER JOIN)
- Subqueries
Participating in BETA Exams
A critical part of the exam development process is the beta exam. By taking the exam in its beta format, candidates provide us with useful information to evaluate the technical accuracy, relevance, and psychometric characteristics of the questions before we score examinees.
Get 80% off the beta exam. If you take the beta exam, Knowledge Pillars will send a 25% discount voucher to the same email that you use to register for exams AFTER the beta exam has been scored. You can apply that voucher to your next Knowledge Pillars exam registration.
Note Participation in the beta is on a first come, first served basis. Due to popular demand, we recommend that you register as soon as the beta registration period begins.
Candidates located in China, India, Pakistan, or Turkey are not eligible to participate in beta exams for security reasons.
Preparing for a beta exam
You will have access to the Exam Details page that lists the skills that will be assessed on the exam. Knowledge Pillars does not currently offer training materials for its exams.
People interested in beta exams usually have access to other resources, are experienced with the technology, or work with the beta product. We recommend that you consult peers, community resources, and early-adopter articles for support if you need additional preparation materials.
Beta exam scoring and results
When you complete a beta exam, you do not receive a score immediately because the scoring model for the exam is not yet finalized.
You usually receive your exam score within 2-3 weeks after the exam becomes available worldwide—this can be up to 16 weeks after you take the exam, depending on when in the beta period you took the exam. This time frame reflects the comprehensive process used to evaluate the beta exam results, including statistically analyzing the data to evaluate the performance of each question and reading and evaluating all comments provided during the beta exam. The rescore process starts on the day that exams go live, and final scores are released approximately 10 days later.
Note Participation in beta exams is voluntary, and Knowledge Pillars makes no promises or guarantees regarding the beta exam process, availability of your scores, or the timing of your results. Generally online proctored exam results are presented within 72 hours.
Passing the beta exam
Passing a beta exam in your certification exam counts toward your transcript. You do not need to retake the exam in its final version and you will receive a digital badge as confirmation of your passing score. Make sure that you take another exam within a year so you can take advantage of the 25% discount you earned for taking the beta exam through our beta exam discount program.
If you do not pass the beta exam, you cannot retake the beta exam. If you are interested in earning a certification that requires successful completion of that exam, you must wait to retake the exam at regular cost when it’s live, or you can apply the 25% discount that you received for taking the beta exam through our beta exam discount program.
Technical Requirements
The minimum system requirements are:
- Operating system: Windows 7/8/10 OS, MacOS X 10.0x or newer, Linux OS
- Minimum RAM: 1GB or more depending on the Operating System
- Minimum processor: 1.0 Ghz or more depending on the operating system and the architecture
- A color monitor with minimum display resolution: 1366px by 768px
- Internet access
- The latest version of the Chrome browser
- Automatic updates, notifications, other popup windows, and anything that can disrupt the examination process should be disabled
SQL Coding Apprentice
Number of questions: | 25 |
Time limit | 45 minutes |
Passing score | 75% |
Format | Linear and In-App |
Practice Test | Yes |
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