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
Additional Resources
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