A00-231

The SASInstitute A00-231 exam, "SAS 9.4 Base Programming -- Performance-Based," focuses on your ability to write efficient and effective SAS programs to manipulate and analyze data. The main points covered include:

I. Data Manipulation:

• Data Step Programming: This is the core of SAS programming. You'll need to demonstrate proficiency in:
  • Inputting data from various sources (e.g., external files, datasets).
  • Using DATA step statements (INPUT, OUTPUT, RETAIN, etc.) to create, modify, and manage datasets.
  • Understanding data step processing (e.g., how SAS reads and writes data).
  • Working with variables (e.g., creating, renaming, assigning values).
  • Using array processing for efficient handling of multiple variables.
  • Conditional logic (IF-THEN-ELSE statements).
  • Looping (DO loops, DO WHILE loops).
• Data Wrangling: This involves cleaning, transforming, and preparing data for analysis. Expect questions on:
  • Handling missing values.
  • Data transformations (e.g., calculating new variables, recoding values).
  • Subsetting data (using WHERE statements and subsetting IF statements).
  • Merging and joining datasets.
  • Sorting and indexing datasets.

II. Data Analysis:

• PROC MEANS: Calculating summary statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, etc.).
• PROC FREQ: Generating frequency tables and cross-tabulations.
• PROC PRINT: Displaying data in a readable format.
• PROC SUMMARY: Generating summary statistics for grouped data.

III. Understanding SAS Concepts:

• SAS Data Structures: Understanding how SAS stores and organizes data (datasets, libraries).
• SAS Language Elements: Understanding SAS syntax, including statements, options, and keywords.
• Error Handling and Debugging: Identifying and correcting errors in SAS programs.
• Efficiency and Best Practices: Writing efficient and well-documented SAS code. This often involves understanding the performance implications of different programming approaches.

IV. Performance-Based Questions:

The A00-231 exam is performance-based , meaning you won't just be answering multiple-choice questions. You'll be presented with scenarios requiring you to write complete SAS programs to solve data manipulation and analysis problems. These problems will test your ability to apply the above concepts in a practical context. You'll need to write the code, run it (virtually within the exam environment) and verify the results you get.

In summary, success on the A00-231 exam hinges on a strong understanding of SAS data step programming, data manipulation techniques, basic SAS procedures, and the ability to write efficient and error-free SAS code to solve real-world data problems. Focus your study on developing practical programming skills rather than just memorizing concepts.