A00-260

The SAS A00-260 exam, "SAS Data Analysis Using SAS 9," focuses on the fundamental aspects of using SAS software for data analysis. The main points covered include:

1. Data Input and Manipulation:

• Importing data: Understanding how to import data from various sources (e.g., flat files, databases). Knowing the differences between different input methods and their implications.
• Data cleaning: Handling missing values, identifying and correcting inconsistencies, and transforming data types.
• Data manipulation: Using SAS procedures like PROC IMPORT , PROC SQL , DATA steps, and SET statements to modify, filter, sort, and summarize data. This includes subsetting, merging, appending, and transposing datasets.

2. Data Exploration and Descriptive Statistics:

• Descriptive statistics: Calculating measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), dispersion (variance, standard deviation, range), and frequency distributions.
• Data visualization: Creating tables and graphs (histograms, box plots, scatter plots) to visualize data patterns and distributions using PROC FREQ , PROC MEANS , PROC UNIVARIATE , and PROC SGPLOT .
• Exploring relationships between variables: Understanding correlation and its implications.

3. Data Summarization and Reporting:

• Creating summary tables: Using procedures like PROC MEANS , PROC SUMMARY , and PROC TABULATE to generate descriptive statistics for groups of data.
• Creating customized reports: Generating reports that clearly present findings using PROC REPORT and other reporting procedures (though in-depth reporting might be less emphasized compared to other aspects). Understanding how to format output for clarity.

4. Basic Statistical Procedures:

• t-tests: Performing one-sample and two-sample t-tests to compare means.
• Analysis of Variance (ANOVA): Understanding the basic concepts of ANOVA for comparing means across multiple groups.
• Correlation analysis: Understanding and interpreting correlation coefficients. (Regression might be touched upon but usually at a simpler level).

5. SAS Programming Fundamentals:

• DATA step programming: This is crucial. Understanding the structure of the DATA step, including input statements, assignment statements, conditional logic (IF-THEN-ELSE), and looping (DO loops).
• SAS statements and options: Understanding how to use various SAS statements and options to control the processing of data.
• Error handling and debugging: Basic understanding of how to identify and correct errors in SAS programs.

Important Note: The A00-260 exam emphasizes practical application over theoretical statistical understanding. While you need to understand the concepts behind the statistical procedures, the main focus is on how to use SAS to perform those analyses and interpret the resulting output. You should be comfortable working with SAS code and interpreting the results of various SAS procedures.