Everything You Need to Know about SAS Base Programmer and SAS Analytics

The SAS Foundation has been offering several certifications in SAS based analytics for many years now. Till date, the SAS certifications are the most acknowledged certifications in analytics. There are several SAS certifications on offer.

SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS Version 9 certification or Base SAS, as it is ordinarily known to us, is a certification for novices in SAS programming. This is just the foundation and is necessary for further advanced certification levels.

SAS, which stands for Statistical analysis tool is a Business Intelligence tool that is utilized for data mining and analysis, predictive modeling, reporting, and time series analysis and econometrics. As per an IDC (International Data Corporation) statement, SAS has a 35% market share, more than double its imminent competitor. It has been around for more than 45 years and is now compatible with Analytics. More than 90% of Fortune 500 companies use the SAS software making it one of the most robust tools for data analysis. One can establish a career in SAS analytics by pursuing Base SAS certification.

Base SAS Certification

The SAS Base Programming certification is needed to obtain certification as a SAS Certified Base Programmer. This exam is also a requirement for the advanced programming certification track. This certification qualifies you to inquire databases and perform analysis, incorporating importing and exporting raw data files, manipulating data, combining SAS data sets and creating reports.

Note that, for the base exam, 25 subtopics are given within these five categories:

• Accessing Data

• Handling Errors

• Creating Data Structures

• Managing Data

• Generating Reports

This certification is a good track to start with SAS. Also, the Base certification is the only certification in SAS which is recognized globally.

Eligibility Required to Pursue Base SAS Certification

SAS certification require no formal education in analytics. Any graduate can undergo this course irrespective of age. However, a minimum of one year of experience in analytics is a must if you’re enduring this certification. While there is no specific educational background required, a degree of proficiency in utilizing SAS Proc SQL, SAS Macro, Unix, Linux, and other SAS programs, familiarity with various web application tools and Windows programs, excellent problem-solving and analytical skills and advanced mathematical abilities, can ease the path to certification.

Benefits of Earning Base SAS Certification

1. Develop your skills and proficiency by going through the method of preparing for a SAS certification exam. Even long-time SAS users will avail from experience.

2. SAS certification facilitates industry validation of your SAS experiences and skills, which in turn benefits you bag rewarding career opportunities in the field of analytics.

3. This certification proffers your credibility with your organization as a technical professional committed to personal growth.

4. Job prospects for SAS professionals improve phenomenally with the certification. This leads to increased marketability if you are looking for a job.

5. Newcomers can get splendid pay scales, and working professionals can get guaranteed career growth through the SAS certification.

6. Since the complete structure of the certification is designed keeping in mind industry application, SAS certifications are job-role focused and offer immediate relevancy to real-world requirements.

7. The growing awareness about the importance of data analysis in the industry has generated considerable demand for capable SAS certified professionals in the job market.

8. Base SAS certified individuals, or for that matter, any SAS certified individuals are listed in the Directory of SAS Certified Professionals which can be reached by employers to confirm your certification.

9. Learning SAS will not make you abandon the previous data formats known by you such as Oracle and DB2.

10. Learning SAS will not make you abandon the previous data formats known by you such as Oracle and DB2.

A quick search for SAS programmer on the prime job posting sites will return hundreds of job positions across the United States, with most starting salaries in the range of $80,329 to USD 100,368. More specialized certifications, notably those including statistics and modeling, can drive the annual salary package to over $151,551. According to a PayScale survey, Base SAS certification can promote you work as a SAS programmer, data analyst, business analyst and analytics manager.

Getting a professional certification in the SAS domain is certainly a smart choice. You may begin with the base training and then continue to do the Advanced SAS Certification to climb up your career ladder.