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Tableau Server Certified Associate Exam Guide

About the Tableau Server Certified Associate Exam and Program

The Tableau Server Certified Associate certification is designed for professionals who possess in-depth knowledge and practical skills in operating Tableau Server in a single-machine environment.

This certification serves as a mark of proficiency, confirming a solid foundation in Tableau for those who engage with various Tableau products, including Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server. It’s applicable to a wide range of professionals, from employees and partners to customers and independent contractors.

Entry to this certification program is open, with no prerequisites required. Upon passing the exam, candidates are recognized with the title of Tableau Server Certified Associate, a credential that remains valid for a period of two years.

Audience Description: Tableau Server Certified Associate

The ideal candidates for the Tableau Server Certified Associate exam are those who demonstrate a thorough understanding of Tableau Server’s functionalities within a single-machine environment. These individuals are typically seasoned with at least six months of practical experience, applying their knowledge directly in the product.

This experience is crucial for developing a deep and practical understanding of Tableau Server’s capabilities and best practices in a real-world context.

Purpose of this Exam Guide

This guide is meticulously crafted to assist you in assessing your readiness for the Tableau Server Certified Associate exam. It serves as a comprehensive resource, offering insights into the ideal candidate profile for the exam, recommended training paths, and essential documentation. Furthermore, it presents a detailed enumeration of the exam objectives.

To enhance your preparedness and likelihood of success in the exam, we strongly advocate for a multifaceted approach that includes gaining practical, on-the-job experience, participating in relevant training courses, and dedicating time to self-study. This combination ensures a well-rounded and thorough understanding of the concepts and skills tested in the exam.

Exam Overview

Key Details:

  • Number of Questions: 55, including both multiple-choice and multiple-select formats.
  • Product Version: The exam is based on Tableau version 2022.3.
  • Time Limit: 90 minutes in total, with 3 minutes allocated for reviewing the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
  • Languages: Available in English and Japanese.
  • Passing Score: A score of 750 is required to pass.
  • Results: Candidates will receive their results via email within 48 hours of completing the exam.


Administrative Information:

  • Prerequisites: None.
  • Registration Fee: USD $250, plus any applicable local taxes.
  • Reschedule Fee: USD $25, plus any applicable local taxes.
  • Delivery Options: The exam can be taken either onsite at a Pearson VUE testing center or through an online proctored environment.
  • Exam Check-in: Begins 30 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time.
  • Reference Material Policy: No hard-copy or online materials are permitted during the exam.

Exam Registration, Scheduling, and System Preparation

  1. Getting Started:

    • Access your Tableau Certification Account (create one if you haven’t).
    • Select “Schedule My Exam”.
    • Opt for “Schedule or Manage my exam with Pearson”.

  2. On the Pearson Dashboard:

    • Choose the desired exam.
    • Follow the steps to schedule your exam.


System Preparation:

  • Pre-Exam Check: Ensure your computer, network, and environment are exam-ready.
  • System Test: Conduct a system test under the same conditions as your exam (time of day, internet usage, etc.).
  • Technical Requirements: Review them for detailed guidelines. Using larger monitors is advised for better visibility, especially for hands-on lab sections.


Check-in Process:

  • Identification: Present a valid, government-issued ID. It must be original (not a photocopy), match the name on your exam registration, and include a recent photo.
  • ID Requirements: Note that not complying with ID requirements will lead to exam session termination.

Exam Structure

Timeliness:

  • Efficiency and Effectiveness: The ability to complete tasks effectively and within time constraints is a crucial competency expected in today’s professional environment. This exam is structured to assess this skill, emphasizing the importance of timely task completion.


Access to Materials, Applications, or Internet:

  • Strict Restrictions: Throughout the duration of the exam, access to the internet or any external applications is strictly prohibited. This ensures the integrity of the exam and the candidate’s own knowledge and skills.


Commenting on Exam Items:

  • Feedback Mechanism: Candidates are permitted to comment on exam items.
  • Note on Responses: While direct responses to comments are not provided, the Certification Team carefully reviews all feedback. This input, along with statistical analysis of item performance, is considered for future exam updates and improvements.


Technical Issues:

  • Contacting the Proctor: In case of technical difficulties, immediately inform the proctor.
  • Possible Actions: The proctor may suggest or execute a restart of the exam; multiple restarts may be necessary.
  • Escalation Steps:
    • If issues persist and impact your ability to complete the exam effectively, request the proctor to halt the exam and log a case with Pearson VUE.
    • Subsequently, contact the Tableau Certification Team via Trailhead Help for further assistance.

Results and Scoring

Results:

  • Notification: You’ll receive an email within 48 hours post-exam when your score report is ready.
  • Accessing Score Report:
    1. Log into your certification account.
    2. Click on “Schedule My Exam/Schedule or Manage my exam with Pearson”, then select “GO TO PEARSON”.
    3. In your Pearson VUE account, choose “my Exam History” or “View Exam Results” to download the score report.


Scaled Scoring:

  • Concept: Scaled scoring converts raw scores to a consistent scale across different exam versions, akin to converting pounds to kilograms.
  • Range: Tableau exam scores range from 100 to 1000, indicating overall performance and pass/fail status.
  • Purpose: This method equates scores across various exam forms with slightly different difficulty levels.


Score Reports for Failed Attempts:

  • Content: Provides a performance breakdown by exam section.
  • Use: Offers general feedback on strengths and weaknesses. It’s advised to use this feedback cautiously and combine it with other remediation methods before retaking the exam.


Scoring Insight:

  • Method: Your final score is based on the number of correct answers and completed tasks.
  • No Partial Credit: Unanswered questions or incomplete tasks earn no credit. For multi-part questions, all parts must be correct for credit.
  • Lab Tasks: There may be several correct ways to complete a task; you’re graded on meeting all the requirements in your final response.


Unscored Content:

  • Purpose: Some items on the exam are unscored and used to gather data for future exams.
  • Impact: These items are indistinguishable during the exam and do not affect your score.

Recommended Training and References

To enhance your preparedness for the Tableau Certified Data Analyst exam, we advocate a blended approach that includes:

  1. Hands-On Experience: Engage in practical, real-world use of Tableau tools. This experience is invaluable for understanding the nuances of the software and its application in various scenarios.

  2. Self-Study: Dedicate time to studying the topics outlined in the Exam Outline section of this guide. Self-study allows you to deepen your understanding at your own pace and focus on areas where you need more practice. 

    In addition to the above, familiarity with the following Tableau training materials and resources is highly recommended:

ForceDigest: Tableau Server Certified Practice Exam –  Tableau Server Certified Exam Guide

Instructor-Led Courses: Desktop I: Fundamentals Server Administration

Exam Outline

Domain 1: Preparation
20%
Domain 2: Installation and Configuration
26%
Domain 3: Administration
36%
Domain 4: Trouble Shooting
12%
Domain 5: Migration
6%
TOTAL
100%

Domain 1: Connecting to and Preparing Data


1.1 User Experience 

  • 1.1.1 User Interface 
  • 1.1.2 Navigation


1.2 Topology 

  • 1.2.1 Identify client components 
  • 1.2.2 Identify server components 
  • 1.2.3 Describe how they work together


1.3 Versions 

  • 1.3.1 Understand:
    • 1.3.1.1 How to identify the current version of Tableau Server 
    • 1.3.1.2 Where to obtain the latest release of Tableau Server 
    • 1.3.1.3 Where to access release notes of Tableau Server


1.4 Minimum Hardware Requirements 

  • 1.4.1 Understand:
    • 1.4.1.1 RAM requirements 
    • 1.4.1.2 CPU requirements 
    • 1.4.1.3 Hard disk requirements


1.5 Software Requirements 

  • 1.5.1 List the supporting Operating Systems 
  • 1.5.2 Understand:
    • 1.5.2.1 Browser requirements 
    • 1.5.2.2 Options for email alerts 
    • 1.5.2.3 Anti-virus concerns 
    • 1.5.3 Identify the SMTP Server 
    • 1.5.4 Be familiar with potential port issues 
    • 1.5.5 Explain the purpose and benefits of a dedicated server 
    • 1.5.6 Identify the considerations for running in the cloud


1.6 Licensing 

  • 1.6.1 Understand user-based licensing 
  • 1.6.1.1 Describe the different license types 
  • 1.6.1.2 Describe how license types map to site roles


1.7 Server Processes 

  • 1.7.1 Describe each Tableau Services Manager and Tableau Server process 
  • 1.7.2 Understand:
    • 1.7.2.1 Default process count at installation 
    • 1.7.2.2 Multiple-instance processes 
    • 1.7.2.3 Process-to-process workflows 
    • 1.7.2.4 Processes in distributed and high-availability environments 
    • 1.7.2.5 Purpose of a load balancer


1.8 Data Source Identification

  • 1.8.1 Identify the ports required 
  • 1.8.2 Identify the necessary database drivers 
  • 1.8.3 Understand the differences between:
    • 1.8.3.1 File vs. Relational vs. Cube 
    • 1.8.3.2 Extract vs. Live Connections 
  • 1.8.4 Explain the benefits of published data sources


1.9 Infrastructure Network 

  • 1.9.1 Understand network latency implications 
  • 1.9.2 Explain the risks of Dynamic-IP addressing


Domain 2: Installation and Configuration


2.1 Installation 

  • 2.1.1 Understand installation steps and options
    • 2.1.1.1 Install Path 
    • 2.1.1.2 Gateway port 
  • 2.1.2 Understand Identity Store and SSO options:
    • 2.1.2.1 External (Active Directory) vs. local 
    • 2.1.2.2 Trusted Tickets 
    • 2.1.2.3 SAML 
    • 2.1.2.4 Kerberos and OpenID Connect 
  • 2.1.3 Describe the impact of the automatic-login options 
  • 2.1.4 Understand how to set up SSL 
  • 2.1.5 Understand Tableau best practices for installing a single-machine environment 
  • 2.1.6 Understand silent installs


2.2 Tableau Server Configuration 

  • 2.2.1 Understand cache settings 
  • 2.2.2 Understand how to:
    • 2.2.2.1 Apply process distribution 
    • 2.2.2.2 Configure Email alerts / subscriptions 
    • 2.2.2.3 Configure optional customizations 
  • 2.2.3 Describe:
    • 2.2.3.1 Site configuration options 
    • 2.2.3.2 User quotas 2.2.3.3 Storage quotas 
    • 2.2.3.4 How to enable and edit site subscriptions 
    • 2.2.3.5 Project configuration options 
    • 2.2.3.6 Group and User Configuration options 
  • 2.2.4 Understand who can add users


2.3 Adding Users 

  • 2.3.1 License type and site role 
  • 2.3.2 Admin level 
  • 2.3.3 Publisher level 
  • 2.3.4 Importing via Active Directory or Local


2.4 Security 

  • 2.4.1 Describe the security configuration for:
    • 2.4.1.1 Site level 
    • 2.4.1.2 Project level 
    • 2.4.1.3 Group level 
    • 2.4.1.4 User level 
    • 2.4.1.5 Data source level 
    • 2.4.1.6 Workbook level


2.5 Permissions 

  • 2.5.1 Understand:
    • 2.5.1.1 System permission composition 
    • 2.5.1.2 The ramifications of permission design 
    • 2.5.1.3 The Tableau Security Model 
    • 2.5.2 Describe the differences between Allow v. Deny v. None



Domain 3: Administration


3.1 Understand how to: 

  • 3.1.1 Maintain data connections 
  • 3.1.2 Create schedules 
  • 3.1.3 Create, edit and delete subscriptions 
  • 3.1.4 Perform Server analysis 
  • 3.1.5 Complete a backup and restore 
  • 3.1.6 Perform cleanup 
  • 3.1.7 Add, remove, or deactivate users 
  • 3.1.8 Update licenses 
  • 3.1.9 Start, stop or restart 
  • 3.1.10 Utilize tsm and tabcmd 
  • 3.1.11 Use REST API 
  • 3.1.12 Work with Log Files 
  • 3.1.13 Understand Embedding 
  • 3.1.14 Monitor Desktop license usage 
  • 3.1.15 Manage workbook and data source revision history


3.2 Describe how to: 

  • 3.2.1 View server status in multiple ways 
  • 3.2.2 View email alerts 
  • 3.2.3 Set data-driven alerts 
  • 3.2.4 Use built-in administrative views 
  • 3.2.5 Create custom admin views 
  • 3.2.6 Create a performance recording 
  • 3.2.7 Create a nested project 
  • 3.2.8 Work with Sites and Site Admin options

3.3 Contrast end-user with System-administrator capabilities 

3.4 End-user Abilities 

3.5 Understand: 

  • 3.5.1 Table recommendations 
  • 3.5.2 Publishing views and data sources 
  • 3.5.3 Renaming a workbook 
  • 3.5.4 Interacting with a view via the Web 
  • 3.5.5 Web authoring & editing 
  • 3.5.6 How to share views 
  • 3.5.7 Data Source Certification 
  • 3.5.8 Extract caching


Domain 4: Troubleshooting


4.1 Understand requirements of third party cookies in a browser

4.2 Understand how to: 

  • 4.2.1 Reset passwords for a Tableau user or Tableau Run-As Service account 
  • 4.2.2 Package log files for reporting 
  • 4.2.3 Use tsm to validate site resources 
  • 4.2.4 Rebuild the search index 
  • 4.2.5 Use maintenance analysis reports 
  • 4.2.6 Create/open support requests

Domain 5: Migration & Upgrade

5.1 Understand the upgrade process 

5.2 Explain how and why to perform a clean reinstall 

5.3 Describe how to migrate to different hardware 

5.4 Understand backwards compatibility

Maintaining Your Certification

To keep your Tableau Server Certified Associate credential active and current, it’s essential to retake and successfully pass the corresponding exam periodically. Here are the key points to consider for maintaining your certification:

  1. Re-examination Requirement: To preserve your active certification status, you must pass the relevant exam again before your current certification expires.

  2. Consequences of Certification Expiry:

    • Loss of Benefits: If your certification expires, you’ll lose access to certain benefits that are exclusive to active title holders.
    • No Discount Eligibility: You will not be eligible for discounts on future exam purchases that are often available to those with active certifications.
    • Status of Digital Badges: While your digital badges will still be accessible in your profile, they will be marked as expired, indicating that your certification is no longer current.

Regularly renewing your certification ensures that your skills and knowledge stay up-to-date with the latest developments in Tableau Server, and it reflects your ongoing commitment to professional excellence in the field of data analytics and server management.

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