SAS Global Certification program

There are two methods to earn this credential. If you have not yet earned the SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 credential, take the full Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9 exam. Alternatively, candidates who currently hold the SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 credential may take the Accelerated Version of the exam (Please note that this shorter exam does not retest material covered on the base programming exam). To see the content for each exam, make a selection below:

Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9
Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9 – Accelerated Version

Required Exam

Candidates who earn this credential will have earned a passing score on the Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9 exam. This exam is administered by SAS and Pearson VUE.

• 99 multiple-choice and short-answer questions (must achieve score of 70% correct to pass)
• 3 hours to complete exam
• Use exam ID A00-280; required when registering with Pearson VUE.

Exam topics include:
The following exam objectives are subject to change during the development process and will be updated prior to exam registration.

• Clinical Trials Process
  • Describe the clinical research process (phases, key roles, key organizations).
  • Interpret a Statistical Analysis Plan.
  • Derive programming requirements from an SAP and an annotated Case Report Form.
  • Describe regulatory requirements (principles of 21 CFR Part 11, International Conference on Harmonization, Good Clinical Practices).
• Clinical Trials Data Structures
  • Identify the classes of clinical trials data (demographic, lab, baseline, concomitant medication, etc.).
  • Identify key CDISC principals and terms.
  • Describe the structure and purpose of the CDISC SDTM data model.
  • Describe the structure and purpose of the CDISC ADaM data model.
  • Describe the contents and purpose of define.xml.
• Import and Export Clinical Trials Data
  • Combine SAS data sets.
  • Efficiently import and subset SAS data sets.
  • Access data in an Excel workbook (LIBNAME and PROC IMPORT/EXPORT).
  • Create temporary and permanent SAS data sets.
  • Apply regulatory requirements to exported SAS data sets (SAS V5 requirements).
• Manage Clinical Trials Data
  • Investigate SAS data libraries using base SAS utility procedures (PRINT, CONTENTS, FREQ).
  • Access DICTIONARY Tables using the SQL procedure.
  • Sort observations in a SAS data set.
  • Create and modify variable attributes using options and statements in the DATA step.
  • Examine and explore clinical trials input data (find outliers, missing vs. zero values, etc).
• Transform Clinical Trials Data
  • Process data using DO LOOPS.
  • Process data using SAS arrays.
  • Retain variables across observations.
  • Use assignment statements in the DATA step.
  • Apply categorization and windowing techniques to clinical trials data.
  • Use SAS functions to convert character data to numeric and vice versa.
  • Use SAS functions to manipulate character data, numeric data, and SAS date values.
  • Transpose SAS data sets.
  • Apply 'observation carry forward' techniques to clinical trials data (LOCF, BOCF, WOCF).
  • Calculate 'change from baseline' results.
  • Obtain counts of events in clinical trials.
• Apply Statistical Procedures for Clinical Trials
  • Use SAS procedures to obtain descriptive statistics for clinical trials data (FREQ, UNIVARIATE, MEANS, SUMMARY).
  • Use PROC FREQ to obtain p-values for categorical data (2x2 and NxP test for association).
  • Use PROC TTEST to obtain p-values for continuous data (one-sample, paired and two-sample t-tests).
  • Create output data sets from statistical procedures.
• Macro Programming for Clinical Trials
  • Create and use user-defined and automatic macro variables.
  • Automate programs by defining and calling macros.
  • Use system options to debug macros and display values of macro variables in the SAS log (MPRINT, SYMBOLGEN, MLOGIC, MACROGEN).
• Report Clinical Trials Results
  • Use PROC REPORT to produce tables and listings for clinical trials reports.
  • Use ODS and global statements to produce and augment clinical trials reports.
• Validate Clinical Trial Data Reporting
  • Explain the principles of programming validation in the clinical trial industry.
  • Utilize the log file to validate clinical trial data reporting.
  • Use programming techniques to validate clinical trial data reporting (PROC COMPARE, MSGLEVEL).
  • Identify and Resolve data, syntax and logic errors.

Required Exam

Candidates who earn this credential will have earned a passing score on the Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9 exam. This exam is administered by SAS and Pearson VUE.

• 71 multiple-choice and short-answer questions (must achieve score of 70% correct to pass)
• 2 hours to complete exam
• Use exam ID A00-281; required when registering with Pearson VUE.
• Candidate must hold the SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 credential to take this exam. Otherwise, candidate should take the A00-280 exam.

Exam topics include:
The following exam objectives are subject to change during the development process and will be updated prior to exam registration.

• Clinical Trials Process
  • Describe the clinical research process (phases, key roles, key organizations).
  • Interpret a Statistical Analysis Plan.
  • Derive programming requirements from an SAP and an annotated Case Report Form.
  • Describe regulatory requirements (principles of 21 CFR Part 11, International Conference on Harmonization, Good Clinical Practices).
• Clinical Trials Data Structures
  • Identify the classes of clinical trials data (demographic, lab, baseline, concomitant medication, etc.).
  • Identify key CDISC principals and terms.
  • Describe the structure and purpose of the CDISC SDTM data model.
  • Describe the structure and purpose of the CDISC ADaM data model.
  • Describe the contents and purpose of define.xml.
• Import and Export Clinical Trials Data
  • Apply regulatory requirements to exported SAS data sets (SAS V5 requirements).
• Manage Clinical Trials Data
  • Access DICTIONARY Tables using the SQL procedure.
  • Examine and explore clinical trials input data (find outliers, missing vs. zero values, etc).
• Transform Clinical Trials Data
  • Apply categorization and windowing techniques to clinical trials data.
  • Transpose SAS data sets.
  • Apply 'observation carry forward' techniques to clinical trials data (LOCF, BOCF, WOCF).
  • Calculate 'change from baseline' results.
  • Obtain counts of events in clinical trials.
• Apply Statistical Procedures for Clinical Trials
  • Use SAS procedures to obtain descriptive statistics for clinical trials data (FREQ, UNIVARIATE, MEANS, SUMMARY).
  • Use PROC FREQ to obtain p-values for categorical data (2x2 and NxP test for association).
  • Use PROC TTEST to obtain p-values for continuous data (one-sample, paired and two-sample t-tests).
  • Create output data sets from statistical procedures.
• Macro Programming for Clinical Trials
  • Create and use user-defined and automatic macro variables.
  • Automate programs by defining and calling macros.
  • Use system options to debug macros and display values of macro variables in the SAS log (MPRINT, SYMBOLGEN, MLOGIC, MACROGEN).
• Report Clinical Trials Results
  • Use PROC REPORT to produce tables and listings for clinical trials reports.
  • Use ODS and global statements to produce and augment clinical trials reports.
• Validate Clinical Trial Data Reporting
  • Explain the principles of programming validation in the clinical trial industry.
  • Utilize the log file to validate clinical trial data reporting.
  • Use programming techniques to validate clinical trial data reporting (PROC COMPARE, MSGLEVEL).
  • Identify and Resolve data, syntax and logic errors.

The recommended preparation for the Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9 exam is compiled from multiple sources: SAS Training courses*, pharmaceutical industry publications, white papers and candidate experience. While no exam questions are drawn verbatim from the preparation sources, these materials provide a foundation from which to apply the knowledge and skill necessary for the exam.

The preparation materials listed below assume the candidate has little familiarity with SAS programming and the clinical trials industry. Depending on your level of experience, you may not require all preparation components. For example, a SAS Certified Base Programmer would not require the Programming 1 and 2 classes. Please review the exam objectives and then determine which materials will complete your preparation.

* This credential is related to clinical trials programming. If your work is more related to clinical data integration, please see the SAS Clinical Data Integration: Essentials course.

Courses

• SAS Programming 1: Essentials
• SAS Programming 2: Data Manipulation Techniques
• Statistics 1: Introduction to ANOVA, Regression, and Logistic Regression
• SAS Macro Language 1: Essentials
• SAS Report Writing 1: Using Procedures and ODS

Publications

• SAS Programming in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Jack Shostak
• Clinical Trials: A Practical Guide to Design, Analysis, and Reporting, Duolao Wang, Ameet Bakhai
• Introducing the CDISC Standards: New Efficiencies for Medical Research, Amanda J. de Montjoie
• Validating Clinical Trial Data Reporting with SAS, Carol Matthews & Brian Shilling

White Papers, Proceedings, Standards

• CDISC SDTM and ADaM Standards Documentation
• PharmaSUG 2008 Proceedings: SQL or not SQL When Performing Many-to-Many Merge (.pdf)
• SUGI 30 Paper: Exploring DICTIONARY Tables and Views (.pdf)

View the sample questions for this exam.

Preparation options may vary by country

Choose a country for specific training options.

Choose your location Argentina Australia/New Zealand Austria Belgium/Luxemborg Brazil Canada Chile China Colombia/Venenzuela/Peru Czech Republic Denmark France Finland Germany Hong Kong Hungary India Ireland Italy Japan Korea Malaysia Mexico Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Russia Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand Turkey United States UK

For more information

Contact the SAS Global Certification Program at certification@sas.com or 800-333-7660.

Registration Options:

• Online
  Visit www.pearsonvue.com/sas. Follow these easy steps once on the site:
  • Attention first-time users:
    You must create a new Web account within Pearson VUE before you can schedule a SAS exam. This can take up to two business days based on information provided to produce your username and password needed for exam registration.

  • Returning users:
    If you have previously taken a test with Pearson VUE and created a Web account, but do not remember your sign-in information, there are links within Pearson VUE to help obtain this information.

• Telephone
  To register by phone, visit www.pearsonvue.com/sas and select the 'Schedule By Phone'. Numbers for your location will be provided.

Testing Locations

Register with Pearson VUE as indicated above.

For SAS-sponsored US testing, visit SAS-sponsored Testing Events in the US.

Exam Pricing

Within North America and India, the fees associated with an exam offered through Pearson VUE is $180 USD.

Certification exam prices are subject to change. In some countries, different pricing and additional taxes may apply. Please visit www.pearsonvue.com/sas for exam pricing in your country.

Cancellation Policy

• To cancel or reschedule your test appointment, visit www.pearsonvue.com/sas and select 'Cancel a Test' or 'Reschedule a Test.' Tests must be canceled more than 24 hours before the scheduled exam appointment time. Canceling with less than 24 hours' notice will forfeit your exam fee.
• Customers who do not appear for a scheduled exam forfeit the full exam fee. If the exam fee was paid with a voucher, the voucher number will be invalidated and unavailable for future use.

Retake Policy

Candidates may attempt each certification exam up to five times in a 12-month period, waiting a minimum of 14 days between attempts. Exam charges are incurred for each exam attempt. Exams that do not comply with this retake policy will be considered invalid and will not be eligible for refund and/or a certification credential. Once a passing score is achieved on a specific exam, no further attempts are allowed on that exam.

Candidate Agreement

Candidates are encouraged to review the SAS Institute Inc. Global Certification Program Candidate Agreement prior to their exam day.

What to bring: Certification candidates are required to provide two forms of identification to the testing center, including one photo identification such as a driver's license or a valid passport. Both forms must display the candidate's signature.

Arriving at the test center: Candidates should plan to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled exam time. Candidates arriving more than 15 minutes late are not guaranteed exam availability or a refund.

Reference materials: To maintain the security of the test environment, candidates are not permitted to bring reference materials of any kind into the testing center.

Personal items: The only items allowed in the testing area are your identification. Please leave any backpacks, laptops, briefcases and other personal items at home. If you have personal items that cannot be left behind (such as purses), the testing center may have lockers available for use. No cameras, cell phones, audio players, or other electronic devices are allowed during exam sessions. Please refer to Pearson VUE Candidate Rules Agreement for more information.

All notes will be collected at the end of testing and no material may be removed from the testing event.

Score Report

You will receive an immediate pass/fail score upon completion of your exam attempt at your testing facility. The score report will display the percentage of items in each section that you answered correctly for your exam. Please note: These section scores are calculated on a per section basis and cannot be used in determining your total score. They are provided to you for descriptive purposes only.

Welcome E-mail and Certificate

If you pass your exam and meet all requirements for this credential, you will receive an e-mail from SAS with instructions providing access to your certificate and logo. This e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address you provided to Pearson VUE at exam registration. Some individual firewalls may send this e-mail to your junk folder. Please allow at least one week from your exam date to receive your e-mail.

Public Registry of Certified Professionals

A Public Registry of SAS Certified Professionals is maintained within the SAS Certification Records Management system. If you do not wish for your name to appear in the Public Registry of SAS Certified Professionals, you may choose to be excluded by updating your personal information in the SAS Certification Records Management system.