Preppin' for the Alteryx Designer Core Exam: Part 2

Here is where I will get to the main things that can help you pass the exam. I will suggest some strategies that you can utilize to better prepare and take the exam along with additional resources to check out. I also urge others who are Core Certified to share their own experiences, as what was effective for me may not be the same for everyone else. I added other articles that I found helpful along with the resources so you can get more than one perspective.

So, let's get started with Strategy!

Strategy

  1. Don't Stress About It
    While this is a certification exam that you can pass or fail, it really is just a more in-dept attempt to answer the question "Have you actually used Alteryx before?" Most of the questions can be categorized into facts about using the Alteryx Designer program, and procedural knowledge about how it works. There is not much in the way of learning or breaking down concepts. It's more so recognizing the "what" and "how" in regards with using Alteryx Designer's interface, not necessarily the "why". In light of that, taking very detailed notes on tools and Alteryx's UI may not necessarily be an efficient way to study for this exam. With Alteryx Designer open, you can use the Global Search and Ctrl + F very easily to answer many exam questions.

  2. Follow the Prep Guide
    One of the most important documents for this exam is the  Core Certification Exam Prep Guide. This guide provides information on the basic format and expectations of the exam you will take and also a breakdown of questions . The guide can change at any time to reflect changes in the exam, so make sure to refer to this around the time you take your exam. Quick note: one major piece of information the Exam Guide gives you is which version of Alteryx Designer the exam is based off of. Be on the lookout for this.
  3. Create an Alteryx Community Profile
    This is a big one because, being a part of the Alteryx Community is necessary for you to take your exam and receive your certifications. If you are in The Data School or a similar program, it is recommended to use a personal email address so you can retain that account with certification afterwards.

    Also, it is a great portal to plenty of exam resources -such as interactive lessons, so you can prepare and challenge yourself in preparation for you exam. Another of those great resources are the Weekly Challenges. If you have not already become familiar with these, the Weekly Challenges are a major part of the community and will likely be an incredible source of growth in your Alteryx journey. Here are some recommended weekly challenges:

    Challenge #1: Join to Range 
    Challenge #2 - Preparing Delimited Data
    Challenge #9: Analytics Ranking
    Challenge #16: Parsing Out the New-line Character 
    Challenge #35 - Data Cleansing Practice
    Challenge #38 - Data Blending for Batch Output 
    Challenge #49 - Reformatting Transactional Data
    Challenge #58 - An Odd String to Date Conversion
    Challenge #63: Data Preparation Using Pivot Tools
    Challenge #68 - Elapsed Classroom Times
    Challenge #71: Recreate SQL Joins in Alteryx
    Challenge #88 - Counting Combinations
    Challenge #164 - Retail Therapy
    Challenge #169 - Women’s World Cup Wins 
    Challenge #189 - Billboard Top 100
    Challenge #193 - Unofficial Holidays
    Challenge #206: Hotel Reservations
    Challenge #222 - Where There’s a Whale There’s a Way 
    Challenge #259: Disenvowel 
  4. Micro Credentials
    The Alteryx Foundation Micro-Credential exam is just a mini version of the core exam. Not much difference so it is a good preparation step for the Core exam. There are also 4 other Micro-Credential exams that actually prepare you for the core one. If you pass all 4 tests (find in the screenshot below), then you would automatically get the core certification and vice versa. However, since the actual core exam is currently free, it may be better to just take the exam if you feel that you need that kind of practice - especially if you are in The Data School training program. They can still be useful to help with any nervousness about taking the main exam.
  5. Make a game plan on how you will approach questions
    As you approach the exam, a crucial step is to figure out the time you will want to spend on each question. This is because the exam is structured in a way that certain questions carry more weight and should be allotted additional time. Planning your time is important as it helps you stay on track and prioritize your tasks. One of the advantages of having a well-thought-out plan is the flexibility to adapt when things don't go as expected.
    Note: Even though I mentioned you have a lot of time, you do not have a lot of time to recreate every question's scenario.
  6. Speaking of Questions, Read Carefully
    As I am sure we have all hear many times, read (and even re-read if needed) the question properly to make sure you understand the question. There are questions in the exam that tests you on knowing (or knowing how to find out about) minor details. Be ready for them.

    Additionally, it’s crucial to break down the questions and consider each logical step individually, particularly when dealing with practical questions. Once you receive a question, carefully examine the structure of the data and ensure that you thoroughly understand the question itself. Then, proceed to break down the steps you believe are necessary to solve the problem. Begin by reducing the data to only what is relevant and verifying the data types, as this will significantly simplify the task. Even the simplest things like these can catch us off guard, so your performance can benefit from approaching the questions step by step.
  7. Since you're reading questions carefully, might as well answer all of them
    Many questions have partial credit, so it is a good idea to prepare to answer all of them to maximize your chances.
  8. Have All Materials Ready, Including Google and Alteryx (text input)
    With the internet at you fingertips in this open book exam, make it so that your fingers can reach it even easier by having them open and ready to use when needed. This goes for the Alteryx Designer programs especially since it can take some time to start up -time that can be better used answering the questions you studied for. In addition to your favorite browser and Alteryx Designer, I recommend having at least these open as well:

    Alteryx File Types
    Alteryx Data Types
    Designer Cheat Sheet

  9. Practice, Practice, Practice
    I'm sure you saw this coming, but I can’t stress enough that the best way to pass the exam is to become confident and you can only do this by familiarizing yourself with the tools. The best way to do that is with lots of practice.
  10. Common Test taking advice

Study Resources


Wrapping it all up

Keep in mind that the speed at which I prepared for the exam is not standard, and how quickly you pass the test greatly depends on the time you dedicate to mastering Designer. However, by following these steps and approaching the exam with a genuine determination to address any knowledge gaps, coupled with a dedication to thoroughly prepare materials, you will undoubtedly excel in the exam. Achieving that coveted Credly badge, which you can proudly display on your LinkedIn profile, will not only showcase your value to clients and potential employers but also serve as a personal testament to your own capabilities. So, go ahead and seize it with gusto!


Part 3 is up next, shining the spotlight on the backbone of your experience with Alteryx Designer: the Tools!

Author:
Marc-Anthony Tucker
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