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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Snowflake
Exam Format
115 min
65
750
Advanced
Registration
$375 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
English, Japanese (DEA-C01 only after March 31, 2025)
Validity
2 years
Pass the current version recertification exam (DEA-R02); Pass a higher-level Snowflake certification exam
SNOWPRO-ADVANCED-DATA-ENGINEER Exam Topics and Domains
SNOWPRO-ADVANCED-DATA-ENGINEER is organized into 5 weighted domains. Expect to work with COPY_HISTORY, CREATE FUNCTION, CREATE MATERIALIZED VIEW, CREATE PROCEDURE, and more.
1
Data Movement
27.5%
Data Loading into Snowflake
Data Loading ConsiderationsData Loading Features
- Given a data set, load data into Snowflake
- Outline considerations for data loading
- Define data loading features and potential impact
Data Ingestion Mechanics
Data Format HandlingStage Management
- Ingest data of various formats through the mechanics of Snowflake
- Understand required data formats
- Outline and configure stages
Data Ingestion Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Resolution
- Troubleshoot data ingestion issues
- Analyze load history and errors
- Optimize ingestion performance
Continuous Data Pipelines
SnowpipeStreams and TasksPipeline Design
- Design, build and troubleshoot continuous data pipelines
- Design pipelines that force uniqueness
- Configure Snowpipe auto-ingest vs REST API
- Implement Streams and Tasks effectively
Advanced Pipeline Technologies
Snowpark ArchitectureUDFs and Stored ProceduresSnowflake SQL API
- Analyze and differentiate types of data pipelines
- Understand Snowpark architecture
- Create and deploy UDFs and Stored Procedures
- Design and use the Snowflake SQL API
Connectors and Drivers
Connector Configuration
- Install, configure, and use connectors to connect to Snowflake
- Optimize connector performance
- Troubleshoot connectivity issues
Data Sharing Solutions
Secure Data SharingData Marketplace
- Design and build data sharing solutions
- Implement secure views
- Configure row-level filtering
- Set up data marketplace listings
External Tables
External Table DesignMaterialized Views on External Tables
- Outline when to use External Tables
- Configure partitioned external tables
- Implement materialized views
- Optimize partitioned data unloading
2
Performance Optimization
22.5%
Query Performance Troubleshooting
Identifying Performance IssuesPerformance Telemetry
- Troubleshoot underperforming queries
- Identify query bottlenecks
- Analyze telemetry data
- Increase query efficiency
Performance Configuration
Warehouse OptimizationTable OptimizationMaterialized Views
- Configure solutions for best performance
- Choose between scale out vs scale up
- Implement clustering strategies
- Design materialized views effectively
Caching Strategies
Cache Types
- Outline and use caching features
- Optimize cache utilization
- Monitor cache effectiveness
Pipeline Monitoring
Continuous Pipeline Monitoring
- Monitor continuous data pipelines
- Analyze pipeline performance
- Optimize resource usage
3
Storage and Data Protection
12.5%
Data Recovery Features
Time TravelFail-safe
- Implement data recovery features
- Configure Time Travel
- Understand Fail-safe protection
Streams and Time Travel
Stream Behavior
- Outline impact of Streams on Time Travel
- Manage stream lifecycle
- Optimize data retention
Micro-partition Analysis
Clustering Analysis
- Use system functions to analyze micro-partitions
- Evaluate clustering effectiveness
- Make reclustering decisions
Development Environment Management
Cloning and Time Travel
- Use Time Travel and Cloning for development
- Create backup strategies
- Test changes safely
- Implement rollback procedures
4
Security
12.5%
Security Principles
Authentication MethodsAccess Control
- Outline Snowflake security principles
- Configure authentication methods
- Implement RBAC effectively
System-Defined Roles
Role Responsibilities
- Understand system-defined roles
- Apply roles appropriately
- Differentiate between SECURITYADMIN and USERADMIN
Data Governance
Column-Level SecurityRow-Level SecurityObject Tagging
- Manage data governance
- Implement Dynamic Data Masking
- Configure Row Access Policies
- Use object tagging effectively
5
Data Transformation
27.5%
User-Defined Functions (UDFs)
UDF Types and LanguagesUDF Return Types
- Define and create UDFs
- Choose appropriate UDF types
- Optimize UDF performance
External Functions
External Function Architecture
- Define and create External Functions
- Configure secure external functions
- Integrate with cloud services
Stored Procedures
Procedure DesignTransaction Management
- Design and build stored procedures
- Implement transaction management
- Handle errors effectively
Semi-Structured Data Handling
Data TransformationFormat Conversion
- Handle and transform semi-structured data
- Convert between data formats
- Optimize JSON processing
Snowpark Data Transformation
DataFrame OperationsAdvanced Snowpark Features
- Use Snowpark for data transformation
- Perform complex aggregations
- Join and filter DataFrames effectively
How do I earn this certification?
Passing SNOWPRO-ADVANCED-DATA-ENGINEER earns the SnowPro Advanced Data Engineer certification. It sits in the Data Engineering track.
Current Level Exams
- ARA-C02 - SnowPro Advanced: Architect
- ADA-C01 - SnowPro Advanced: Administrator
- DSA-C02 - SnowPro Advanced: Data Scientist
- DAA-C01 - SnowPro Advanced: Data Analyst
Next Level Options
Multiple Advanced - Snowflake Multi-Domain Expert
Alternative Paths
- ARA-C02 - SnowPro Advanced: Architect Complementary skills for solution design
- ADA-C01 - SnowPro Advanced: Administrator Platform management and optimization skills
- DSA-C02 - SnowPro Advanced: Data Scientist Machine learning and advanced analytics
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for SNOWPRO-ADVANCED-DATA-ENGINEER.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-02-18
- Announcement date: 2024-12-15
Updates
- Snowpark 1.11.0 PyPI support is exam-relevant for DEA-C02 • Release date: 2025-01-15
- Snowpipe Streaming GA Streaming architecture questions likely in DEA-C02 • Release date: 2024-12-01
- Dynamic Tables GA New materialization option for data pipelines • Release date: 2024-11-01
- Iceberg Tables Public Preview May appear in future exam updates • Release date: 2024-10-15
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Data Engineers and ETL/ELT Developers.
Active SnowPro Core Certification
- 2+ years hands-on experience as a Data Engineer in production environment
- Working knowledge of RESTful APIs
- Experience with SQL and semi-structured datasets
- Familiarity with cloud-native concepts
- Programming experience (Python, Java, or JavaScript)