Who should take this exam?

Developers with a minimum of three months of experience working with datasets and LookML as well as familiarity with SQL and BI tools.

Recommended Looker knowledge:

• Maintain and debug LookML code
• Build user-friendly Explores
• Design robust models
• Define caching policies
• Understand various datasets and associated schemas

Recommended Looker tools:

• Looker IDE
• Text editor
• Looker’s SQL Runner
• Content Validator
• LookML Validator
• Version control

Exam details:

• Registration fee: $250
• Number of questions: 65 multiple choice or multiple response questions*
• Exam duration: 100 minutes
• Score needed to pass: 750 (scale of 100-1000)
• References: no hard-copy or online reference materials are allowed during the exam
• Prerequisite: none required (course attendance highly recommended. For more details on courses, please see the recommended training and documentation section).

* There will be additional unscored questions included on each Looker exam. These questions gather exam data for future use. These questions will not impact your score, and additional time is factored in to account for this content.

Recommended training and documentation

Looker training and documentation

• Online: Getting started with LookML
• Webinars: LookML Foundations webinar
• Classroom: Looker Developer Bootcamp

Get ready for development

• How a project works in Looker
• Development Mode and Production Mode
• LookML project files
• Understanding model and view files
• Working with folders in the IDE
• How Looker generates SQL
• SQL Runner basics
• Configuring project version control settings
• Using version control and deploying

Write LookML

• What is LookML?
• LookML terms and concepts
• Editing and validating LookML
• Content Validation
• Incorporating SQL and referring to LookML objects
• Additional LookML basics
• Working with joins in LookML
• Using derived tables
• Caching queries and rebuilding PDTs with datagroups
• LookML quick reference

What does the Looker LookML Developer Certification exam cover?

Section 1: Model management — 39%

1.1 Troubleshoot errors in existing data models. For example:

• Determine error sources.
• Apply procedural concepts to resolve errors.

1.2 Apply procedural concepts to implement data security requirements. For example:

• Implement permissions for users.
• Decide which Looker features to use to implement data security (e.g., access filters, field-level access controls, row-level access controls).

1.3 Analyze data models and business requirements to create LookML objects. For example:

• Determine which views and tables to use.
• Determine how to join views into Explores.
• Build project-based needs (e.g., data sources, replication, mock reports provided by clients).

1.4 Maintain the health of LookML projects in a given scenario. For example:

• Ensure existing contents are working (e.g., use Content Validator, audit, search for errors).
• Resolve errors.

Section 2: Customization — 30%

2.1 Design new LookML dimensions or measures with given requirements. For example:

• Translate business requirements (specific metrics) into the appropriate LookML structures (e.g., dimensions, measures, and derived tables).
• Modify existing project structure to account for new reporting needs.
• Construct SQL statements to use with new dimensions and measures.

2.2 Build Explores for users to answer business questions. For example:

• Analyze business requirements and determine LookML code implementation to meet requirements (e.g., models, views, join structures).
• Determine which additional features to use to refine data (e.g., sql_always_where, always_filter, only showing certain fields using hidden: fields:, etc.).

Section 3: Optimization — 18%

3.1 Apply procedural concepts to optimize queries and reports for performance. For example:

• Determine which solution to use based on performance implications (e.g., Explores, merged results, derived tables).
• Apply procedural concepts to evaluate the performance of queries and reports.
• Determine which methodology to use based on the query and reports performance sources (e.g., A/B testing, SQL principles).

3.2 Apply procedural concepts to implement persistent derived tables and caching policies based on requirements. For example:

• Determine appropriate caching settings based on data warehouse’s update frequency (e.g., hourly, weekly, based on ETL completion).
• Determine when to use persistent derived tables based on runtime and complexity of Explore queries, and on users’ needs.
• Determine appropriate solutions for improving data availability (e.g., caching query data, persisting tables, combination solutions).

Section 4: Quality — 13%

4.1 Implement version control based on given requirements. For example:

• Determine appropriate setup for Git branches (e.g., shared branches, pull from remote production).
• Reconcile merge conflicts with other developer branches (e.g., manage multiple users).
• Validate the pull request process.

4.2 Assess code quality. For example:

• Resolve validation errors and warnings.
• Utilize features to increase usability (e.g., descriptions, labels, group labels).
• Use appropriate coding for project files (e.g., one view per file).

4.3 Utilize SQL Runner for data validation in a given scenario. For example:

• Determine why specific queries return results by looking at the generated SQL in SQL Runner.
• Resolve inconsistencies found in the system or analysis (e.g., different results than expected, non-unique primary keys).
• Optimize SQLs for cost or efficiency based on business requirements.

Who should take this exam?

Data explorers with a suggested minimum of five months of experience using Looker daily to create and curate content, as well as prior experience with data visualization and building reports.

Recommended Looker knowledge:

• Using visualizations to represent data
• Scheduling and sharing Looks and dashboards
• Table calculations
• Looker expressions
• Custom and advanced filters
• Impacts of pivoting
• Best practices around designing dashboards
• Fundamentals of caching

Recommended tools:

• Reporting tools

Exam Details:

• Registration fee: $250
• Number of questions: 60 multiple choice or multiple response questions^*
• Exam duration: 100 minutes
• Score needed to pass: 750 (scale of 100-1000)
• References: no hard-copy or online reference materials are allowed during the exam
• Prerequisite: none required (course attendance highly recommended. For more details on courses, please see the recommended training and documentation section).

^* There will be additional unscored questions included on each Looker exam. These questions gather exam data for future use. These questions will not impact your score, and additional time is factored in to account for this content.

Recommended training and documentation

Looker training

• Online: Getting started with Looker, Building reports in Looker
• Webinar: Data Explorer webinar
• Classroom: Data Explorer Bootcamp

Documentation

• Find and organize content
  • Finding content in Looker
  • Organizing and managing access to content
  • Presenting content with boards
• Send and share content
  • Sharing data
• Retrieve and chart data
  • Exploring data in Looker
  • Filtering and limiting data
  • Using table calculations
  • Adding custom fields
  • Creating visualizations and graphs
• Create dashboards and reports
  • Saving and editing Looks
  • Creating user-defined dashboards
  • Editing user-defined dashboards
  • Adding filters to user-defined dashboards

What does the Looker Business Analyst Certification exam cover?

Section 1: Analyze — 38%

1.1 Use Looker Explores to query data and create actionable metrics in a given scenario. For example:

• Utilize requirements and create queries using fields (e.g., dimensions, measures, filters, pivots).
• Determine additional metrics needed and construct custom metrics using table calculations.
• Determine how to utilize filters (e.g., standard filters, matches advanced filters, and custom filters).
• Determine which fields to use merge results for joining across different Explores and data sources.

1.2 Use Looker to validate data accuracy in a given scenario. For example:

• Investigate data results to determine accuracy (e.g., using SQL, drilling, A/B testing, comparisons).
• Investigate discrepancies by viewing row-level data using Explores (e.g., review individual dimension values that make up the result of a measure).

1.3 Apply procedural concepts to identify error sources. For example:

• Utilize Looker's features to determine the cause of the error (e.g., read error message to get context).
• Interpret error message to identify the source (e.g., caused by the database, query, LookML code, permissions, visualizations).

Section 2: Build — 46%

2.1 Build dashboards to meet business requirements. For example:

• Construct dashboards to meet requirements (e.g., using dashboard filters, merged results).
• Apply procedural concepts to design impactful dashboards (e.g., storytelling, tile organization, use of text tiles, amount of data per dashboard).

2.2 Deliver reports for data consumers. For example:

• Determine appropriate report delivery methods (e.g., file format, destination, delivery cadence, recipients, scheduling, sending, downloading, test delivery).
• Determine appropriate download configurations (e.g., no option for unlimited downloads, table calculations, pivots, lack of permissions, database limitations).

2.3 Use visualization types to meet analysis requirements in a given scenario. For example:

• Select appropriate visualizations to illustrate data results (e.g., bar, line, scatter, column, pie).
• Determine which visualization settings to use (e.g., conditional formatting, subtotals, double axis, value label format using spreadsheet functions, grouping).

Section 3: Curate — 16%

3.1 Apply procedural concepts to curate content for intuitive navigation. For example:

• Determine appropriate setups for folders and boards (e.g., structures, subfolders, hierarchy).
• Apply naming conventions to identify folders, boards, or other content for users (e.g., clear titles, description fields, naming folders, content, and conventions).

3.2 Apply procedural concepts to control content access for security. For example:

• Utilize appropriate Explores based on audience to prevent data leak (e.g., restricting sensitive data to specific users).
• Assign folders and boards permissions to organize content based on user groups.

Take your exam in a Kryterion Testing Center

Kryterion has over 1100 testing locations worldwide. You can find all Kryterion (Webassessor) Testing Centers at locate Test Centers.

Register for a Looker Certification exam in Webassessor. During this process, you will select your desired exam, choose onsite delivery, and select a testing center, date, and time for your testing session. For best availability, you should complete your exam registration at least one week before you want to take the exam. For more instructions, review the testing center exam instructions (onsite proctoring).

Confirmation

You will receive an email confirming your scheduled testing date, time, and Kryterion Testing Center location along with a Test Taker Authorization Code. This code is required to launch your exam at the testing center.

Check-in at the testing center

You’ll need to present two forms of government-issued identification at a Kryterion Testing Center. Accepted forms of primary identification must include your name, photograph, and signature to authenticate your identity. Examples include:

• Government-issued driver’s license
• U.S. Department of State driver’s license
• National/state/country identification card
• Passport
• Passport card
• Military ID
• Alien registration card (e.g., green card, permanent resident visa, etc.)

Acceptable forms of secondary identification must include your name and signature. Examples include:

• Debit/ATM card
• Credit card
• School ID
• IDs mentioned under primary ID

You will also need to provide the Test Taker Authorization Code from your Webassessor confirmation email. The Kryterion Certified Proctor (KCP) will provide you with documentation about preparing for your test session while setting up your workstation in the testing room.

Personal items

DO NOT bring personal items with you to the testing center. Kryterion, Inc. Test Sponsors and Kryterion Testing Center locations are not responsible for lost or stolen items. You will be asked to place any personal items in a cabinet, locker, or compartment prior to entering the testing areas. Personal items include but are not limited to bags, purses, keys, wallets, hats, briefcases, books, cell phones, calculators, portable electronic devices, watches, and any weapons or firearms. Test Sponsor pre-approved testing aids will be permitted (provided you follow the special accommodations process).

Exam results

Your results are delivered immediately on-screen after submission and sent to you via email.

Reschedules and cancellations

You may reschedule or cancel your testing center registration without incurring an additional fee with at least 72 hours’ advance notice before the scheduled start time of your exam.

Please note: 72 hours is defined by hours prior to the scheduled exam start time, not three business days.

Reschedules and cancellations more than 72 hours before your exam start time can typically be completed free of charge through your test-taker account in Webassessor. If you reschedule or cancel within 72 hours of your scheduled exam start time, you will lose your exam fee.

To make changes to your scheduled exam, please log in to your Webassessor account and click the reschedule or cancellation button next to your scheduled exam.

Take your exam remotely

Learn about the requirements and process for completing an online proctored certification exam.

Registration

Register for a Looker Certification exam in Webassessor. During this process, you will select your desired exam, choose online proctored exam delivery, and select the date and time that is convenient for you. Oftentimes we have immediate availability.

You are strongly recommended to review all of the necessary requirements and the test-taking policies here: online proctoring — completing your exam remotely before scheduling an online proctored exam.

Preparing for your online proctored exam:

1. Verify requirements
2. Install Sentinel Secure™
3. Create your biometric profile
4. Launch your exam

Biometric authentication

After clicking on the launch button, Sentinel will load and then verify your biometrics. The authentication is similar to the enrollment.

For facial recognition: you will position yourself, just as you did for biometric enrollment, and click start. If the box turns red, please adjust yourself or your camera until the box turns green and goes to the next page.

For keystroke verification: you will need to type your name at the same rhythm you set your biometric enrollment keystrokes. Once you have matched the rhythm and your keystrokes are verified, you will move to the next screen.

Video camera preview page and camera position

Following the authentication of your biometrics, the video camera preview page will appear. Please use the video on the screen to adjust your camera position and verify your microphone is working. If the exam you're taking requires the use of an external webcam, you must position your camera such that the proctor can clearly see all required items, as listed in the What are the camera requirements? article. If your test sponsor has allowed test aids, please make sure they are in view of the camera before clicking I'm ready, begin the exam. They must also remain in view during the entire test session.

Note: If the camera position is poor, the microphone isn't working, or the wrong camera was selected, you will be paused during your exam to adjust these settings.

Required testing environment

• The room is well-lit, quiet, and free from distractions.
• The testing surface is clutter-free and contains only one computer, one monitor, one keyboard, and one mouse.
• No test aids are allowed in your testing area. Once the Sentinel loads, the allowed test aids will be shown as icons on the right side of the screen. These icons are not interactive tools; they simply identify allowed test aids.
• Lanyards, name badges, hats, watches, bracelets, and necklaces are not permitted to be worn during testing. Please remove all items from your neck and wrists.
• Interaction with another individual during your test session is not permitted.
• You may not use dual monitors.
• You cannot take a break for any reason. If you leave the workstation during the exam, we are obligated to inform your test sponsor.
• You may not lean out of the camera view during your test session. The proctor must be able to see you at all times.
• Cell phones are not permitted in the testing area.
• Reading the exam aloud is prohibited.
• You will be recorded during the entire exam experience.

Online proctoring support

Online proctoring support is available here.

Exam results

Your results are delivered immediately on-screen after submission and sent to you via email.

Reschedules and cancellations

You may reschedule or cancel your online proctored registration without incurring an additional fee with at least 24 hours’ advance notice before the scheduled start time of your exam.

Please note: 24 hours are hours prior to the scheduled exam start time, not one business day.

Reschedules and cancellations more than 24 hours before your exam start time can typically be completed free of charge through your test-taker account in Webassessor. If you reschedule or cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled exam start time, you may incur an additional fee.

To make changes to your scheduled exam, please log in to your Webassessor account and click the reschedule or cancellation button next to your scheduled exam or contact Looker Certification directly.