Esri Certified ArcGIS Desktop Associates are adept at applying basic GIS and ArcGIS concepts and processes to workflows and are skilled at using ArcGIS for Desktop to visualize, manage, and analyze geospatial data.
This certification is targeted for ArcGIS 10.1 Desktop users with the equivalent of two or more years experience using ArcGIS.
Sample questions [PDF - 98 KB]
- Exam price: $225 USD
- Exam time limit: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Number of questions: 95
- Certification code: EADA101
- Exam type: Multiple choice, multiple select
- Published: October 2012
- Level of change: Minor
View information about this exam for ArcGIS 10.0.
A qualified candidate for the Esri ArcGIS Desktop Associate Certification is an ArcGIS user with the equivalent of two years broad experience using ArcGIS. This candidate is capable of making routine decisions and accomplishing defined tasks in ArcGIS for Desktop, but relies on others for guidance and direction in an enterprise environment. This candidate is able to remember, understand, and apply basic GIS and ArcGIS concepts and processes including ArcGIS platform awareness, geoprocessing and sharing in ArcGIS, coordinate system awareness, and managing, analyzing, editing, and visualizing data with ArcGIS for Desktop.
A qualified candidate should be able to:
- Construct a map using available datasets
- Select the datasets necessary to publish a map or perform a specific analysis
- Create new map datasets from analysis of existing datasets
- Perform basic data editing
- Select and perform spatial data analysis using standard tools
- Apply basic map visualization and cartography skills
- Use ArcGIS Explorer, ArcGIS Online, and desktop extensions
A qualified candidate should be familiar with tools such as:
- Basic tools throughout ArcGIS for Desktop
- ArcGIS Explorer
- ArcGIS Online
- Core ArcGIS for Desktop extensions
The following list of skills measured is provided to familiarize candidates with topics covered on the exam and to help guide exam preparation. We recommend candidates review this list and assess their knowledge of each skill. Specific preparation resources are available on the Training Resources tab to assist with refreshing in areas where any knowledge gaps are found.
Show/Hide All Skills
ArcGIS Awareness
- Identify the necessary ArcGIS products and/or resources to complete the task
- Compare and contrast the various types of datasets and data formats supported in ArcGIS
- Compare and contrast geographic coordinate systems and projected coordinate systems and determine the appropriate coordinate system to use for a given purpose or task
Coordinate System (Spatial Reference) Awareness
- Inspect the coordinate system of an ArcGIS layer, dataset, and data frame
- Explain how to specify a coordinate system in ArcGIS for Desktop when creating a new or editing an existing feature class or feature dataset
- Differentiate between changing a dataset’s assigned coordinate system and reprojecting the data
- Explain how data frames inherit coordinate systems in ArcGIS for Desktop
- Implement a transformation for a data frame in ArcGIS for Desktop
- Reproject data in ArcGIS for Desktop using project and export tools
- Troubleshoot feature misalignment issues
Managing Data in ArcGIS for Desktop
- Explain raster pyramids and the appropriate circumstances for their use
- Determine an appropriate name and location for a file geodatabase
- Determine appropriate batch geocoding specifications
- Determine appropriate specifications for creating a new geodatabase feature class, feature dataset, and feature table
- Explain the circumstances under which it is appropriate to create a new relate in ArcMap
- Determine appropriate specifications for creating a new spatial or non-spatial join
- Determine appropriate specifications for exporting spatial and non-spatial data
- Determine appropriate methods and specifications for updating layer data sources
- Identify layer properties that are potentially impacted by changing the data source
- Determine the appropriate loading process, tools, and environment for loading data into a feature class or table and validating the success of the data load
- Describe circumstances under which it is appropriate to perform georeferencing or spatial adjustments
- Evaluate whether results of georeferencing or spatial adjustment are acceptable
- Compare and contrast the different methods to document data in ArcGIS for Desktop
- Given a dataset and a task, assess the appropriateness of the dataset for the task
- Compare and contrast the different types of geodatabase domains
- Convert a table of field values to an appropriate domain or domains
- Determine the appropriate subtype and domains to create
- Define the appropriate parameters for a simple relationship class
Analyzing Data in ArcGIS Desktop
- Determine the appropriate analysis to answer a problem and if it provides the intended and necessary output
- Determine the necessary steps and tools to perform a proximity, overlay, temporal, or statistical analysis
- Determine the appropriate specifications for performing an attribute or spatial query
- Manipulate and format the view of attribute data to support a given task or use
- Calculate the value of a field using other field values
Editing Data in ArcGIS Desktop
- Determine how to update the geometry of simple features in ArcGIS for Desktop
- Determine specifications for updating feature attributes
- Explain the circumstances under which versioning should be used
- Explain the difference between reconcile and post operations
- Identify required components for a topological edit
- Explain the significance of topological relationships and the impact of edits on those relationships
- Determine specifications for creating a new simple feature
Visualizing Data in ArcGIS Desktop
- Determine layer specifications to configure the map’s Table of Contents
- Determine the appropriate specifications to complete visualization tasks
- Determine appropriate layer properties and settings for a map document
- Describe how to load data into ArcMap
- Determine the most efficient way to change the current view of the map to the desired view
- Determine appropriate graph or chart specifications
- Determine appropriate specifications for adding text to a map
- Given a task to create a layer symbol, determine the geometry type of the feature, where to create the symbol, and what should be specified in each layer of the symbol
- Given a task to set up a page layout, determine the legend content and settings, which layout elements to include, number of pages required, and appropriate reference scale
- Explain considerations for sharing MXDs between workstations
- Explain the circumstances under which it is appropriate to use data-driven pages
- Describe the components used to create a data-driven page
Geoprocessing in ArcGIS Desktop
- Determine the appropriate geoprocessing tool, parameters, and environment settings to accomplish a given task
- Determine the appropriate workflow to complete a given geoprocessing task
- Compare and contrast options for automating work in ArcGIS for Desktop
Sharing Content from ArcGIS Desktop
- Compare and contrast export formats available in ArcGIS for Desktop
- Explain the differences between exporting from Layout and Data view
- Describe how altering map layout settings can affect the output
- Describe how packages are generated and shared from ArcGIS for Desktop
- Determine how to optimize a map for publishing to ArcGIS for Server
- Determine the best option for sharing specified content
The following training resources are available to help you prepare for your exam, but are not required. Please utilize this list of preparation resources with the list of skills measured topics to identify appropriate training options for possible knowledge gaps found.
Please note that completing the recommended training courses does not guarantee you will achieve the requirements for a specific Certification exam.
Preparation Resources [PDF - 102 KB]
You may also search the ArcGIS Resource Center for additional materials.
