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Atlassian Jira Essentials Quick Facts
The Atlassian Jira Essentials Certification opens the door to mastering Jira from the ground up, helping you confidently navigate projects, workflows, and collaboration in any team. This overview brings together everything you need to know about the exam so you can approach your certification journey with clarity and enthusiasm.
What does the Atlassian Jira Essentials Certification validate?
The Atlassian Jira Essentials Certification confirms your ability to use Jira effectively for project tracking, task management, and team collaboration. This credential demonstrates that you can navigate Jira’s interface, apply agile principles with Scrum and Kanban boards, and manage issues across their entire lifecycle. It’s designed for users who want to build or validate a strong foundation in Jira, whether you’re a project manager, team member, or an aspiring Jira administrator looking to strengthen your understanding of essential concepts and tools.
Who Should Pursue the Atlassian Jira Essentials Certification?
The Atlassian Jira Essentials certification is perfect for professionals who want to validate their understanding of Jira’s core capabilities and agile collaboration features. It’s designed for both beginners in project management and team members already using Jira who wish to demonstrate their foundational expertise.
This credential is especially suited for:
- Software Developers and Engineers
- Scrum Masters and Agile Practitioners
- QA Analysts and Testers
- Documentation and Localization Specialists
- Project Coordinators and Team Leads
Whether you’re new to Jira or looking to confirm your skills, earning this certification highlights your ability to work productively in Jira’s agile workspaces and communicate effectively across teams.
What Job Roles Can Benefit from Jira Essentials Certification?
Obtaining your Jira Essentials certification can enhance your career in various collaborative and software-driven environments. Certified individuals often work in roles such as:
- Agile Project Assistant or Coordinator
- Junior Product Owner
- QA or Test Analyst
- Technical Writer or Documentation Specialist
- Software Development Team Member
Employers value professionals who can navigate Jira efficiently, manage work items, and contribute smoothly in agile teams using Scrum or Kanban methodologies.
What Is the Atlassian Jira Essentials Exam Code?
The official exam code for this certification is ACA-900. This designation identifies the Atlassian Certified Associate: Jira Essentials exam and ensures you’re preparing for the correct version when reviewing study materials or booking your exam.
How Much Does the Atlassian Jira Essentials Exam Cost?
The exam fee is $100 USD. Pricing remains the same whether the test is taken online or at an in-person testing center. Keep in mind that exchange rates or local taxes may apply in your country. Atlassian sometimes offers bundled learning options, so check your Atlassian Certification Portal for any available discounts or packages.
How Many Questions Are on the Exam?
The Jira Essentials certification exam includes up to 30 questions. These questions are a mix of multiple-choice and multi-select formats that assess your knowledge of Jira’s fundamental operations and agile principles. Each question is crafted to validate practical understanding, ensuring you can apply what you’ve learned in real-world projects.
How Long Do You Have to Complete the ACA-900 Exam?
You’ll have 60 minutes to complete the test. This time frame provides enough opportunity to review each question carefully while demonstrating your familiarity with Jira’s navigation and functionality. Most candidates finish comfortably within the allotted time.
What Is the Passing Score for the ACA-900 Jira Essentials Exam?
You need a minimum score of 68% to pass the Jira Essentials exam. Atlassian uses a straightforward scoring method, meaning your overall performance determines your certification status. Each question carries equal weight, so consistent accuracy across all sections is key to success.
What Language Is the Jira Essentials Certification Exam Offered In?
The exam is currently available in English. While Atlassian continues to expand its certification offerings, English remains the primary language for this exam. Studying using English documentation, community discussions, and official learning paths will best prepare you for success.
Are There Any Prerequisites for Taking the Jira Essentials Exam?
There are no formal prerequisites to sit for the Atlassian Jira Essentials certification. However, Atlassian recommends:
- Basic familiarity with agile project management concepts like Scrum and Kanban
- Hands-on experience creating or managing work items in Jira Software Cloud
- A willingness to explore Jira’s interface and features through trial or sandbox environments
These experiences will help you build confidence for exam day.
What Topics Should You Focus On While Preparing?
The Jira Essentials exam blueprint is divided into five key knowledge domains:
- Basic Concepts
- Jira Navigation
- Rovo Basics
- Issue Lifecycle, Workflow, and Boards
- Working with Work Items
These areas reflect Jira’s essential features, ensuring you can effectively manage and track work within any agile team.
What Types of Questions Appear on the Exam?
Expect mainly multiple-choice and multi-select questions. Each is designed to measure real-world comprehension of Jira rather than rote memorization. You may also see short scenario-based items that test your ability to resolve common Jira tasks or collaborate using boards and issues.
How Should You Prepare for the Atlassian Jira Essentials Certification?
Preparation works best when you balance theory and practice. Try combining:
- Atlassian’s free on-demand learning content
- Hands-on exploration in a Jira Cloud trial account
- Study groups or online discussions with other Jira users
- Detailed practice tests that simulate the real exam
Use the Jira Essentials practice exam collection to gain exposure to realistic exam-style questions and strengthen your confidence before taking the actual test.
How Difficult Is the Jira Essentials Exam?
The Jira Essentials exam is approachable and designed for both new and experienced users. It focuses on verifying a solid understanding of Jira’s core functions rather than complex administrative configurations. With consistent study, practical Jira use, and familiarity with agile frameworks, most candidates find the exam experience rewarding and highly manageable.
How Long Is the Certification Valid?
Your Atlassian Jira Essentials certification remains valid for 24 months from the date of issue. Once it expires, you can renew your credential by retaking the current version of the exam or pursuing another Atlassian certification in the same skill track.
What Happens When My Certification Expires?
When your certification expiration date approaches, Atlassian provides renewal options and reminders through your certification portal. Maintaining active status ensures your skills stay recognized and visible to employers. You can renew by successfully completing the current Jira Essentials exam again.
Where Can You Take the Atlassian Jira Essentials Exam?
You may take the test online (proctored remotely) or in-person at a testing center. The online mode requires a stable internet connection, working webcam, and a quiet, private space. The flexibility makes it easy to choose whichever environment helps you perform at your best.
How Do You Register for the Exam?
You can register through your Atlassian Certification Portal account. The general steps are:
- Log in and navigate to the available certification exams.
- Select Jira Essentials (ACA-900).
- Choose your preferred testing method: online or in-person.
- Pick an exam date and time.
- Submit the exam fee to confirm your booking.
Scheduling early ensures you have ample preparation time and the most convenient test slot available.
What Are the Benefits of Holding the Jira Essentials Credential?
Earning this certification showcases your ability to:
- Support agile teams using Scrum and Kanban
- Navigate Jira workspaces with efficiency
- Communicate and collaborate effectively within project environments
- Stand out to employers using Atlassian tools organization-wide
It’s a clear indicator of your team-oriented skills and your readiness to drive productivity using Jira’s robust toolkit.
How Can Jira Certification Boost My Career Growth?
Professionals with Jira credentials often progress into more specialized roles like Agile Lead, Jira Project Administrator, or even product and process management positions. The credential signals that you can bridge communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders—an invaluable skill in modern, agile-driven organizations.
What Resources Are Recommended Beyond the Exam Guide?
Alongside official documentation and on-demand courses, consider diving into Atlassian’s community discussion boards and practice resources. Sharing experiences with other learners helps reinforce best practices. Also, hands-on experimentation in a Jira Cloud environment builds comfort with everyday workflows you’ll need on the job.
How Can I Connect with Other Learners and Atlassian Experts?
You can collaborate, ask questions, and share preparation tips within the official Atlassian Jira Essentials Certification page. The platform connects you with peers, certified professionals, and instructors who can support your exam journey. Engaging in the community not only enhances your learning but also expands your professional network around the Atlassian ecosystem.
Earning the Atlassian Jira Essentials Certification (ACA-900) is a powerful way to validate your ability to manage projects, issues, and boards using Atlassian Jira Software. With thoughtful preparation, practical experience, and the right study tools, you’ll soon hold a globally respected credential that proves your readiness to thrive in agile environments.
