Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Quick Facts (2025)

Exam Domain Breakdown

Domain 1: Relational Database concepts (6.25% of the exam)

Relational Database concepts

• Explaining the theoretical and physical aspects of a relational database
• Relating clauses in SQL Select Statement to Components of an ERD
• Explaining the relationship between a database and SQL

summary: This section introduces the cornerstone concepts behind relational databases. You’ll explore what makes a database relational, how entities and attributes are organized, and why tables, rows, and columns are foundational to working with structured data. Understanding these concepts provides the framework for writing precise SQL statements and helps you appreciate how data is logically modeled versus how it is physically stored.

The focus is not only on definitions but also on how theory intersects with practical SQL usage. You’ll learn how the SELECT statement maps directly to elements like entities and relationships in an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD). Emphasis is on building the connection between database structure and SQL queries, empowering you to translate business requirements into efficient SQL operations.

Domain 2: Retrieving Data using the SQL SELECT Statement (6.25% of the exam)

Retrieving Data using the SQL SELECT Statement

• Using Column aliases
• Using The SQL SELECT statement
• Using concatenation operator, literal character strings, alternative quote operator, and the DISTINCT keyword
• Using Arithmetic expressions and NULL values in the SELECT statement

summary: This section highlights one of the most fundamental SQL skills: retrieving data with SELECT. You’ll learn how to apply column aliases for readability, use concatenation to combine strings, and incorporate arithmetic expressions into your queries to create meaningful calculations. With keywords like DISTINCT, you’ll control the uniqueness of your results and gain deeper mastery of common SQL clauses.

By focusing on practical enhancements to data retrieval, this section ensures you acquire the ability to both craft functional queries and present output in useful formats. Handling NULL values correctly is a major theme, as it directly impacts the accuracy of analysis. By the end, you’ll confidently apply these SQL tools to retrieve, format, and refine the data you need.

Domain 3: Restricting and Sorting Data (6.25% of the exam)

Restricting and Sorting Data

• Applying Rules of precedence for operators in an expression
• Limiting Rows Returned in a SQL Statement
• Using Substitution Variables
• Using the DEFINE and VERIFY commands
• Sorting Data

summary: This section focuses on bringing precision to your data queries by teaching you how to narrow results and organize them effectively. You’ll see how filtering conditions interact through operator precedence and how to apply those correctly when writing WHERE clauses. The use of commands like DEFINE and VERIFY with substitution variables also adds flexibility, letting you build parameterized SQL for repeatable, dynamic queries.

Sorting and limiting rows are central to creating result sets that align with business needs. You’ll refine your ability to implement ORDER BY, TOP-N queries, and row-limiting clauses so that your output remains both accurate and usable. The outcome is the ability to customize query behavior in a way that consistently delivers the most relevant data.

Domain 4: Using Single-Row Functions to Customize Output (6.25% of the exam)

Using Single-Row Functions to Customize Output

• Manipulating strings with character functions in SQL SELECT and WHERE clauses
• Performing arithmetic with date data
• Manipulating numbers with the ROUND, TRUNC and MOD functions
• Manipulating dates with the date function

summary: This section introduces powerful functions that transform raw data into meaningful insights. You’ll learn to apply character functions for string manipulation, numeric functions like ROUND and TRUNC for refined calculations, and date functions for performing operations on date and time values. Each function extends the expressiveness of SQL, making your results more precise and adaptable.

This customization ability is critical for preparing data sets tailored for reporting, analysis, or integration with other systems. By exploring single-row functions, you gain greater control over how information appears in query results. Whether you need to aggregate financial metrics or calculate time intervals, these functions give you tools to gather the exact form of insight required.

Domain 5: Using Conversion Functions and Conditional Expressions (6.25% of the exam)

Using Conversion Functions and Conditional Expressions

• Applying the NVL, NULLIF, and COALESCE functions to data
• Understanding implicit and explicit data type conversion
• Using the TO_CHAR, TO_NUMBER, and TO_DATE conversion functions
• Nesting multiple functions

summary: This section equips you with strategies for handling data inconsistencies and enhancing flexibility through conversions. Conversion functions like TO_CHAR or TO_DATE allow you to seamlessly cast data between types, making it possible to compare and manipulate diverse values effectively. Alongside, the use of conditional expressions helps you shape query results based on business logic.

The exam expects you to understand both implicit conversions that happen automatically and explicit conversions you define intentionally. Learning functions like NVL and COALESCE is essential for ensuring results remain accurate even with NULL values. By practicing with nested functions, you’ll be able to compose sophisticated expressions that bring precision and adaptability into every query.

Domain 6: Reporting Aggregated Data Using Group Functions (6.25% of the exam)

Reporting Aggregated Data Using Group Functions

• Restricting Group Results
• Creating Groups of Data
• Using Group Functions

summary: This section explores higher-level reporting techniques using aggregation. You’ll see how GROUP BY forms subsets of data and how functions like SUM, AVG, COUNT, MIN, and MAX reveal trends within those groups. Restricting grouped results with HAVING further sharpens your ability to provide targeted insights.

The knowledge extends beyond writing simple summaries to creating meaningful reports that consolidate patterns from large datasets. Organizations rely on these queries to inform decision making, and mastering them ensures you can highlight the key data points that matter most.

Domain 7: Displaying Data from Multiple Tables (6.25% of the exam)

Displaying Data from Multiple Tables

• Using Self-joins
• Using Various Types of Joins
• Using Non equijoins
• Using OUTER joins
• Understanding and Using Cartesian Products

summary: This section teaches you how to combine data spread across multiple tables. By mastering joins, you’ll create relationships between datasets, construct more comprehensive views of business information, and ensure accuracy across queries. The types of joins—from inner to outer, and even self-joins and non-equijoins—equip you with the versatility needed for complex analysis.

These capabilities go beyond simple retrieval and allow you to bring in different aspects of a system together coherently. You’ll understand how Cartesian products appear, when to use them, and when to avoid them. Ultimately, joins unlock your ability to answer detailed questions that span connected areas of data.

Domain 8: Using Subqueries to Solve Queries (6.25% of the exam)

Using Subqueries to Solve Queries

• Using Single Row Subqueries
• Using Multiple Row Subqueries
• Update and delete rows using correlated subqueries

summary: This section focuses on subqueries as a powerful way to solve complex scenarios. You’ll learn how single-row subqueries return precise results for equality comparisons, and how multiple-row subqueries with operators like IN or ANY widen your ability to create dynamic conditions. Together, this enhances flexibility for comparing data across multiple layers.

Correlated subqueries deepen the capability further by allowing row-by-row evaluation. These techniques empower you to accomplish sophisticated update and delete operations that respond to changing values in real time. This is one of the exam’s most practical skill areas, ensuring you know how to use subqueries to build queries that adapt elegantly.

Domain 9: Using SET Operators (6.25% of the exam)

Using SET Operators

• Matching the SELECT statements
• Using the ORDER BY clause in set operations
• Using The INTERSECT operator
• Using The MINUS operator
• Using The UNION and UNION ALL operators

summary: This section introduces operators that combine result sets effectively. By applying UNION, UNION ALL, INTERSECT, and MINUS, you’ll create composite datasets from multiple SELECT statements. You’ll learn to align column structures correctly so that results merge smoothly and maintain logical integrity.

These skills allow you to perform comparisons and consolidations across queries without restructuring tables. Applications include building master lists from multiple sources or comparing distinct and shared records. This section is all about optimizing versatility, ensuring your SQL grows powerful enough to span entire systems.

Domain 10: Managing Tables using DML statements (6.25% of the exam)

Managing Tables using DML statements

• Managing Database Transactions
• Controlling transactions
• Perform Insert, Update and Delete operations
• Performing multi table Inserts
• Performing Merge statements

summary: This section ensures you can take charge of data in its operational phase. You’ll learn how to use DML operations like INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE to manipulate table data reliably. The use of multi-table inserts and robust MERGE statements further demonstrates how SQL streamlines loading and transforming data across environments.

Controlling transactions, including COMMIT and ROLLBACK operations, underscores the importance of data consistency. Building a disciplined understanding of database transactions ensures that the changes you make are reversible until finalized. This domain emphasizes precision and accuracy in handling real-world data workloads.

Domain 11: Managing Indexes Synonyms and Sequences (6.25% of the exam)

Managing Indexes Synonyms and Sequences

• Managing Indexes
• Managing Synonyms
• Managing Sequences

summary: This section highlights database objects that extend performance and flexibility. Indexes optimize query speed, synonyms create easier references to objects, and sequences supply automated unique number generation. Mastering these elements enhances both the efficiency and usability of your SQL solutions.

With practical applications ranging from supporting developers to improving business reporting, these structures ensure your database remains responsive and maintainable. SQL is more than just queries—it also includes optimizing the ecosystem where those queries live.

Domain 12: Use DDL to manage tables and their relationships (6.25% of the exam)

Use DDL to manage tables and their relationships

• Describing and Working with Tables
• Describing and Working with Columns and Data Types
• Creating tables
• Dropping columns and setting column UNUSED
• Truncating tables
• Creating and using Temporary Tables
• Creating and using external tables
• Managing Constraints

summary: This section introduces SQL’s Data Definition Language and how it establishes essential database structures. You’ll see how to create and modify tables, set column attributes, and manage constraints to enforce data integrity. The concept of temporary and external tables rounds out your knowledge of specialized storage structures.

DDL forms the foundation of reliable and scalable databases. With these skills, you’ll be able to shape how data is stored and ensure quality through constraints like primary keys, check conditions, and foreign key relationships. Structuring databases effectively is essential for supporting long-term system performance.

Domain 13: Managing Views (6.25% of the exam)

Managing Views

• Managing Views

summary: This section focuses on views, which provide logical windows into your data. Views make queries easier to manage, secure sensitive data by controlling visibility, and encapsulate complex joins into simpler objects.

As a reusable layer of abstraction, views encourage consistency across teams and increase the accessibility of large or intricate datasets. This domain demonstrates how SQL lets you create systems that are both powerful and user friendly.

Domain 14: Controlling User Access (6.25% of the exam)

Controlling User Access

• Differentiating system privileges from object privileges
• Granting privileges on tables
• Distinguishing between granting privileges and roles

summary: This section develops your ability to regulate who has access to what in a database environment. You’ll learn the distinction between system-level privileges and object-level privileges and how they work together to ensure both security and usability.

By mastering user privilege control, you’ll be able to grant access selectively and construct role-based access systems. This guarantees that sensitive information stays protected while productivity remains high across different types of users.

Domain 15: Managing Objects with Data Dictionary Views (6.25% of the exam)

Managing Objects with Data Dictionary Views

• Using data dictionary views

summary: This section highlights the Oracle data dictionary as your roadmap to the database. Data dictionary views allow you to look inside your system to monitor objects, check metadata, and verify security and access settings.

Knowing how to query these views ensures you understand database state and behavior at any time. They are a vital resource for administrators and developers alike, providing visibility and control over the entire environment.

Domain 16: Managing Data in Different Time Zones (6.25% of the exam)

Managing Data in Different Time Zones

• Working with CURRENT_DATE, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP, and LOCALTIMESTAMP
• Working with INTERVAL data types

summary: This section emphasizes the importance of handling dates and times across multiple regions. You’ll learn to use built-in functions like CURRENT_DATE and LOCALTIMESTAMP along with INTERVAL data types to maintain clarity across time zones.

These skills are increasingly critical for global businesses where cross-border data sharing is common. Managing temporal values consistently ensures accuracy for scheduling, reporting, and logistics. SQL makes sophisticated handling of times and dates straightforward, giving you confidence in multinational systems.