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SnowPro Advanced: Data Engineer Certification Quick Facts
Preparing for the SnowPro Advanced Data Engineer certification but overwhelmed by all the technical domains and evolving content? This exam overview simplifies what you need to know and helps you create a smart study plan to pass with confidence.
What is the SnowPro Advanced: Data Engineer Certification?
The SnowPro Advanced: Data Engineer Certification (DEA-C01) is a highly specialized certification that validates your expertise in engineering end-to-end data solutions on Snowflake. It assesses advanced skills in data movement, transformation, and performance optimization within the Snowflake AI Data Cloud ecosystem.
This certification is ideal for data engineers and developers responsible for designing scalable data pipelines, managing ingestion processes, optimizing workload performance, and implementing secure and reliable Snowflake infrastructure.
Who Is This Certification For?
This certification is primarily tailored for Snowflake power users and experienced data professionals, including:
- Data Engineers
- Software Engineers working with big data environments
- Cloud Data Engineers with multi-cloud or hybrid workloads
- SQL Developers and Architects creating data pipelines and automated workflows
To be successful, candidates generally have 2+ years of hands-on data engineering experience and a strong command of Snowflake's advanced features. Familiarity with REST APIs, structured/semi-structured data, and programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Scala) is a huge plus.
What Jobs Can I Get with This Certification?
The SnowPro Advanced: Data Engineer certification unlocks career opportunities in top data-focused roles, including:
- Senior Data Engineer
- Data Platform Engineer
- ETL Developer
- Solutions Architect
- Big Data Engineer
- DevOps/DataOps Engineer
- Analytics Engineer
As more enterprises migrate complex data workflows to the cloud, validating your ability to optimize and manage continuous data pipelines using Snowflake can significantly enhance your résumé and salary potential.
What exam version should I take?
The current version of the exam is DEA-C01.
How much does the exam cost?
The registration fee is $375 USD. Be sure to check for limited-time discounts or promotional bundles on the Snowflake Certification portal.
How many questions are on the exam?
The exam contains 65 questions, featuring multiple choice and multiple select question types. Some unscored questions may be included to gather performance metrics, but they do not count toward your final score.
How much time is given for the exam?
You are allotted 115 minutes (1 hour and 55 minutes) to complete the exam. This time frame accounts for both scored and unscored questions.
What languages is the exam available in?
The exam is currently available in:
- English
What's the passing score?
You must achieve a scaled score of 750 or higher. Scores are reported on a scale of 100 to 1000. Scaled scoring ensures fairness even when exam versions vary slightly in difficulty.
Is the exam hard?
Yes. This is an advanced-level Snowflake certification, and most of the questions are scenario-based, requiring real-world problem-solving skills—not just memorization.
Candidates who pass successfully typically have significant hands-on experience and have practiced with real case studies and top-rated SnowPro Advanced Data Engineer practice tests that mirror actual exam complexity.
What domains does the exam cover and what are their weightings?
The exam evaluates five primary knowledge domains:
-
Data Movement (25–30%)
- Ingest structured/semi-structured/unstructured data
- Snowpipe, Streams & Tasks
- External tables and Secure Data Sharing
-
Performance Optimization (20–25%)
- Query tuning and caching
- Virtual warehouse sizing/scaling
- Telemetry and pipeline monitoring
-
Storage & Data Protection (10–15%)
- Time Travel & Fail-safe
- Micro-partitioning
- Cloning for dev/test environments
-
Security (10–15%)
- Snowflake RBAC model
- Data masking and row-level security
- Authentication, SSO, and Governance
-
Data Transformation (25–30%)
- SQL and Snowpark-based data processing
- UDFs, UDTFs, and External Functions
- Working with semi/unstructured data
Are there any prerequisites?
Yes. You must hold an active SnowPro Core Certification to be eligible for this advanced exam.
Make sure your foundational knowledge is solid before attempting this expert-level credential.
What knowledge areas should I focus on?
The Advanced Data Engineer exam focuses on applied skills and architectural decision-making. Key areas include:
-
Real-Time Pipelines
- Understand nuances of Snowpipe vs batch loading
- Build and monitor orchestrated data workflows using Tasks and Streams
-
Snowpark and UDFs
- Write and deploy UDFs in SQL, JavaScript, or Snowpark (Java/Python/Scala)
- Use external functions for extended transformation logic
-
Storage and Clustering
- Interpret micro-partition metadata
- Use clustering and materialized views for performance
-
Governance and Security
- Enforce security using RBAC, Dynamic Masking, and Row Access Policies
- Use tags, masking policies, and access history for governance
-
Data Recovery/Protection Strategies
- Implement Time Travel, Fail-safe, and cloning strategies
- Restore dropped or corrupted data reliably
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping hands-on practice and just relying on theoretical reading
- Misunderstanding Streams, Tasks, and Snowpipe integrations
- Failing to optimize and monitor queries using profiling tools
- Overlooking new features like Snowpark and External Functions
- Neglecting security topics and governance audit mechanisms
Make sure your preparation includes high-fidelity simulations like these realistic SnowPro Advanced Data Engineer certification practice exams to build endurance and situational problem-solving skills.
How can I prepare for the exam?
There are several preparation strategies and resources available:
-
Courses & Training
- Snowflake Instructor-Led Data Engineering Course
- Advanced learning webinars and on-demand training sessions
-
Official Documentation
- Study Snowflake Docs on Data Pipelines, Snowpark, UDFs, Security Models
- Review white papers such as "Snowflake for Data Engineering"
-
Hands-on Labs
- Participate in Snowflake Virtual Hands-on Labs
- Spin up environments using the 30-day free trial account
-
Practice Tests
- Use timed simulation tests to mimic the exam scenario
- Review and learn from detailed answer explanations
How long is the certification valid?
Your SnowPro Advanced: Data Engineer certification is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. After expiration, you must recertify to maintain your credential.
What Should I Take After the SnowPro Advanced: Data Engineer?
Depending on your role or interest, you might consider these next steps:
- SnowPro Advanced: Architect – For designing Snowflake enterprise solutions
- SnowPro Advanced: Administrator – For platform operations and governance
- Keep your Core certification active with COF-R02 recertification every two years
Where can I take the exam?
The exam can be taken in two formats:
-
Online-Proctored Exam
- Take the test remotely using a webcam and stable internet connection
-
Onsite Test Centers
- Choose from a network of global professional testing facilities
How do I register for the exam?
To register:
- Visit the official SnowPro Advanced Data Engineer certification page
- Select “Register Now”
- Choose a testing method, date, and time
- Complete the payment and receive confirmation
What if I don’t pass the exam?
If not successful:
- Analyze your exam feedback report
- Review missed domains and reinforce weak points
- Retake the exam after the waiting period
- Continue practicing with realistic questions and review foundational concepts
Use this guide as your go-to resource while preparing for certification, and set yourself up for Data Engineering success on the Snowflake platform!
