EnglishDeutschFrançaisEspañolPortuguês

Databricks · DB-SPARK · Associate

Databricks Certified Associate Developer for Apache Spark

Validates foundational Apache Spark development skills including DataFrame API, Spark SQL, Structured Streaming, and application tuning. 45+ AI-generated practice questions with explanations. Free trial, pass guarantee.

Start Free Trial

7-day free trial, no credit card required

45 Questions
90min Time Limit
70/ 100 Pass Score
$200 Exam Fee

Overview

About the exam

The Databricks Certified Associate Developer for Apache Spark exam tests your ability to build applications using Apache Spark. It covers the DataFrame and DataSet APIs, Spark SQL, cluster architecture, Structured Streaming, and performance tuning. The exam is language-agnostic in concept but expects familiarity with either Python or Scala implementations.

Exam Domains

What's on the exam

The exam consists of 45 scored multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes. No test aids are allowed. Unscored pilot questions may appear. Available online or at a test center. Databricks does not publish an official passing score. The displayed score is a conservative estimate based on industry standards.

DataFrame and DataSet API Applications 30%

Building Spark applications using DataFrame and DataSet APIs, transformations, actions, and data manipulation patterns.

Apache Spark Architecture and Components 20%

Spark cluster architecture, driver and executor roles, memory management, partitioning, and the Catalyst optimizer.

Using Spark SQL 20%

SQL queries on Spark, creating and managing tables and views, window functions, and SQL performance optimization.

Troubleshooting and Tuning 10%

Debugging Spark applications, understanding Spark UI, identifying bottlenecks, shuffle optimization, and caching strategies.

Structured Streaming 10%

Building streaming applications, watermarking, output modes, triggers, and stateful processing.

Using Spark Connect 5%

Deploying applications with Spark Connect, remote connectivity, and decoupled client-server architecture.

Pandas API on Apache Spark 5%

Using the Pandas API on Spark for familiar DataFrame operations at scale, and understanding differences from native Pandas.

Format

What to expect

multiple choice
100%

Watch out

Where candidates struggle

The DataFrame API section (30%) requires more than basic API knowledge. Expect questions about lazy evaluation, action vs transformation distinctions, and partition-level behavior. Architecture questions (20%) test understanding of Spark internals like the Catalyst optimizer and tungsten memory management. Spark Connect (5%) is a newer topic that many study guides skip, but it does appear on the exam.

Details

Exam logistics

Registration fee is $200 USD. Available in English only. No prerequisites required. 6+ months Apache Spark development experience recommended. Certification is valid for 2 years.

Delivery Online proctored or test center
Retake policy No mandatory waiting period. Retake fee applies.
Validity 2 years
Career outcomes Spark Developer, Data Engineer, Big Data Developer, Distributed Systems Engineer
Renewal Recertification required every 2 years by taking the current exam version.
Study time ~80 hours
Official guide View on vendor site

Ready to pass?

Join thousands of professionals who passed with AI-powered practice.

Start Free Trial