Databricks DA-ASSOC exam guide covering SQL, dashboards, Genie, modeling, and data security decisions.
This guide targets Databricks Certified Data Analyst Associate (DA-ASSOC), Databricks’ analyst-level certification for SQL-first work on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform. As of April 13, 2026, Databricks’ live certification page says the exam has 45 scored multiple-choice questions, a 90-minute time limit, a $200 registration fee, English delivery, and 2-year validity. Databricks’ current certification page and the Oct. 30, 2025 exam guide both use a 9-domain blueprint, and this guide follows that structure directly.
SQL Warehouse: Databricks compute service used to run Databricks SQL queries, dashboards, alerts, and Genie-backed analysis.
Certified dataset: Governed data asset in Unity Catalog that analysts can treat as a trusted starting point.
Trusted asset: Curated SQL query or function inside a Genie space that Databricks can use as a higher-confidence answer path.
At a glance
Exam fact
Current official value
Scored questions
45 multiple-choice
Time limit
90 minutes
Registration fee
$200
Delivery
online or test center
Question type
multiple choice
SQL expectation
ANSI SQL
Recommended experience
6+ months of hands-on data analyst work on Databricks
Validity
2 years
Guide model
9 blueprint chapters -> 17 section lessons
DA-ASSOC does not reward raw syntax recall by itself. Strong answers usually start by classifying the question into the right lane first: governed data discovery, data import, query authoring, query analysis, dashboard behavior, Genie configuration, data modeling, or security boundary. The trap is often not missing a keyword. The trap is solving the wrong layer of the Databricks workflow.
How to use this guide
Start with the study plan if you want a weighted route through the nine domains instead of random SQL review.
Work the chapter sequence in order, because Unity Catalog, data import, and warehouse choices shape the later dashboard, Genie, and security questions.
Use the cheat sheet after the lessons, not before them, so the quick pickers reinforce judgment instead of replacing it.
Work through the sample questions to practice SQL, dashboard, Genie, performance, and security prompts with full explanations.
Use the faq for exam-fit questions, ANSI-SQL scope, current exam facts, and common weak spots.
Use the resources page to re-check the current Databricks certification page, exam guide PDF, and primary docs near your exam date.
Use the glossary only when warehouse, dashboard, Genie, sharing, or Unity Catalog terms start to blur together.
Blueprint-aligned chapter map
The current Databricks certification page publishes domain weights for DA-ASSOC. This guide follows that map directly.
Exam domain
Weight
Chapter
Start here
Understanding of Databricks Data Intelligence Platform
flowchart LR
A["1. Platform, Unity Catalog, and data import"] --> B["2. Query authoring and result correctness"]
B --> C["3. Query analysis, dashboards, and alerts"]
C --> D["4. Genie spaces, modeling, and security"]
D --> E["Cheat sheet, glossary, FAQ, and live Databricks checks"]
What strong answers usually do
preserve the correct row grain before joining, aggregating, or visualizing
separate query correctness, query performance, dashboard behavior, Genie behavior, and permission scope
choose the Databricks layer that actually owns the behavior: Unity Catalog, SQL Warehouse, dashboard, alert, Genie space, or secure-sharing boundary
treat lineage, certified datasets, trusted assets, and table history as part of trustworthy analytics rather than optional polish
Where candidates usually lose points
Failure pattern
Better instinct
trying to fix wrong numbers in the dashboard instead of the query
repair row grain, join logic, or window logic first
mixing managed tables, external tables, Delta Sharing, and Marketplace into one blur
classify storage, governance, and distribution as separate choices
using the same answer for query execution and query analysis
write the query first, then inspect warehouse, profile, cache, or clustering behavior
treating Genie like a replacement for dataset curation
good Genie answers still depend on curated datasets, instructions, and trusted assets
answering security questions with generic SQL knowledge only
restate catalog, schema, object, owner, permission, and sharing boundary before picking the answer
Before you schedule the exam
verify the live Databricks certification page and exam guide PDF close to your exam date
use the study plan if you need a weighted sequence instead of wandering through docs
keep the cheat sheet for final compression, but do the real learning in the chapter lessons first