CompTIA Data+

Certification Overview

CompTIA Data+ is a vendor-neutral certification designed to validate foundational data skills for professionals who need to develop and promote data-driven decision-making. It covers the entire data lifecycle — from data mining and cleaning to analysis, visualization, and data governance.

Whether you’re starting in data analytics, business analysis, or working in an adjacent role (like marketing or operations), Data+ is your entry point into the world of data — no programming required.

Who It’s For

• Entry-level data analysts

• Business analysts and marketing analysts

• Operations, finance, or HR professionals working with reports or dashboards

• IT pros looking to branch into data roles

• Students and recent graduates pursuing analytics careers

Key Skills Covered

1. Data Concepts and Environments (15%)

• Understand different types of data and databases

• Basic concepts of structured vs. unstructured data

• Introduction to relational databases and data warehouses

• Working with cloud-based data platforms

2. Data Mining (25%)

• Identify data sources

• Use tools and techniques to extract, transform, and load (ETL) data

• Clean and normalize data

• Identify data quality issues

3. Data Analysis (23%)

• Perform basic statistical analysis

• Recognize data trends and patterns

• Use Excel, SQL, or BI tools to analyze datasets

• Interpret results for business use

4. Visualization (22%)

• Choose appropriate visualizations (charts, graphs, dashboards)

• Use tools like Excel, Tableau, or Power BI

• Communicate insights effectively to stakeholders

5. Data Governance, Quality & Controls (15%)

• Understand data privacy and compliance (e.g., GDPR)

• Apply data classification and access control

• Ensure data integrity and documentation

Exam Details

• Exam Code: DA0-001

• Cost: ~$246 USD (may vary by country)

• Format: Multiple-choice and performance-based (scenario-based) questions

• Number of Questions: 90

• Passing Score: 675 (on a scale of 100–900)

• Duration: 90 minutes

• Delivery: Pearson VUE (in-person or online proctored)

Prerequisites

• No formal prerequisites

• Recommended: 18–24 months of experience in a reporting, analytics, or related role

• Basic understanding of spreadsheets, databases, and data types is helpful

Tools & Technologies You May Encounter

• Microsoft Excel

• SQL basics

• Power BI / Tableau / other BI platforms

• Google Sheets / cloud-based data tools

• Data cleaning tools (manual and rule-based)

Certification Benefits

• Validates your ability to work with and interpret data in a professional setting

• Boosts your credibility in entry-level or cross-functional data roles

• Adds weight to your resume when applying for analyst, reporting, or BI roles

• Supports lateral career moves from marketing, HR, finance, or IT into data

• Opens the path to more advanced certifications (like Microsoft PL-300, Google Data Analytics, or DataCamp)

Career Paths It Supports

• Junior Data Analyst

• Business Analyst

• Marketing Data Analyst

• Operations Analyst

• Reporting Specialist

• Data Steward / Data Technician

What’s Next After Data+?

Once you’ve passed Data+, you may consider:

• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300)

• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

• AWS Data Analytics – Specialty (for cloud skills)

• CompTIA Project+ (if working in project environments)

• Programming skills in Python, R, or SQL

Study Resources

• CompTIA Data+ Official Study Guide (DA0-001)

• CompTIA CertMaster Learn & Labs (paid)

• Free resources: YouTube crash courses, Quizlet flashcards, and LinkedIn Learning

• Online practice exams (MeasureUp, ExamTopics, etc.)