Take Your Data Science Career to the Next Level With SDS™ Certification: A Complete Guide

Who Is a Senior Data Scientist (SDS™)?

A senior data scientist plays a critical role in leading the analytics and data department, providing advanced expertise in mathematical and statistical concepts, overseeing the work of junior data scientists, and ensuring that projects are delivered according to requirements. Organizations rely on these professionals for insights that can help them gain a competitive edge by improving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and speed. They occupy the highest echelon of organizational hierarchy and are often entrusted with spearheading the business intelligence function in many organizations. They are expected to possess a wide-ranging knowledge base and extensive skill sets, enabling them to undertake the following key responsibilities:

• Facilitating the capturing and utilization of big data across business functions and organizational departments to enhance outcomes.
• Overhauling or creating data management infrastructure within organizations from scratch.
• Leading internal DevOps teams or external developers in developing and deploying data analytics and business intelligence applications and modules.
• Empowering departmental leaders with the requisite functional knowledge and insights, enabling them to adopt an agile and proactive approach.
• Contributing to the development of a strong data ownership and governance framework within the organization.

Additionally, they prepare non-technical reports that outline the successes and limitations of projects and offer recommendations on leveraging valuable data insights to shape business strategies. Staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in data science is also crucial to ensure that the department remains competitive and relevant.

An Overview of SDS™ Certification

SDS™ represents the pinnacle of professional achievement for big data analysts and data science professionals seeking to demonstrate their data leadership capabilities and demonstrate their expertise in cutting-edge data science. It is widely regarded as the most potent credential in the field, affirming an individual's exceptional knowledge and skills.

SDS™ credential holders demonstrate the expertise to work across various industries and organizations at any stage of their careers. This certification indicates that they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver valuable insights and drive data-related initiatives within an organization.

To earn the SDS™ credential, one must demonstrate a talent for identifying opportunities to succeed in the following areas:

• Connecting managerial performance with better utilization of big data
• Quickly implementing data strategies for multiple departments
• Overcoming any challenges posed by legacy systems
• Creating an ideal blend of technologies, teams, and models
• Using data to weather challenges and provide a competitive advantage to the organization.

What Should Be the Vision of a SDS™?

Senior Data Scientists are tasked with revolutionizing how organizations utilize data to gain insights that push boundaries and maintain a competitive edge. The role of a senior data scientist is to help organizations become agile, nimble, and proactive in times of rapid and unpredictable change affecting all functions and departments.

• The key areas of focus include improving systems and processes by automating them and utilizing precise and intelligent data instead of discretionary manual inputs.
• They must also provide organizational strategists with intelligence on new markets, profitable product segments, and business opportunities.
• They empower departmental leaders and managers with the tools they need to access intelligence that accelerates decision-making, optimizes outcomes, and reduces errors of omission.

What Is the Role of DASCA?

The prevalence of big data in the information age has turned it into a highly valuable resource, and as a result, DASCA initiatives, standards, knowledge frameworks, certifications, and accreditation mechanisms are currently influencing the future of education, learning, and professional development in the field of data science. DASCA Certifications are considered to be some of the most influential professional credentials in the world for Big Data Engineers, Big Data Analysts, and Data Scientists. These certifications validate data scientists’ preparedness for the future, their strong foundational knowledge, their ability to work on various platforms and technologies, and their adaptability to rapidly changing technology and demand.

• Professionals with DASCA certification demonstrate a precise, well-rounded, and consistent comprehension of the tools and concepts employed by modern Data Science in Big Data.
• DASCA uses strict certification testing systems and credentialing mechanisms to make sure that employers can be confident that their potential and ability to perform have been thoroughly and comprehensively evaluated.
• DASCA is driving the growth of a new generation of data engineers, application developers, data technologists, data analysts, and data leaders. These individuals are equipped to work with advanced data science technologies, applications, and environments at the forefront of the industry.

SDS™ Exam Preparation

Registered SDS™ candidates are granted access to exam preparation resources provided by DASCA, which they must use to study and prepare for their SDS™ certification exam. This access is only activated after the candidate has completed the necessary registration and fee payment formalities. The exam preparation resources include a print copy of The Data Science Handbook 1, a print copy of The Data Science Handbook 2, practice tests for the SDS™ exam that can be accessed through the myDASCA candidate dashboard, and an exam preparation guide.

Who Can Apply for SDS™ Certification?

Candidates who seek to hold the SDS™ credential are required to meet certain educational requirements. The eligibility requirements are outlined in the following section.

• A bachelor's degree with five years of experience or a master's degree with four years of experience in data science or a related field.
• A bachelor's degree with four years of experience or a master's degree with three years of experience from DASCA-recognized institutions in data science or a related field.

What Is the SDS™ Examination Process?

Registered candidates will get 180 days from the date of registration confirmation to prepare and take the SDS™ certification exam. Candidates can take the SDS™ certification exams anytime, anywhere across 180+ countries. The exams are delivered on the world's most rigorous test-delivery standards and follow the Question and Test Interoperability (QTI) norms that also conform to Interaction Best Practices. Candidates can schedule their certification exam directly from their myDASCA dashboard and then take their exam on the ExamStrong™ platform.

Candidates will be required to answer a total of 85 questions within 100 minutes. The exam typically consists of a combination of questions designed to assess the accuracy of one's knowledge of principles and concepts, understanding of techniques and processes, and ability to apply programming and analysis tools in solving real-world data problems. The exam questions are based on the seven knowledge areas defined by the DASCA framework for data scientists. The DASCA certification qualification scores are dynamic and vary over time and among examinee batches. Furthermore, they are based on a statistical measure of the scores attained by the top 85 percentile of examinees during a specific period.

The SDS™ guide offers a comprehensive overview of the SDS™ certification process, providing you with a broad understanding of what is involved.

What Is the Cost of SDS™ Certification?

The SDS™ certification program fee is a one-time payment of US$ 775.00, which includes the SDS™ certification exam, standard exam preparation resources such as The Data Science Handbook 1 and 2, a digital badge, SDS™ credential kit, and shipping of material. In addition, the fee covers the cost of digital access and hosting for any optional third-party study resources, where applicable. DASCA offers a special fee to honor military personnel and war veterans.

What Are the Benefits of Earning the SDS™ Certification?

Earning the SDS™ certification will:

• Showcase big data professionals as globally recognized credential holders demonstrating their knowledge of the bleeding edge in data science
• Mitigate the shortage of skilled data scientists and enhance the likelihood of receiving interview invitations from potential employers
• Provide better networking opportunities across varied industries
• Offer data professionals a well-balanced curriculum grouped across 7 technical sections covering all prescribed SDS™ exam areas aiming to develop in learners a strong generic and cross-platform understanding of the concepts, tools, and technologies of processing, management, and security infrastructure required in managing large volumes of streaming data.
• Equip data science professionals with top-notch exam standards, surpassing those other exams related to data science
• Help data science professionals in securing challenging yet gratifying positions, as the certification drastically highlights their commitment to the field of data science

Some prestigious organizations that boast a talented pool of SDS™ certified professionals are:

• IBM
• Cognizant
• Disney
• Loreal
• Intel
• Oracle
• Adidas
• Adobe

Career Growth and Opportunities With SDS™

The amount of salary hike or increase in earnings for certified data scientists can vary depending on various factors such as their level of experience, industry, location, employer, and the specific certification they hold. However, in general, certified data scientists can expect to earn a higher salary than their non-certified peers. According to a report by the Data Science Association, certified data scientists can earn up to 33 percent more than non-certified individuals in the same role. It's important to note that certifications alone do not guarantee a salary hike, but they can certainly enhance a data scientist's credentials and increase their marketability, which may lead to better career opportunities and higher pay.

Certified Senior data scientists are found to be leading complex data analysis projects, mentoring junior team members, and providing strategic guidance to their organizations based on their extensive data expertise and experience. They are also responsible for developing and implementing data-driven solutions that can have a significant impact on business operations and outcomes. SDS™ certified Senior data scientists are capable of providing compelling evidence of their abilities in designing, developing, and driving integrated data and business intelligence ecosystems across various industries.