What are the top 10 Microsoft SQL certifications in 2024? You may be asking, this article is centered on the top 10 Microsoft SQL certifications in 2023, their importance, factors to consider before choosing a Microsoft SQL, and lots more.
However, what is SQL? SQL means Structured Query Language, it is a programming language used by teams or individuals involved with data, data warehouses, or business intelligence.
Software engineers or developers are not the only users, business analysts, and business intelligence developers are also expected to have a good working knowledge of SQL.
SQL is a programming language that is used to retrieve, insert, update, and delete data from one or more tables and/or databases. It can range from as simple as inserting a row into a single table to more complex tasks such as performing operations, retrieving data from multiple tables using complex JOIN queries, and so on.
SQL Skills Required Roles
SQL is a programming language that allows you to work with data in a variety of ways, including modeling databases, creating database structures and data warehouses, and writing simple and complex queries to obtain relevant data most efficiently.
SQL’s popularity has grown even more since the advent of Machine Learning and Data Science, as it is one of the most fundamental building blocks for any data source (However these days a lot of NoSQL-based data sources exist, but the core concepts remain the same)
So, here are some of the jobs that require SQL knowledge:
Business Analysts:
Also known as BAs, these professionals assist clients in making the most of their data by scoping out requirements for database optimization, data analytics, ETL queries, and so on.
Data Scientists:
Assist organizations in analyzing data using complex queries to extract useful information and trends from 100s to 1000s of GBs of data.
Database Administrators:
(DBAs) manage databases and related software for data storage, organization, and efficient access. As a result, for this type of role, good hands-on experience with advanced SQL skills is required.
Is SQL Certification Worth Doing?
Factually, having relevant certifications in your profile will help you stand out from the crowd and, at the very least, secure an interview for the relevant company and role. Many companies and recruitment teams screen resumes based on an individual’s certifications/skills.
SQL certifications are available, and the majority of them are vendor or platform-specific, as there are numerous platforms or companies with specific products or suites of products such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle SQL, and others with open source platforms such as MariaDB, MySQL, and others.
As such, having relevant certifications, in addition to subject knowledge, helps you achieve and gives you more power to negotiate compensation and other aspects of the role that you are applying for.
Is SQL Certification Very Important?
SQL is widely used in almost all organizations in some form or another. Knowing SQL is always considered a plus, whether you are a backend or frontend developer because it helps you understand the overall product, data flow, basic queries, and database organization.
These certifications are essential for data professionals, but for a general Software developer, a basic understanding of SQL is essential.
Some of the benefits of having a SQL certification include:
- Aids you in standing out from the crowd for job openings where certification is desired or preferred.
- Indicates a candidate’s eagerness or proactiveness to learn new things and acquire necessary skills.
Considerations When Choosing SQL Certification
It is getting harder to keep up with the pace of development and master the necessary tools and technologies as more database solutions and vendors are being introduced.
The following considerations should be made when choosing an SQL certification:
- It ought to be relevant to the equipment you’re using for your endeavor. For instance, you should think about pursuing entry-level credentials like Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate if you primarily work with Oracle-based database technologies.
- It should also apply to your job; for instance, if you work as a backend or frontend software developer, you should think about pursuing a beginner certification rather than an advanced one or one related to database administration, as these will add little value to your resume and have no bearing on the work you do daily.
- Third, because well-known vendors like Microsoft and Oracle are more frequently acknowledged as general-purpose providers, it is desirable to complete the certification for them.
Top 10 Microsoft SQL Certifications In 2024
Here are the most effective and recognized SQL Certifications:
- INE’s SQL Fundamentals
- EDB PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification
- Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
- Teradata Certification – Associate 2.3 Exam
- Udemy – The Complete SQL Bootcamp
- Oracle Certified Professional – MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator Certification
- Coursera – Managing Big Data with SQL
- Codecademy – Learn SQL
- SQL from A – Z in MS SQL Server
INE’s SQL Fundamentals:
This course is designed for those who want to learn how to manipulate data in relational database systems. You’ll be learning about the foundational ideas relating to SQL, as the name implies. The course will concentrate on how SQL-based data interaction can help with data insertion, deletion, update, and recovery.
The course pricing is flexible and completely online through video streaming, it also focuses on the fundamentals of SQL language. The duration of the exam is 9hrs and its for beginners.
Courses Cost:
Fundamental Monthly: $39
Fundamental Annual: $299
Premium: $799/year
Premium+: $899/year
EDB PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification:
One of the top SQL certifications provided by EnterpriseDB for Postgres is this one. It evaluates and certifies candidates on the fundamental skills required to run a PostgreSQL server and its associated applications in a real-world setting.
Some areas of concentration are PostgreSQL installation, User permissions, Database creation, settings, extensions, etc.
After you successfully complete or pass the certification exam, digital badges are made available.
Duration: 60 mins
Level: Associate
Pre-Requisites: Foundations of PostgreSQL course
Mode of Learning: Practice exam tests and Online courses are available,
Total Questions: 68
Minimum Passing Score: 70%
Cost: $200
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Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification:
This SQL certification enables the applicant to show that they have a solid grasp of fundamental SQL concepts when working on any database project using an Oracle Database server.
For new or aspiring data professionals or general software developers, this certification is regarded as one of the top SQL certifications for beginners as an entry-level primer for gaining a fundamental grasp and principles.
The course-relevant topics are Relational database concepts, Retrieving data – SQL SELECT, Concatenation, Joining across tables, Sorting data and search filters, Conversion & Group functions, DDL, DML, and DCL statements.
Duration: 120 mins
Total Questions: 78
Level: Beginner
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online learning modules are available from multiple vendors.
Minimum Passing Score: 63%
Cost: Approximately $240
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals:
With the help of this Microsoft SQL certification, you may develop the fundamental foundational abilities you’ll need to work with data in the cloud. It supports the development of fundamental data concepts and a method for interacting with relational and non-relational data on the Azure cloud platform.
The course aims to build the foundational knowledge around cloud data in the Azure landscape. Understand and describe database concepts such as relational, non-relational, and related big data and analytics concepts. Understand roles and core responsibilities in data-oriented roles.
Duration: The duration of the exam is 60 mins for about 40-50 questions.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
Pre-requisites: None
Mode of Learning: E-learning modules from external vendors are available.
Some of the best resources are Coursera and Microsoft Learning offer free, Instructor-led online courses, and Oreilly
Minimum Passing Score: The minimum passing score for this exam is 700/1000
Cost: The Cost is different per country. For the US, it is $99 while for India it is Rs 3696.
Teradata Certification – Associate 2.3 Exam:
Vantage Track certificates from Teradata are available at a variety of levels, including associate, administrator, developer, and advanced.
The exam covers the main Vantage 2.3 features which are; Characteristics of relational models and concepts. The architecture of data warehouses, scalability options, data flow, etc.
Benefits of Advanced SQL engine, workload management, space classifications. Use cases for primary, secondary, and join indexes as well as their effects on data distribution are all covered.
Security and Privacy features are built into the Advanced SQL Engine.
Duration: 75 minutes
Level: Associate
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online
Cost: $149
Minimum Passing Score: Pass rates are based on Psychometric analysis.
After the test is over, the findings are accessible in a window of three to twenty-one days.
Udemy – The Complete SQL Bootcamp:
This Udemy Bootcamp course covers fundamental to intermediate SQL topics, with a focus on PostgreSQL but generally applicable to any SQL-based database.
The certification itself is of little value, however, it can be used to learn the fundamental ideas of SQL, including database types, SQL syntax, CRUD queries, and data analysis.
Nearly all of the topics surrounding in-demand talents like PostgreSQL are covered in the course such as the basics of SQL syntax, Data analysis using aggregate functions, Advanced querying with String operations, and logical operators.
Learn to use SQL JOINS. Learn the basics around tables and database constraints.
Duration: 9 hours of recorded video content.
Level: Beginner
Pre-Requisites: No prerequisites or technical experience is required.
Mode of Learning: Online – Recorded course.
Minimum Passing Score: Not applicable – Offers certification on completion.
Cost: $45
Oracle Certified Professional – MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator Certification:
As a professional-level course for database administrators, this SQL certification assumes that the student has a fundamental understanding of MySQL architecture and installation.
It goes into further detail about query performance and optimization as well as administrative aspects including installation, monitoring, and security.
Following are a few of the topics covered as part of this certification: Installing MySQL, and understanding configurations. Security and Backup. Monitoring MySQL (Understanding plugins, and configuring user accounts).
Other areas like Capacity planning, Troubleshooting, etc.
The architecture of MySQL.
Duration: 120 mins
Level: Professional
Total Questions: 75
Prerequisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online-recorded sessions as well as Instructor-Led classes.
Oracle Technology Learning Subscription – available for $4995 /year
Minimum Passing Score: 58%
Cost: $245
Coursera – Managing Big Data with SQL:
This course, which is a part of the Excel to MySQL Series, discusses analytical techniques. It provides an introduction to the RDBMS system’s use in business analysis, primarily about Big Data.
The course content includes; how to Learn how to use Entity Relationship diagrams for displaying data structure and various relationships between tables/fields. How to execute and implement Big Data collection. Use sample data and collections and get an understanding by actual coding exercises on simulated data to get a thorough understanding.
Duration: 32 hours
Level: Intermediate
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: The video-on-demand training along with exercises.
Minimum Passing Score: Not applicable – Earn a certificate on course completion.
Cost: Coursera charges approximately $96 to sign up for a three-month course that will last about 9 hours each week.
Codecademy – Learn SQL:
A beginner’s course is advised for someone who is completely new to SQL and wants to obtain a practical understanding of the fundamental concepts. It covers simple topics like building databases and tables and querying tables.
The course includes elementary information like Data CRUD procedures. Learn how to use aggregation functions in SELECT queries. querying data across various tables and learning the basics of JOINS.
Duration: nine hours
Level: Novice
None are prerequisites
learning method: Online – video on demand
Minimum Score to Pass: Not applicable – If you are a paid member, obtain a completion certificate.
Cost: $12 for monthly enrollment or $66 for annual enrollment in Codecademy.
SQL from A – Z in MS SQL Server:
This course, which is offered as a video course or tutorial, covers all fundamental and advanced principles and is suitable for people with no prior knowledge. It is primarily designed for those who want to learn more complex features from scratch and are not very familiar with IT or coding.
It provides a clear study path with around 83 hours of content divided into 7 interactive courses.
certifies accomplishment and offers it. Creating basic to complex queries is one of the learning objectives. Recognize joins and aggregations in SQL. Includes information on basic table expressions, recursive SQL searches, and complicated reporting using GROUP BY clauses.
Duration: Total of 7 interactive courses. Estimated content around 83 hours
Level: Beginner
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online – Video on demand (Lifetime access to the course materials is offered with the course.)
Minimum Passing Score: Not Applicable – Offer Certificate on completion
Cost: $203 for lifetime access (video-on-demand content)
Conclusion:
Without a doubt, the world is extremely competitive and globalized, which offers chances and challenges to everyone.
The benefits of having easy access to learning materials for Microsoft SQL Server certifications from anywhere in the world are to your advantage.
The problem with it is that if you don’t have this qualification, you can miss out on opportunities because some hiring managers may prefer candidates with the right certificates.
We recommend to you the top 10 Microsoft SQL certification programs in 2023 that are excellent places to start your adventure because they were chosen based on popularity and ra