This document provides tips for getting certified in Tableau Desktop, including: 1) There are three levels of Tableau certification - Specialist, Certified Associate, and Certified Professional. Each level increases in difficulty and cost. 2) Earning certification demonstrates skills, boosts careers, and stands out from others. Tableau e-learning courses and practice exams are recommended study materials. 3) The Certified Professional exam is entirely hands-on and scenario-based, testing advanced skills like parameters, calculations, and storytelling. Thorough practice building visualizations is key to exam preparation.

1. CERTIFIABLY TABLEAU
Tips to Help You Get Certified in
Tableau Desktop
Sarah Bartlett
Netherlands TUG | May 2020

2. Sarah Bartlett
Consultant @ Slalom
Tableau Zen Master
Tableau Social Ambassador
Co-leader of London TUG
@sarahlovesdata | sarahlovesdata.co.uk
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4. My Professional Background
• 12+ years working in analytics
• Tableau user for 6 years
• 3 years consulting experience
• Tableau Certified Associate – 2018
• Tableau Certified Professional – 2019
• 11 / 13 Tableau e-Learning Badges
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5. WHY CERTIFY?
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6. Benefits of Getting Certified
• Prove your Tableau (and data visualisation) skills
• Boost your CV
• Stand out from the crowd
• Test your knowledge – fill in the gaps
• Earn badges & swag!

7. TABLEAU E-LEARNING
• Currently free for 90-days - sign up before 30th
June (normally $60 - $120 per year)
• 13 role-focused learning paths
• Roles aligned to Tableau Blueprint – i.e. Author,
Consumer, Executive Sponsor, Site Admin
• Take skills assessments and earn badges
• Show off your new badges on social media!
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8. Tableau Desktop
Certifications

9. SPECIALIST
• 1 HOUR
• 30 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $100 (CURRENTLY
DISCOUNTED BY 50%)
• VALID FOREVER
CERTIFIED
ASSOCIATE
• 2 HOURS
• 36 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $250
• VALID FOR 2 YEARS
CERTIFIED
PROFESSIONAL
• 3 HOURS
• PRACTICAL, HANDS ON
• COSTS $600
• VALID FOR 3 YEARS
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10. SPECIALIST
• 1 HOUR
• 30 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $ 100 (CURRENTLY
DISCOUNTED BY 50%)
• VALID FOREVER
CERTIFIED
ASSOCIATE
• 2 HOURS
• 36 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $250
• VALID FOR 2 YEARS
CERTIFIED
PROFESSIONAL
• 3 HOURS
• PRACTICAL, HANDS ON
• COSTS $600
• VALID FOR 3 YEARS
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11. SPECIALIST EXAM
o No prerequisites
o Suggested product experience : 3 months
o 22 x theoretical questions
o 8 x hands on questions
Targeted at those who have foundational skills and
understanding of Tableau Desktop
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12. Let’s practice an
example exam question
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13. Example Specialist Exam Question
Which of the following can you use to create a
calculated field that returns data independent of the
data granularity in a view?
a. An INCLUDE LOD calculation
b. A table calculation
c. A basic calculation
d. A FIXED LOD calculation
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14. Answer
Which of the following can you use to create a
calculated field that returns data independent of the
data granularity in a view?
a. An INCLUDE LOD calculation
b. A table calculation
c. A basic calculation
d. A FIXED LOD calculation
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15. SPECIALIST EXAM – STUDY TIPS
o Complete the Desktop I e-Learning course (10 hours)
o Connect to your data and edit a data source.
o Edit metadata and group fields.
o Sort and filter data.
o Use the Desktop workspace to create visualizations.
o Build essential chart types.
o Create basic calculations, including arithmetic calculations,
custom aggregations and ratios; and use quick table calculations.
o Build interactive dashboards and stories to reveal data insights.
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16. COMMUNITY TIPS
o Practice using Tableau – get hands on!
o Read Christine Rietmann’s blog series :
bit.ly/christinetips
o Read the exam study guide
o Attempt the practice questions in the study guide
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17. SPECIALIST
• 1 HOUR
• 30 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $100 BUT
CURRENTLY
DISCOUNTED BY 50%
• VALID FOREVER
CERTIFIED
ASSOCIATE
• 2 HOURS
• 36 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $250
• VALID FOR 2 YEARS
CERTIFIED
PROFESSIONAL
• 3 HOURS
• PRACTICAL, HANDS ON
• COSTS $600
• VALID FOR 3 YEARS
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18. CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE EXAM
o No prerequisites
o Suggested product experience : 5 months
o Focus on ACCURACY, rather than JOURNEY
o 30 x multiple choice questions
Targeted at those who have comprehensive understanding
of the functionality in Tableau Desktop
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19. CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE – TOPIC WEIGHTINGS
o Data Connections – 17%
o Organising and Simplifying Data – 10%
o Field and Chart Types – 15%
o Calculations – 18%
o Mapping – 13%
o Analytics – 15%
o Dashboards – 12%
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20. SUGGESTED LEARNING MATERIALS
o Complete the Desktop I e-Learning course
o Complete the Desktop II e-Learning course (10 hours)
o Covers intermediate Desktop features including advanced
charts and more complex calculations
o Read ‘Visual Analysis Best Practices: A Guidebook’
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21. ASSOCIATE EXAM – MY TIPS
o Read the exam study guide & attempt the practice questions
o Sign up to LearningTableau.com – free practice quizzes and
(paid) practice papers
o Break the questions down into steps; i.e. filter then visualise
o Areas to focus:
o Trend lines, p-squared and R-values
o Be confident explaining box plots
o To LOD or not to LOD….that is the question!
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22. SPECIALIST
• 1 HOUR
• 30 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $100 BUT
CURRENTLY
DISCOUNTED BY 50%
• VALID FOREVER
CERTIFIED
ASSOCIATE
• 2 HOURS
• 36 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $250
• VALID FOR 2 YEARS
CERTIFIED
PROFESSIONAL
• 3 HOURS
• PRACTICAL, HANDS ON
• COSTS $600
• VALID FOR 3 YEARS
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23. CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL EXAM
o Prerequisite: Desktop Certified Associate Certification
o Suggested product experience : 12 months +
o Focus on VISUAL BEST PRACTICES, TECHNICAL SKILLS &
STORYTELLING
o 100% hands-on; short questions, longer scenario-based
questions and storytelling (dashboarding & storypoints)
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24. SUGGESTED LEARNING MATERIALS
o Complete the Desktop III e-Learning course (10 hours)
o Advanced Desktop features including calculations in complex
views and enhanced dashboarding tools
o Complete the ‘Dashboard Design – Visual Best
Practices’ course (3 hours)
o Read ‘Visual Analysis Best Practices: A Guidebook’
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25. PROFESSIONAL EXAM PREP – MY TIPS
o Read the exam study guide & attempt the practice questions
o Get hands on with Tableau – practice, practice, practice
o Focus on building vizzes quickly
o Areas to focus:
o Parameters – Top N, measure/sheet swapping
o Nested LOD calculations
o Data Joins & Blends
o Story Points
o Visual Best Practices
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26. DURING THE EXAM
o Familiarise yourself with the scoring framework – some
sections carry more weight
o Build up to the more lengthy questions
o Be careful not to miss any questions
o Don’t spend too long on a particularly question – bookmark and
revisit later
o Be descriptive with your titles
o Be practical, not flashy
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27. SPECIALIST
• 1 HOUR
• 30 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $100 BUT
CURRENTLY
DISCOUNTED BY 50%
• VALID FOREVER
CERTIFIED
ASSOCIATE
• 2 HOURS
• 36 X MULTIPLE CHOICE
• COSTS $250
• VALID FOR 2 YEARS
CERTIFIED
PROFESSIONAL
• 3 HOURS
• PRACTICAL, HANDS ON
• COSTS $600
• VALID FOR 3 YEARS
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28. A Quick Note on Exam Proctors
Exams taken remotely are conducted on a virtual
machine, overseen by a proctor
• Be patient
• Remember your photo ID
• Clear your desk and your surroundings
• Ensure your wifi is reliable
• Don’t talk!
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29. LEVERAGE THE
COMMUNITY
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30. Practice, Engage, Contribute
• Tableau Public – share your work
• Leverage community projects
• Engage with the community on social media
• Seek feedback
• Read community blog posts & videos
• Write & share your own content
• Answer questions on the Tableau Forums

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www.makeovermonday.co.uk

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www.workout-wednesday.com

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34. TOP TIPS FOR GETTING CERTIFIED
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35. Celebrate your Success!!
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36. THANK YOU
Contact Me
Twitter: @SarahLovesData
Email: sebartlett1@gmail.com
Website: www.sarahlovesdata.co.uk
Tableau Public: https://public.tableau.com/profile/sarah.bartlett#!/
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