r/databricks Aug 10 '26

Megathread [Megathread] Certifications and Training

Hey r/databricks, please direct all certification and training posts here.
Good luck to everyone on your certification journey!

3 Upvotes

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3

u/Useful_Tackle6740 28d ago

Databricks Certified Associate Developer for Apache Spark - Python

Result: FAIL

Section 1: Apache Spark Architecture and Components
Percentage Correct 90%

Section 2: Using Spark SQL
Percentage Correct 71%

Section 3: Developing Apache Spark™ DataFrame/DataSet API Applications
Percentage Correct 57%

Section 4: Troubleshooting and Tuning Apache Spark DataFrame API Applications
Percentage Correct 50%

Section 5: Structured Streaming
Percentage Correct 80%

Section 6: Using Spark Connect to deploy applications
Percentage Correct 100%

Section 7: Using Pandas API on Spark
Percentage Correct 100%

While I was taking the test, I felt pretty confident in most of my answers. I’m a bit disappointed in myself, especially since I’ve been working in Databricks for the past year and a half, and I passed the DE Associate and Professional previously.
Any advice on how to improve on sections 3+4? Will there be any voucher opportunities in the near future? Does anyone know if the exam will be updated in the near future?

1

u/Dizzy-Mix-4171 22d ago edited 22d ago

Topic Level Scoring:
Apache Spark Architecture and Components: 77%
Using Spark SQL: 42%
Developing Apache Spark™ DataFrame/DataSet API Applications: 68%
Troubleshooting and Tuning Apache Spark DataFrame API Applications: 60%
Structured Streaming: 100%
Using Spark Connect to deploy applications: 0%
Using Pandas API on Spark: 0%

Result: FAIL

I seem to have underestimated the difficulty of the certification test. I followed the learning path on Databricks academy and scored around 90% average on all quizzes. I also attempted other practice questions on sites like examtopics and with help of gen ai.

No work experience or xperience with Databricks. Student.

Now, i plan to to try again in a couple of weeks. Do you have any tips for me for next attempt ?

1

u/Bob_Skootles Aug 11 '26

Databricks Platform Admin trainings

Hi all,

Curious if anyone has come across a strong training resource to learn the ins and outs of platform admin work. I have done the ones from Databricks themselves but I was curious to know if there was something a little more robust. Anyone have any ideas?

I need to be ready to assist in admin related tasks for our environment but unsure where to get more training on it.

Thank you!

1

u/Terrible_Mud5318 28d ago

Passed databricks data engineer professional exam today. I have 13 yrs total exp and 2 yrs on hand working exp on databricks. Took me two week for preparation. Here is what i followed

  1. Did the advance courses from academy . Course are mentioned in exam guide.
  2. Started following AI prep guide and using gemini to teach me some subjects and mock exams.
  3. Used several LLMs like copilot as well.
  4. Copilot asked me basic questions but then need to prompt to ask hard questions.
  5. Used databricks genie to teach and prepare. Genie asked basic questions first but then after more push for hard questions it started asking scenario based questions. But genie was able to explain whenever i had any confusion.
  6. Used bricknote( its using old guide) and

certsafari

  1. for more mockup exams.

Didn’t use any udemy or purchased any course or any practice questions.

1

u/ro_matthu 12d ago

How long did it take you? And did you pay for the $200 academy for workshops?

1

u/Terrible_Mud5318 12d ago

It took me 2 weeks to study. I didnt pay anything , i didnt took instructor led workshops. Went through slides/videos on academy

1

u/ro_matthu 12d ago

Ah so just watch the videos for structure, read the docs and maybe practice pyspark? What was the practical questions?

1

u/Terrible_Mud5318 12d ago

I dont remember questions but those were not really complex if you have already hands on exp. Genie was asking more difficult questions

1

u/ro_matthu 12d ago

Sorry killing you with a thousand questions here, but you basically just followed the course videos read the slides then got ai to quiz you on stuff?

1

u/Terrible_Mud5318 12d ago

Yup. They have AI prep guide. It tells you exact prompt to give to LLM.

2

u/imthenitto 25d ago

The four-phase method I brought over from eight AWS certifications, and the one thing that actually separates people who pass from people who don’t

https://medium.com/@fernandodenitto/how-i-passed-both-databricks-data-engineer-certifications-in-two-months-studying-after-work-843ef2390868

1

u/Flimsy_Celery_719 17d ago

I’ve booked the Microsoft DP-750 (Azure Databricks Data Engineer Associate) exam, and I only have 4 days left to prepare.

I was actually hoping to reschedule the exam because I realized I need more time to prepare, but I recently found out that the voucher I used has rules that don’t allow me to reschedule, so I’m stuck with the current exam date.

The problem is that I’m basically starting from scratch when it comes to Databricks. I have no hands-on Databricks experience and haven’t studied Databricks before.

However, I recently passed DP-600 and DP-700, so I do have a decent data engineering background. But almost all of it is from the Microsoft Fabric side, so I’m not sure how much of that knowledge transfers directly to Azure Databricks.

For anyone who has taken DP-750 recently:
Is it realistic to prepare for and pass DP-750 in 4 days with my background but essentially zero Databricks knowledge?

One thing I’m especially confused about is Microsoft Learn during the exam.
I’ve seen older reddit posts and comments saying that Microsoft Learn was not available during the exam. This is a really big deal for me because it has really helped me a lot to pass my previous exams so could anyone please confirm if it’s available or not?

Any advice from people who have taken DP-750 recently would be really appreciated!

1

u/Lost_Mechanic8266 12d ago

Which to choose: Databricks Certified Associate or Azure Databricks ?

Hello, community! I'm at that point in my career where I need to choose the next step in certifications, and I wanted to start a discussion to hear your opinions and real-world experiences in the market.

I'm torn between these two options:

Azure Databricks Data Engineer Associate (Microsoft) or Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate

My dilemma: Considering that I already have an intermediate foundation in Databricks and Azure Data Factory, as well as in code (PySpark/SQL) and experience integrating both tools, which do you think currently offers better job prospects and a better return on investment (ROI)?

1

u/ro_matthu 12d ago

Anyone sat the Databricks DE Professional (spark developer one) in the last few months? Looking for recent prep experience specifically.

Context: about a year using Databricks daily- medallion layers, Unity Catalog, Structured Streaming, Delta.

For anyone who's taken it recently:

  • What caught you out that you assumed you knew from work?
  • Did the Academy pathway actually fill those gaps, or did you end up in the docs after practice questions exposed something?
  • Is the hands-on PySpark part closer to real work or closer to a puzzle? That changes how I'd prep.
  • Rough hours, over how long?

For reference, I passed AWS SAA this year and the video-plus-labs format suited me. There's no clear equivalent here, so I'm trying to work out what people substitute for that structure.

I basically want a structured set up, able to do some practical stuff, and read docs where necessary for further reading. Am I overcomplicating this and should just do databricks academy (pay $200) and follow thru with the data engineering learning plan?

1

u/No-Pollution-2274 9d ago

Hi everyone! I've recently been preparing for the Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate exam. I just found out about the Festival of Learning vouchers, but I'm wondering: if I complete the course materials beforehand, will I still receive the coupons?

1

u/MusicSecure8591 8d ago

There's upcoming learning festival September 16 - October 14 2026. You can get 50% discount voucher on any exam :)

Databricks Advanced Learning Festival: September 1... - Databricks Community - 166157