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CompTIA · Data & Analytics · Associate

CompTIA Data+ exam guide

Exam DA0-002

CompTIA Data+ (DA0-002) validates vendor-neutral data analytics skills: understanding data environments, acquiring and preparing data, analyzing it, building visualizations and reports, and applying data governance. It suits analysts who work across tools like SQL, Excel, Power BI and Tableau.

QuestionsUp to 90
Time limit90 minutes
Passing score675 (100-900 scale)
Exam fee$264 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored (OnVUE)

Format: Multiple choice and performance-based. Fee note: 2026 US retail price; about $344 with retake.

Who it's for

Business and data analysts with 18-24 months of experience working with databases, analytics tools, basic statistics and visualization.

What the exam covers

Data Concepts and Environments20%
Data Acquisition and Preparation22%
Data Analysis24%
Visualization and Reporting20%
Data Governance14%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: 18-24 months in a data analyst or similar role, with exposure to databases, analytics tools, basic statistics and visualization.

Keeping it active

Valid 3 years. Renew through CompTIA Continuing Education: earn 20 CEUs in the 3-year cycle and pay the $75 CE fee, or pass a newer version or a higher-level CompTIA exam that renews it automatically, or complete the matching CertMaster CE course.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Understanding database, warehouse and lake structures
  • Acquiring, cleaning and transforming data
  • SQL queries and basic statistics
  • Building dashboards and reports
  • Applying data quality and governance controls
  • Communicating insights to stakeholders

Job roles

Data AnalystBusiness Intelligence AnalystReporting AnalystOperations AnalystMarketing Analyst

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Data concepts and environments: structured vs unstructured, schemas, warehouses, lakes, AI/ML basics.
  2. Week 2: Acquisition and preparation (22%): ETL/ELT, cleansing, transformations, SQL joins and aggregation.
  3. Week 3: Data analysis (24%): descriptive and inferential statistics, choosing analysis methods.
  4. Week 4: Visualization, reporting and governance: chart choice, dashboards, data quality, privacy and compliance; then timed practice tests.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Data analysis is the largest domain at 24%; know when to use mean vs median and common statistical tests.
  • Be able to read simple SQL and predict the output.
  • Chart selection questions are common; match the chart type to the data story.
  • Know data quality dimensions (accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness).
  • Use V2 (DA0-002) materials; DA0-001 objectives differ.

Key terms for this exam

All 300 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does Data+ cost?

$264 USD at CompTIA's 2026 US retail price.

Data+ vs Microsoft PL-300?

Data+ is vendor-neutral; PL-300 is specific to Power BI. Many analysts take Data+ first, then PL-300.

How do I renew Data+?

Earn 20 CEUs within 3 years and pay the $75 CE fee.

Is Data+ hard?

It is entry-to-intermediate; statistics and SQL questions are where most candidates struggle.

Is Data+ worth it?

It is useful for career changers and analysts who want a vendor-neutral credential alongside tool-specific certs.

Official page: www.comptia.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.