Certification FAQs

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If you do not see answers to your questions below, please review the Candidate Certification Handbook and the pages on the Certification section of the DAA web site. If you are unable to find an answer to your question after reviewing this material, please email the Certification Administrator.

  1. What are the eligibility requirements for the certification?
  2. Where can I take the exam?
  3. How many questions are on the exam and what is the format?
  4. How long is the exam?
  5. Can I provide my opinion regarding an exam question?
  6. Do comments from candidates result in change to an exam question?
  7. Is the CWA exam maintained to keep up with changing analytics practices?
  8. When can I take the exam?
  9. Is there a study guide for the exam?
  10. Do I need to take any courses in order to take the exam?
  11. How should I prepare for the exam?
  12. Are practice questions available?
  13. What is the passing grade for the exam?
  14. When will I find out if I passed?
  15. After I pass the certification exam, when will I become certified?
  16. What do I do if my name or address has changed?
  17. Can I pass the certification exam without tool knowledge?
  18. Should marketing people apply for the certification? eCommerce managers? Usability people? Media buyers?

What are the eligibility requirements for the certification?

In order to become a Certified Web Analyst™, web analysts must meet DAA’s examination, education and experience requirements. Individuals can meet the eligibility requirements by fulfilling either of the following two options:

  1. High-school diploma (or global equivalent) and five years of online business experience, with at least three of those years focused on web analytics experience within the range of topics described in the Knowledge Required for Certification document.
  2. Four year degree (bachelor’s or global equivalent) and three years of web analytics experience within the range of topics described in the Knowledge Required for Certification document.

Please refer to the Candidate Certification Handbook for substitutions that are allowed for individuals that do not meet the above requirements.

Where can I take the exam?

The DAA CWA exam is offered in an Internet-Based Testing format. To improve the testing experience for certification candidates, the CWA exam is now administered on an internet-based testing platform.– You can take the exam at any time and from any computer or mobile device that is convenient for you!

How many questions are on the exam? What is the format?

There are 60 questions on the exam. Additional information about the exam format is available on the certification resources page.

How long is the exam?

The exam is two hours long. More details about the exam format is available on the certification resources page.

Can I provide my opinion regarding an exam question?

Yes, the certification administrator welcomes your feedback.

Do comments from candidates result in change to an exam question?

All comments will be considered during the exam review process.

Is the CWA exam maintained to keep up with changing analytics practices?

Yes, the exam will change over time, though any change is carefully monitored through psychometric procedures in order to maintain a consistently fair examination.

When can I take the exam?

Your application must be approved prior to taking the exam. You will receive an exam registration notice from DAA when your application has been approved. You will be able to take the exam once you receive this notice.

Is there a study guide for the exam?

There isn’t a study guide for the exam. Sample questions and case studies are available for download on the certification resources page.

Do I need to take any courses in order to take the exam?

No. The certification examination is administered independently of any training. Taking a course is optional.

How should I prepare for the exam?

Details about the content and format of the exam can be found in the Candidate Certification Handbook and the Knowledge Required for Certification. You may also review information about exam preparation here.

Are practice questions available?

Yes. You can also review sample questions that are similar to the type of questions covered on the exam. While these questions aren’t duplicated on any exam, sample questions allow you to familiarize yourself with the exam format.

What is the exam passing grade?

Candidates who attain a score of 60% will pass the exam.

When will I find out if I passed?

Candidates will be notified of their score immediately after submitting their exam.

After I pass the certification exam, when will I become certified?

Your DAA Web Analyst Certification is effective on the date you pass the examination. If you pass the exam, you will receive your certificate immediately after completing the exam.

What do I do if my name or address has changed?

Please email the Certification Administrator to report any changes. It is critical that DAA has your current contact information in order to ensure you receive certification notices.

Can I pass the certification exam without tool knowledge?

No; you need to be able to communicate effectively with tool experts to pass the exam. That means you will need to know the basics of how the web works, how the tools accomplish their mission, and web analytics terminology. Example: To pass the certification exam, you don’t need to know how to write a tag, but you do need to know when a custom tag is required and how to communicate your need effectively.

Should marketing people apply for the certification? eCommerce managers? Usability people? Media buyers?

Absolutely, if they are good at transforming the data generated by web analytics tools into business insight AND have broad knowledge across the entire scope of web analytics.