GitHub Foundations Certification Exam: A step-by-step guide to register and clear the exam
The GitHub Foundations Certification exam is a certification launched by GitHub to validate your knowledge of GitHub’s core features and workflows. In December of this year, I successfully passed the exam. I have used GitHub for about 3 years and I was quite confident to appear for the exam. If you are starting your development journey with GitHub or enhance your dev skills, this guide will help you with the steps to register, prepare, and pass the exam.
If you do not know what is Git & GitHub, you can refer to my blog: https://sanjoysblog.hashnode.dev/git-github-a-beginners-guide
Why take the Certification Exam?
If you are a college student or beginner, this certification highlights your commitment to learning Git and GitHub.
Understand GitHub’s features better like version control, collaboration and project management.
Get a badge and certificate that you can share on LinkedIn or add to your resume to stand out.
Registration Process
The certification exam is priced at $99. However, if you are a student currently enrolled in a full-time college program, you can avail of this certification for free by providing valid proof of your student status. To begin, you will need to create an account on GitHub Education. Here’s how to get started:
Sign Up for GitHub: If you do not have a GitHub account, visit GitHub’s registration page. Complete the basic registration details.
Register for Student developer pack: Visit GitHub Student Developer Pack - GitHub Education and sign up using your Institution mail id.
Verification: It takes few days time to get verified and after verification, you are eligible to avail the perks of Student Developer Pack.
Access GitHub Learning Lab: Visit the GitHub Learning Lab where the exam and preparatory materials are located. Visit each module, start learning and complete the module assessments.
Enroll in the Exam: Visit GitHub Certifications and select GitHub Foundations. Initially the exam cost is displayed as 99 USD. However, you will get a voucher from the GitHub Student Developer Pack and it will be applied automatically during checkout, reducing the amount to 0 USD.
To proceed, click on "Schedule Exam." You will be required to fill out your personal and educational details. Once submitted, you will be redirected to the PSI Testing, the platform where the exam will be conducted. Sign up on PSI with your email and GitHub username ID. After signing in, select "View Available Tests," where the GitHub Foundations exam will be listed as eligible for you. Continue with the booking process, and you will receive a confirmation email from PSI, indicating that your exam is confirmed. Remember, you have 60 days from the date of registration to attend the exam.
You can also refer to this video: https://youtu.be/7RITrffv8Uk?si=mAX-Mc3fyZFDEcgl to register for exam.
Next, download the PSI Secure Browser and set it up on your system to attempt the online, non-proctored exam.
Exam Details
The GitHub Foundations exam examines your knowledge and practical understanding of GitHub and version control systems. It includes 75 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) along with scenario-based challenges, all of which must be completed within 120 minutes. In some questions it will be mentioned to choose more than one answers. The exam is divided into two sections:
The first section contains the 75 MCQs, focusing on technical concepts.
The second section includes 13 feedback questions about your exam experience, preparation strategy and overall feedback.
Key domains like Introduction to Git and GitHub, Collaboration Features, and Project Management carry the most weight. To pass, it is crucial to understand common Git and GitHub workflows including forking, handling issues and managing pull requests effectively.
Preparation Steps
Before you register and sit for the exam, it is important to thoroughly prepare. Here are some key areas to focus on:
Domain 1: Introduction to Git and GitHub
Domain 2: Working with GitHub Repositories
Domain 3: Collaboration Features
Domain 4: Modern Development
Domain 5: Project Management
Domain 6: Privacy, Security, and Administration
Domain 7: Benefits of the GitHub Community
Here is a detailed pdf on what resources to study and clear the exam
Exam Guide link: github-foundations-exam-study-guide
Resources to clear the exam
Here are some resources to help you clear the exam with confidence:
a. GitHub Foundations Learning Path
A beginner-friendly learning path designed to introduce you to the fundamental concepts of GitHub. You will discover the benefits of using GitHub as a collaborative platform and explore its features, such as repository management, commits, branches, and merging. Through modules and hands-on exercises, you will gain a solid understanding of GitHub's essential tools and be well-equipped to start contributing to projects. The official GitHub Docs is also an excellent resource. It covers everything from basic operations to advanced features so make sure to see it if you are unsure about any topic.
b. Exampro: GitHub Foundations
Andrew Brown has created a comprehensive course covering the concepts of contribution and working effectively on GitHub. The course is free to sign up for and provides access to video lectures along with detailed notes for each section. Additionally it includes a Free Practice Exam to help test your knowledge and readiness before taking the actual GitHub Foundations certification exam. You can also access the video lecture on YouTube: GitHub Foundations Certification Course – Pass the exam in 10 hours!
c. Take Online Quizzes and Practice Exams
Many online platforms offer practice quizzes to simulate the GitHub Foundations exam. Taking these quizzes can help you become familiar with the format and identify areas for improvement.
As I had LinkedIn Premium, I was able to access LinkedIn Learning practice exams for GitHub foundations
From Udemy, you can practice these test papers
1. [NEW] GitHub Foundations Certification - Practice Exam 2024
2. GitHub Foundations Certification - Practice Exam 2024
You should refer this Blog: Study Notes: GitHub Foundations Certification Exam - DEV Community by Cecelia Martinez. In her blog, Cecelia shares her detailed study approach and provided helpful notes, doc links and highlighted the key topics you should focus on for the exam.
Clearing the Exam
After completing the exam, you will receive your results immediately. If you pass, you will be awarded a GitHub Foundations Badge and Certificate issued by Credly. These credentials can be showcased on your resume or LinkedIn profile to highlight your accomplishment. I successfully cleared the exam with a score of 80%, taking approximately 83 minutes to answer all 75 questions. Keep in mind that the certification is valid for three years.
Sanjoy Saha - Skills Profile - Credly
Conclusion
The GitHub Foundations exam is a great way to validate your skills and understanding of Git and GitHub. By following the steps to register, prepare and practice, you can increase your chances of passing the exam. Additionally, there are other certifications available like GitHub Actions, GitHub Copilot etc.
You can check: Highlight your expertise with GitHub Certifications - GitHub Resources which can further enhance your expertise in the GitHub ecosystem.
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