CDP Practice Test

CDP Exam at a Glance

What changed for CDP in 2026

• Oct 26, 2026: Delivery changed to Online remote proctoring or approved in-person proctor (previously Online remote proctoring or an approved in-person proctor).^[2]
• Oct 26, 2026: Eligibility changed to Code of Ethics agreement, application, resume (CV), and $45 application fee (previously Code of Ethics, application + résumé, $45 application fee).^[6]
• Oct 26, 2026: Exam fee (Foundational (Assistant)) changed to $498 for 2 foundational exams (previously $498 for the 2 foundational exams).^[3]
• Oct 26, 2026: Exam fee (Professional (Practitioner/Master/Principal)) changed to $1,050 for 3 professional exams (previously $1,050 for the 3 professional exams).^[4]
• Oct 26, 2026: Score release changed to Unofficial mark immediately after each test (previously Unofficial score right after each exam).^[2]
• Oct 26, 2026: Validity changed to Lifetime credential subject to renewal (previously Credential is for life, subject to renewal).^[2]

What the CDP is and how it works

According to Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals, “If you get 50% or more you qualify at the Associate (ACP) or Practitioner (BDMP, CDP or CBIP) level and if you achieve 70% or more you qualify at the Mastery (CCP) level.”^[2]

The CDP is awarded by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP). The credential is for life, with renewal required, so it does not expire when a software version changes.

Getting started. Candidates must read and agree to the Code of Ethics, submit a membership application and a resume (CV), and pay a $45 candidate application fee.

Delivery. You can be tested remotely with online proctoring or in person with an approved proctor. Testing is mostly computer based, so you see an unofficial mark immediately after each test.

Levels and time. Foundational exams run 60 minutes each. Professional exams run 90 minutes each. The foundational bundle costs $498 and includes 2 exams. The professional bundle costs $1,050 and includes 3 exams.

Scoring. A score of 50% or higher qualifies you at the Practitioner level. A score of 70% or higher qualifies you at the higher level.

Retakes and renewal. If you do not pass, wait 30 days before trying again. To stay certified you submit 120 professional development hours every 3 years.

Fees and rules can change, so check the ICCP site before you book.

CDP content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official CDP content outline published by Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through CDP questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What is 'principle of least privilege' in database access control?

1. Granting all users read access to all tables
2. Granting users only the minimum permissions required to perform their job functions
3. Restricting database access to only privileged administrators
4. Granting permissions for the least-used database objects

Answer: B. Granting users only the minimum permissions required to perform their job functions

Explanation:

Option B is correct. Least privilege means each user or process gets only the permissions needed for their job, which limits the harm from mistakes or attacks.

Option A is wrong because read access to every table gives far more access than most jobs need. Option C is wrong because it confuses the idea with limiting access to administrators; least privilege applies to every account, administrators included. Option D is wrong because it ties permissions to how often an object is used instead of to what the person needs to do.

Rule to remember: ask what a role needs to do its work, grant that and nothing beyond it, and review it when the role changes.

Example 2

Question: What is a data quality scorecard used for?

1. Ranking database performance metrics
2. Tracking and communicating the status of data quality metrics against defined targets over time
3. Scoring candidates in data entry job interviews
4. Evaluating ETL tool vendors

Answer: B. Tracking and communicating the status of data quality metrics against defined targets over time

Explanation:

Option B is correct. A data quality scorecard tracks quality metrics against defined targets and shows how they change over time, so stakeholders and governance teams can see trends.

Option A is wrong because database performance metrics such as speed describe system behaviour, not whether the data itself is fit for use. Option C is wrong because the scorecard measures data, not people being interviewed. Option D is wrong because comparing ETL vendors is a purchasing decision, not an ongoing quality measure.

Rule to remember: a scorecard needs a metric, a target and a time trend. If one of those is missing, it is not doing the job of a scorecard.

Example 3

Question: A Hadoop cluster has frequent 'GC overhead limit exceeded' errors on the NameNode. What is the most appropriate first corrective action?

1. Increase dfs.namenode.handler.count
2. Increase heap memory allocated to the NameNode via HADOOP_NAMENODE_OPTS
3. Reduce the HDFS block size
4. Add more DataNodes to the cluster

Answer: B. Increase heap memory allocated to the NameNode via HADOOP_NAMENODE_OPTS

Explanation:

Option B is correct. A 'GC overhead limit exceeded' error means the Java process is spending its time on garbage collection because it lacks heap memory. The NameNode keeps filesystem metadata in memory, so raising its heap through HADOOP_NAMENODE_OPTS addresses the cause directly.

Option A is wrong because the handler count controls how many requests are served at once, not how much memory is available. Option C is wrong because a smaller block size creates more blocks and more metadata, which makes memory pressure worse. Option D is wrong because extra DataNodes add storage, and more blocks also add NameNode metadata.

Rule to remember: match the fix to the symptom. Memory errors on a process call for memory settings on that process.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official content areas on the ICCP site and compare them with the table above. Mark each area as strong, shaky or unfamiliar. Be honest here, because it decides where your time goes.

Then take the practice sets for your shaky areas, one set at a time. Read the explanation for every question, including the ones you got right, and write down the rule behind each miss in your own words. Return to those notes before you retake the same set.

For areas with no matching set, use the official outline and the ICCP material directly, then test yourself by explaining each term aloud without notes.

Move to the sets for your stronger areas near the end, as a check that nothing has slipped. Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions, so treat a good result as a sign of understanding, not a prediction of your score.

In the last days, stop adding new material. Review your notes, confirm your proctoring arrangement, and check which level you are sitting so you know the time limit for each exam.

Sources & last verified

1. Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals — time limit (official source). “Assistant Foundational LevelExam Outlines ↗Information Systems Core Exam (Foundational)60 min60 minData Management Exam (Foundational)” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
2. Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals — passing score, retake policy, validity, delivery (official source). “If you get 50% or more you qualify at the Associate (ACP) or Practitioner (BDMP, CDP or CBIP) level and if you achieve 70% or…” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
3. Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals — exam fee (official source). “CDP Basic Foundational Exam Purchase$498.00PriceQuantity*Add to CartIncludes 2 Foundational Exams:IS CoreData Management Foundations” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
4. Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals — exam fee (official source). “CDP Basic Professional Exam Purchase$1,050.00PriceCDP Specialization Exam Options (optional)SelectQuantity*Add to CartIncludes 3 Professional Exams:IS CoreData ManagementSpecialization Exam Option (please choose an option)” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
5. Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals — renewal (official source). “During each three-year Credential Renewal Cycle, to maintain certified member status, professionals are required to submit 120 hours of acceptable professional development (PD) education credits.” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
6. Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals — eligibility (official source). “Individuals interested in earning an ICCP certification must read and agree to adhere our Code of Ethics, submit a membership application and resume (CV), and…” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
7. Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals — other (official source). “big data” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.