The Certified Data Professional (CDP) credential from the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals is aimed at people who work with data and information systems. This page gives you free practice sets by topic, worked explanations, a map of the official content areas, a study plan and answers to common questions. Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit (Foundational (Assistant)) | 60 minutes per exam[1] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Time limit (Professional (Practitioner/Master/Principal)) | 90 minutes per exam[1] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Passing score (Master / Principal) | 70% or higher[2] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Passing score (Practitioner) | 50% or higher[2] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Foundational (Assistant)) | $498 for 2 foundational exams[3] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Professional (Practitioner/Master/Principal)) | $1,050 for 3 professional exams[4] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Wait 30 days before retaking[2] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Validity | Lifetime credential subject to renewal[2] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Renewal | 120 PD hours every 3 years[5] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Delivery | Online remote proctoring or approved in-person proctor[2] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Code of Ethics agreement, application, resume (CV), and $45 application fee[6] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Score release | Unofficial mark immediately after each test[2] | Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals · Oct 26, 2026 |
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.
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.
| Official content area | Practice on this site |
|---|---|
| Big Data[7] | CDP (Big Data Science) Practise how large-scale data is stored, processed and analysed, and how the cluster tools behind it are run. |
| Data Architecture Management Function[7] | CDP Data Architecture and Modeling Practise reading data models and explaining how architecture decisions support business needs. |
| Data Development Function[7] | Mixed practice tests above Review how requirements become designed, built and tested data structures, using the official outline. |
| Data Governance Function[7] | CDP Data Governance and Stewardship Practise who owns data, who makes decisions about it, and how policies and stewardship roles fit together. |
| Data Management Process[7] | Mixed practice tests above Review how the individual data management functions relate to each other, using the official outline. |
| Data Operations Management Function[7] | CDP Database Administration and Security Practise routine database care such as access, backup, recovery and keeping systems healthy. |
| Data Quality Management Function[7] | CDP Data Quality Management Practise defining quality measures, tracking them against targets and fixing root causes. |
| Data Security Management Function[7] | CDP Database Administration and Security Practise access control, least privilege and how to limit damage from errors or attacks. |
| Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence Management Function[7] | CDP Data Warehousing and Business Intellig... Practise warehouse design, loading data and how reporting depends on both. |
| Document and Content Management Function[7] | Mixed practice tests above Review how unstructured documents and content are stored, controlled and retrieved, using the official outline. |
| Metadata Management Function[7] | Mixed practice tests above Review what metadata describes, how it is captured and how it supports use and governance of data. |
| Reference and Master Data Management Function[7] | CDP Data Integration and Interoperability Practise how shared data is kept consistent when it moves between systems. |
Prepare for the CDP - Certified Data Professional exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
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.
Question: What is 'principle of least privilege' in database access control?
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.
Question: What is a data quality scorecard used for?
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.
Question: A Hadoop cluster has frequent 'GC overhead limit exceeded' errors on the NameNode. What is the most appropriate first corrective action?
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.
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.
It depends on the level. Foundational exams run 60 minutes each. Professional exams run 90 minutes each. If you earned a foundation credential and then go for a higher level, you retake the exams at the 90 minute length, at a reduced member price. Check the ICCP site for the current details.
A score of 50% or more qualifies you at the Practitioner level, which includes the CDP. A score of 70% or more qualifies you at the higher level. The ICCP FAQ describes both thresholds, so read it before you choose which exam to sit.
There is a $45 candidate application fee. The foundational exam bundle costs $498 and includes 2 exams. The professional exam bundle costs $1,050 and includes 3 exams. Prices can change, so confirm them on the ICCP product pages before you pay.
Yes. The ICCP advises waiting 30 days before attempting the examination again. Use that time to review the areas where you lost marks, then return to the matching practice sets before you rebook.
Yes. 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.
The credential is for life, but it is subject to renewal. During each 3-year renewal cycle you submit 120 hours of acceptable professional development to stay in certified member status. Details are on the ICCP renewal page.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.