Guide to FileMaker Certification

6 years ago

Guide to FileMaker Certification

by Duane Maas

So you want to get certified in FileMaker. I will attempt to help prepare you for the exam. I have taken all the FileMaker Certification exams since FileMaker 9 and have taken over 25 Apple, Microsoft, and other companies certification exams. In order to succeed you need to know what is covered on the exam. It is also essential to know how to approach the exam to maximize your score.

Claris publishes a great guide to the certification exam https://www.filemaker.com/learning/certification/ giving you a look at the topics on which you will be tested.

Here are the General Areas tested and items in the areas to review.

Technical Specifications

OSs and versions that support FileMaker 18 and FileMaker 18 Server
Web Browsers and versions that support WebDirect
SQL Databases that you can access with ESS
Capacities of FileMaker and FileMaker Server

Defining Database Schema

Auto-entry options for fields
Script Triggers and the order they fire
Different types of Storage options for calculations and container fields
What the symbols mean on the relationship graph
Properties of global fields
Using external data sources
Effects of deleting a table occurrence

Building Layouts

Portal creation, behaviors, and how to modify them and their states.
Using Themes to modify fields and layout objects.
Describe the types and attributes of script triggers and the order that they fire.
Describe the setup and behavior of layout parts.
Basic charting
Use and limitations of web viewers
Working with related tables

Working with Calculations

Text manipulation functions
Behavior and use of calculation functions (review FileMaker Function Reference)
Creation and use of custom functions
Text manipulation functions
Recursion
JSON
ExecuteSQL

Writing Scripts

Use of various script steps (review FileMaker Script steps reference)
Updating data in related or unrelated tables and/or when navigating between tables or windows.
Effects of scripts in a multiuser environment.
Use of Script Parameters
Effects of the Set Error Capture command

Securing FileMaker Systems

Security and accessing External Data Sources
Script access to privilege sets and accounts.
Use of SSL on FileMaker Server
Use of Encryption at Rest
Effect of Privilege Sets on Scripts
External Authentication and Oauth
Extended Privilege Sets for the Rest API, External script access, php, WebDirect, etc

Deploying Custom Apps

Tech Specs for FileMaker Server and FileMaker Cloud
FileMaker Server Admin
FileMaker Server Admin API and fmsadmin (FileMaker Server command line)
Backing Up Filemaker Server
Running Scripts on FileMaker Server
Configuration fo FileMaker Server Worker and Master machines
Encryption and FileMaker Server
Use of Perform Script on Server command

Data Integration

Importing and exporting data and formats supported
Setting up an external Database as an ESS
ESS and Shadow Table fields and records
ODBC setup

Taking the exam

If you have not taken the certification exam before, here are some things to note to help you score better.

You have 110 minutes to answer the 60 questions on the exam. Some are multiple-choice with a single correct answer.

For Example here is a single answer multiple-choice question.

Where do you edit or add a privilege set?

(a) File > File Options

(b) File > Manage Database

(d) Edit > Privilege Sets

Here is a question that has more than one correct answer.

What are supported external SQL data sources? (choose 3)

(a) MS SQL Server

(b) Mongo v 4

(d) IBM Informix

(e) IBM DB2

In order to maximize your time, don’t dwell on a question too long, but instead if it will take you a long amount of time to answer a question, such as one that requires analyzing a script, spend a little time on it and it isn’t immediately clear, check the flag for review checkbox. This will enable you to return to the question later. You want to make sure you get through all the questions within the 110 minutes allotted for the exam.

I also highly recommend checking flag for review on any questions you are not 100% certain that you have answered correctly. It is a good way to check your work. A lot of times I have corrected mistakes where I misread a question in my haste. When I take the FileMaker exam, I usually have at least 30 of the 60 questions checked to review after the first time through the test. It is more important to get the answer correct than to finish fast.

When you are ready to take the exam register online at the Pearson|Vue site. (https://home.pearsonvue.com/filemaker).

MC Services provides great training classes (https://www.www.mcservices.com/training-courses/#_filemaker-training) to help you gain the knowledge required to pass the certification exam. We are also a Pearson|Vue exam Test Center. So when you register for your test, select MC Services as your testing facility.

Good luck with your certification.