GIS Fundamentals Foundation 2026 Exam Information Guide
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Exam Details
- Exam Questions: 75
- Exam Duration: 1 Hour, 30 Minutes
- Exam Format: Multiple Choice
- Exam Language: English
- Certification Code: EGFF_2026
- Exam State: In Development
- Blueprint survey open 15 June 2026 to 6 July 2026
- Operational exam will launch 26 October 2026
Exam Purpose
The GIS Fundamentals Foundation 2026 exam tests candidates’ experience in applying ArcGIS concepts. It expects the candidate to have 150 hours of GIS coursework or 3-6 months of GIS workplace experience using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online to perform entry-level tasks in mapping and visualization, editing, data management, analysis, and sharing geospatial data and products.
Target Candidate Audience
The GIS Fundamentals Foundation 2026 exam is intended for candidates with 150 hours of GIS coursework or 3-6 months of GIS workplace experience in applying ArcGIS concepts. Typical roles may include (but are not limited to):
- Students taking GIS coursework
- Candidates seeking GIS internships or entry-level positions
- Entry-level GIS/geospatial analysts
- Professionals wishing to demonstrate competency in GIS fundamentals
- Professionals wishing to demonstrate foundational competency in ArcGIS products
Description of Qualified Candidate
Qualified candidates should demonstrate proficiency using ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online in entry-level tasks in mapping and visualization, editing, data management, analysis, and sharing geospatial data and products. In addition, candidates should have basic knowledge of GIS vocabulary and concepts and be able to discover content within ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World.
Candidate Qualifications
A qualified candidate should be able to perform the following tasks:
- Identify data types (vector, raster, and tabular)
- Identify which application to use (ArcGIS Online vs. ArcGIS Pro)
- Use Map Viewer and Scene Viewer in ArcGIS Online
- Identify coordinate units (e.g., meters, DD, DMS)
- Describe coordinate systems
- Perform basic spatial/attribute queries
- Navigate ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online interfaces
- Change layer symbology
- Describe map scaling
- Add data to maps from a variety of sources (e.g., geodatabases, geocoding, and ArcGIS Online)
- Use attribute tables
- Identify different geoprocessing and/or web tools
- Save and share maps to or within ArcGIS Online
- Discover content in ArcGIS Online
- Edit geospatial features and attributes (create, modify, and delete)
- Describe the purpose of scale dependent display
- Share map and layer packages from ArcGIS Pro
The following tasks are considered beyond the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the qualified candidate:
- Use GPS
- Process raster data
- Use Python or Model Builder
- Create configurable ArcGIS applications (e.g., ArcGIS StoryMaps, ArcGIS Dashboards, ArcGIS Experience Builder, or ArcGIS Instant Apps)
- Use mobile applications (e.g., ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcGIS Survey123 etc.)
- Create and work with 3D data
A qualified candidate should be familiar with the following:
- ArcGIS Online (February 2026)
- ArcGIS Pro Basic (Version 3.6)
- ArcGIS Living Atlas
Skills Measured
Candidates should use the exam content sections below as a checklist to identify gaps between their knowledge and the skills measured by the exam. The relative weight indicates the approximate size of each section. It is recommended that preparation be focused in areas where knowledge gaps are found.
Data Discovery <Pending Blueprint Survey>
- Identify steps to add and remove data
- Identify data types
- Identify coordinate systems
- Define fundamental GIS concepts
- Discover content in ArcGIS Online
- Describe how to use map navigation tools
Processing and Analysis <Pending Blueprint Survey>
- Describe how to use attribute tables
- Recall how to perform analysis
- Recall how to edit local data in ArcGIS Pro
Mapping and Visualization <Pending Blueprint Survey>
- Identify steps to change basemaps
- Recognize how to represent and style data
- Identify steps to generate labels
- Identify layer properties
Managing and Sharing Content <Pending Blueprint Survey>
- Describe how to validate content for sharing from ArcGIS Pro
- Organize and manage content in ArcGIS Online
- Identify elements of ArcGIS Online
Resources
To help prepare for the exam, we recommend candidates use the training resources provided below, along with reviewing the list of exam objectives, to identify and fill any knowledge gaps. Completing the recommended training courses does not guarantee a passing score on a certification exam.
The Esri-curated learning plan for this exam is updated regularly to reflect the latest Esri Academy resources and resource retirement schedules.
Esri Academy
Esri Community
Link to ArcGIS Documentation
Esri Press Book Resources
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