ArcGIS Pro Foundation Exam 2101 or 2025?

[anthrodr24]

Hello there, this is my first post on the Esri Community boards. I am excited to be a member here and hope to get to know everyone on here and beyond!

With that said, I feel more or less ready to take and pass the ArcGIS Pro Foundation exam and earn my Esri Certification. On their website, there is the 2101 exam released over three years ago, that can be scheduled pretty much at any time. But, there is a 2025 exam that has not been released, and would remain that way until late-April. I initially had a time-frame of taking my exam sometime late March/early April, but upon learning about this newer revision, I am considering waiting longer to take it. Is this recommended? Would I be missing out on any extra study material that exists for the older exam not the newer one? Also, what time frame did you give yourselves from when you started studying for these certification exams, to when you completed it?

[ChristopherCounsell · Accepted solution]

It's releasing on April 24th. I would just wait, unless you have a need to do it earlier. 

They'll refresh the exam to be in line with the latest version of the software. I doubt there would be any significant changes to the exams but you could compare the two exams:

https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/611c21fd6db91a43604966bb/arcgis-pro-foundation-2101/

https://www.esri.com/training/catalog/66bbb1fd37b1020028a926cd/arcgis-pro-foundation-2025/

For studying I would:

• Review your level. Foundation level indicates skills and experience with Esri software at between 0-2 years’ experience.
• Review the Exam Information Guide. It will tell you what you should be able to do and the skills they will be measuring. Focus on areas you don't know. Look at tutorials and the documentation.
• Follow the exam Learning Plan.

Focus on it as a learning opportunity to round out your skillset for the level you are at. Don't 'cram'. Take your time to explore what GIS software can do. The same would apply for higher levels - I know people with 10+ years experience that had a hard time with the Pro exam due to lower familiarity in areas like LiDAR or remote sensing.