How I Got a Free Snowflake Certificate

A few months into my transition from Software Engineering to Data Engineering, I stumbled onto a way to get a free Snowflake certification voucher. It took a bit of hunting, a live training session, and a tight 10-day study window, but I walked away with a certificate and zero cost. Here's exactly how it happened.

Where It Started

A few months ago, I began collecting certifications as part of my transition from Software Engineering to Data Engineering. I started with the AWS AI Practitioner exam (article here) and then the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam (article here). Two certifications down, and while it might not sound like a big deal to some, I was proud of them.

According to my plan, the next target was the Terraform Associate certification, since I'd heard it was relatively affordable and straightforward to pass. But right after completing the SAA, I came across something interesting: both Snowflake and Databricks occasionally offer free vouchers for their certification exams, tied to their live training programs. That changed things a little.

Chasing the Vouchers

I decided to join some of these training sessions and grab a voucher or two, with the plan to sit the actual exams once I was properly prepared.

I started with Databricks, attending a few of their live training sessions, which they run every week. I soon found out that Databricks only gives out vouchers during their Learning Festivals, which happen roughly every quarter. The next one was scheduled for June or July, so I set Databricks aside for the time being and turned my attention to Snowflake.

I joined a Snowflake training session, and during that session another participant asked the organizers about the free voucher process. The answer was helpful: certain specific training programs offer a free voucher after attendance. The organizers shared this link for Ascent: Snowflake Platform Training - APAC.

Getting the Voucher

A few days later, I managed to join one of those sessions. It was a proper hands-on training, covering the Snowflake platform including lab sessions. After attending, I filled out a survey and completed a short assessment. Two days later, an email arrived with a 100% voucher for the SnowPro Associate exam.

There was a catch though: this exam was set to retire in the coming days, which meant I had just 10 days to study and sit for it.

I had a brief moment of doubt about whether it was worth the effort, given that the certification was on its way out. But I figured having the Snowflake keyword on my resume still carries some value, even if the specific cert doesn't mean much. On top of that, it's an unproctored exam, meaning no webcam, no microphone, and the freedom to refer to your notes if needed. Low stakes, nothing to lose.

Studying and Sitting the Exam

I picked up a Udemy course for basic knowledge, which cost around $10. Looking back, I don't think it was necessary. The syllabus isn't very extensive, and I covered it in two days, sitting the exam on the third. I probably should have just studied from the official material and skipped the course.

The exam itself had around 40 multiple choice questions with a two-hour time limit. The questions were fairly direct, testing theory in a straightforward way. Nothing too tricky.

Is It Worth It?

Since this exam has now retired, the specifics I've shared are mostly for context. If you're interested in Snowflake certifications, the one actually worth pursuing is the SnowPro Core certification. It's more respected and more relevant. That said, it is more expensive and, as far as I know, doesn't come with free vouchers.

If your organization covers certification costs, SnowPro Core is definitely worth your time. It's something I might look into down the road, but for now it's not on my list.

And that's how I got a free Snowflake certificate.