The GitHub Foundations certification is a prestigious credential that validates your expertise in Git and GitHub. It is the Level 100 certification designed to introduce you to the basic concepts of Git and GitHub (yes, they are two different things: Git is not GitHub; this book will help you learn the difference), its products, and features.

GitHub is home to over 150 million developers; it is the home of software developers. Some part of the software you are using right now is likely built on GitHub.

Target audience

This certification is designed for entry-level developers, platform engineers, IT operations and support engineers, project managers, or program managers. It’s also a great option for experienced professionals looking to formalize their GitHub skills or fill in foundational gaps.

The certification demonstrates your ability to navigate the platform, collaborate securely, and contribute effectively to software projects and open source projects.

When you pass this exam, you will earn a badge that looks like the following figure:

Figure 0.1: GitHub Foundations certification badge

Exam structure

Now, let’s look at the structure of the exam. We will cover the main areas to expect questions from and the different forms the questions can take. You will be timed in the exam.

The exam covers a range of topics related to Git and GitHub. You’ll encounter questions on version control, Git commands, collaboration workflows, and more. Make sure to review the official certification guide for a detailed breakdown of the content. This is available at examregistration.github.com. The content covers seven objective domains, providing a structured outline that highlights specific topics and skills that the exam will cover.

The following are the objective domains; we will cover them all in this book.

Your combined performance across all 7 domains must total at least 72% to pass (as at the time of writing this book; this may vary slightly). These are shown in the Skills measured section at the preceding link.

Table 0.1: Objective domains of the certification exam

The following shows a breakdown of each domain.

Domain 1: Introduction to Git and GitHub

Domain 2: Working with GitHub Repositories

Domain 3: Collaboration Features

Domain 4: Modern Development

Domain 5: Project Management

Domain 6: Privacy, Security, and Administration

Domain 7: Benefits of the GitHub Community

Question types

The exam has 75 questions in all (as at the time of writing this book) and you have 2 hours to answer them. Expect a mix of multiple-choice questions, scenario-based challenges, and practical tasks. A few questions may require you to analyze short code snippets (a few lines of code or command line).

Other questions may want to test your detailed understanding by providing multiple similar answers, though only one of them is correct. You will also come across questions where you are required to select more than one answer. These questions will provide checkboxes next to each answer rather than the single-select boxes. However, the question will explicitly specify exactly how many answers it expects you to select, such as (Select two) or (Please select three). To get full marks on such a question, you should select exactly that number of answers. Stay sharp and practice different question formats.

Time limit

The certification exam is time-bound (2 hours). Allocate your time wisely across the sections. Remember that efficient time management is key to success.

For example, take a look at the percentage breakdown of the objective domains in Table 1. Two domains, Introduction to Git and GitHub and Collaboration Features, collectively carry 46% of your score. It would be wise to spend the best of your time on these questions. In addition, a higher score has been earmarked to Privacy, Security and Administration. Be sure to read about the security features on GitHub, particularly GitHub Advanced Security.

In this section, we will explore various strategies that will help you pass the exam.

Study resources

Explore a variety of study materials, including official documentation, online courses, and practice exams. Familiarize yourself with Git concepts, branching strategies, and GitHub workflows. Read this book!

The following are some recommended study resources:

• This book! Be sure to read it from cover to cover. It has numerous helpful guides, practical exercises, and mock questions to prepare you for the exam.
• I have curated a list of online resources on a GitHub gist (https://gist.github.com/ayodejiayodele/524ccd4865c968bad12fcbbfd07c8834). These include official training courses, hands-on labs, YouTube videos, and other learning materials to supplement your learning.

Hands-on practice

Set up a GitHub repository and practice real-world scenarios. Create branches, merge pull requests, and resolve conflicts. The more hands-on experience you gain, the better prepared you’ll be. You will find some lab exercises at https://github.com/PacktPublishing/GitHub-Foundations-Certification-Guide.

Mock exams

Take advantage of mock exams and practice questions available in Chapter 15, Mock Exams and Study Strategies. These simulate the actual test environment and help you gauge your readiness. Identify areas where you need improvement and focus your efforts accordingly.

In addition, there are practice questions at the end of each chapter to quickly test your knowledge and establish what you have learned.

You will need to schedule your exam in advance once you are prepared and ready. To register for the exam, visit the certification details page (https://examregistration.github.com/certification/GHF). The registration page will ask you to log in with your GitHub account. If you are new to GitHub or you don’t have a GitHub account, follow the instructions on how to create a free GitHub account in Chapter 2, Navigating the GitHub Interface.

Figure 0.2: The exam registration landing page

After signing in, the registration will take you through a scheduling process. Here, you can choose whether you want to take the exam at the test center nearest to you or online supervised by a proctor. Available test centers and their locations will depend on your country and city. Both test center and online exams are managed and scheduled by the same body (PSI Exams).

As of the time of writing this book, the exam cost is $49 (US dollars).

GitHub offers discounts and partner benefits on the exam cost in a number of ways. I will advise you to explore what options are available to you. For example, your employer may be a partner, a GitHub Enterprise customer, or a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement customer, and these offer discount vouchers that range as high as 100% (Yay! Free!). Secondly, if you are a student, you may be able to get this for free. For more information about how GitHub supports students and many student freebies, visit https://education.github.com.

Once registered, you will receive email confirmation of your exam appointment. Be sure to review your exam name, date, start time, and location and confirm they are correct. The email will also have directions to the exam location.

Identity requirements

A government-issued form of identification will be required, usually an international passport, driver’s license, or similar.

Exam accommodations

You may request exam accommodations such as special equipment for those with low vision or who are hard of hearing, breaks for medical reasons, or extra time for testing because the exam is not in your native language. There are other forms of accommodations that can be considered as well. Please read the handbook for more details and ensure you request this many weeks before the exam day; it must be made before you schedule the exam.

For more information, please read the Candidate handbook section of this chapter.

Finally, I would suggest arriving at least 30–40 minutes before your exam time. If you have any documentation to show, take both physical and electronic copies with you.

If you choose to take the exam online, there are some requirements you need to meet.

System requirements

• Supported operating systems: 64-bit Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS 11(Big Sur), macOS 12(Monterey), and macOS 13 (Ventura)
• Screen resolution: 1,366 x 768 or higher
• Internet bandwidth: Minimum 300 kbps download/upload speed
• Camera and microphone: Must be turned on throughout the exam

To be sure your system will be compatible with the online exam, you can perform a system check. This check involves a series of instructions to follow that may include downloading the testing software to your computer, performing sound tests of your microphone, validating access to your webcam, and so on.

For more information, please read the Candidate handbook section of this chapter.

Workspace requirements

There is a minimum level of tidiness required at your desk and immediate surroundings. No one else can be in the same room as you during the exam. Therefore, if you choose a home or office space to sit for the exam, you must make sure it is empty of people and rid of clutter. For more information, please read the Candidate handbook section of this chapter.

Identity requirements

You will be required to present a government-issued form of identification before you can check in for the exam, both physically at a testing center or online. For more information, please read the Candidate handbook section of this chapter.

Top tips

Here are some tips I would recommend:

• Perform system checks before and on the exam day.
• Be ready at least 20–30 minutes before your exam time.
• Choose a private location free of distractions.
• Ensure you have a great internet connection. Have a backup in case one fails.
• Make sure your mobile phone is reachable. Proctors may want to call you during the exam if they can’t reach you through the in-app chat.
• Use a reliable computer with a webcam.

Candidate handbook

The candidate handbook (https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/tech-specs/online-proctored/onvue-technical-requirements.pdf) offers a comprehensive guide on preparing for the exam, exam registration, exam scoring, and reports. Get familiar with the handbook before the exam day.

Understanding the certification exam is the first step toward achieving your GitHub Foundations certification. Stay committed, study diligently, and soon you’ll be well prepared to ace the exam!

• GitHub Foundations certification exam registration: https://examregistration.github.com/certification/GHF
• Certification study guide: https://assets.ctfassets.net/wfutmusr1t3h/1kmMx7AwI4qH8yIZgOmQlP/79e6ff1dfdee589d84a24dd763b1eef7/github-foundations-exam-study-guide__1_.pdf
• GitHub Education—GitHub Foundation certification preparation resources: https://education.github.com/experiences/foundations_certificate
• Candidate handbook: https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/tech-specs/online-proctored/onvue-technical-requirements.pdf
• Additional learning resources: https://gist.github.com/ayodejiayodele/524ccd4865c968bad12fcbbfd07c8834