Database Specialist Certification Guide

Certification Overview

The Database Specialist (データベーススペシャリスト) is a national certification in Japan that evaluates advanced expertise in database design, construction, operation, and maintenance. It is an advanced certification that confirms knowledge required for building and operating large-scale database systems.

This certification covers database specialization techniques. It evaluates advanced knowledge across databases including database design principles, performance tuning, backup and recovery, data integrity management, and large-scale database operation. The goal is to develop experts capable of stably operating databases in large-scale systems.

Job Application Guide

The Database Specialist certification is beneficial for specialized database-related positions.

Database Administrator: Suitable for roles managing large-scale database systems. Database operation and performance optimization abilities are required.

Database Architect: Advantageous for roles designing database architectures. Large-scale system database design abilities are important.

Data Engineer: Helpful for roles building big data processing and analysis systems. Large-scale data processing abilities are necessary.

System Engineer: Serves as a foundation for roles building systems including databases. Database integration abilities are required.

Data Consultant: Suitable for consulting roles improving client databases. Database optimization and improvement proposal abilities are necessary.

Required Knowledge

Database Design

• Relational database design principles
• Normalization and denormalization
• Data modeling techniques
• Index design

Database Operation

• Transaction management
• Concurrency control
• Lock and deadlock management
• Session management

Performance Tuning

• Query optimization
• Execution plan analysis
• Index optimization
• Statistics management

Backup and Recovery

• Backup strategy planning
• Recovery procedures
• Point-In-Time Recovery (PITR)
• Disaster recovery planning

High Availability

• Replication
• Clustering
• Sharding
• Load balancing

Security

• Database security
• Access control
• Encryption
• Audit logs

Preparation Methods

Step 1: Basic Learning (2-3 months)

Learn basic concepts of databases and SQL. Study relational database models, normalization, and basic SQL syntax using textbooks.

Step 2: Learn Practical Knowledge (3-4 months)

Learn practical knowledge of database design and operation. Building and operating actual database systems is helpful.

Step 3: Learn Performance Tuning (2-3 months)

Learn performance tuning techniques. Learn execution plan analysis, query optimization, and index design through practice.

Step 4: Past Exam Practice (3-4 months)

Solve past exam questions from the last 5 years. The afternoon questions are essay-type, so practice explaining problem-solving processes logically.

Step 5: Mock Exams (1-2 months)

Take multiple mock exams during the 1-2 months before the test. Practice time management and focus on improving weak areas.

Pass Rates for the Past 5 Years

The average pass rate is approximately 16.0%, which is at the advanced level. Having practical database experience makes learning easier.

Practical Tips

Utilize Work Experience: If you have experience operating databases, you can learn more easily by understanding based on that experience.

Practice-Centered Learning: As theory alone is difficult to understand, practice building and operating actual databases is important.

Performance Tuning Practice: Performance tuning requires actual practice to understand quickly. Write various queries and analyze execution plans.

Essay Practice: As afternoon questions are essay-type, practicing logical explanation of problem-solving processes is important.

Stay Updated on Technology Trends: As database technologies continue to evolve, staying informed about the latest database technology trends is also important.