Certified Web Developer Associate Program Overview
Based on research of industry needs and competencies and skill sets identified as essential for Web technology workers, WebProfessionals.org has designed the following guidelines and learning objectives as a foundation for those pursuing knowledge, experience, and/or careers as Web Developers. The guidelines, objectives, and resources are designed to make the learning experience comparable to one experienced in college-level courses by providing course descriptions and learning objectives. After reviewing the CWDVA guidelines and confirming knowledge, individuals may take the WebProfessionals.org Certified Web Developer Associate Certification Exam.
Introduction
The WebProfessionals.org Certified Web Developer Associate (CWDA) examination measures essential competencies for aspiring or practicing Web Developers. The examinee must demonstrate basic knowledge of Internet Basics, audio and video, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, server scripting, security, databases, Web Project Management, and legal and business issues at the standard defined by this test specification. The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from an industry-wide and worldwide job task analysis which was validated through a survey of hundreds of designers. The results of the survey were used in weighting the domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the relative importance of that content to the job requirements of a WOW Certified Web Developer Associate. The intent is to certify individuals in a body of knowledge that is identified and accepted as the baseline or foundation of any Web Developer.
NOTE: The exam contains 70 questions. Examinees have 60 minutes to complete the exam. The exam is currently only available in English and available online.
The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to which they are represented in the examination.
Topics of the exam include:
| Domain % Of Examination | |
| Internet Basics | 5% |
| Web audio and video | 5% |
| HTML | 12% |
| CSS | 12% |
| JavaScript | 18% |
| Server Scripting | 18% |
| Security | 10% |
| Databases | 10% |
| Web Project Management | 5% |
| Legal and Business Issues | 5% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Examination Description
The examinee selects, from four (4) or more response options, the option(s) that best complete(s) the statement or answer(s) the question. Distractors or wrong answers are response options that examinees with incomplete knowledge or skill would likely choose, but are generally plausible responses fitting into the content area. Test item formats used in this examination are:
Multiple-choice: The examinee selects one option that best answers the question or completes a statement.
Multiple-response: The examinee selects more than one option that best answers the question or completes a statement.
Sample Directions: Read the statement or question and, from the response options, select only the option(s) that represent(s) the most correct or best answer(s).
Content may include the following. Below is a list of topics for each course objective.
Examination Domains and Topics
- Internet Basics
Content may include the following:- eMail fundamentals
- IP addressing (IPv4 and V6)
- Browser layout engine differences
- Search Engine Optimization
- How to use search engines
- Absolute vs. relative URL
- Domain registration and DNS
- Site hosting
- File naming conventions (including case sensitive names)
- Protocols (TCP/IP, FTP/ sFTP, http/ htps)
- Sitemap
- Code validaton
- Captcha
- Web Audio and Video
Content may include the following:- Streaming server concepts
- Creating and optimizing audio and video
- Podcasting
- HTML
Content may include the following:- HTML elements and attributes (including comments and proper coding techniques)
- Deprecated HTML elements and attributes
- HTML coding fundamentals (paragraphs, headings, quotes, entities and related)
- Differences between head and body tags
- Links and anchors
- Data tables
- iFrames
- Forms (including Get vs. Post) and data validation
- Lists
- Semantic markup
- History of HTML
- Presentation vs. content
- Images
- File Paths
- Information architecture
- CSS
Content may include the following:- CSS syntax
- Selectors, properties, values
- CSS transitions
- CSS transforms
- CSS animation
- Pseudo-classes
- Pseudo-behaviors
- Media queries and breakpoints
- Responsive design techniques
- Box model
- Colors, backgrounds, borders
- Specificity
- Cascade
- CSS units
- Fonts and font families
- Positioning
- Gradients
- Flexbox and Grid
- CSS variables and mix-ins
- CSS Post-Processors (LESS, SASS)
- Advanced CSS concepts (blends, shapes, exclusions)
- JavaScript
Content may include the following:- Variables and naming conventions
- Data types
- Operators
- Comparisons
- Loops
- Functions
- Form interactions
- Sanitizing input data
- Servers Scripting
Content may include the following:- Variables and naming conventions
- Data types
- Operators
- Comparisons
- Loops
- Functions
- File handling
- Sessions, cookies and state menagement
- Sanitizing input data
- Web Security
Content may include the following:- Preventing injection attacks
- Avoiding broken authorization
- Avoiding sensitive data exposure
- Avoiding broken access controls
- Preventing security mis-configuration
- Avoiding cross site scripting attacks
- Providing sufficient logging and monitoring
- Providing backup and recovery
- Databases
Content may include the following:- Tables and data types
- Selecting data
- Manipulating data
- Stored procedures
- Normalization
- Security
- Indexes
- Backup and restore
- NoSQL vs Relational Databases
- User rights management
- Web Project Management
Content may include the following:- Project management, program management, portfolio management
- Code commenting and documentation
- Scope (and scope creep)
- Time management
- Cost management
- Risk management
- Communication management
- Version control and change management (including Git)
- Backups
- Website planning
- Site goals and target audience
- Communicating expected outcomes (site maps, wireframes, style tiles, mood boards)
- Releases (model, location, media)
- Requirements
- Local vs. remote vs. testing servers
- Deliverables and supporting materials
- Post-mortem/ retrospectives after project completed
- Legal and Business Issues
Content may include the following:- Basic elements of a contract
- Copyright, fair use, trademarks
- ROI
- Social media
- Creative commons
- Intellectual property
- Licenses
- Attribution