Cognos Certification

A Cognos Certification Study Guide for

Cognos 8 BI Author

The Cognos 8 BI Author v2 Exam covers key concepts, technologies, and functionality of the Cognos products. In
preparation for an exam, we recommend a combination of training and hands-on experience, and a detailed review
of product documentation.

Earning the COGNOS 8 BI AUTHOR certification requires passing one (1) exam: Cognos 8 BI Author v2. The
course and product documentation supporting this certification include:
• Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports (version 8.3)
• Cognos 8 Business Intelligence Event Studio User Guide (8.3)
• Cognos 8 Business Intelligence Report Studio Professional Authoring User Guide (8.3)

The following information will provide you with targeted areas of study to help you prepare for the exam. We also
have provided sample questions that represent the format and content of the Cognos 8 BI Author v2 exam.
Answering these questions correctly does not guarantee that you will pass the actual exam.

EXAM INFORMATION
Exam Number BI0-112
Exam Title Cognos 8 BI Author v2
Number of questions 50
Format Multiple choice – single response
Passing score 76%
Time 60 minutes
Cost $ 200 USD
Registration http://www.prometric.com/Cognos

KEY TOPICS
• Create reports
• Focus reports
• Enhance reports
• Create reports using the query model
• Setup reports for bursting
• Manage events using agents

MAY 2008
Create reports
• Describe how to create list, crosstab, and repeater reports
• Present data graphically

Focus reports
• Describe how to focus reports using filters
• Describe how to focus reports using prompts

Enhance reports
• Describe the use of calculations in reports
• Identify techniques to enhance layout and content
• Describe how to customize reports with conditional formatting
• Identify steps to set-up Drill-through Access

Create reports using the query model

• Identify the purpose and components of the query model
• Describe how to create the query model
• Describe techniques used in the query model that determine how data is aggregated
• Identify the effects on the query model(s) of creating a master/detail relationship in the report layout

Setup reports for bursting

• Describe the function of the settings required to distribute reports through bursting

Manage events using agents

• Describe the use of Event Studio in Cognos 8 BI

SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. In Report Studio, an author wants to ensure detailed report data is summarized using the default
aggregation specified in the package. Which of the following is true?
A. The Aggregate Function must be set to Total.
B. The Aggregate Function property must be set to None.
C. The Auto-Group and Summarize property must be set to No.
D. The Auto-Group and Summarize property must be set to Yes.

2. In Report Studio, why would an author unlock a report?

A. To open a report saved locally in XML.
B. To insert an object inside a list column.
C. To apply conditional formatting.
D. To view data that has been restricted in Framework Manager.

3. In Report Studio, an author wants to create a variable for a conditional block so the report displays
either a crosstab or a chart, depending on what the user selects in the prompt. What property of the
conditional block must the author define to create this variable?
A. Style Variable
B. Current Block
C. Block Variable
D. Render Variable
 4. Sort Key is a data item in Query1, however, it is not part of the rendered report. What must be done
for the Sort Key data item to be applied to the report?
A. The Sort Key is added as a property of the list.
B. The Sort Key is added as a property of the page.
C. The Sort Key is added as a property of the query.
D. The Sort Key is added as a property of the prompt.

5. The following report was created in Report Studio using a relationally modeled package. How can
the author change the report so that the quantity values for EACH product line show the
AVERAGE quantities sold, not total which is currently displayed?

A. Define the Aggregate Function property as Average.

B. Define the Roll up Aggregate Function property as Average.
C. In Query Explorer, define the Auto Group & Summarize property as Average.
D. Click the Quantity column, click the Aggregate button and then click Average.

ANSWERS: 1-D; 2-B; 3-C; 4-A; 5-A

CONTACT INFORMATION
For further inquiries, please send an email to cognos.certification@ca.ibm.com.

www.cognos.com