Exam Objectives — ArcGIS Pro Foundation 2025 (EAPF_2025)¶
The official Exam Information Guide (EIG) lists four domains. This page restates each measured skill in plain English and links to the matching prep page.
🔗 Official EIG: https://community.esri.com/t5/esri-technical-certification-exams/eapf-2025-eig/ba-p/1584707
Weight summary¶
| # | Domain | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mapping and Visualization | 36% |
| 2 | Data Management | 32% |
| 3 | Performing Analysis | 20% |
| 4 | Layouts and Sharing | 12% |
Roughly: every ~4 questions = 1 question on Layouts/Sharing, ~5 on Analysis, ~8 on Data Mgmt, ~9 on Mapping/Visualization.
1. Mapping and Visualization (36%)¶
The largest section. If you must over-study one area, make it this one.
Skills measured¶
| Official skill | What that really means |
|---|---|
| Identify the steps necessary for adding data | How to add data via Map ribbon, Catalog, drag-and-drop, paths, services |
| Identify the use and impact of scale on map layers | Reference scale, scale ranges, visibility, scale-dependent symbology |
| Demonstrate an understanding of how to configure map and layer properties | Map vs Layer Properties dialogs; coordinate systems; metadata; transparency; appearance |
| Recall how to modify layer symbology and labels | Symbology tabs (single, unique values, graduated colors, etc.), label classes, expressions |
| Demonstrate familiarity with ArcGIS Pro interface | Ribbon tabs, panes (Catalog, Contents, Geoprocessing), tasks, project structure |
→ Full prep: Mapping and Visualization.
→ Linked roadmap pages:
2. Data Management (32%)¶
Tied for the second-most-tested domain. Covers the data side of GIS, not the analysis side.
Skills measured¶
| Official skill | What that really means |
|---|---|
| Recognize the purpose and characteristics of geographic and projected coordinate systems | GCS vs PCS; datum vs projection; common EPSG codes (4326, 3857, NAD83 SP, UTM); on-the-fly projection |
| Identify basic editing workflows that are necessary to create or modify features | Edit mode, Create / Modify Features pane, snapping, edit templates, save vs discard |
| Determine the appropriate method of managing tabular data | Field types, joins (vs relates), Add Field, Calculate Field, exporting tables |
| Identify supported ArcGIS data formats and the procedures necessary to create file geodatabases and feature classes | Shapefile, file/mobile/enterprise geodatabase, CSV/Excel, KML, raster formats; Catalog → New File Geodatabase / Feature Class |
| Identify and access data properties and metadata | Layer properties, item description, metadata view, cleansing/exporting metadata |
→ Full prep: Data Management.
→ Linked roadmap pages:
3. Performing Analysis (20%)¶
Smaller weight, but every question is hands-on tool knowledge.
Skills measured¶
| Official skill | What that really means |
|---|---|
| Recall methods to find geographic locations | Locate pane, geocoding, find by address/coordinates/lat-long, bookmarks |
| Determine the correct workflow to select features interactively, by attributes or by location | Select tool, Select by Attributes (SQL), Select by Location (relationships), Switch / Clear selection |
| Determine the appropriate workflow for using proximity and overlay tools | When to use Buffer, Clip, Intersect, Union, Erase, Spatial Join, Near |
→ Full prep: Performing Analysis.
→ Linked roadmap pages:
- Select by Attributes
- Select by Location
- Buffers, Clip, Intersect, Dissolve, Spatial Join
- Buffer vs Clip vs Intersect tutorial
4. Layouts and Sharing (12%)¶
The smallest section, but easy points if you know the share workflow.
Skills measured¶
| Official skill | What that really means |
|---|---|
| Determine the appropriate method to share content from ArcGIS Pro | Web map, web layer (feature/tile/vector tile/scene), package (map / layer / project), print/PDF |
| Recall how to share content | Share ribbon → Web Layer; Sign in with ArcGIS Online; sharing dialog options; package vs publish |
→ Full prep: Layouts and Sharing.
→ Linked roadmap pages:
Question style — what to expect¶
The exam is multiple-choice / multiple-response. Typical formats:
- "Best answer" — all four options sound right; pick the most efficient or correct.
- "Choose two" — multi-response; partial credit is unusual.
- Scenario — a 2–3 sentence situation, then a tool / workflow question.
- Image-based — a screenshot of ArcGIS Pro panes / dialogs / ribbon.
You will not be asked to write code, navigate a live ArcGIS Pro session, or compose long answers.
Pass mark¶
Esri does not publish an exact pass mark. Reports from candidates suggest a scaled cut score roughly equivalent to 70–75% of items correct. Aim for 80%+ on practice questions to be comfortable.
→ Next: Study Plan.