From Theory to Practice: SAP’s Next-Generation Certification Model

For years, enterprise technology certifications have relied on a simple formula: memorize the material, pass a long list of multiple-choice questions, earn a credential. 

 

But the world of IT has changed - dramatically. The rise of cloud platforms, AI-embedded systems, and rapid deployment cycles has made one thing clear: knowing facts isn’t the same as knowing how to work. 

 

SAP is now rewriting this rule. 

 

Why SAP Is Reinventing Its Certification Model?  

 

Instead of evaluating how well candidates recall terminology, SAP is shifting its entire certification framework toward something far more practical: testing professionals the same way they operate on the job. 

 

This shift is designed to align with modern business environments where: 

• Information is always available 

• AI Copilots assist with decision-making 

• Success depends on navigating complex systems, not memorizing feature lists 

• Real-world scenarios rarely follow textbook definitions 

 

SAP’s new certification approach embraces this reality by replacing traditional exams with hands-on, open-book, scenario-driven assessments. 

 

What the New Certification Experience Looks Like?  

 

Under SAP’s revamped system, candidates won’t face a sheet of options to choose from - they’ll be placed inside actual SAP environments and asked to solve practical challenges within a set timeframe. 

 

The new model includes: 

 

            1. Real-world system interaction 

 

Candidates configure systems, troubleshoot issues, build solutions, or interpret data - just as they would in real projects. 

 

2. Open-book problem-solving 

Participants can use any resource they’d realistically rely on at work: help documentation, external references, and even AI Copilots. 

 

3. Scenario-based tasks 

          Instead of theoretical questions, candidates navigate guided scenarios, respond to simulated stakeholders, and complete case-study challenges. 

 

        4. Time-bound performance evaluation 

         Most assessments run between one to three hours, designed to measure not only knowledge but also judgment, workflow, and efficiency. 

 

This reflects SAP’s belief that expertise isn’t about memorization; it’s about knowing how to think, find answers, and execute solutions. 

 

AI Isn’t Cheating - It’s Part of the Test 

 

Uniquely, SAP is embracing the tools professionals already use daily. Candidates are explicitly allowed to use: 

 

• AI assistants 

• SAP’s built-in Copilots  

• Official documentation 

• Learning resources 

 

The logic is simple: in the real world, professionals don’t solve problems in isolation. They rely on a mix of skill, tools, and experience. 

 

SAP wants certifications that validate competence in using all three, not just one. 

 

Maintaining Rigor: Not Everyone Will Pass 

 

Even with resources available, the exams are far from easy. 

• Each certification has its own pass criteria 

• Candidates get up to four retry attempts, spaced 24 hours apart 

• Tasks may change each time to prevent repetition 

• Success depends on problem-solving, not pattern recognition 

 

In other words, the system rewards genuine understanding, not test strategy. 

 

A Glimpse of the First Wave of Certifications:  

 

SAP is piloting this model with six certifications across AI, cloud, development, and architecture disciplines. This is only the beginning - the entire certification portfolio will transition to the new format through 2026. 

 

1. SAP Certified – SAP BTP Administrator 

2. SAP Certified Associate – SAP Build Developer 

3. SAP Certified – Solution Architect – SAP BTP 

4. SAP Certified Associate – SAP Business Data Cloud 

5. SAP Certified Associate – Rise with SAP methodology and experience 

6. SAP Certified Associate – SAP Generative AI Developer 

 

The move signals something bigger: the future of enterprise certifications is hands-on, immersive, and rooted in real outcomes. 

 

Why This Matters for the Industry?  

 

SAP’s shift mirrors a broader trend across the tech world. Cloud platforms, networking giants, and software vendors are steadily increasing their reliance on labs, simulations, and scenario-based testing. 

 

By going all-in, SAP is raising expectations across the ecosystem. 

 

This new model aims to solve long-standing gaps: 

 

• Professionals with certifications but limited real experience 

• Employers unable to distinguish theoretical knowledge from practical skill 

• Candidates passing exams through memorization instead of competence 

 

Under the new system, a certification signals one thing above all: 

This person can actually do the job. A Higher Standard for the Future 

 

If SAP maintains the rigor of these practical assessments, its certifications may become more trusted and more impactful than ever. 

 

Organizations will gain consultants and professionals who have been tested in environments that truly reflect real scenarios - not just classroom theory. 

 

This isn’t a cosmetic update. 

It’s a complete reset of what certification should mean in the enterprise world. 

 

Comprehensive Comparison between SAP's Traditional Certification Model and the Next-Generation Certification Model 

 

Aspect	Traditional SAP Certification	Next-Generation SAP Certification
Exam Format	Multiple-choice questions	Performance-based, practical assessments (system-based and scenario-based) ​
Assessment Focus	Knowledge recall and memorization	Hands-on problem-solving and real-world application ​
Resource Access	Closed-book; no external resources allowed	Open-book with access to SAP Help Portal, SAP Community, SAP Learning site, and AI assistants (SAP Joule for Consultants) ​
AI Integration	No AI tools permitted	AI-enabled; candidates can use AI assistants during the exam ​
Proctoring	Live proctoring in controlled environments	No live proctoring; identity verified through SAP Universal ID ​
Exam Tasks	Answering theoretical questions	Configuring SAP systems, building applications, coding, advising on solutions, or conversational scenario responses ​
Exam Duration	Typically 180 minutes in one sitting	Time-boxed assessments; scenario-based exams can be 24-hour format​
Environment	Silent, isolated testing rooms	Mirrors real work environment with collaboration tools and resources ​
Badge Description	Standard Credly badge	Enhanced Credly badge highlighting applied validation and practical capability ​
Validity for Existing Certificate Holders	Standard renewal cycle	No immediate re-certification needed; continue regular renewal with stay-certified assessments ​
Rollout Timeline	Previous standard	November 2025 onwards; all certifications to shift by 2026​
First Available Tracks	N/A	Solution Architect for SAP BTP, SAP Generative AI Developer, SAP Build Developer, SAP Business Data Cloud, SAP BTP System Administrator, RISE with SAP Methodology​
Skill Validation	Theoretical knowledge and memorized concepts	Practical mastery and day-one job readiness ​

 

The Next-Generation Certification Model represents a fundamental shift from testing what candidates know to validating what they can actually do in real-world SAP environments, aligning certification with how professionals work in the AI era.

 

SAP isn’t just updating an exam format. 

It’s pushing the industry toward a future where authentic skill matters more than memorized answers - and where certifications finally reflect the real capabilities companies need.  

 

As SAP reimagines its certification framework to focus on real-world capability, professionals need learning partners who can match that standard  and Vinsys is built precisely for this shift.  

 

Vinsys SAP certified official training partner with latest SAP training programs go beyond traditional instruction, blending expert-led guidance with hands-on labs, scenario-driven exercises, and practical workflows that mirror the very environments SAP now tests for. With a curriculum shaped by industry practitioners and supported by structured mentoring, Vinsys helps learners develop not just exam readiness, but true system confidence. For those looking to excel in SAP’s new certification era, Vinsys offers a learning experience that is modern, immersive, and designed for real performance. 

 
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