Last updated: August 13, 2026
SAP is in the middle of the biggest change to its certification program in years. Traditional proctored, multiple-choice exams are being phased out in favor of open-book, performance-based practical exams that ask you to actually perform tasks in a system rather than select an answer from a list. If you are preparing for an SAP certification in 2026, you need to understand this shift before you plan your study approach.
This article explains what has changed, what a practical exam actually looks like, which rules apply to your specific certification, and how to prepare realistically for the new format.
In 2026, most SAP certifications are transitioning to open-book, non-proctored practical exams that test your ability to perform real system tasks rather than answer multiple-choice questions, though the exact format, timeline, and rules still depend on your specific certification, so you must check the current exam page before you prepare.
Quick answer: What is the SAP certification format in 2026?
SAP is moving certifications from proctored multiple-choice exams to practical, performance-based assessments.
Practical exams are open-book and non-proctored — you may use documentation and AI support during the exam, similar to how you would work on a real project.
Assessments are either system-based (you perform tasks directly in an SAP system) or scenario-based, depending on the certification.
SAP states that most roles will transition throughout 2026, with the goal of eventually moving the full certification portfolio to this format.
Certifications generally remain valid for 12 months and require a short stay-certified assessment each year to stay current, which requires an active SAP Learning Hub subscription.
Candidates generally have up to four attempts per certification, subject to their purchased attempts or subscription; after four unsuccessful attempts a waiting period applies before retesting.
Because format and rules are certification-specific and actively changing, always confirm the current details on the official page for the exact certification you plan to take before you commit to a preparation plan.
Table of contents
Why is SAP changing its certification exams?
What is a practical SAP exam?
System-based vs. scenario-based assessments
Is the new SAP exam really open book?
What happens to the old multiple-choice exams?
How certification validity and stay-certified assessments work
How many attempts do you get?
How to prepare for a practical SAP exam
Common misunderstandings about the new format
A realistic preparation timeline
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
Why is SAP changing its certification exams?
SAP has stated that the goal of the shift to practical exams is for certification to reflect how consultants actually work on real projects, rather than how well they memorize answers to multiple-choice questions. Traditional exams could be studied for using question dumps and memorization techniques that had little connection to whether a candidate could actually configure a process, resolve an issue, or complete a real system task.
The practical format is designed to test applied competence: can you actually do the task, using the same resources — documentation, and in some cases AI assistance — that you would use on the job.
This does not mean the new exams are easier. It shifts the difficulty from recalling facts to demonstrating that you can complete real work under time pressure, which for many candidates is a different and, in some ways, more demanding kind of preparation.
What is a practical SAP exam?
A practical SAP exam is a performance-based assessment in which you complete realistic tasks — for example, configuring a specific process, executing a scenario in a system, or working through a business problem — rather than answering multiple-choice questions about theory.
Key characteristics reported by SAP for the practical exam format include:
The exam is open book: candidates may reference documentation and, per SAP’s own description, use AI support during the assessment, similar to normal working conditions.
The exam is non-proctored: there is no live supervisor watching you take the exam.
Assessments are designed around real-world tasks, intended to mirror what a consultant would actually do on a project.
The exam interface shows the assessment type, time allocation, and your remaining attempts before you begin.
Because this is a significant departure from older SAP exams, do not prepare using strategies built for multiple-choice testing, such as memorized question banks. Preparing for a practical exam means practicing the actual tasks in a system, not memorizing answer patterns.
System-based vs. scenario-based assessments
SAP practical exams generally fall into two broad categories, and the specific type depends on the certification you are taking.
Assessment type | What it involves | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
System-based | You perform tasks directly inside a live or simulated SAP system — configuration, process execution, or troubleshooting steps | Your ability to actually operate the system correctly |
Scenario-based | You are given a business scenario and asked to analyze it, make decisions, or describe/execute the correct approach | Your ability to apply judgment to a realistic business situation |
The exact mix and format for your target certification is shown on that certification’s official exam page before you register. Always check this page directly rather than relying on older descriptions of the exam, since the format can vary by role and is still being rolled out across SAP’s certification portfolio.
Is the new SAP exam really open book?
Yes, for certifications that have transitioned to the practical exam format, SAP describes the assessment as open book, meaning you are permitted to use documentation and, per SAP’s stated approach, AI support during the exam — mirroring the tools consultants use in daily project work.
This is a meaningful shift from the traditional closed-book, memorization-based exam. However, “open book” does not mean the exam is easy. You are still working under time pressure, and having access to documentation does not help if you do not already understand how to navigate the system, structure the task, or apply the relevant concepts efficiently. Treat the open-book format as a reflection of real working conditions, not a shortcut around genuine preparation.
What happens to the old multiple-choice exams?
SAP has indicated that the transition to practical exams is happening gradually across its certification portfolio, with most roles transitioning throughout 2026, and that proctored multiple-choice exams will eventually be phased out entirely as the transition completes.
Until a specific certification has transitioned, it may still use the traditional proctored multiple-choice format. This means two candidates studying for certifications in different SAP areas at the same time could be preparing for genuinely different exam experiences.
Always check the specific exam page for your target certification to confirm:
whether it has already transitioned to the practical format,
what type of assessment (system-based or scenario-based) applies,
and what preparation materials SAP recommends for that specific exam.
Do not assume that information you read about one SAP certification automatically applies to another.
How certification validity and stay-certified assessments work
Once earned, an SAP certification is associated with a digital badge that is generally valid for 12 months. To keep a certification current beyond that period, SAP requires completion of a short “stay-certified” assessment before the certification’s renewal deadline.
According to SAP’s own certification support materials:
The stay-certified assessment is a short, non-proctored quiz with unlimited attempts within the renewal window.
Passing it before the due date extends certification validity for another 12 months.
Your certification status is shown as Valid, Stay certified due, or Expired on your learning profile.
Accessing the stay-certified preparation materials and the assessment itself requires an active SAP Learning Hub subscription. Without one, you cannot complete the annual assessment and may need to retake the full certification exam to become recertified.
This subscription requirement is an important practical consideration: if you let your SAP Learning Hub subscription lapse, you may lose the ability to keep an otherwise-earned certification current without paying to sit the full exam again.
How many attempts do you get?
Based on SAP’s current certification support documentation, candidates generally have up to four attempts per certification, depending on their purchased attempts or subscription entitlement. If a candidate is unsuccessful after four attempts, a waiting period of approximately 12 months applies before the certification can be attempted again.
Attempt policies and pricing can vary by certification and subscription type, so confirm the exact attempt allowance for your specific certification before registering, especially if you are purchasing individual exam attempts rather than accessing exams through an SAP Learning Hub subscription.
How to prepare for a practical SAP exam
1. Complete the official SAP Learning Journey for your certification
SAP recommends completing the relevant Learning Journey associated with your target certification before attempting the exam. These journeys are structured around the same role and product scope the exam covers.
2. Practice in a real or realistic system, not just theory
Because the exam is performance-based, reading alone is not sufficient preparation. You need hands-on repetition of the actual tasks the certification covers — configuration steps, process execution, or scenario analysis, depending on your certification’s assessment type.
3. Get comfortable working under time pressure with reference materials open
Since the exam is open book, practice retrieving information from documentation quickly rather than memorizing it word for word. The skill being tested is efficient, accurate task execution while using available resources — the same skill you would use on a real project.
4. Do not rely on old exam dumps or outdated question banks
Because the format has fundamentally changed for transitioned certifications, older multiple-choice-style preparation materials may no longer reflect what the actual exam asks you to do. Rely on current, official SAP preparation materials for your specific certification.
5. Simulate realistic scenarios before the exam
If your certification uses scenario-based assessment, practice explaining and executing your reasoning for realistic business situations, not just isolated system steps. If it is system-based, repeat full end-to-end processes rather than only individual transactions.
Common misunderstandings about the new format
“Open book means it’s easy.” Open-book access to documentation does not replace the need to understand the system and process. You still need to complete real tasks accurately within a time limit.
“AI support means I don’t need to know anything.” SAP’s description of AI support during the exam reflects how consultants actually work day to day — it supports execution, not a substitute for understanding what needs to be done and why.
“All SAP certifications already use the new format.” Not necessarily. The transition is rolling out gradually through 2026, so your specific certification may still use the traditional proctored, multiple-choice format. Always check the current exam page.
“Old exam prep materials will still work.” Preparation strategies built around memorizing multiple-choice answers do not transfer well to hands-on, performance-based exams. Practical exams reward system practice, not memorization.
“Certification alone proves I can do the job.” Certification demonstrates that you have met a defined standard for a role and product scope at a point in time. It is valuable, particularly for career changers, but it does not replace real project experience, and most employers know the difference.
A realistic preparation timeline
There is no single correct timeline, since it depends on your certification, prior experience, and available study time. As a general framework:
Confirm the exact exam format for your target certification on the official exam page.
Complete the relevant SAP Learning Journey end to end.
Practice the underlying process or scenario repeatedly in a system, not just once.
Do a realistic timed run-through of comparable tasks before the actual exam, if practice materials allow it.
Confirm your Learning Hub subscription status if you plan to use the stay-certified assessment later, so your certification does not lapse unexpectedly.
If you are preparing as part of a broader career change, pair your certification preparation with hands-on practice and a small portfolio of realistic exercises, since certification alone is not a substitute for demonstrable capability. The ERP Institute guide on how to become an SAP consultant covers how certification fits into the wider career-change process.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SAP certification exam open book in 2026?
For certifications that have transitioned to the practical exam format, yes. SAP describes these exams as open book, allowing candidates to reference documentation and use AI support during the assessment. Certifications that have not yet transitioned may still use the traditional closed-book, proctored format, so check your specific certification’s exam page.
What is a practical SAP exam?
A practical SAP exam is a performance-based assessment that asks candidates to complete real tasks — such as system configuration or working through a business scenario — instead of answering multiple-choice questions. Assessments are either system-based or scenario-based, depending on the certification.
Are all SAP certifications switching to the practical exam format?
Not immediately. SAP has indicated the transition is happening gradually, with most roles transitioning throughout 2026, with the eventual goal of moving the entire certification portfolio to the practical format. Until a specific certification transitions, it may still use the traditional multiple-choice format.
How long is an SAP certification valid?
SAP certifications are generally valid for 12 months from the date earned. To remain certified beyond that period, you need to complete a short annual stay-certified assessment, which requires an active SAP Learning Hub subscription.
What happens if I don’t complete the stay-certified assessment?
If you do not complete the stay-certified assessment before your renewal deadline, your certification status changes to expired, and you would generally need to retake the full certification exam to become recertified.
How many times can I attempt an SAP certification exam?
Based on SAP’s current certification support documentation, candidates generally have up to four attempts per certification, depending on their purchased attempts or subscription. After four unsuccessful attempts, a waiting period applies before the certification can be attempted again.
Do I need an SAP Learning Hub subscription to get certified?
Not necessarily to take an initial exam, since individual exam attempts can be purchased separately in many cases. However, an active SAP Learning Hub subscription is required to access the stay-certified preparation materials and assessment needed to keep a certification current after the first 12 months.
Can I use AI tools during an SAP practical exam?
SAP’s own description of the practical exam format states that candidates can use AI support and documentation during the exam, mirroring the tools used in daily project work. This applies to certifications that have transitioned to the practical exam format; always confirm the specific rules on your certification’s exam page.
Is SAP certification necessary to get a job?
Not universally. Certification can strengthen your profile, particularly for career changers with limited SAP project history, and gives you a structured learning target. It is not a guarantee of employment and does not replace practical, hands-on capability.
Will old certification exam guides and question dumps still help me prepare?
Not reliably, for certifications that have transitioned to the practical format. Older preparation materials built around memorizing multiple-choice answers do not match a performance-based exam that requires you to complete real tasks. Use current official SAP preparation materials for your specific certification.
How do I know which format my certification exam uses?
Check the official exam page for your specific certification before you begin preparing. SAP’s transition is certification-specific, so the format, assessment type, and current rules can differ between certifications, even within the same product area.
Conclusion: Prepare for what the exam actually tests
The shift to open-book, performance-based SAP certification exams changes what “being prepared” means. It is no longer primarily about memorizing answers — it is about being able to complete real tasks accurately, under time pressure, using the same resources you would use on an actual project.
Before you commit to a study plan, confirm the exact format, assessment type, and attempt rules for your specific certification on SAP’s official exam page, since the transition is still rolling out across the portfolio. Then prepare by practicing the real underlying process or scenario repeatedly in a system, not by studying isolated facts.
Certification can be a valuable milestone, especially as part of a broader career change, but it works best alongside practical system experience rather than in place of it. If you are still deciding which certification direction fits your background, the ERP Institute SAP Career Advisor can help you connect a certification target to a realistic career path.
