Quick skill test · 15 questions · 15 minutes · Free

Back-End Development Certification

Tests server-side fundamentals — HTTP and REST, databases and transactions, authentication, caching, queues, scalability, logging and secure back-end design. Pass to earn Back-End Development SOA-BED.

What is the Back-End Development Certification?

The Back-End Development Certification is a free 15-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests server-side fundamentals — HTTP and REST, databases and transactions, authentication, caching, queues, scalability, logging and secure back-end design. Score 70% or more on its 15 questions to earn a verifiable Back-End Development certificate (SOA-BED). Every question is based on published standards and research — including AWS Well-Architected Framework (AWS), The SQL language (PostgreSQL), HTTP response status codes (MDN Web Docs) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Built for your job title

Back-end developer, API developer, Software engineer, Full-stack developer and Platform engineer — and anyone who wants quick, verifiable proof of Back-End Development skills for a CV or LinkedIn.

  • Back-end developer
  • API developer
  • Software engineer
  • Full-stack developer
  • Platform engineer

Land the job, not just the certificate

Career guide · 9 min read

How to get a back-end developer job in 2027: APIs, databases and the design round that decides it

How to get a back-end developer job in 2027: the API, database, security and system-design skills employers test, the interview loop, pay in India and a plan.

Read the hiring playbook →

What the test covers

Three skill areas with 5 questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area, so a retake brings questions you haven't seen.

  1. 01

    Server fundamentals

    33%
    • HTTP and APIs
    • Databases and transactions
    • Authentication
  2. 02

    Production back ends

    33%
    • Caching and queues
    • Scaling
    • Observability and security
  3. 03

    APIs at scale and data design

    33%
    • Schema design and indexing
    • Background jobs
    • Rate limiting and resilience

Based on published standards

The questions are original scenarios, and each one names the public standard, official guide or research it draws on — shown under the question while you answer, and linked in your review. These are the sources behind this test:

Try a sample question

Which status code means the client isn't authenticated?

  1. 403 Forbidden
  2. 404 Not Found
  3. 500 Internal Server Error
  4. 401 Unauthorized
Show the answer

D. 401 Unauthorized — 401 asks for authentication; 403 means authenticated but not allowed. The real test has 15 questions like this.

How the test works

  1. 15 minutes, 15 questions

    One question per screen, with a progress bar and a countdown. Your progress is saved on this device if you need to pause.

  2. Graded on our server

    Answers reach the page only after you submit, so the certificate can only be earned by passing.

  3. Every answer explained

    Pass or not, you see every question with the right answer, why, and the source behind it. Pass mark 70%, distinction 90%.

  4. Your certificate

    Founder-signed, with a QR code and credential ID. Download PDF or PNG, add to LinkedIn, and it's emailed to you.

What you earn

A Science of Apps certificate for Software Engineering & Web Development: ivory paper with a gold medal
LinkedIn-ready certificate

Pass, then add it to LinkedIn in one click

No typing. The Add to LinkedIn button opens your profile’s Licenses & certifications form already filled in: the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and a link recruiters can use to verify it.

  1. 1Take the 15-minute test
  2. 2Score 70% or more
  3. 3Click Add to LinkedIn
Free · no sign-up · also emailed to you as a PDF
How it shows on your LinkedIn profile

See every Software & web dev certification and test →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Back-End Development Certification?

The Back-End Development Certification is a free 15-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests server-side fundamentals — HTTP and REST, databases and transactions, authentication, caching, queues, scalability, logging and secure back-end design. Score 70% or more on its 15 questions to earn a verifiable Back-End Development certificate (SOA-BED). Every question is based on published standards and research — including AWS Well-Architected Framework (AWS), The SQL language (PostgreSQL), HTTP response status codes (MDN Web Docs) — and each answer is explained with its source.

How do I take the Back-End Development Certification for free?

Read the three skill areas on this page, then take the 15-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a Back-End Development certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Are the Back-End Development Certification questions based on real standards?

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: AWS Well-Architected Framework (AWS); The SQL language (PostgreSQL); HTTP response status codes (MDN Web Docs); OWASP Cheat Sheet Series (OWASP); Site Reliability Engineering (Google); RFC 9110: HTTP Semantics (IETF). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

What does the Back-End Development Certification cover?

Three skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Server fundamentals (HTTP and APIs, Databases and transactions and Authentication); Production back ends (Caching and queues, Scaling and Observability and security); APIs at scale and data design (Schema design and indexing, Background jobs and Rate limiting and resilience). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.

Who should take the Back-End Development Certification?

Back-end developer, API developer, Software engineer, Full-stack developer and Platform engineer. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Back-End Development skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

Can I take the Back-End Development Certification from any country?

Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.

How long is the Back-End Development Certification?

15 questions — 5 from each of 3 skill areas — with a 15-minute limit. You need 70% (11 of 15) to pass and 90% for distinction.

How hard is the Back-End Development Certification?

We rate it Intermediate: assumes hands-on experience in the role. It has 15 scenario questions — 5 from each of 3 skill areas — and a 15-minute limit. You need 70% (11 of 15) to pass and 90% for distinction.

How do I prepare for a Back-end developer job?

To get a back-end developer job in 2027, prove you can build APIs that stay correct under load: one server language well (Java, Python, Node.js, Go or C#), HTTP and REST, SQL and transactions, authentication, caching and queues, and logging and monitoring. Ship one production-like service with tests and docs, practise coding plus a system design round, and target product firms and fintechs; back-end developers in India typically earn ₹10.6–11.7 lakh. Our full career guide covers the hiring process, interview loop, pay and a prep plan: scienceofapps.com/blog/back-end-development-career-guide/

How much do Science of Apps certifications cost?

Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.

How are the tests graded?

On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.

What happens if I don't pass?

You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.

Do the certificates expire?

No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.

Can I add the certificate to LinkedIn?

Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.

How can an employer verify my certificate?

Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.

Are these accredited qualifications?

No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.

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