C Programming Certification Test

The C Programming Certification Test is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests applied C programming skill — types, operators and control flow, pointers, arrays and strings, memory management and structs, and files, the preprocessor and safe C — to the C17/C23 standard and the SEI CERT C guidelines, as asked in 2026 and 2027 developer interviews. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable C Programming certificate (SOA-CPR). Every question is based on published standards and research — including C reference (cppreference.com), SEI CERT C Coding Standard (Carnegie Mellon University SEI), ISO/IEC 9899 C programming language (C17/C23) (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG14) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Take the free C Programming Certification Test on Science of Apps. It tests pointers and memory, arrays and strings, and structs against a 2026–2027 syllabus, and passing earns a verifiable certificate you can add to LinkedIn.

Read the four skill areas on this page, then take the 20-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 C Programming certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: C reference (cppreference.com); SEI CERT C Coding Standard (Carnegie Mellon University SEI); ISO/IEC 9899 C programming language (C17/C23) (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG14). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

Four skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Types, Operators and Control Flow (Data types, Operators and precedence and Loops and conditions); Pointers, Arrays and Strings (Pointer basics, Arrays and pointer arithmetic and Strings); Memory Management and Structs (Dynamic allocation, Lifetime and leaks and Structs and unions); Files, Preprocessor and Safe C (File I/O, Preprocessor and build and Secure coding). Every question is an original scenario written to the 2026–2027 standard, with the published source named under it.

Embedded software engineer, Systems programmer, Firmware developer, Computer science student and C developer. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show C Programming knowledge in 2026 and 2027, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

It follows ISO C17 and notes C23 changes where relevant, plus SEI CERT C secure-coding rules. Code snippets assume a typical 64-bit platform with 32-bit int unless stated.

Yes for embedded, systems, firmware and security roles, where C is still the core language. A verifiable result helps you show memory-safety and pointer skills that interviews probe.

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/.

20 questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — with a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

We rate it Intermediate: assumes hands-on experience in the role. It has 20 scenario questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — and a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.