Quick skill test · 20 questions · 20 minutes · Free

C++ Programming Certification

Tests modern C++ — RAII and smart pointers, move semantics, references, the STL, templates, undefined behaviour and C++ Core Guidelines best practice. Pass to earn C++ Programming SOA-CPP.

What is the C++ Programming Certification?

The C++ Programming Certification is a free 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests modern C++ — RAII and smart pointers, move semantics, references, the STL, templates, undefined behaviour and C++ Core Guidelines best practice. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable C++ Programming certificate (SOA-CPP). Every question is based on published standards and research — including C++ reference (cppreference.com), C++ Core Guidelines (Stroustrup & Sutter (isocpp.org)) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Built for your job title

C++ developer, Game developer, Systems engineer, Embedded engineer and Quant developer — and anyone who wants quick, verifiable proof of C++ Programming skills for a CV or LinkedIn.

  • C++ developer
  • Game developer
  • Systems engineer
  • Embedded engineer
  • Quant developer

Land the job, not just the certificate

Career guide · 8 min read

C++ developer jobs in 2027: modern C++, memory, performance and the interviews in systems, games and trading

C++ developer jobs in 2027: the modern C++, memory, concurrency and performance skills employers test in systems, games and trading, with pay.

Read the hiring playbook →

What the test covers

Four 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

    Memory and resources

    25%
    • RAII and smart pointers
    • Move semantics
    • References and lifetimes
  2. 02

    Language and library

    25%
    • STL containers and algorithms
    • Templates
    • Undefined behaviour
  3. 03

    Concurrency and modern features

    25%
    • std::thread and atomics
    • Ranges and coroutines
    • constexpr
  4. 04

    Build, tooling and performance

    25%
    • Compilation model
    • Sanitisers and debugging
    • Performance and cache

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

What happens when a std::unique_ptr goes out of scope?

  1. Nothing
  2. It leaks memory
  3. It copies the object
  4. It deletes the object it owns
Show the answer

D. It deletes the object it owns — Automatic cleanup is the point of RAII. The real test has 20 questions like this.

How the test works

  1. 20 minutes, 20 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 20-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 C++ Programming Certification?

The C++ Programming Certification is a free 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests modern C++ — RAII and smart pointers, move semantics, references, the STL, templates, undefined behaviour and C++ Core Guidelines best practice. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable C++ Programming certificate (SOA-CPP). Every question is based on published standards and research — including C++ reference (cppreference.com), C++ Core Guidelines (Stroustrup & Sutter (isocpp.org)) — and each answer is explained with its source.

How do I take the C++ Programming Certification for free?

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.

Are the C++ Programming 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: C++ reference (cppreference.com); C++ Core Guidelines (Stroustrup & Sutter (isocpp.org)). 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 C++ Programming Certification cover?

Four skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Memory and resources (RAII and smart pointers, Move semantics and References and lifetimes); Language and library (STL containers and algorithms, Templates and Undefined behaviour); Concurrency and modern features (std::thread and atomics, Ranges and coroutines and constexpr); Build, tooling and performance (Compilation model, Sanitisers and debugging and Performance and cache). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.

Who should take the C++ Programming Certification?

C++ developer, Game developer, Systems engineer, Embedded engineer and Quant developer. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show C++ Programming skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

Can I take the C++ Programming 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 C++ Programming Certification?

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.

How hard is the C++ Programming Certification?

We rate it Advanced: assumes years in the role or deep specialist knowledge. 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.

How do I prepare for a C++ developer job?

C++ jobs in 2027 are concentrated where performance and control matter: embedded and automotive, semiconductors, game engines, trading systems, databases and browsers. Employers test modern C++ — RAII and smart pointers, move semantics, the STL, templates, undefined behaviour, concurrency — plus debugging and performance reasoning. Build one performance-sensitive project with tests and sanitisers, practise C++-specific interview questions, and expect pay in India of about ₹9.1–10 lakh typical, far higher in trading. Our full career guide covers the hiring process, interview loop, pay and a prep plan: scienceofapps.com/blog/cpp-programming-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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