Quick skill test · 15 questions · 15 minutes · Free

Machine Learning Fundamentals Certification

Tests ML basics — supervised vs unsupervised learning, features and labels, train/validation/test splits, overfitting, common algorithms and when ML is the right tool. Pass to earn Machine Learning Fundamentals SOA-MLF.

What is the Machine Learning Fundamentals Certification?

The Machine Learning Fundamentals Certification is a free 15-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests ML basics — supervised vs unsupervised learning, features and labels, train/validation/test splits, overfitting, common algorithms and when ML is the right tool. Score 70% or more on its 15 questions to earn a verifiable Machine Learning Fundamentals certificate (SOA-MLF). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Machine Learning Crash Course (Google for Developers), AI Risk Management Framework (NIST), People + AI Guidebook (Google PAIR) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Built for your job title

Data scientist, Machine learning engineer, Data analyst, Software engineer and Student — and anyone who wants quick, verifiable proof of Machine Learning Fundamentals skills for a CV or LinkedIn.

  • Data scientist
  • Machine learning engineer
  • Data analyst
  • Software engineer
  • Student

Land the job, not just the certificate

Career guide · 11 min read

How to get a machine learning job in 2027: what ML hiring managers test, and the projects that prove you can ship

How to get a machine learning job in 2027: the ML fundamentals, coding and system-design skills employers test, the interview loop, pay and a 12-week 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

    Core concepts

    33%
    • Supervised vs unsupervised
    • Features and labels
    • Common algorithms
  2. 02

    Training well

    33%
    • Data splits
    • Overfitting and regularisation
    • When to use ML
  3. 03

    ML in production

    33%
    • Deployment and serving
    • Monitoring and drift
    • Responsible ML

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 does k in k-means represent?

  1. The learning rate
  2. The number of rows
  3. The number of clusters
  4. The number of features
Show the answer

C. The number of clusters — You choose how many clusters to form. 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 Data Analytics & Business Intelligence: 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 Data & BI certification and test →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Machine Learning Fundamentals Certification?

The Machine Learning Fundamentals Certification is a free 15-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests ML basics — supervised vs unsupervised learning, features and labels, train/validation/test splits, overfitting, common algorithms and when ML is the right tool. Score 70% or more on its 15 questions to earn a verifiable Machine Learning Fundamentals certificate (SOA-MLF). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Machine Learning Crash Course (Google for Developers), AI Risk Management Framework (NIST), People + AI Guidebook (Google PAIR) — and each answer is explained with its source.

How do I take the Machine Learning Fundamentals 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 Machine Learning Fundamentals certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Are the Machine Learning Fundamentals 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: Machine Learning Crash Course (Google for Developers); AI Risk Management Framework (NIST); People + AI Guidebook (Google PAIR); Machine Learning Crash Course: Precision and recall (Google for Developers); Site Reliability Engineering (Google). 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 Machine Learning Fundamentals Certification cover?

Three skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Core concepts (Supervised vs unsupervised, Features and labels and Common algorithms); Training well (Data splits, Overfitting and regularisation and When to use ML); ML in production (Deployment and serving, Monitoring and drift and Responsible ML). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.

Who should take the Machine Learning Fundamentals Certification?

Data scientist, Machine learning engineer, Data analyst, Software engineer and Student. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Machine Learning Fundamentals skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.

Can I take the Machine Learning Fundamentals 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 Machine Learning Fundamentals 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 Machine Learning Fundamentals 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 Data scientist job?

To get a machine learning job in 2027, show you can take a model from data to production and know when ML is the wrong tool: solid fundamentals (splits, overfitting, metrics), clean Python, one project deployed and monitored, and the judgement to compare against a simple baseline. Rehearse ML system design, target product firms, GCCs and AI startups, and expect ML engineer pay in India of about ₹12.6–13.9 lakh typical. Our full career guide covers the hiring process, interview loop, pay and a prep plan: scienceofapps.com/blog/machine-learning-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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