🚀 How I Passed the GitHub Foundation Exam: A Step-by-Step Guide 💼

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Called Sarvar, I am an Cloud Architect. With years of experience working on cutting-edge technologies, I have honed my expertise in Cloud Operations (Azure and AWS), Data Operations, Data Analytics, and DevOps. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with clients from all around the world, delivering excellent results, and going above and beyond expectations. I am passionate about learning the latest and treading technologies.

Passing the GitHub Foundation Exam is a great milestone for developers and tech enthusiasts looking to sharpen their GitHub skills and showcase their proficiency in managing code repositories and collaborating effectively. In this article, I’ll walk you through the types of questions you can expect, the topics you should focus on, and the best way to prepare for the exam based on my experience.

Understanding the GitHub Foundation Exam Structure

The GitHub Foundation Exam is designed to assess your understanding of GitHub’s fundamental features and workflows. The exam primarily focuses on topics such as version control, collaboration practices, GitHub workflows, repository management, security, and GitHub-specific tools like GitHub Actions and Codespaces.

Percentage Breakdown by Topic

Before diving into the types of questions you may encounter, it’s important to understand the major topics covered in the exam and their approximate weightage:

1. Version Control and GitHub Fundamentals (40%): Topics: Repository creation, forking, cloning, branching, pull requests, commits, Git, and GitHub’s collaboration features.
2. GitHub Projects, Issues, and Collaboration (30%): Topics: GitHub Projects, Issues, Discussions, Labels, Templates, and project management tools within GitHub.
3. Security, Permissions, and GitHub Actions (20%): Topics: GitHub Actions, security policies, repository access, roles (admin, maintain, write, etc.), and CODEOWNERS.
4. Advanced GitHub Features (10%): Topics: GitHub Sponsors, Codespaces, Integrations, and using third-party actions.

Key Topics to Prepare For

1. Version Control and GitHub Workflows
One of the most tested areas in the exam revolves around GitHub’s version control system. You need to be comfortable with:

• Branches: How branches work, how to create new branches, and how to manage feature branches.
• Commits: The lifecycle of commits, how they relate to pull requests, and when commits occur in workflows.
• Pull Requests: Understanding how pull requests facilitate collaboration, and how they are related to branches.
• Forking & Cloning: Know how forking a repository creates a new copy of the project for independent development, and how cloning works for creating a local copy of a repository.

‣ Example questions:

• "Which of the following best describes a branch in Git?"
• "Which of the following is the primary purpose of creating a new branch in the GitHub flow?"

2. GitHub Issues, Projects, and Collaboration Tools
Collaboration tools are another major area in the exam. GitHub provides several project management tools to streamline the development process.

• GitHub Issues: Know how to create, manage, and label issues, as well as the purpose of issue templates.
• GitHub Projects: Be familiar with how GitHub Projects work, including its layout options like table, board, and roadmap views.

Discussions: Discussions enable collaborative communication on repositories. Understanding how to pin, comment, and create issues from discussions is key.

‣ Example questions:

• "What are two main reasons why one might fork a repository?"
• "How can a user highlight a post to the top of the Discussions page?"

3. Security, Permissions, and GitHub Actions
Security is a critical component of managing repositories, and it is an essential part of the exam. You should understand:

• Repository Access & Permissions: The roles within a repository (Admin, Write, Maintain, Triage) and what each role allows the user to do.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): How to configure and the importance of securing your account with 2FA.
• GitHub Actions: Knowing how to configure GitHub Actions workflows and the events that trigger them.

‣ Example questions:

• "Which of the following is distinctive of GitHub Actions workflows?"
• "What are the advantages of GitHub Projects over GitHub Projects Classic?"

4. Advanced GitHub Features
While advanced features are not as heavily weighted, they can still appear on the exam. Understanding GitHub Sponsors, Codespaces, and integrations with third-party tools will be helpful.

• GitHub Sponsors: How developers receive funding through GitHub Sponsors and how to set up sponsorships.
• Codespaces: What Codespaces are, and how they provide cloud-based development environments.

‣ Example questions:

• "What is the purpose of GitHub Sponsors?"
• "Which of the following best describes GitHub Codespaces?"

Sample Questions You Might Encounter

Repository Management:

• "Which of the following can be performed within GitHub Desktop?"
• "Which of the following information is available by default in a user's GitHub profile?"

GitHub Workflows:

• "Which of the following are statuses of a pull request?"
• "What is a CODEOWNERS file, and what does it do?"

Security and Collaboration:

• "What is the primary purpose of creating a security policy in a repository?"
• "Who can be assigned to an issue or pull request?"

These questions reflect the real-world application of GitHub’s tools and features, so focusing on practical knowledge is crucial.

Preparation Tips

1. Hands-on Practice: The best way to prepare is to use GitHub regularly. Try forking repositories, creating branches, making pull requests, and using GitHub Projects to manage your own work.
2. Explore GitHub Documentation: GitHub’s official documentation is a treasure trove of information. Study sections on Issues, GitHub Actions, security settings, and workflows.
3. Understand Permissions: Make sure you understand the different roles in GitHub repositories and what each level of access allows users to do (Read, Write, Admin, etc.).
4. Familiarize Yourself with GitHub Actions: GitHub Actions is increasingly important in the development world, so learn how to create and configure workflows and triggers.
5. Take Advantage of Practice Tests: If available, take practice exams to gauge your knowledge and understand the type of questions you will encounter.

Conclusion: Passing the GitHub Foundation Exam requires a solid understanding of GitHub’s workflows, collaboration tools, and security features. By focusing on the major topics discussed above and practicing real-world GitHub activities, you can pass the exam confidently. Stay curious, keep exploring GitHub’s features, and you’ll be well-prepared to earn your certification. Good luck!

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Here is the End!

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope you found this article informative and helpful. As I continue to explore the latest developments in technology, I look forward to sharing my insights with you. Stay tuned for more articles like this one that break down complex concepts and make them easier to understand.

Happy Learning!