CLE – C Certified Entry-Level Programmer Certification

---

The CLE – C Certified Entry-Level Programmer certification is the ideal starting point for individuals beginning their journey in software development, C programming, and related fields such as low-level and middle-level programming. It validates your understanding of core programming principles using the C language and sets the foundation for further growth, including progression to the CLA – C Certified Associate Programmer certification.

By earning the CLE certification, you demonstrate your ability to work with essential coding constructs, build simple yet functional C programs, and apply key problem-solving techniques. This credential helps you stand out in a competitive job market and opens the door to a wide range of technical career paths.

Exam Information

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

CLE Exam Syllabus

---

Exam Overview

The CLE certification exam evaluates foundational knowledge of the C programming language. It confirms the candidate's ability to write and analyze simple C programs, apply core programming constructs, and understand essential concepts such as compilation, variables, data types, operators, control flow, arrays, pointers, functions, and strings.

The CLE exam consists of 30 questions (items), each assigned a different point value depending on its complexity and learning objective. The maximum score is 30 points, which is normalized and converted into a percentage. To pass, a candidate must achieve a cumulative score of 70% or higher. The final result is based on total points earned across all items – not an average per exam block.

Exam Objectives by Block

Block 1 – Basic Concepts
(Exam items: 4 | Weight: 13.25%)

1. 1.1 Explain the purpose of compilation and describe the role of the compiler and IDE.
2. 1.2 Distinguish between language elements, lexis, syntax, semantics, and portability.
3. 1.3 Identify valid literals: characters, numbers, strings, and scientific notation.
4. 1.4 Use printf() and puts() functions for output; describe the role of the main() and return.
5. 1.5 Understand numeral systems (binary, octal, decimal, hexadecimal).
6. 1.6 Apply basic arithmetic operators and declare variables.

Block 2 – Data Types, Evaluations, and Basic I/O Operations
(Exam items: 4 | Weight: 13.25%)

1. 2.1 Differentiate between primary and derived data types and use type modifiers.
2. 2.2 Perform type casting and conversions.
3. 2.3 Declare variables, assign values, and define constants.
4. 2.4 Use scanf(), puts(), and printf() for input/output and format output using specifiers.
5. 2.5 Recognize header files and perform basic calculations.

Block 3 – Arithmetic, Logical, and Bitwise Operators
(Exam items: 4 | Weight: 13.25%)

1. 3.1 Use unary and binary operators, respecting operator precedence and associativity.
2. 3.2 Perform arithmetic calculations and rounding operations.
3. 3.3 Use increment/decrement and compound assignment operators.
4. 3.4 Apply bitwise shifts (>>, <<) and logical operators (AND, OR, NOT).
5. 3.5 Construct and interpret truth tables.

Block 4 – Flow Control: Decision-Making Statements
(Exam items: 4 | Weight: 13.25%)

1. 4.1 Apply conditional statements: if, if-else, if-else if, if-else if-else.
2. 4.2 Use multiple and nested conditions.
3. 4.3 Implement switch, case, and default statements.
4. 4.4 Understand control instructions.

Block 5 – Flow Control: Loops
(Exam items: 5 | Weight: 16.50%)

1. 5.1 Use loop constructs: while, for, and do...while.
2. 5.2 Iterate through sequences and recognize infinite loops.
3. 5.3 Understand loop structure, nesting, and execution.
4. 5.4 Control loops using break and continue.

Block 6 – Arrays, Pointers, and Memory Management
(Exam items: 5 | Weight: 16.50%)

1. 6.1 Create and manipulate single- and multidimensional arrays.
2. 6.2 Use initiators and sort array data.
3. 6.3 Declare and manipulate pointers, including NULL, arithmetic, and references.
4. 6.4 Distinguish between pointers and arrays.
5. 6.5 Perform memory allocation with malloc() and deallocation with free().

Block 7 – String Manipulation
(Exam items: 2 | Weight: 7%)

1. 7.1 Use character arrays and ASCII codes.
2. 7.2 Initialize and process strings.
3. 7.3 Apply string functions: strcpy, strlen, strcat.
4. 7.4 Use string header files.

Block 8 – The Basics of Functions
(Exam items: 2 | Weight: 7%)

1. 8.1 Define, declare, and invoke functions.
2. 8.2 Use parameters and return values.
3. 8.3 Recognize and apply selected C standard library functions.

MQC Profile

A Minimally Qualified Candidate (MQC) for the CLE – C Certified Entry-Level Programmer certification demonstrates basic proficiency in C programming. They are capable of writing and debugging simple programs using core language constructs and standard functions.

The MQC understands fundamental programming concepts and tools, including syntax, data types, literals, and operators (Block 1 & 2), and is able to control program flow using conditions and loops (Blocks 3–5). They can manipulate arrays, work with pointers and memory management (Block 6), and perform essential string operations (Block 7). The candidate also shows competence in writing functions and organizing code logically (Block 8).

The CLE credential confirms readiness for more advanced programming challenges and progression to the CLA certification.

Last updated: July 24, 2025
First published: November 15, 2012
Aligned with Exam CLE-10-01