MongoDB Associate Developer Preparation Details
Preparing for the MongoDB Associate Developer exam? This study guide maps every objective across all six exam sections to official MongoDB documentation. Focus your preparation on CRUD, indexes, and drivers. You can also explore more MongoDB certification study guides on the MongoDB category to keep building your skills.
MongoDB Associate Developer Materials
| Coursera | MongoDB: Complete Guide to NoSQL Database Development |
| Udemy | MongoDB Associate Developer Exam [Exams 2026] |
Section 1: MONGODB OVERVIEW AND THE DOCUMENT MODEL (8%)
1.1 Identify the set of value types MongoDB BSON supports.
1.2 Given three documents that are of different shape, identify which can co-exist in the same collection.
Databases and Collections in MongoDB
Section 2: CRUD (51%)
2.1 Given a scenario with a type of structured document that needs to be inserted into a database, identify properly and improperly formed insert commands.
db.collection.insertOne() (mongosh method)
db.collection.insertMany() (mongosh method)
2.2 Given an update scenario where an entire updated document (no update operators used) is provided, identify the output and how the database changed state.
db.collection.replaceOne() (mongosh method)
2.3 Given an update scenario where $set is used, identify the output and how the database changed state.
db.collection.updateOne() (mongosh method)
2.4 Given a scenario about updating a document and information about where it should be inserted if it does not exist, identify the upsert command that should be used.
db.collection.updateOne() (mongosh method)
$setOnInsert (update operator)
db.collection.replaceOne() (mongosh method)
2.5 Given a scenario where multiple documents need to be updated, identify the correct update expression.
db.collection.updateMany() (mongosh method)
2.6 Given a findAndModify scenario where another operation is run concurrently, identify the output and how the database changed state.
db.collection.findAndModify() (mongosh method)
db.collection.findOneAndUpdate() (mongosh method)
2.7 Given a scenario where a document should be deleted from the database, identify the delete expression that should be used.
db.collection.deleteOne() (mongosh method)
db.collection.deleteMany() (mongosh method)
2.8 Given a scenario where a single document should be looked up by a simple equality constraint (eg {x: 3}), identify the expression that should be used.
db.collection.findOne() (mongosh method)
db.collection.find() (mongosh method)
2.9 Identify documents matched by a query with an equality constraint on an array field.
db.collection.find() (mongosh method)
2.10 Identify documents matched by an expression with relational operators in it.
2.11 Identify documents matched by an expression with $in.
2.12 Identify documents matched by an $elemMatch expression.
Query an Array of Embedded Documents
2.13 Identify documents matched by an expression that has several logical operators.
db.collection.find() (mongosh method)
2.14 Given a query with a sort and limit, identify the correct output.
cursor.sort() (mongosh method)
cursor.limit() (mongosh method)
db.collection.find() (mongosh method)
2.15 Identify the incorrect projection among a set of expressions.
Project Fields to Return from Query
db.collection.find() (mongosh method)
2.16 Identify how to get all results from a cursor.
cursor.toArray() (mongosh method)
db.collection.find() (mongosh method)
2.17 Identify the expressions used to count the number of documents matching a query.
db.collection.countDocuments() (mongosh method)
db.collection.estimatedDocumentCount() (mongosh method)
2.18 Given an indexing scenario, identify the correct command for defining a search index.
db.collection.createSearchIndex() (mongosh method)
2.19 Given a scenario, identify the correct search query.
db.collection.createSearchIndex() (mongosh method)
2.20 Given an aggregation expression using $match, $group, identify the correct output.
db.collection.aggregate() (mongosh method)
2.21 Given an aggregation expression using $lookup, identify the correct output.
db.collection.aggregate() (mongosh method)
2.22 Given an aggregation expression using $out, identify the correct output.
db.collection.aggregate() (mongosh method)
Section 3: INDEXES (17%)
3.1 Given a query that is performing a collection scan, identify which index would improve the performance of this query.
db.collection.createIndex() (mongosh method)
3.2 Given a query that is performing a collection scan on an equality match on an array field, identify which index would improve the performance of this query.
db.collection.createIndex() (mongosh method)
3.3 Given a query with no constraint and a sort of two fields that is doing collection scan, identify which index would improve the performance of this query.
Use Indexes to Sort Query Results
db.collection.createIndex() (mongosh method)
3.4 Given a collection, identify how many indexes exist for that collection.
db.collection.getIndexes() (mongosh method)
3.5 Identify the trade-offs of using indexes and the ramifications of deleting indexes support queries
db.collection.dropIndex() (mongosh method)
db.collection.createIndex() (mongosh method)
3.6 Identify the explain plan outputs that signify a potential performance issue, specifically whether an index is present or not for the given query.
Interpret Explain Plan Results
cursor.explain() (mongosh method)
Section 4: DATA MODELING (4%)
4.1 Given a scenario with three collections (a parent and two children) and the user, identify the embedded relationships and which should be linked.
4.2 Identify data model examples that are considered an anti-pattern.
Section 5: TOOLS AND TOOLING (2%)
5.1 Given a scenario to load Atlas Sample Dataset and then use Data Explorer to use it to find a given first document in a collection
Create, View, Update, and Delete Documents
db.collection.findOne() (mongosh method)
*Section 6: DRIVERS (18%)
6.1 Define what the XX driver is?
6.2 Define how the XX application connects/uses the XXX driver?
6.3 Define the components of the URI string used by MongoClient to connect the driver to the database.
6.4 Identify what connection pooling is in terms of the driver and what advantages it offers.
6.5 Identify the correct syntax for the XX driver to insert one document and to insert many documents.
db.collection.insertOne() (mongosh method)
db.collection.insertMany() (mongosh method)
6.6 Identify the correct syntax for the XX driver to update one document and to update many documents.
db.collection.updateOne() (mongosh method)
db.collection.updateMany() (mongosh method)
6.7 Identify the correct syntax for the XX driver to delete one document and to delete many documents.
db.collection.deleteOne() (mongosh method)
db.collection.deleteMany() (mongosh method)
6.8 Identify the correct syntax for the XX driver to find many documents and to find one document.
db.collection.find() (mongosh method)
db.collection.findOne() (mongosh method)
6.9 Identify the correct syntax for the XX driver to create an aggregation pipeline.
db.collection.aggregate() (mongosh method)
6.10 Identify the different syntax for the XX driver when using the MongoDB Query Language (MQL) and when using the Aggregation Framework.
db.collection.find() (mongosh method)
db.collection.aggregate() (mongosh method)
Wrapping Up MongoDB Associate Developer
This MongoDB Associate Developer study guide covered all six exam sections, from the document model and CRUD to indexes, data modeling, tooling, and drivers, with official documentation for every objective. Work through each section, practice in mongosh, and you will be ready for exam day. You can also explore more MongoDB certification study guides on the MongoDB category to keep building your skills. Have a question or tip? Leave a comment below.
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