Hi Isi,
It is generally recommended to start with the Associate certification first. However, if you have prior experience and a strong understanding of the core concepts, you can consider attempting the Professional certification directly.
In my case, having previously completed GCP and AWS Machine Learning Professional certifications along with hands-on project experience, I opted for the Professional certification directly. To prepare, I used a combination of Databricks Partner Training materials, Udemy courses, sample questions, and Databricks Labs. Additionally, I practiced on a free 2-weeks Azure Databricks subscription to reinforce my learning through hands-on experience.
My key takeaway from this journey is that understanding the concepts thoroughly and dedicating focused study time (3-5 days) is crucial. If you're aiming for the Professional certification directly, immersing yourself in continuous learning and hands-on practice will be highly beneficial. That said, the Associate certification should not be too difficult if you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals.
Wishing you all the best on your certification journey! Stay focused, keep practicing, and you’ll achieve your goal. Good luck!
Mantu S