I got both SAS base and SAS advanced certificates at a time last month in the US.

From registeration (2 days before my preparation) to getting certificates, I just spend 1 week on it.

[BACKGROUND]
Actually, I have experiences in using SAS.
I graduated from Sun Yat-sen University with doubl degrees in Finance and Statistics.
I learnt SAS by myself when I was pursing my seconde degree in Statistics.
But at that time I just focused on the regression model and some basic handling.

So SAS base is really easy for me and I believed I could pass it without any preparation.
But SAS advanced was really really really tough for me. I didn't have experience in using SQL or Marco.
I just learnt it by myself in a week.

[Conclusion]
Recently a lot of friends asked me about SAS certificate test.
I told them my experience and confirmed that test itself is really really easy but SAS is not.
SAS is a powerful software and that is why it is sooooooo expensive.

I admit that with SAS Certificates, I have more interview opportunities when I am searching for job. But it also make you sucks because in order to prepare your interview you have to practice you SAS programming. That is to say, if you spent a lot of time on passing the exam only, that is not wise.

My suggesting is just learn about SAS by some cases and then schedule your test. In this way you can make the most use of your time.

Besides, I have some materials I summed up by myself. I cannot upload now bucause of the technique problem.
If you want them just email me: mercurysysu@gmail.com

And now I am reviewing econometric and fianncial modelings, so I am willing to discuss and study with you guys.
Please feel free to cantact with me.