Free GH-500 practice test
GH-500 is the Microsoft GitHub Advanced Security certification exam. This page gives you the full exam breakdown, how scoring works, and free unlimited practice weighted to the official skills outline. No paywall, no attempt caps.
GH-500 exam at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certification | GitHub Advanced Security (GH-500) |
| Level | Associate |
| Track | GitHub |
| Format | About 50 questions in 100 minutes |
| Passing score | 700 out of 1000 (scaled) |
| Typical prep time | 4–6 weeks of consistent study |
| Question types | Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, case studies, and short scenarios |
Intermediate; assumes some hands-on experience with the product. Most candidates who pass spend 4–6 weeks mixing official Microsoft Learn reading with hands-on practice. The GH-500 practice test on this page mirrors the real exam's domain weights, so your score here is a good estimate of your readiness.
How the GH-500 exam is scored
Microsoft scores every certification exam on a scale of 1 to 1000, and you need 700 to pass. This is a scaled score, not a percentage: the number of questions you must answer correctly shifts slightly with each exam form so that a 700 always represents the same level of ability. There is no penalty for guessing, so answer every question even if you are unsure. Unanswered questions are always marked wrong.
Your score report groups results by the skill areas below. A fail in one area with strong scores elsewhere still fails the exam overall, so use your report to target the weakest area first before rebooking.
Skills measured on GH-500
Microsoft publishes an official skills outline that lists every GH-500 topic area and its exam weight. The practice test here draws questions from each area in proportion to these weights.
| Skill area | Exam weight | Questions in a 50-question exam | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Describe GitHub Security suites, features, and ecosystem | ~17% | 9 of 50 | Expect governance, identity, and protection tasks that show up as scenario questions. |
| Configure and use Secret Protection (formerly secret scanning) | ~17% | 9 of 50 | Expect core feature knowledge and day-to-day configuration skills. |
| Configure and use supply chain security (formerly Dependabot/Dependency Review) | ~17% | 9 of 50 | Expect governance, identity, and protection tasks that show up as scenario questions. |
| Configure and use Code Security (formerly Code Scanning with CodeQL) | ~12% | 6 of 50 | Expect governance, identity, and protection tasks that show up as scenario questions. |
| Security operations: best practices, prioritization, and remediation | ~17% | 9 of 50 | Expect governance, identity, and protection tasks that show up as scenario questions. |
| GitHub Security suites administration | ~12% | 6 of 50 | Expect governance, identity, and protection tasks that show up as scenario questions. |
What the GH-500 exam covers
In plain terms, the exam checks whether you can do the job the certification describes. GH-500 covers Describe GitHub Security suites, features, and ecosystem — about 17% of the exam; Configure and use Secret Protection (formerly secret scanning) — about 17% of the exam; Configure and use supply chain security (formerly Dependabot/Dependency Review) — about 17% of the exam; Configure and use Code Security (formerly Code Scanning with CodeQL) — about 12% of the exam; Security operations: best practices, prioritization, and remediation — about 17% of the exam; GitHub Security suites administration — about 12% of the exam. Treat this as a study checklist: work through each area until you can explain its tasks to a colleague without notes.
How to study for GH-500
A simple four-step plan works for most candidates and fits inside 4–6 weeks:
- Read one domain at a time. Work through the official Microsoft Learn content for that domain before touching anything else. The weights above tell you where to spend the most time.
- Check yourself with untimed practice. Take a free GH-500 Readiness Check on this page. It asks questions from every domain in official proportion, so your domain-by-domain score shows exactly where you are weak.
- Drill the weak domains. Repeat short practice sets on your two weakest areas until both score comfortably above 70%.
- Finish with a timed simulation. Rehearse the real format — 50 questions in 100 minutes — so pacing holds no surprises on test day.
Repeat the cycle until every domain is green. Candidates who follow it usually reach passing level inside 4–6 weeks of part-time study.
Start your free GH-500 practice
The GH-500 practice page offers unlimited free practice weighted to this exact outline. No signup is needed to take a Readiness Check; a free account saves your history so you can watch your domain scores improve over time.
Frequently asked questions about GH-500
What topics are on the GH-500 (GitHub Advanced Security) exam?
The exam is weighted to Microsoft's official skills outline and covers: Describe GitHub Security suites, features, and ecosystem, Configure and use Secret Protection (formerly secret scanning), Configure and use supply chain security (formerly Dependabot/Dependency Review), Configure and use Code Security (formerly Code Scanning with CodeQL), Security operations: best practices, prioritization, and remediation, GitHub Security suites administration. MS Exam Lab generates practice questions for each domain so your score reflects real readiness.
How hard is the GH-500 exam?
Intermediate; assumes some hands-on experience with the product. Most candidates study 4–6 weeks of focused, hands-on prep.
How long does it take to study for GH-500?
Plan for roughly 4–6 weeks of consistent study, mixing official Microsoft Learn material with hands-on practice on MS Exam Lab.
What is the pass score for GH-500?
Microsoft uses a scaled score of 700 out of 1000 to pass GH-500. Practice with domain-weighted questions on MS Exam Lab to find and close gaps before test day.
Is there free GH-500 practice on MS Exam Lab?
Yes. MS Exam Lab offers free, unlimited GH-500 practice weighted to the official skills outline, with no paywall and no attempt caps. Timed exam simulations are available on the low-cost Pro tier.
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Last updated July 2026. Sources: compiled from Microsoft's official skills outlines (Microsoft Learn). Maintained and kept current by the MS Exam Lab team.