Compare Microsoft certifications

Not sure which Microsoft certification to pursue? Start with the recommended path for your track, then use the full comparison table of level, study time, and exam format below — with free practice for every cert.

Recommended path: Azure

AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals → then AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate — all Azure exams compared at /exams/compare/azure.

Recommended path: Data & AI

AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals → then DP-600: Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate — all Data & AI exams compared at /exams/compare/data-and-ai.

Recommended path: Dynamics 365

MB-800: Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant → then MB-820: Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer Associate — all Dynamics 365 exams compared at /exams/compare/dynamics-365.

Recommended path: GitHub

GH-900: GitHub Foundations → then GH-600: Agentic AI Developer — all GitHub exams compared at /exams/compare/github.

Recommended path: Modern Work

MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals → then MS-721: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer Associate — all Modern Work exams compared at /exams/compare/modern-work.

Recommended path: Office

MO-100: Word Associate (Office 2019) → then MO-211: Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps) — all Office exams compared at /exams/compare/office.

Recommended path: Power Platform

PL-900: Power Platform Fundamentals → then PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst Associate — all Power Platform exams compared at /exams/compare/power-platform.

Recommended path: Security

SC-900: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals → then SC-500: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate — all Security exams compared at /exams/compare/security.

Recommended path: Windows

AZ-802: Windows Server Administrator Associate (beta) → then 62-193: Microsoft Certified Educator — all Windows exams compared at /exams/compare/windows.

Full comparison table

CertificationLevelStudy timeExam formatPractice
AB-730: AI Business ProfessionalFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
AB-731: AI Transformation LeaderFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
AB-900: Copilot and Agent Administration FundamentalsFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
AI-900: Azure AI FundamentalsFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
AZ-900: Azure FundamentalsFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
DP-900: Azure Data FundamentalsFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
GH-900: GitHub FoundationsFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 100 minPractice free
MS-900: Microsoft 365 FundamentalsFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
PL-900: Power Platform FundamentalsFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
SC-900: Security, Compliance, and Identity FundamentalsFundamentals1–2 weeks~45 questions, 45 minPractice free
AB-210: Dynamics 365 Sales AI Consultant AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AB-250: Dynamics 365 Contact Center AI Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AB-410: Intelligent Applications Builder AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AB-620: AI Agent Builder AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AB-650: AI Services Administrator Associate (beta)Associate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
AI-102: Azure AI Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
AI-103: Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AI-200: Azure AI Cloud Developer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AI-300: Machine Learning Operations Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AZ-104: Azure Administrator AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
AZ-204: Azure Developer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
AZ-700: Azure Network Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
AZ-800: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
AZ-802: Windows Server Administrator Associate (beta)Associate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
DP-100: Azure Data Scientist AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
DP-300: Azure Database Administrator AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
DP-600: Fabric Analytics Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
DP-700: Fabric Data Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
DP-750: Azure Databricks Data Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
DP-800: SQL AI Developer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
GH-100: GitHub AdministrationAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
GH-200: GitHub ActionsAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
GH-500: GitHub Advanced SecurityAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
GH-600: Agentic AI DeveloperAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
MB-230: Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
MB-310: Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
MB-330: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
MB-500: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
MB-800: Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional ConsultantAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
MB-820: Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
MD-102: Endpoint Administrator AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
MO-100: Word Associate (Office 2019)Associate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 50 minPractice free
MS-700: Teams Administrator AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
MS-721: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
PL-200: Power Platform Functional Consultant AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
PL-400: Power Platform Developer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
SC-200: Security Operations Analyst AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
SC-300: Identity and Access Administrator AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
SC-401: Information Security Administrator AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 100 minPractice free
SC-500: Cloud and AI Security Engineer AssociateAssociate4–6 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AZ-120: Azure for SAP Workloads SpecialtySpecialty4–8 weeks~60 questions, 100 minPractice free
AZ-140: Azure Virtual Desktop SpecialtySpecialty4–8 weeks~60 questions, 100 minPractice free
DP-420: Azure Cosmos DB Developer SpecialtySpecialty4–8 weeks~60 questions, 100 minPractice free
GH-300: GitHub CopilotSpecialty4–8 weeks~60 questions, 100 minPractice free
62-193: Microsoft Certified EducatorExpert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 60 minPractice free
AB-100: Agentic AI Business Solutions ArchitectExpert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AI-500: Multi-Agent AI Solutions Expert (beta)Expert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertExpert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
AZ-400: DevOps Engineer ExpertExpert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
MO-101: Expert (Office 2019)Expert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
MO-211: Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps)Expert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
MS-102: Administrator ExpertExpert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free
SC-100: Cybersecurity Architect ExpertExpert8–12 weeks~50 questions, 120 minPractice free

Frequently asked questions

Which Microsoft certification should I take first?

Start with a Fundamentals cert in the area you work in or want to move into (Azure, Security, Data & AI, etc.), then progress to Associate and Expert as you gain hands-on experience.

Are Microsoft certifications worth it?

For most cloud and IT careers, yes. They validate in-demand skills to employers and often map to role requirements. Pair them with hands-on practice (free on MS Exam Lab) rather than memorizing dumps.

How long does a Microsoft certification take?

Fundamentals: ~1–2 weeks. Associate: ~4–6 weeks. Expert: ~8–12 weeks of consistent study. Timed simulations on MS Exam Lab's Pro tier help you rehearse the real format.

Which Microsoft cert should I take first? (full roadmap) →

Browse every certification →