Exam Format DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals

The DP-900 exam is designed to assess your technical understanding of Microsoft Azure data services. It consists of a set of questions that are designed to test your knowledge of core concepts, best practices, and use cases for Azure data services. The exam is timed and typically lasts around 60 minutes. During this time, you’ll need to answer around 40-60 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. The exam is computer-based and can be taken in-person or online.

The DP-900 exam questions aim to evaluate your understanding of different Azure data services, which include:

Azure Data Factory: It’s a cloud-based data integration service that enables you to build, schedule, and handle data pipelines.
Azure Data Lake Storage: This is a scalable and secure data storage and analytics service that allows you to store and process large amounts of data.
Azure SQL Database: It’s a completely managed relational database service that comes with built-in security and scalability features.
Azure Cosmos DB: It’s a globally distributed, multi-model database service that accommodates various data models like document, key-value, graph, and column family.
Azure Stream Analytics: It’s a service for processing real-time data streams, enabling you to analyze and extract insights from streaming data as it happens.

To successfully pass the DP-900 exam, aim for a score of at least 700 out of 1000 points. Keep in mind that the passing score might vary based on the difficulty of the questions you encounter in the exam.

To prepare for the DP-900 exam, you can use a variety of resources, including official Microsoft documentation, online courses, practice exams, and community forums. By familiarizing yourself with the core concepts and best practices of Azure data services, you’ll be well-equipped to pass the exam and take the first step towards a successful career.

Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)

Candidates for this exam should have foundational knowledge of core data concepts and how they are implemented using Microsoft Azure data services. This exam is intended for candidates beginning to work with data in the cloud. Candidates should be familiar with the concepts of relational and non-relational data, and different types of data workloads such as transactional or analytical.

Moreover, while Azure Data Fundamentals can help you get ready for other role-based certifications like Azure Database Administrator Associate or Azure Data Engineer Associate, it’s not a requirement for any of them.

Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals Glossary

Here are some common terms and concepts related to Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals:

Azure Data Services – A collection of cloud-based data services provided by Microsoft Azure, including data storage, management, processing, and analytics.
SQL Server – It’s a Microsoft-developed relational database management system that supports SQL queries and can be hosted either on-premises or in the cloud.
Azure SQL Database – A fully managed cloud-based relational database service provided by Microsoft Azure that is compatible with SQL Server.
NoSQL – A type of database management system that stores and retrieves data without using a traditional relational schema.
Cosmos DB – A globally distributed, multi-model database service provided by Microsoft Azure that supports NoSQL databases, including MongoDB, Cassandra, and more.
Data Lake – A large-scale, cloud-based data repository that can store and manage structured and unstructured data from various sources.
Azure Blob Storage – A cloud-based object storage solution provided by Microsoft Azure for unstructured data, such as documents, images, videos, and more.
Azure Data Factory – A cloud-based data integration service provided by Microsoft Azure that allows users to create, schedule, and manage data pipelines.
Data Warehouse – It’s a relational database crafted for online analytical processing (OLAP) that supports intricate queries and data analytics.
Azure Synapse Analytics – A cloud-based analytics service provided by Microsoft Azure that integrates data warehousing and big data analytics.
Stream Analytics – A cloud-based service provided by Microsoft Azure for real-time data processing and analytics.
Power BI – A cloud-based business intelligence and data visualization service provided by Microsoft Azure that allows users to create interactive reports and dashboards.
Data Mining – It’s the procedure of extracting valuable insights from extensive datasets through statistical and computational methods.
Machine Learning – A type of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.
AI – Artificial Intelligence, a field in computer science dedicated to crafting smart machines capable of mimicking human intelligence and behavior.

Exam preparation resources for Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) exam

Here are some exam preparation resources for the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam along with their links:

Microsoft Learning Path: Azure Data Fundamentals This learning path covers all the topics related to the Azure Data Fundamentals exam. It includes video lectures, hands-on labs, and quizzes to test your knowledge. Link: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-data-fundamentals/?WT.mc_id=DP900CertificationPage-linked-certification-landing
Official Exam DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals Certification Guide This book provides a comprehensive guide to the DP-900 exam. It covers all the topics in detail and includes practice questions and mock tests. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Official-DP-900-Microsoft-Fundamentals-Certification-ebook/dp/B08XBZLSC3/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=DP-900&qid=1647759149&sr=8-3
Azure Data Fundamentals Practice Tests These practice tests provide you with an opportunity to test your knowledge of the exam topics. They include multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Link:https://www.testpreptraining.com/microsoft-azure-data-fundamentals-dp-900-free-practice-test
Microsoft Azure Documentation This is the official Microsoft Azure documentation that covers all the Azure services related to data. It includes tutorials, guides, and documentation to help you understand Azure data services. Link: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/?product=featured#pivot=services&panel=data
Microsoft Azure YouTube Channel The Microsoft Azure YouTube channel provides video tutorials and lectures on Azure services. It covers all the topics related to the DP-900 exam and includes demos to help you understand the concepts better. Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0m-80FnNY2Qb7ObvTs-qFw
Azure Friday Azure Friday is a weekly video series that covers various Azure services. It includes interviews with Microsoft experts, demos, and discussions on the latest updates and features. Link: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/videos/azure-friday/?WT.mc_id=DP900CertificationPage-linked-certification-landing

Exam Format

The exam format for DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals is summarized in a table below followed by a brief description of the same –

Initially, the exam is called Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals, and its code is DP-900. It includes 40-60 questions that come in various formats like case studies, short answers, multiple-choice, mark review, drag and drop, and more.
Subsequently, The candidates can take the exam in English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, French, German, Spanish. And, this exam will cost USD $99 inclusive of additional taxes.
Furthermore, you are expected to complete this exam in time duration of 120 minutes, which is not a difficult task if you know how to manage your time properly. And, to pass the exam it is required to score a minimum of 700 (on a scale of 1000).
This certification is the part of the requirements for: Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

1. Exam Name Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals	2. Exam Code DP-900
3. Exam Duration 120 mins	4. Exam Format Multiple Choice
5. Exam type NA	6. Number of Questions 40-60 Questions
7. Eligibility/Prerequisite None	8. Exam Fee $99 USD
9. Exam Language English, Spanish, German, Chinese (Simplified), French, Korean, Japanese	10. Pass Score 700 (on a scale of 1-1000)

There are some policies that in addition to the exam format for DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals that can help you understand the exam in a better way. Let us know about those policies and following them the content outline of the exam in a detailed manner in subsequent paragraphs.

How to register for the exam DP-900?

Follow the steps written below to register for the exam:

Firstly, Go to the Microsoft site and find your certificate in the list. Then select schedule exam, to register.
Afterward, if the certificate is accessible for your country, you can choose the exam when registering.
Finally, You will also select the language of the greeter, proctor, and proctoring software.

Academic pricing on the certifications by Microsoft

Academic pricing on Microsoft Certified Professional exams is available in most countries (except India and China). However, You must verify your student status before scheduling your exam in order to be eligible for academic pricing.

Applying student status through your account profile –

Firstly, Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Secondly, Select Profile settings from the Account menu at the top of the page.
Subsequently, In the Job function menu, select, or ensure that you have selected, “Student.”
Finally, check for the academic pricing notice beside the Job function menu. If your student status hasn’t been confirmed, click “Get verified” to validate it.

Now, Applying student status when registering for an exam –

Firstly, Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Then, On the exam for which you want to register, click Schedule exam.
Lastly, on the page confirming your exam registration details, make sure the Job function field shows “Student – Verified.” If not, click “Get verified” to confirm your status or click Edit to make changes.

Verifying your academic status

You can select the methods out of the listed which you wish to use to verify your status. The methods include:

Firstly, School-issued email account
Secondly, School network credentials
Subsequently, International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
Furthermore, Verification code from a Microsoft representative or your institution’s administrator
Also, Other Documentation

Exam DP-900 Exam Retake Policy

If you don’t pass the exam on the first try, wait 24 hours before trying again. If you succeed, you can’t retake it.
Failing the second time means a 14-day wait for another attempt, and this pattern continues for subsequent failures.
You’re limited to five attempts per year, with the 12-month period starting after the fifth failure. If you need more attempts, contact Microsoft.

At last, Let us go through the exam content outline and know a little about the preparation resources that can help you to sort from where to begin the preparations from.

DP-900 Course Outline

1. Describe core data concepts (25—30%)

Describe ways to represent data

Describe features of structured data (Microsoft Documentation: Understand data store models)
Describe features of semi-structured (Microsoft Documentation: Query semi-structured data in SQL)
Describe features of unstructured data (Microsoft Documentation: Understand data store models)

Identify options for data storage

Describe common formats for data files (Microsoft Documentation: Data formats supported by Azure Data Explorer for ingestion)
Describe types of databases (Microsoft Documentation: System Databases)

Describe common data workloads

Describe features of transactional workloads (Microsoft Documentation: Online transaction processing (OLTP))
Describe features of analytical workloads (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Cosmos DB analytical store)

Identify roles and responsibilities for data workloads

Describe responsibilities for database administrators
Describe responsibilities for data engineers (Microsoft Documentation: Data engineer)
Describe responsibilities for data analysts

2. Identify considerations for relational data on Azure (20—25%)

Describe relational concepts

Identify features of relational data (Microsoft Documentation: Describe concepts of relational data)
Describe normalization and why it is used (Microsoft Documentation: Description of the database normalization basics)
Identify common structured query language (SQL) statements (Microsoft Documentation: Structured Query Language (SQL))
Identify common database objects (Microsoft Documentation: Database Identifiers)

Describe relational Azure data services

Describe the Azure SQL family of products including Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines (Microsoft Documentation: Azure SQL, Azure SQL Database, SQL Server on Windows Azure Virtual Machines)
Identify Azure database services for open-source database systems (Microsoft Documentation: Azure SQL Database)

3. Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure (15—20%)

Describing capabilities of Azure storage

Describe Azure Blob storage (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Blob storage)
Describe Azure File storage (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Files)
Describe Azure Table storage (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Table storage)

Describe capabilities and features of Azure Cosmos DB

Identify use cases for Azure Cosmos DB (Microsoft Documentation: Common Azure Cosmos DB use cases)
Describe Azure Cosmos DB APIs (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Cosmos DB: REST API Reference)

4. Describe an analytics workload on Azure (25—30%)

Describing common elements of large-scale analytics

Describe considerations for data ingestion and processing (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Data Explorer data ingestion overview)
Describe options for analytical data stores (Microsoft Documentation: Choose an analytical data store in Azure)
Describe Azure services for data warehousing, including Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks, Azure HDInsight, and Azure Data Factory (Microsoft Documentation: Data warehousing in Microsoft Azure, Azure Synapse Analytics)

Describe consideration for real-time data analytics

Describe the difference between batch and streaming data (Microsoft Documentation: Explore fundamentals of real-time analytics)
Identify Microsoft cloud services for real-time analytics

Describe data visualization in Microsoft Power BI

Identify capabilities of Power BI (Microsoft Documentation: Power BI)
Describe features of data models in Power BI (Microsoft Documentation: Model data in Power BI)
Identify appropriate visualizations for data (Microsoft Documentation: Visualization types in Power BI)

To have more detailed information about the course outline, visit the online tutorials for DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals by Testpreptraining.com!

Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 Study Guide

There are numerous resources apart from knowing exam format for PL-900. Furthermore, You can use these resources to prepare – books, online communities, online trainings, instructor-led trainings, preparation guides and sample papers as well as practice tests. Also, You can try a free practice test now too! You can even find the online tutorials by Testpreptraining.com! You can find the official free resources from the Microsoft through the links listed below –