Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) FAQ

Which exam will replaced Microsoft DP-200?

Microsoft DP-200 exam is getting retired on June 30, 2021 and a new replacement exam Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure Beta (DP-203) is available.

What Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam is for?

The Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) is for the Azure data engineers who are responsible for data-related implementation tasks that include provisioning data storage services, ingesting streaming and batch data, transforming data, implementing security requirements, implementing data retention policies, identifying performance bottlenecks, and accessing external data sources.

How many questions are there in Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam?

There are 40-60 questions in Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam which is in the form of multiple-choice.

In which are languages Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam is available?

Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam is available in a variety of languages such as English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese.

How many exams are necessary to become the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate?

The candidate has to successfully pass the Implementing an Azure Data Solution and Designing Azure Data Solution exams to become the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate.

What are the main domains for the Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam?

The important domains for the Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam are:

Implement data storage solutions (40-45%)
Manage and develop data processing (25-30%)
Monitor and optimize data solutions (30-35%)

How much time does the candidate get to complete the Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam?

The candidate will get a total of 210 minutes to complete the whole Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam.

How do I register for the Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam?

Visit the exam registration page to find complete instructions.

How much do the exams cost?

Expert and Associate exams typically cost US$165 but are priced according to currency values in specific countries and regions. Exam prices are constrained to change. In some countries and regions, additional taxes may apply.

How can I submit feedback about an exam question or exam experience?

If you have an interest in the technical mastery of a particular item, please follow the Exam Item Challenge process.
To report a concern about a testing centre or technical difficulties encountered during your exam, please contact customer service at Pearson VUE or Certiport.
To offer other types of feedback, please contact your Microsoft Regional Service Center.
To report a security concern, please contact [email protected].

How does Microsoft decide how many questions on a particular subject to include on the exam like Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200)?

The skills marked on an exam are recognised by subject-matter experts outside to Microsoft (in other words, they are not Microsoft employees). This list of skills, called the “objective domain,” is the foundation for exam development. The number of questions that mark each skill domain is determined by the blueprinting process; parts of the exam measuring critical and/or more regularly performed skills will contain more questions than those that assess less necessary or less frequently performed skills.

What is the process for determining if an exam has been updated when a new feature or function is added or when something has changed in the associated technology?

We analyse our cloud-based exams every two months. Any changes that affect the objective domain and the existing questions are consolidated into the exam. Clearly, technically inaccurate questions are excluded from the exam; some items are modified, and new items may be created to assess new, but related, skills.

Microsoft holds the right to update content for any reason at any time to preserve the validity and relevance of our certifications. This includes, but is not limited to, consolidating functionality and features related to technology changes, changing skills needed for success within a job role, etc.

How should I prepare for an exam like Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200)?

The most reliable way to equip for an exam like Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) is to practice the skills pitched on the Exam Details page. Scan all exams to find the exam that pleases you. Hands-on experience with the technology is required to actively pass Microsoft Certification exams. The associated microlearning, online courses, and instructor-led courses are designed to train the skills necessitated being successful in the job role, a subset of which will be appraised on the exam. However, because the exam concentrates on the application of those skills beyond what was explained in these courses, experience or practice in addition to training is strongly recommended prior to taking the exam such as Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200). To start preparing, review the “Skills measured” section of the Exam Details page and evaluate your skills against what is being assessed on the exam. The best way to do this is to actually perform the tasks listed and note any challenges that you faced. Practice until you no longer experience those challenges.

Microsoft Certified Trainers work with many candidates as they prepare for certifications. They often recommend the following steps to help candidates focus their studies:

Browse all exams to find the exams like Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) that interests you.
Print the Skills Measured section of the page.
Review the entire list. Think about each topic. If you are very knowledgeable on a specific topic, highlight the topic or cross it out.
Look at what is left. Now, start some targeted research. For each topic that you did not highlight, search the web for specific articles.
Use authoritative sources such as docs.microsoft.com, msdn.microsoft.com, technet.microsoft.com, and the Office 365 support centre.
You might also want to ask others how they perform those tasks, read white papers, MSDN, or TechNet to get additional information about the tasks that are included on the exam, and/or explore the resources provided in the “Preparation materials” section on the Exam Details page which will link to any available online courses, microlearning, options and a portal where you can find instructor-led training options in your area.
Additionally, Microsoft Official Practice Tests are available for some of our certification exams. These may provide more information about your specific strengths and weaknesses. However, passing a practice test is not a guarantee that you will pass the certification exam.
If you have taken the exam and not passed, prioritize the skills that you should practice by focusing on the content areas where your exam performance was the weakest and the content areas that have the highest percentage of questions.

What disability accommodations are available?

Microsoft is committed to ensuring our exams are available to everyone, including people with weaknesses. For a list of accessible accommodations, please visit the Accommodation page.

How will I know if Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam has been updated when a new feature or function is added or when something has changed in the associated technology?

We update the exam details page to notify candidates if/when this happens. We also include information about such updates in our newsletters, blogs, and through other appropriate communication channels, and we encourage the candidate to sign up for such communications if they would like to know about these types of changes to the exam content.

Because our primary communication with candidates about Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam content is through the exam details page, we will refresh it as soon as we know that exam content will be updated for any reason; we strongly suggest that you review the exam details regularly as you prepare to take an exam.

If you are preparing for a cloud-based exam, we strongly recommend that the candidate regularly check the Exam Details page because we review these exams every two months and updates can happen as frequently as that.

Microsoft reserves the right to update content for any reason at any time to maintain the validity and relevance of our certifications. This includes, but is not limited to, incorporating functionality and features related to technology changes, changing skills needed for success within a job role, etc.

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted on the skills measured or in the exam description, exams do not cover preview features. In most cases, features will only be added to exams when they are GA (general availability).

What is a short answer question?

In the short answer question type, you solve a situation by writing several lines of code in the available text-entry area. You can choose from keyword options which are provided for you to use in the code you write. Note that this is a general list and not specific to the commands required to solve the problem presented in the question. When you’re done entering your code, you can check your syntax. The syntax checker validates your code entry for syntax errors but does not validate that your entry is correct.

How are the short answer questions scored?

We use exact string matches. Although we try to include all variations of formatting and code usage that could be considered correct, it’s possible that some are not included. This is why we include several ways to check your syntax.

We provide a syntax checker that you can use to validate the syntax of your code (e.g., SQL commands) and values (e.g., table names and variable names) used in your solution. Any syntax errors appear in the window next to the Check Syntax button. You may change your code and re-validate the syntax as many times as you want. Note that the syntax checker does not validate whether you have clarified the question correctly; it simply validates the efficiency of your syntax.

We include a list of simple command keywords so that you can easily check your spelling. This is a general list presented for reference and is not limited to commands used in the question. We designed the questions to minimize the amount of syntax that you must duplicate from the syntax already provided in the questions themselves

How many points are short answer questions worth?

Most of the short answer questions are worth one point. If the question is worth more than one point, we indicate the number of points that it is worth in the question itself.

Am I penalized for answering incorrectly?

No, you are not penalized for answering incorrectly. You simply don’t earn some or all of the possible points. For single-point items, you need to answer completely and correctly to be awarded the point. For multi-point items, you earn points for the parts of your response that are correct, and you don’t earn points for the parts of your response that are incorrect. We don’t deduct points from your score for incorrect answers.

Am I able to review all of my answers before leaving a section or completing the exam?

Before dropping a section or completing the exam, you can examine your answers to most questions. However, there is a list of yes/no questions that define a problem and a possible solution and then ask whether the solution resolves the problem. Given the quality of these questions, you are not able to examine your answers. In addition, after you move to the next question in this set, you are not able to edit your answer. These questions are preceded by an overview screen that provides this information, and each question includes a reminder that you cannot return to the question or change your answer after leaving it.

Because you are not penalized for wrong answers and exams contain some items you cannot review or change your answer to, a good best practice is to answer every question before moving to the next one. Mark questions for review to return to them if you can.

Microsoft Azure Scoring and Results (DP-200) FAQ

How and when will I get my Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) exam results?

You will receive notification of your pass or fail status within a few minutes of completing your exam. In addition, you will receive a printed report that provides your exam score and feedback on your performance on the skill areas measured. The exam delivery provider will forward your score to Microsoft within five business days.

Beta exam results: Results for beta exams should be visible on your Microsoft transcript (if you’ve received a passing score) and on the exam delivery provider’s site within two weeks after the live exam is published.

If you pass the beta exam, you earn credit for that exam and any resulting certification. You do not need to retake the exam in its live version if you pass the beta version.

Who should I contact if I do not receive my 25% voucher for taking a beta exam?

These vouchers are given by VUE and are sent to the email address that you used when you enrolled for the exam. They are sent about 6 about 4 weeks after the exam goes live. If you do not receive your 25% discount voucher within 64 weeks of the exam live date, please send an email to [email protected].

What does the score report look like?

The score report contributes a numeric score for overall exam execution, pass/fail status, a bar chart showing performance on each skill area evaluated on the exam, and details on how to interpret one’s results and next steps. Using this information, applicants can discover areas of strength and weakness.

What do the bars on the score report mean?

The bar chart shows your performance on each section, or skill area, assessed on the exam. On the left of the graph, each section of the exam is listed along with the percentage of the exam that was devoted to it. The lengths of the bars provide information regarding your section-level performance and map to the percentage of items that you answered correctly in that content area. Bars that are further to the left reflect weaker performance, and bars that are further to the right reflect stronger performance.

Because each section may contain a different number of questions, as represented by the percentages provided after the section name, the length of the bars cannot be used to calculate the number of questions answered correctly in that section or on the exam, nor can the bars be combined to determine the per cent of questions that you answered correctly on the exam. This information is intended to help you understand areas of strength and weakness in the skill domain measured by the exam and to prioritize those skills that need improvement.

Does the score report show a numerical score for each section?

The score reports do not show a numerical score for each section. The score reports provide an overall numerical score to reflect pass/fail status only. As an alternative to providing a numerical score for each section, we provide score bars to show subject areas of strength and weakness.

The bars on the score report show that I have scored more than 70%. Why didn’t I pass the exam?

Each section of the exam contains a different number of questions; therefore, connecting the results across individual exam sections will not reflect your final exam result. In other words, there is no one-to-one relationship between the length of the bars and your pass/fail status.

Further, a misperception is that you must answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass the exam because the passing score is 700; however, this is a scaled score. The actual percentage of questions that you must answer correctly diversifies from exam to exam and may be more or less than 70%, depending on the input given by the subject-matter specialists who helped us set the cut score during exam construction and ongoing sustainment and the difficulty of the questions delivered when the candidate take the exam.

How are questions scored? How many points is each question worth? Will I be penalized for answering a question incorrectly?

Here is some general information about exam scoring:

Most questions are worth one point, regardless of what you must do to answer the question. If a question is worth more than one point, this information will be stated in the question.

There is no penalty for guessing. If you choose an incorrect answer, you simply do not earn the point(s) for that item. No points are deducted for incorrect answers.

Some questions on the exam may not be included in the calculation of your score. To gather data to update and improve the quality of each exam, we present new content to candidates without counting the results toward their score. However, as soon as we have the necessary data to evaluate the quality of the question, items that meet Microsoft’s psychometric standards will be scored. Microsoft will not inform candidates which questions are unscored; as a result, you should answer every question as if it will be scored.

Note that this scoring system is subject to change as Microsoft continues to introduce new and innovative question types. Microsoft will indicate if a question is scored differently in the text of the question.

How are exam scores calculated?

After you complete the exam, the points that the candidate earned on each question are summed and then compared with the cut score to judge whether the result is pass or fail.

What score do I need to pass an exam?

Technical exams: All technical exams are scaled such that the passing score is 700. Any score of 700 or greater is a “pass.” Any score below 700 is a “fail.” The actual number of items you need to answer correctly to pass is determined by a group of subject matter experts in conjunction with the Microsoft psychometrician during the development and sustainment of the exam. The passing score is based on the knowledge and skills needed to show competence in the skill domain and the difficulty of the questions that are addressed to a candidate.

Microsoft Office exams: All Microsoft Office exam scores are reported on a scale of 1 to 1,000. The passing score varies from exam to exam and is provided on the score report. The actual cut score percentage is determined by a group of subject matter experts using a process like that used to set the cut score for Microsoft’s technical exams.

What does my score mean?

If you pass an exam, it means that you have demonstrated competence in the skill domain. In addition, records of candidates who pass cannot be compared to determine if one candidate is more qualified than another; higher passing scores do not mean higher levels of competence. The same is true of losing scores; lower failing scores do not mean more profound levels of competence. If you pass the exam, you have demonstrated competence regardless of your score; if you fail, you have not demonstrated competence.

Microsoft exams are created so that the total test score can be used to make a pass/fail judgment (in other words, to show whether the candidate has demonstrated competence in the skill domain measured by the exam). Our exams are not designed with the intent to provide diagnostic feedback about your skills, and steps are not taken during the exam development method to support that level of reporting.

If I receive the same score every time I retake the same exam, does this imply an error in the results computation?

No. Receiving the same score on multiple efforts does not indicate that the program computing the results is in error. It is not unusual for candidates to obtain similar or identical scores on multiple attempts of an exam. This consistent result illustrates the reliability of the exam in evaluating skills in this content domain. If this happens on multiple attempts, you may want to consider how you’re preparing for the exam and seek other opportunities to learn and practice the skills measured by the exam.

I passed my first Microsoft Certification exam (at Pearson VUE). Now, what do I do?

Congratulations! To explore next steps and available benefits, see your benefits and exams dashboard. Sign in using the same Microsoft account you used to register for your exam.

If I do not pass, what can I do?

Prioritize the skills that you should practice by focusing on the content areas where your exam performance was the weakest and in the content areas that have the highest percentage of questions. Additionally, you may want to review the resources provided on the exam details page, and our Study Groups, which can be found at the bottom of the individual exam details page. When you are ready to retake the exam, schedule an appointment as you normally would. Note that you must pay for each exam you retake and follow Microsoft’s retake policy.

Where can I find additional information about my areas of weakness?

Although Microsoft Certification exams give feedback about the regions where examinees need to develop their skills further, the exams are not designed to provide specific or diagnostic feedback. We urge you to review the “Skills measured” section of the exam details page and really evaluate your skills against what is being evaluated on the exam. The best way to do this is to actually perform the tasks listed; note any challenges that you encountered. Practice until you no longer experience those challenges. You may also want to ask others how they accomplish those tasks. Do they execute the task differently? Experience why they do. Read white papers, visit docs, etc. to get additional information about the tasks that are included on the exam. Explore the resources provided in the “Preparation options” on the exam specifications page and Study Groups, which can be found at the bottom of the individual exam details page.

Finally, Microsoft Official Practice Tests are available for some of our certification exams. These may provide more information about your specific strengths and weaknesses. However, passing a practice test is not a guarantee that you will pass the certification exam.

What is the exam retake policy?

Please refer to the Security and retake policies to view the exam retake policy.

Can I request a re-evaluation of my score?

A re-evaluation of your score is unlikely to improve your pass/fail status. Because Microsoft must ensure that candidates who relinquish exams and earn our certifications have demonstrated the expected proficiency level(s) across the skill domain(s), the final result of an exam is rarely changed based on a re-evaluation of your exam results. Even if a question is flawed in some way, we cannot assume that you would have answered it correctly if it had not been. In these cases, we provide candidates with the opportunity to retake the exam free of charge. If you have a care about the technical mastery of a particular item, please submit an online request. An Item Challenge form will be sent to you.

If I do not pass an exam, can I have a refund?

No. Microsoft does not offer refunds for exams you do not pass or exam appointments you miss.

Microsoft Azure Security and Integrity Policy (DP-200) FAQ

Why am I required to accept a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before I take an exam?

The Microsoft Certification Program requires candidates to accept the terms of an NDA before taking an exam. The NDA legally requires candidates to keep information related to exam content confidential. Requiring the acceptance of the NDA helps protect the security of Microsoft Certification exams and the integrity of the Microsoft Certification Program by legally discouraging piracy and/or unauthorized use of exam content.

What are falsified score reports?

Falsified score reports are reports that Microsoft deems to be unauthentic or that deceive or defraud the Microsoft Certified Professional program in any way.

What is proxy testing?

Proxy testing occurs when someone takes an exam for another candidate. In other words, the candidate has passed an exam without actually taking it. Engaging in proxy testing as either the test taker or the person who hired the test taker is a form of misconduct and fraud.

What kind of security should be at a testing centre?

The testing centres are equipped with security policies that must be implemented in order to obtain and maintain testing centre status. Ongoing inspections ensure that each testing centre manages the security outlined by Microsoft and the exam delivery provider. In addition, representatives at testing centres are allowed to immediately take appropriate measures against candidates who break testing rules. For specific information about the expectations for candidates, please contact the exam delivery provider. If you have a concern about the security of your exam experience, please send an email message to [email protected].

What kinds of impropriety can occur on the part of the testing centre?

Testing centre administrators act inappropriately when they fail to follow any security policies of Microsoft or the exam delivery provider. Examples could include, but are not limited to, viewing inappropriate candidate identification; failing to ask for an ID from each applicant; failing to conduct periodic walkthroughs; failing to keep partitions between testing stations; overlooking the appearance of crib sheets or electronic devices; providing answers or aid in any form with regard to any exam item, and allowing the release of Microsoft intellectual property in any form.

What happens to a testing centre that participates in fraudulent behaviour?

If Microsoft determines that a testing centre has acted improperly or fraudulently, Microsoft has the right to cease delivery of all exams at that centre.

Whom should I contact if I find a website that discloses Microsoft Certification exam information, or if I discover an individual who cheats on or sells exam questions and answers?

Send an email message to [email protected], and include as much information as possible about the situation and the persons involved. Although we appreciate anonymous tips, we often need more information to conduct a thorough investigation; if you are willing, please include your full contact information so that someone from Microsoft can contact you to discuss the details, if necessary. Microsoft has dedicated staff that investigates these tips. Because of tips from individuals like you, several websites have been terminated. Due to the volume of email we receive, you may not always receive a personal response.

If I report a security concern, can I remain anonymous?

Yes. All correspondence to [email protected] can remain anonymous and we will not share your contact information with anyone. If you wish to include your contact information so that we can follow up for more information we will ensure it remains secure.

Microsoft Azure Performance-based Testing (DP-200) FAQ

What is performance-based testing (PBT)?

Performance-based testing gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills by completing tasks in the technology. Today, this means completing tasks in a graded lab, but in the future, PBT may take a different form. For example, for those of you who are currently performing the job role, Microsoft is exploring ways to incorporate the work that you do every day into our certification requirements. For those of you who are not in the job role yet, we’ll continue to have other ways for you to demonstrate your skills through portfolios and graded labs. Microsoft is constantly innovating to ensure that we assess your skills and abilities in ways that align with how you actually get your work done. To view the PBT tutorial video, click here.

Why does an exam with labs contain traditional question types (for example, multiple-choice, drag and drop, build a list, etc.)?

For a variety of reasons, we cannot assess all critical skills with labs. For example, we can’t ask you to complete tasks that take more than a few minutes to run or that require significant resources; as a result, we will continue to assess those skills using question types that are more appropriate to the exam experience.

How many labs are on an exam? How many tasks are in each lab?

If an exam contains labs, it will have at least 1 lab. Each lab contains between 7–15 tasks. One of the introductory pages of the exam will show the number of labs and tasks.

How many points is each task worth?

Most tasks are worth one point; if the task is worth more than one point, that information is provided in the task description.

How much time do I have to complete the labs?

Labs are not timed separately from the exam. At the beginning of the exam, the number of labs, case studies, and questions, as well as the exam time, will be provided. You must answer all questions, including completing tasks associated with any labs, in the time provided. Manage your time accordingly so that you can complete all activities that must be done.

I had some issues with my labs. How do I request a rescore?

If you received a score, it is an accurate reflection of your performance before the lab issue. If you failed, a re-score will not change that result.

Will I have enough time to complete the labs?

The labs are designed to be completed within the exam time provided. You will not be asked to perform tasks that execute long-running operations or tasks that have many dependencies. If important skills need to be assessed that are based on tasks that require long-running operations or have many dependencies, we will either assess them with traditional items, or, if possible, set up the labs so that these operations have already taken place, and then you will perform tasks that logically build on the outcomes of those operations.

How do you determine which tasks to include in the labs?

Like all questions on the exam, lab tasks map to the objective domain. We select the tasks that best lend themselves to lab-based assessment, that do not require long execution times or resources, and that can be completed within the anticipated time for test-takers to complete the exam.

I had some issues with my labs. How do I let Microsoft know?

If you run into issues with labs, please provide your feedback to Certification Support. Although we won’t be able to provide a specific explanation for your experience, our investigation will help us identify root causes and identify solutions that will improve the experience for everyone.

When will I receive my score?

Labs take longer to score than traditional item types. Because the labs appear at the end of the exam, you may not get your result immediately. It can take 30 minutes or longer to receive a score. You do not have to wait for the score report. It will be passed automatically to our certification database and will show up in your MC dashboard. This should occur within 24 hours of the exam delivery. If it does not appear, please contact the MCP Support forum.

Should I prepare for the performance-based exams differently than I prepare for other exams?

No. The skills measured remain the same regardless of the format of the question. The knowledge and skills assessed on the exam are listed in the “Skills measured” section of the exam details page. If you practice the skills, you’ll be prepared for any item type, including labs.

Are there any specific test centre requirements for exams that have labs?

Many test centres are not listed when I try to schedule the exams that have labs, but the same test centres are listed for exams that do not.

Exams that include labs require testing centres to meet certain internet connectivity requirements, so a smaller set of testing centres are available. As labs are added to more of the new role-based exams they will also be subject to the same set of testing centres. However, you may take this exam through online proctoring; see more details at https://docs.microsoft.com/learn/certifications/online-exams. If you have specific testing centres in mind, contact the specific test centre to learn if they can deliver labs; alternately, they will not be listed as available test centres once you select the exam. If that occurs, we recommend finding a different test centre or taking the exam through online proctoring.

FAQ Role-Based Certifications

How will the role-based certifications be named? Will they still be MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE?

Because we are making a significant shift in our certification program, we are moving away from the MCSA, MCSE, and MCSD acronyms. The certifications will clearly state that you are “Microsoft Certified” in the job role, and they will show the level at which the certification sits in our framework (fundamentals, associate, or expert).

What happens to the MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE certifications that I already have?

Nothing happens to the MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE certification that you already have. They remain on your transcript. The relevance of those certifications depends on your current (and future) job roles and how valuable that certification is to your manager and organization and to the work that you do.

You’re retiring some exams that lead to MCSA, MCSD, MCSE certifications. What happens to my certifications when those exams retire?

Before the exams retire, be sure to pass all those which are part of the MCSA, MCSE, or MCSD certifications that you’re trying to achieve. If you do, you’ll earn the certification, and it will appear on your transcript. Nothing happens to the MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE certification that you already have. The relevance of this certification depends on your current (and future) job roles and how valuable that certification is to your manager and organization and to the work that you do.

With the goal to more closely align training and exams, are you reducing the amount of experience that people need to pass the exam or earn the certification?

No, we are not reducing the amount of experience that people need to pass the exams or earn our certifications. Training is designed to prepare people for the exams, but in of itself is likely to be insufficient. The questions on our role-based exams require you to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in training real-world problems.

Can I get a refund if I initially registered and paid for an exam without verifying an academic discount, but I’m verified now?

No. If you decide to register and pay for an exam before you have verified your student status, you must pay commercial pricing and will not receive a refund. You must ensure that you are verified before completing your registration and payment.

Implementing an Azure Data Solution (DP-200) FAQ