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Microsoft · Data & Analytics · Associate

Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate exam guide

Exam PL-300

PL-300 validates that you can prepare, model, visualize and secure data in Power BI, including Power Query transformations, star-schema modeling, DAX and workspace management. It is one of the most widely requested analytics certifications in job postings.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limit100 minutes
Passing score700 (1-1000 scale)
Exam fee$165 USD
Valid for1 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored

Format: Multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop, case studies and other interactive item types. Fee note: US price; varies by country. Student and Microsoft Learn offer discounts are common..

Who it's for

Data analysts, BI developers and Excel power users who build Power BI reports and semantic models for business stakeholders.

What the exam covers

Prepare the data27%
Model the data27%
Visualize and analyze the data27%
Manage and secure Power BI17%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: Hands-on experience with Power Query, data modeling and DAX in Power BI Desktop, plus publishing to the Power BI service.

Keeping it active

Associate and expert certifications are valid for 1 year. Renew for free by passing an unproctored online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn, available in the 180 days before expiry; unlimited attempts with a 24-hour wait after a failed try.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Connecting to and profiling data sources in Power Query
  • Cleaning and shaping data with M transformations
  • Designing star-schema semantic models and relationships
  • Writing DAX measures, CALCULATE filters and time intelligence
  • Building accessible, interactive reports and dashboards
  • Configuring row-level security, workspaces, apps and refresh

Job roles

Data AnalystPower BI DeveloperBusiness Intelligence AnalystReporting AnalystAnalytics Engineer

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Power Query: import from Excel, CSV and SQL; profile columns, merge, append, pivot and unpivot.
  2. Week 2: Modeling: build a star schema, set relationships and cardinality, create a date table, learn storage modes.
  3. Week 3: DAX: CALCULATE, filter context, iterators (SUMX), time intelligence; build 20+ measures on a sample dataset.
  4. Week 4: Reports and service: visuals, bookmarks, drill-through, publishing, workspaces, apps, RLS and scheduled refresh.
  5. Week 5: Practice assessment and a full timed practice exam; fix weak areas, then sit the exam.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Three domains are each roughly a quarter of the exam, so you cannot skip DAX or Power Query.
  • Expect a case study; read the requirements carefully before the questions, as several answers depend on one detail.
  • Know when to use calculated columns vs measures and why measures are usually preferred.
  • Understand row-level security roles and how they are tested in Desktop vs assigned in the service.
  • Be fluent in Power Query UI actions (unpivot, group by, merge types) because questions describe UI steps rather than M code.

Key terms for this exam

All 113 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does PL-300 cost?

$165 in the US; prices vary by country.

Is PL-300 hard?

Moderate. Hands-on Power BI users with DAX experience typically need 4-6 weeks; beginners need longer to get comfortable with filter context.

Does PL-300 expire?

Yes, annually; renew free by passing an online assessment on Microsoft Learn.

PL-300 vs DP-600?

PL-300 targets report-building analysts in Power BI. DP-600 targets Microsoft Fabric analytics engineers building lakehouses, warehouses and enterprise semantic models; many take PL-300 first.

Is PL-300 worth it in 2026?

Yes; Power BI remains a dominant BI tool and PL-300 is a common screening requirement for analyst roles.

Official page: learn.microsoft.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.