Help / Policies & FAQs - Microsoft Certification

I passed my first Microsoft Certification exam. Now what do I do?

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.

What score do I need to pass an exam?

All MBS/Dynamics, MCSA, MCSE, and MSCD 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 in order to pass is determined by a group of subject matter experts in conjunction with the Microsoft psychometrician.

The passing score is based on the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate competence in the skill domain and the difficulty of the questions that are delivered to a candidate.

How are exam scores calculated?

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

Can I find out whether I answered a specific question correctly, or whether this answer affected my pass/fail status?

No. Microsoft Certification exams are designed to measure candidates’ skills and abilities in this technology, not their ability to study or memorize specific questions that were on the exam. Qualified candidates will be able to pass this exam regardless of the questions asked. As a result, to protect the integrity of the certification process, Microsoft does not share information about the specific questions that were missed.

How and when will I get my 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.

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

Before leaving any section or completing the exam, you have the opportunity to review your answers to most questions.

However, there is a series of yes/no questions that describe a problem and a possible solution and then ask whether the solution give is correct or not. These type of questions, you will not be able to review your answers. In addition, after you move to the next question, you are not able to change your answer as well. These questions are preceded by an overview screen that provides this information, and they include a reminder that you cannot change your answers to these questions during the review process.

Is there negative marking for answering incorrectly?

No, there is no negative marking 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.

How many points are short answer questions worth?

Most of the short answer questions are worth one point. In some cases, they might be worth more than one point. In these cases, the question will indicate the number of points that it is worth.

How are the short answer questions scored?

Microsoft uses exact string matches. Although they 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 they include several ways to check your syntax.

Microsoft provides a syntax checker that you can use to validate the syntax of your code (such as SQL commands) and values (such as 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 answered the question correctly; it simply validates the accuracy of your syntax.

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 key word 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 will a candidate know if new features and functionality that are added as part of a service pack/revision will be assessed on the exam?

The exam details page gets updated to notify candidates if the content related to a service pack and/or revision is likely to be added to the exam.

What is the process for determining whether new functionality that is added as part of the service pack/revision release will be included on the exam?

When a product update is released that changes functionality, Microsoft review the changes against the objective domain and the existing questions to determine whether any content areas and/or questions have become technically inaccurate because of the changes. Technically inaccurate questions are removed from the exam. If the change adds functionality that maps to an existing objective, new items may be included to address this functionality without making changes to the objective domain; such changes will be reflected in the ”may include” statements. Occasionally, new objectives may be added to cover new skills and/or functionality that subject-matter experts believe is necessary to demonstrate competence with the technology.

What types of questions appear on Microsoft Certification exams?

Microsoft is constantly developing and pilot testing new question types, so it is difficult to provide this level of information for each exam. However, you can review some possible exam formats and question types.

How much do Microsoft exams cost?

The exam cost varies certificate to certificate. Click on the Microsoft certificate list page and select the certificate you looking to appear for the exam. Click on Exam Structure and Syllabus link on the page. This Page has all details you may require, including the Exam cost.

Do Microsoft provides special accommodations to the differently enable exam taking candidates?

Yes, Microsoft does provide accommodations to the differently enable candidates. Please click here for more details.

Microsoft Certification exams are available in how many languages?

Microsoft Certification exams are available in a variety of languages. However, candidates who must take the exam in English rather than in their native language can request an accommodation for additional time. Approval for extra time is provided on a case-by-case basis. Candidate can request test accommodations from either Pearson VUE or Certiport.

How to register for a Microsoft Certification exam?

Click on the Microsoft certificate list page and select the certificate you looking to appear for the exam. Click on Exam Structure and Syllabus link on the page. This Page has all details you may require, including the Exam registration link.

How to prepare for Microsoft certifiation exam?

The best way to prepare for an exam is to practice the skills listed in the Syllabus section of the Microsoft Certificates, go to the exam you looking for and check the Syllabus page. The exam details and syllabus page also contains a list of preparation tools and resources provided by Microsoft that candidates may find helpful.

Can the exam questions go beyond the Microsoft training or Microsoft Press book?

All learning materials related to exams, including Microsoft training and Microsoft Press resources, are developed independently of exam content, because the exams are intended to assess competence when using the technology, not the effectiveness of training materials. Qualified candidates must have sufficient experience in working with the technology to pass the exam. Training is a great first step in preparing for a Microsoft Certification exam, but it is not required and does not guarantee that you will pass the exam. Experience is required.

What are the time limits to complete the certification exam

The exam times varies certificate to certificate. Click on the Microsoft certificate list page and select the certificate you looking to appear for the exam. Click on Exam Structure and Syllabus link on the page. This Page has all details you may require, including the Exam time limits.

Which testing formats and question types will be used in the exam I'm taking?

As Microsoft continually introduces innovative testing technologies, question pattern and question types, Microsoft do not provide this level of information for each exam. To get a feel for what you might see on an exam, please review some possible exam formats and question types.

How many questions will there be on the exam?

The question numbers on the exam are subject to change as Microsoft update the certification exam over time to keep current with the technology. Most Microsoft Certification exams contain 40-60 questions; however, the number can vary.

Help / Policies & FAQs - Microsoft Certification

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