PL-300 Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI

The PL-300 Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI exam is a Microsoft role-based exam. Starting in 2019, Microsoft announced they were moving to a role-based model of exams and certifications.

Historically, Microsoft exams were centered around a single product, such as Windows Server or Exchange. Microsoft realigned their entire learning and certification process around the idea of roles. Currently, Microsoft has organized exams into 12 different roles. PL-300 is a test for the Data Analyst Associate track.

Because Microsoft wants to keep their certifications relevant and valuable, they target the questions of the exam to the level of the test. The PL-300 exam is targeted at an intermediate level. This means, as you will see in the Knowledge needed to pass section, this test covers a lot of ground.

Microsoft tests

Microsoft has been testing and certifying people for decades. Over that time, the tests have evolved and become much more complex. Microsoft exams are not just multiple-choice questions. During your exam, you will be presented with different types of questions, depending on what Microsoft considers the best way to make certain you know the answer.

Microsoft does not deduct points for wrong answers. Make certain to answer every question, even if you are uncertain.

PL-300 is about 55 questions long and you are given 3 hours to take the exam. Plan on it taking 3½ hours, as there will be some prep before the test. There is also an optional survey at the end.

You will have to score 700 out of a possible 1,000 points to pass the exam.

Types of questions

Some of the types of questions you might face include the following:

• Multiple choice – These types will more than likely make up much of the PL-300 exam.
• Best answer – Perhaps my least favorite is this type of question. Much like multiple choice, but with the possibility that more than one answer will work and only one of the answers is "best."
• Build list – These questions present you with a scenario, then a list of steps that can be used to solve the scenario. You drag the steps from one side of the screen to the other and place them in the correct order. Usually, not all of the presented steps are part of the solution. Do not worry if you have steps left over.
• Drag and drop – Much like the build list type, with drag and drop you will be presented with a scenario and a series of processes or technologies. You match the process or technology to an answer by dragging it from the list to where it matches. As with the build list, Microsoft often provides more answers than needed. You may see this in the DAX section, where you will have to drag DAX commands into the appropriate place in the script.
• Active screen – This type of question will present you with a scenario part of a user interface. You must complete actions to achieve the desired outcome as specified by the scenario. You may see this type of question during the administration part of the exam. You may be asked to make a selection in the Power BI admin user interface.

Knowledge needed to pass

Microsoft publishes a list of topics covered by the PL-300 exam, and what percentage of the overall grade each topic will be worth. As you are going through the list, you may notice that it tracks with the layout of this book. This was intentional. If Microsoft is going to provide us with an outline, we are more than pleased to use it.

Here is the current list of exam topics and what percentage of your overall grade they are worth:

• Prepare the Data (20-25%)
• Model the Data (25-30%)
• Visualize the Data (20-25%)
• Analyze the Data (10-15%)
• Deploy and Maintain Deliverables (10-15%)

You may notice from the table of contents that this book is broken down into sections that follow these topics in this order. That was intentional.

Timelines

Microsoft has decided to make most of their role-based and specialty certifications valid for 2 years from the date of achievement. Six months before your certification expires, Microsoft will provide a link on your Certification Dashboard (https://aka.ms/CertDashboard) for you to take an assessment. Passing the assessment on Microsoft Learn is the only way to renew a certification. Renewing your certification will then become an annual requirement.

You will also receive an email telling you it's time to renew.

This process ensures that you, and everyone else with the PL-300 certification, is up to date with all the changes in Power BI. As Power BI can change radically within a year, this is a good thing. The fact that renewal is free is amazing.

The best part is that you can retake the renewal test as many times as you need. You must pass it before your certification expires, but you have 6 months, unlimited retakes, and access to the internet while taking the renewal.

If you do not pass your renewal assessment, then you must pay for and pass the PL-300 exam again.

Strategies to get a passing grade

So, now we know what's on the test, let's talk about how to prepare to take the test. If you search the internet, you will find many slightly different strategies for studying for and passing Microsoft certification exams:

• Set a date – The most important step is the first one. If you set a date, it allows you to work backward from that date to plan your studying. Some people even go as far as to purchase their test voucher for a date in the future, thus committing them to that data.
• Buy a nice study guide – Might I recommend this one?
• Get hands-on – Most of the test is centered around Power BI Desktop, a free-to-use application; no license is required. You can download Power BI Desktop from https://powerbi.com or, as I prefer to do, install it from the Microsoft Store. The Microsoft Store version will get the monthly updates automatically.
• Learn the technology – This study guide is great, but nothing is better than getting hands-on with the technology. Create reports for your work, for yourself, and for your friends.
• Learn the vocabulary – Knowing what things are called will help immensely with the test. Many times, you can eliminate one or two answers from a multiple-choice question just by knowing the terminology.
• Know what to expect (again, a nice study guide is a good idea) – Look at the table of contents for this book. Review the previous Knowledge needed to pass section. Make sure you have at least a passing familiarity with each subheading.

Do not stress out! Power BI is intuitive and fun. Plus, Microsoft does not put a record of failed attempts on your transcript.