Data Analysts: It’s time to earn your Microsoft Certification

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Posted 09 Apr 2020 by Liberty Munson (Microsoft)

DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI beta exam is now available. This exam is required to earn the Data Analyst Associate certification.

Data analysts use their skills to tell stories and create visualizations with vast volumes of data. These stories and visualizations, in turn, can help achieve more sales, offer insights for greater efficiency, and suggest patterns that could lead to big wins. Want help getting a step ahead in this high-demand profession? Start with this new Microsoft Certification.

Is this the right certification for you?

As a data analyst, you use your expertise with Microsoft Power BI to help businesses maximize the value of their data assets. Plus, you’re a subject matter expert responsible for designing and building scalable data models, cleaning and transforming data, and enabling advanced analytic capabilities. You use these analyses to provide meaningful business value through easy-to-comprehend data visualizations. Sound familiar? If so, you’re in the right place.

Ready to prove your data analyst skills?

The first 300 people who take the DA-100 (beta) exam on or before May 31, 2020, can get 80% off market price! (Learn why beta exams are no longer free.)

To receive the discount, register now and, when you’re prompted for payment, use code DA100MARION. This is not a private access code. The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You must take the exam on or before May 31, 2020.

Here is how you can get ready to take the DA-100 (beta) exam:

  • Review the DA-100 (beta) exam page for details. The skills outline document alerts you to key topics covered on the exam.
  • Explore free learning paths, courses, and hands-on training on Microsoft Learn. For updates on Microsoft Certifications, including new content available to help you prepare, follow @MicrosoftLearn.
  • Want even more in-depth training? Connect with Training Services Partners in your area for in-person training.
  • Need other preparation ideas? Check out my blog post on preparing for beta exams.

Beta exam conditions

Microsoft, together with our partner ecosystem, is adapting to the current environment to ensure that all of you can continue to learn and get certified on Microsoft technologies while staying safe. To learn more about the actions Microsoft is taking to do just that, read this update on Microsoft training and certification. As an alternative to taking your beta exam at a testing center, online proctoring is available, allowing you to take your exam in the comfort of your own home or office (if that’s an option for you). Stay up to date with current testing availability information from Pearson Vue.

Further, to offer more flexibility in your scheduling options, we are extending the beta period.

Please keep in mind that beta exams aren’t scored immediately. The rescore process starts on the day that exams go live, and final scores are released approximately 10 days later. For updates on when the rescore is complete, follow me on Twitter (@libertymunson). For questions about the timing of beta exam scoring and live exam release, check out The path from beta exam to live exam and More tips about beta exams.

Remember, the number of spots is limited to the first 300 candidates taking the DA-100 (beta) exam on or before May 31, 2020. Please note that the beta exam is not available in Türkiye, Pakistan, India, or China.

Ready to get started?

Skills for understanding, analyzing, and visualizing data are critically important in today’s high-tech world, and the need for professional data analysts will only continue to increase. This new Microsoft Certification offers the opportunity to show organizations that you have what they need when they’re hiring for this exciting job role. Ready to get started? Check out the DA-100 (beta) exam.

Get a sneak peek at upcoming Microsoft Certifications for Data & AI
An Important Update on Microsoft Training and Certification