The short version
You pass AB-100 with a scaled score of 700 or more out of 1,000. Microsoft does not print the question count or the exact time on the AB-100 page, so you see both when you register. If you fail, you can retake after 24 hours.
Time and number of questions
The AB-100 exam page lists neither a duration nor a question count. Microsoft’s general guidance for all exams is that most contain 40 to 60 questions, and that the number can vary and can change as the exam is updated.
For time, Microsoft publishes a general table by exam type. Associate and expert role-based exams without labs get 100 minutes of exam time, with a 120-minute seat duration. Role-based exams that may contain labs get 120 minutes, with a 140-minute seat duration. Seat time includes the instructions, the candidate agreement, and the comment section at the end. Microsoft does not publish which exams have labs, and says you are told the exact time when you register. We therefore cannot tell you which row applies to AB-100. Treat the figures as a range, and read the time on your booking.
Question types
Microsoft does not name the question types for a specific exam in advance. Its sandbox lets you try the interface with the types it uses across exams: multiple choice, drag and drop, hot area, build list, active screen, case studies, and labs. Do not assume AB-100 contains all of them. Do expect scenario-based items, because the audience description is about decisions made in context. The exam sandbox is free, and trying it once removes interface surprises. Our exam question types guide explains how to approach each style.
Scoring
- Scores are reported on a scale of 1 to 1,000, and 700 passes.
- A scaled score is not 70% of the questions. Microsoft explains that the passing mark reflects the skill needed and the difficulty of the question set.
- Multi-part questions usually give one point per correct component, so you can earn partial credit.
- There is no penalty for guessing. Answer everything.
- Some questions may be unscored items used for data collection. You will not know which ones.
- Your score report shows an overall score, pass or fail, and a bar chart per skill area. It does not show which questions you missed, and the bar lengths cannot be converted to a percentage.
Results for most exams arrive within minutes. Exams with labs take about 30 minutes to score, and the score appears in your Learn profile within 24 hours.
Breaks and Microsoft Learn access
Microsoft builds 5 minutes of break time into the exam, and you may take unscheduled breaks. The clock keeps running during a break, and you cannot go back to questions you saw before the break. Breaks are not allowed in the middle of a lab or a problem-solution question set. Case studies allow breaks, with the same no-return rule.
Associate and expert exams include access to Microsoft Learn through a split screen. You get the learn.microsoft.com domain except Q&A, practice assessments, and your profile. No extra time is added, and the timer keeps running. Use it for a single detail, not for every question.
Languages and delivery
Microsoft lists 13 languages: English, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean, German, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Spanish. If the exam is not available in your language, you can request an additional 30 minutes. Microsoft updated the English version on October 14, 2026 and says localized versions follow about eight weeks later. The exam is proctored, and Microsoft sends you to its scheduling flow. The delivery options available to you appear at booking, so confirm them there. Our exam day guide covers the practical side.
Retakes
- Fail once, and you wait 24 hours.
- After that, 14 days between each attempt, up to five attempts.
- No more than five attempts within 12 months of the first attempt.
- You cannot retake an exam you passed unless the certification has expired.
- You pay for each retake, if a fee applies.
Renewal
Microsoft’s study guide says associate, expert, and specialty certifications expire annually. You renew by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn inside a six-month window. The assessment is unproctored and open book, and a pass extends the certification by one year from the expiry date.
More guides for AB-100
- AB-100 Study Plan: 4-Week and 8-Week
- AB-100 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the AB-100 Exam Hard?
- AB-100 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- AB-100 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is AB-100 Worth It? An Honest Look
- AB-100 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AB-100 vs AB-620: Which Exam First?
Next step
Now see what the exam asks in each part on the domains explained page. When you want timed practice, our AB-100 practice tests are original sets, written to train the same kind of decision-making.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions will I get?
Microsoft does not publish a number for AB-100. The general range for its exams is 40 to 60, but treat that as a guide only.
Can I use Microsoft Learn during the exam?
Yes, on associate and expert exams, within the learn.microsoft.com domain and with no extra time.
Is 700 the same as 70%?
No. It is a scaled score, so you cannot convert it into a percentage of correct answers.