The short version
AB-731 gives you 45 minutes, you pass with a scaled score of 700 or more out of 1,000, and the exam is proctored. If you fail, you can retake after 24 hours. Microsoft does not publish the number of questions for this exam.
Time and number of questions
Microsoft’s AB-731 page says you have 45 minutes to complete the exam. Microsoft’s exam-duration page lists 45 minutes of exam time and 65 minutes of “seat time” for fundamentals exams. The AB-731 page does not say which category it uses, but the exam time matches. Seat time covers the instructions, the candidate agreement, the questions, and optional comments at the end. Plan your booking around the longer figure and confirm the times shown when you register.
No question count is published for AB-731. Microsoft’s general guidance is that most of its certification exams contain 40 to 60 questions, that the number can vary, and that it can change as the exam is updated. Be wary of any fixed number you see elsewhere. With 45 minutes, a typical pace is under a minute per question, so scenario stems need quick, careful reading.
Passing score and how scoring works
Exam scores run from 1 to 1,000, and 700 or higher passes. This is a scaled score. Microsoft states that it is not simply 70% of the questions: scaling adjusts for differences between versions of the exam. A percent-correct figure from a practice set therefore tells you about readiness, not about your exact real score.
Other scoring rules Microsoft publishes for its exams:
- Questions with several parts can give partial credit.
- There is no penalty for guessing, so answer every question.
- Some questions may be unscored items used to test new content. You cannot tell which, so treat each as if it counts.
- Your score report shows an overall result and a per-skill-area bar chart. The bars are not percentages and cannot be added up.
Question types
Microsoft does not announce question types for a specific exam. For AB-731 it says the exam may have interactive components, and it offers an exam sandbox, a demo of the exam interface with the kinds of questions that can appear. Microsoft’s general list includes multiple choice, drag and drop, hot area, build list, and case studies. It does not say which of these appear on AB-731. Try the exam sandbox once so the screens are familiar. Our question types guide explains how to approach each format.
Because the exam is scenario-driven, the useful habit is to read the last sentence of the question first. It tells you what you are choosing (a product, a first step, a risk). Then read the scenario and underline the constraint that decides it.
Languages
Microsoft lists these languages: English, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, German, Indonesian (Indonesia), Italian, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Spanish. That is 13. Its study guide says localized exams are updated about eight weeks after the English version, and that you can request an extra 30 minutes if the exam is not available in your preferred language. Because localized versions follow later, check which version of the skills outline applies to the language you plan to sit.
Delivery
The exam is proctored and scheduled through Pearson VUE from the Microsoft Learn exam page. Microsoft strongly recommends registering with a personal Microsoft account rather than a work or school account, because exam records tied to an organizational account can be lost if you leave that organization. Microsoft also offers accommodations if you use assistive devices or need extra time.
For fundamentals exams, Microsoft states that access to Microsoft Learn during the exam is not available, and that you can take unscheduled breaks but the clock keeps running and you cannot return to questions you saw before the break. Confirm the rules shown for your booking. For day-of preparation, read our exam day guide.
Retakes
Microsoft’s retake policy for its exams:
- After a first failed attempt, wait 24 hours.
- For later attempts the wait is longer. Microsoft’s policy page has the details, including a limit on attempts within 12 months, so read it before you plan a second try.
- You cannot retake an exam you have passed unless the certification has expired.
Microsoft does not tell you which questions you missed. Use the per-skill bar chart to decide what to study before the next attempt.
More guides for AB-731
- AB-731 Domains Explained With Weightings
- AB-731 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is AB-731 Hard? An Honest Look
- AB-731 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- AB-731 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is AB-731 Worth It? An Honest Look
- AB-731 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AB-730 vs AB-731: Which Exam First?
Next step
Now that you know the rules, the study plan shows how to spend your weeks. When you want a timed run, try our AB-731 practice tests.
Frequently asked questions
Is 700 the same as 70%?
No. It is a scaled score, so it does not map to a fixed percentage of correct answers.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No. Microsoft states that incorrect answers do not subtract points, so never leave a question blank.
Can I take AB-731 at home?
It is proctored, and scheduling goes through Pearson VUE. The delivery options shown at booking are the authority, so check them when you register.