The short version
You get 45 minutes of exam time and need a scaled score of 700 on a scale of 1 to 1,000 to pass. The exam is proctored and scheduled through Pearson VUE. Microsoft does not publish the number of questions for AB-900. Check Microsoft Learn before you book, because policies change.
Time and number of questions
Microsoft lists 45 minutes of exam time for AB-900. For fundamentals exams, Microsoft also says to plan for 65 minutes of “seat time”. That longer figure includes reading the instructions, accepting the candidate agreement, and leaving optional comments after the exam. Only the 45 minutes count against your questions.
Microsoft does not state a question count for this exam. Its exam-experience page says most Microsoft certification exams contain 40 to 60 questions and that the number can vary. Treat that as a general range, not a promise for AB-900.
Passing score and how scoring works
A passing score is 700 or higher on a scale of 1 to 1,000. It is a scaled score, so it does not equal 70 percent of the questions. Microsoft explains that the passing mark reflects the skills needed and the difficulty of the questions, so an easier set of questions needs more points to pass.
Other scoring rules from Microsoft:
- There is no penalty for guessing. Wrong answers lose nothing, so answer every question.
- On multi-part questions you usually earn one point for each correct component, so you can get partial credit.
- Some questions may be unscored items used to improve the exam. You cannot tell which, so treat every question as scored.
Your score report shows a numeric score, pass or fail, and a bar chart for each skill area. The bars cannot be turned into a count of correct answers, and Microsoft does not tell you which questions you missed. Most candidates get results within minutes of finishing.
Question types
Microsoft does not identify exact question formats ahead of time. It points candidates to a free exam sandbox that lets you try the question types and the exam interface. Its general exam-experience page shows sample types such as multiple choice, build list, drag and drop, hot area, and case studies, and warns that exams may contain others. Whether any of these appear on AB-900 is not stated, so use the sandbox to get comfortable with all of them.
Delivery
AB-900 is proctored. The Microsoft Learn page links to scheduling through Pearson VUE, and to Certiport for students and educators. Whether you sit it online or at a test center is chosen during booking, so confirm the options available to you there. Microsoft 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. Read the exam day guide for general preparation.
Languages
Microsoft lists English, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean, German, French, Indonesian (Indonesia), Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Spanish. The English version is updated first and other languages follow about eight weeks later. If the exam is not available in your preferred language, you can request an additional 30 minutes.
Breaks and resources
You may take unscheduled breaks, but the exam clock keeps running and you cannot go back to questions you saw before the break. Access to Microsoft Learn during the exam is not available on fundamentals exams, so you cannot look things up. Accommodations, such as extra time or assistive devices, must be requested through Microsoft before the exam.
Retake policy
- If you do not pass, you must wait 24 hours before the second attempt.
- After that, a 14-day wait applies between attempts, up to five attempts.
- You cannot take the exam more than five times within 12 months of the first attempt.
- You cannot retake an exam you passed unless the certification has expired. Microsoft states fundamentals certifications do not expire.
- You pay for each retake where a fee applies.
A waiver of the waiting period is possible only for connectivity or equipment failure with a Pearson VUE case number.
More guides for AB-900
- AB-900 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the AB-900 Exam Hard? An Honest Look
- AB-900 Prerequisites: What to Know First
- AB-900 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is AB-900 Worth It? An Honest Look
- AB-900 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AB-900 vs AI-901: Which Exam First?
Next step
Plan your weeks with the study plan, or see which topics carry the most weight in domains explained. To rehearse the pace, our AB-900 practice tests include a timed set.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on AB-900?
Microsoft does not publish a number for this exam. It gives a general range of 40 to 60 for most exams.
Is 700 the same as 70 percent?
No. It is a scaled score, and the percentage needed varies with the question set.
Can I look things up during the exam?
No. Microsoft Learn access is not available on fundamentals exams.
How soon can I retake it?
24 hours after a first failed attempt, then 14 days between later attempts.