The short version
You need 700 on a scale of 1 to 1,000 to pass AI-901. Microsoft lists 45 minutes of exam time for fundamentals exams, does not publish the number of questions for this one, and allows a retake after 24 hours if you fail. Below is what Microsoft says, and where it says nothing.
Time and number of questions
Microsoft’s exam duration page gives fundamentals exams 45 minutes of exam time and 65 minutes of seat time. Seat time includes reading the instructions, accepting the candidate agreement, and giving feedback at the end. The AI-901 page itself does not repeat the 45 minutes, so confirm the time on the scheduling screen when you book.
The number of questions is not published for AI-901. Microsoft says most exams have between 40 and 60 questions, and that the number can change when exams are updated. Treat that as a general range, not a promise. Anyone who quotes you an exact count for AI-901 is guessing.
Microsoft also builds five minutes of break time into the exam clock. You can take breaks, but the clock keeps running, and once you start a break you cannot go back to the questions you saw before it.
Passing score
The passing score is 700. Microsoft reports technical exam scores on a scale of 1 to 1,000, and says that because it is a scaled score, it may not equal 70% of the points. Harder sets of questions need fewer raw points to reach 700, and easier sets need more. That is why a plain percentage tells you little about how you did.
Other scoring rules from Microsoft:
- There is no penalty for guessing. A wrong answer simply earns nothing.
- Multi-part questions can give partial credit, usually one point per correct component.
- Some questions are unscored and are used to test new items. You cannot tell which, so answer every question as if it counts.
Question types
Microsoft does not name the question types before the exam. It does offer an exam sandbox where you can try the interface and the kinds of questions it uses: multiple choice, drag and drop, hot area, build list, and case studies appear in its sample videos. Whether AI-901 uses all of them is not stated. Open the exam sandbox once before test day so the interface is familiar.
Two practical points. Fundamentals exams do not give you access to Microsoft Learn during the exam; that option exists only for role-based exams. And because this exam leans on Foundry, expect questions that describe a portal step or a short piece of code, not only definitions. Our exam question types guide explains the common formats in general.
Languages
Microsoft lists 13 languages for AI-901: English, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Spanish. It always updates the English version first. Localized versions follow about eight weeks later, though Microsoft notes that this does not always happen on schedule. The English version was updated on April 15, 2026. If the exam is not offered in your language, Microsoft says you can ask for an extra 30 minutes.
Delivery
Microsoft’s policy pages refer to Pearson VUE as the exam provider, with Certiport used for students and educators. Pearson VUE offers test centers and online proctored exams. The AI-901 page does not list which options apply, so check your options in your Microsoft Learn profile when you schedule. Our exam day guide covers ID, room checks, and what to expect.
Your score report
You usually get results within minutes of finishing, and the score appears in your Learn profile within 24 hours. The report shows an overall numeric score, pass or fail, and a bar chart for each skill area. Microsoft does not tell you which questions you missed, and the bars cannot be converted to a count of correct answers. The chart still helps: the shortest bars show where to study before a retake.
Retakes
- If you fail, you must wait 24 hours before the second attempt.
- After that, 14 days between each further attempt, up to five attempts.
- No more than five attempts in 12 months from your first attempt.
- You cannot retake an exam you passed unless the credential has expired, and fundamentals credentials do not expire.
Microsoft can waive the wait only for internet or equipment failure with a Pearson VUE case number.
More guides for AI-901
- AI-901 Study Plan: 4-Week and 8-Week
- AI-901 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is AI-901 Hard? An Honest Difficulty Check
- AI-901 Prerequisites: What to Know First
- AI-901 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is AI-901 Worth It? An Honest Look
- AI-901 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AZ-900 vs AI-901: Which First?
- AB-900 vs AI-901: Which Exam First?
- AWS AIF-C01 vs AI-901: Which First?
Next step
If you want to see how your preparation compares with the topics, go through the domains explained page. For timed practice on the same two domains, our AI-901 practice tests include a full-length timed set.
Frequently asked questions
Is 700 the same as 70%?
No. It is a scaled score. Microsoft says it may not equal 70% of the points, so do not convert it to a percentage.
Can I use Microsoft Learn during the exam?
No. Microsoft says that access to Learn is not available on fundamentals exams.
Is there a penalty for a wrong answer?
No. Microsoft states that no points are deducted for incorrect answers, so answer everything.
How many questions will I get?
Microsoft does not publish a number for AI-901. It says most of its exams have 40 to 60.