Databricks GenAI Associate Exam Format

The short version

You get 90 minutes for 45 scored multiple-choice and multiple-selection questions, plus possibly a few unscored ones. Databricks does not publish the passing score. You can retake the exam after 14 days, and the certification lasts two years. All of this comes from the Databricks exam guide (dated March 18, 2026) and its certification FAQ, both checked on October 18, 2026.

Time and number of questions

The exam guide lists 45 scored questions and says up to 10 unscored items may be added. That means the number of questions you see can be higher than 45, and you cannot tell which ones do not count. Databricks says extra time for these items is already inside the 90-minute limit, so there is no separate timer to watch.

For pacing, treat the exam as roughly two minutes per question and plan on a quick first pass. If you see 50 questions, 90 minutes still gives you about 108 seconds each. Our own timed practice sets use this arithmetic, but the real timing is the vendor’s.

Passing score and how scoring works

Databricks does not publish the passing score. Its FAQ explains why: passing scores are set through statistical analysis and can change when exams are updated with new questions. You will see figures such as 70% on third-party sites. Treat those as unconfirmed, because the vendor says it does not publish a number.

What this means for you:

  • Do not aim for a bare minimum. Aim for a clear margin in your practice results.
  • Unscored items do not affect your result.
  • Results shown at the end of the exam are unofficial. For passing results, Databricks reviews the proctor recording and then posts your digital badge on its credentials site. You get an email with the badge.

Question types

The exam guide describes multiple-choice and multiple-selection questions. A multiple-selection question tells you how many answers to choose, so look for words such as “two”. The questions are scenario-based: a short situation, a constraint, and four or five options that look similar.

The guide includes ten sample questions. They cover topics such as choosing a chunking approach, picking an OCR package for scanned images, selecting an embedding model by context length, and managing prompts across environments. Read them on the vendor’s PDF to get the flavor of the wording.

Languages

Databricks lists English, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Korean. If you take the exam in English, the technical terms you see are the same ones used in the product documentation.

Delivery

The exam guide says the exam is delivered online with a proctor. The certification page says online or test center. Because the two vendor pages differ in wording, confirm the options when you register. Databricks says registration goes through Kryterion, and its FAQ points to Kryterion’s pages for computer requirements and a system check for online exams.

Practical points from the FAQ:

  • No test aids are allowed.
  • A work computer may have firewalls that stop the proctoring software, which can lead to the exam being suspended. Use a personal machine if you can.
  • To reschedule an online exam, do it more than 24 hours before the start. For a test center it is more than 72 hours. Otherwise a rescheduling fee applies.

The exam day guide covers general preparation for proctored exams.

Retakes

If you do not pass, you can register again after 14 days. Databricks says there is no limit on the number of attempts, but you must wait 14 days between each one. Each attempt is paid again, and Databricks does not issue free retake vouchers. Use the wait to find your weak domains, not to repeat the same material.

Validity and renewal

The certification is valid for two years from the date it is awarded. The exam guide says recertification means taking the current live exam, not a shorter update. That is worth knowing, because the exam changes as the platform changes: features such as Agent Bricks and MCP servers appear in the current outline.

Doing well on the format

  • Read the last line of each stem first, so you know whether you need one answer or two.
  • Eliminate options that break a stated constraint, such as latency, cost, or privacy.
  • Flag long questions and return to them; you can use the whole 90 minutes.

More guides for DATABRICKS-GENAI-ENGINEER-ASSOCIATE

Next step

The study plan turns these numbers into a weekly schedule. To practice with timed sets, see our Databricks GenAI Engineer Associate practice tests.

Frequently asked questions

Is the passing score 70%?

Databricks does not publish a passing score, so no number is confirmed. Its FAQ says passing scores can change as exams are updated.

Will I see my result right away?

You see an unofficial result at the end. Your badge follows after Databricks reviews the proctor recording for passing attempts.

Can I use notes or documentation?

No. The exam guide states that no test aids are allowed.

Try these practice exams