The short version
The exam has 48 scored questions and a 90-minute time limit. Questions are multiple choice or multiple selection, no aids are allowed, and Databricks does not publish the passing score. If you do not pass, you can retake after 14 days. Everything below comes from Databricks’ certification page, its exam guide (the version live as of March 1, 2025), and its certification FAQ, all read on October 18, 2026.
Time and number of questions
You get 90 minutes for 48 scored questions. That is a little under two minutes per question, which is comfortable for most single-answer items and tight for long scenario stems with several constraints.
The exam may also contain unscored items. Databricks uses them to gather statistics for future exam versions. They are not marked, you cannot tell which ones they are, and they do not affect your result. The vendor says extra time is built in for them, so the 90 minutes is meant to cover the whole form. The practical lesson is to treat every question as if it counts.
Question types
The exam guide describes the questions as multiple choice or multiple selection. A multiple-selection question asks you to pick more than one answer. Expect the question to say how many to choose. These are worth practicing separately, because partial knowledge helps less when you must get the whole set right. The vendor does not describe other formats such as drag-and-drop or labs, and we do not claim any.
Databricks also says all machine learning code on the exam is in Python, and that code for non-ML workflow or data manipulation tasks may be in SQL. Be ready to read short code snippets and spot what they do.
Passing score and how scoring works
Databricks does not publish the passing score for its certification exams. Its FAQ gives the reason: passing scores are set through statistical analysis and can change, so they are not published. Numbers like “70%” that circulate online are guesses, not vendor facts.
What this means for you: do not plan around a minimum. Aim to be comfortably ahead of what you think you need. Our practice sets use their own, higher pass marks for the same reason, and those marks say nothing about the real cut score.
Delivery
Databricks’ certification page lists the delivery method as online or at a test center, and describes the exam as proctored. The FAQ says exams are delivered through Kryterion. The exam guide agrees: online proctored or test center. The booking system shows what is available for your appointment.
Plan for the usual proctoring conditions. The vendor links to technical requirements and a system check for online exams, and no test aids are allowed. Run the system check on the machine and network you will really use, a few days ahead, not on exam morning.
Results
Databricks says unofficial results are shown immediately at the end of the exam. A pass is confirmed after review: Databricks looks at the proctor recording before it posts the credential. Passing candidates then receive an email with a shareable digital badge. So expect an instant impression of the outcome, and a formal confirmation a little later.
Languages
The certification page lists four languages: English, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), and Korean. If your first language is not on the list, plan for the extra reading effort in English and practice with long stems.
Validity and recertification
A Databricks certification is valid for two years from the date it is awarded. To recertify, you take the full exam that is live at that time, which may be a newer version than the one you first passed. That is why the vendor tells you to look at the exam guide again before every attempt.
Retakes
- You can retake an exam as many times as you like, but you must wait 14 days between attempts.
- Each attempt is charged at the same price as the first. Databricks says it does not issue free retake vouchers.
- Databricks prohibits getting around the waiting period, for example by registering under a different name or email address. It says that can lead to a denied or revoked certification.
Use the 14 days well. Your score report details are not described on the pages we read, so rebuild your own picture: write down which topics felt slow or uncertain, and work on those, not on the whole syllabus again.
Rescheduling
The FAQ says online proctored exams must be rescheduled more than 24 hours before the start time, and test center exams more than 72 hours before. Late changes carry a fee. The vendor’s certification terms mention a 72-hour notice rule too, so if you are unsure which applies to your booking, assume the stricter one and check your booking account.
The exam guide version
The exam guide we used says it covers the version live as of March 1, 2025. It states that Databricks updates the document whenever the exam changes, including when the changes take effect. Check it two weeks before your exam.
More guides for DATABRICKS-ML-ASSOCIATE
- Databricks ML Associate Study Plan
- Databricks ML Associate Sample Questions
- Is the Databricks ML Associate Exam Hard?
- Databricks ML Associate Prerequisites
- Databricks ML Associate Renewal and Retakes
- Is Databricks ML Associate Worth It?
- Databricks ML Associate Cheat Sheet
- Databricks ML Associate vs Professional
- GenAI vs ML Associate: Which Databricks Exam?
Next step
Once the format is clear, read the domains explained page to see how the 48 questions spread across the four sections. To practice under a similar clock, try the Databricks ML Associate practice tests.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use notes or the documentation during the exam?
No. The exam guide says no test aids are allowed.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
The vendor pages we read do not describe negative marking. Do not leave questions blank, and flag the hard ones to return to.
How soon can I retake?
After 14 days. There is no stated limit on the number of attempts, but each one costs the full fee.