The short version
You get 45 scored multiple-choice questions and 90 minutes, which is two minutes per question. You can sit the exam online with a proctor or at a test center. Databricks does not publish the passing score, and you wait 14 days between attempts. The facts here come from the Databricks exam page, the exam guide dated October 8, 2026, and the Databricks certification FAQ.
The numbers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scored questions | 45 |
| Time limit | 90 minutes |
| Question style | Multiple choice |
| Code language | Python |
| Test aids | None, including API documentation |
| Unscored questions | Possible; not marked; extra time is built in |
| Validity | 2 years |
The word “scored” matters. Databricks says an exam may include unscored questions used to gather statistics, that you cannot tell which ones they are, and that they do not affect your result. The exam guide adds that extra time is built in for them. So treat every question as if it counts.
Question types
The exam guide calls them multiple-choice questions, and the ten sample questions in the guide each have four options with one correct answer. Expect a mix of three styles:
- Short recall: what a setting does, what a deployment mode means, which method does a job.
- Code reading: a PySpark snippet and a question about what it returns or whether it runs.
- Scenario: a short story about a pipeline problem, with answers that all sound plausible. One detail in the story, such as a size limit, a streaming source, or a skewed key, decides the answer.
Read exam question types for general tactics on each style.
Delivery
Databricks says you can take the exam online proctored or at a proctored test center. According to the Databricks FAQ, the exams are delivered through Kryterion, and you register and manage bookings through your Webassessor account. For an online exam, Kryterion lists the technical requirements and offers a system check. The FAQ warns that work computers with firewalls can block the proctoring tools, so use a personal machine if you can. Run the system check days before the exam, not on the morning of it.
Scoring and results
Databricks does not publish a passing score. It says passing scores are not published and may change over time. So you cannot convert a practice-test percentage into a pass prediction, and anyone who quotes you an exact “pass mark” is guessing.
According to the FAQ, you see unofficial results right after the exam. For a pass, Databricks reviews the proctor recording before it posts your digital badge, and the page gives no time frame. The badge arrives by email through Accredible. The FAQ does not describe a detailed score report, so do not count on a per-domain breakdown from the vendor. That is one reason to practice with tests that report by domain.
Retakes
If you do not pass, you can retake the exam, but you must wait 14 days between attempts. There is no limit on the number of attempts. Retakes are not free: each attempt is charged at the exam’s normal fee, and Databricks says it does not issue retake vouchers. Use the 14 days well. Pull up your weakest domain, rebuild it in a notebook, and test it again before you rebook. Our exam day guide covers what to do if a result is not what you hoped.
Rescheduling
You reschedule through Webassessor. Per the FAQ, an online proctored exam must be moved more than 24 hours before the start time, and a test-center exam more than 72 hours before. A later change can bring a rescheduling fee. The FAQ page is not recent, so check the current rule in Webassessor when you book.
Renewal
The certification is valid for two years from the award date. Databricks says it notifies you before your expiration date. To recertify you take the full exam that is live at the time, which may be a newer version than the one you passed. Check the exam guide again then.
Keep your guide current
Databricks asks candidates to check the exam guide again two weeks before the exam, because the outline can change. If the outline changes, the weightings and topics on our pages may be out of date, and the Databricks guide wins.
More guides for DATABRICKS-SPARK-ASSOCIATE
- Spark Associate Domains Explained
- Spark Associate Sample Questions
- Is the Databricks Spark Associate Hard?
- Spark Associate Prerequisites
- Spark Associate Renewal and Retakes
- Is the Databricks Spark Associate Worth It?
- Spark Associate Cheat Sheet: Key Facts
- DE Pro vs Spark Associate: Which First?
Next step
Plan your preparation with the study plan. To rehearse the 90-minute clock, our Databricks Spark Associate practice tests include a full 45-question set you can time yourself on.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the exam?
Databricks states 45 scored multiple-choice questions. There may be extra unscored ones that you cannot identify.
What is the passing score?
Databricks does not publish it, and it may change.
How long must I wait to retake it?
14 days between attempts, per the Databricks FAQ.
Is the exam open book?
No. Databricks says no test aids are provided, including API documentation.