The short version
DP-700 gives you 100 minutes of exam time and a passing score of 700 on a scale of 1 to 1,000. It is proctored and scheduled through Pearson VUE. Microsoft does not publish the number of questions, so plan for the typical range it gives for its exams, and use the practice time to learn pacing rather than to count questions.
Key numbers
| Item | What Microsoft says |
|---|---|
| Exam time | 100 minutes |
| Seat time | Microsoft lists 120 minutes for associate exams without labs; the time shown when you register is the one that counts |
| Passing score | 700 or higher on a scale of 1 to 1,000 |
| Number of questions | Not published for this exam. Microsoft says most exams have 40 to 60 and that the number can change |
| Delivery | Proctored; scheduled through Pearson VUE |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), German, French, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil) |
Seat time is the whole visit: instructions, the candidate agreement, the questions, and the comment screen at the end. Exam time is the clock on your questions. Microsoft notes that some associate exams may contain labs and then run 120 minutes of exam time, and says it does not publish which exams have labs. The DP-700 page says 100 minutes, so check the time shown at registration and on the introduction screens of your own sitting.
What the score means
The 700 is a scaled score, and Microsoft says it may not equal 70% of the points. The pass mark depends on the skills needed to show competence and on how hard the questions are, so a plain percentage of correct answers tells you little. Treat any online table that converts percentages to scores with suspicion.
Other scoring facts from Microsoft:
- In multi-part questions you usually earn one point per correct component, so partial credit is possible.
- There is no penalty for guessing, so answer every question.
- Some questions may be unscored items used to improve the exam. You cannot tell which, so treat every question as if it counts.
- Results usually appear within minutes, and the score report shows your overall score, pass or fail, and a bar chart for each skill area. It does not show a score per section or which questions you missed.
Question styles
Microsoft does not list the question formats of a specific exam in advance. It does publish a free exam sandbox where you can try every style: multiple choice, drag and drop, hot area, build list, active screen, review screens, and case studies. The DP-700 page also warns that you may get interactive components. Read our exam question types page for how to approach each style, and use the sandbox so the interface is not new on exam day.
Microsoft Learn during the exam
On associate and expert exams, Microsoft allows access to Microsoft Learn through a button in the exam window. You can use the learn.microsoft.com site except Q&A, practice assessments, and your profile. No extra time is added and the clock keeps running. Microsoft says the resource is meant for the occasional lookup and that you will not finish if you use it on every question. Practically, that means you should know where common Fabric topics live in the documentation, but not depend on it.
Breaks
You may take unscheduled breaks without asking in advance. Five minutes are built into the exam time, but the clock keeps running during a break, and you cannot return to questions you saw before the break. You cannot break in the middle of a lab or a problem-solution question set, and you cannot use unauthorized materials during a break.
Language and timing
Localized versions are updated about eight weeks after the English version. If the exam is not available in your language, you can request an extra 30 minutes. The English version is updated on October 19, 2026, so the other languages may still match the previous outline for a while.
Retakes
- If you fail, you wait 24 hours before the second attempt.
- After that, you wait 14 days between attempts.
- You can sit a given exam at most five times in 12 months, counted from your first attempt.
- You cannot retake an exam you have passed unless the certification has expired.
Microsoft’s retake policy has the full wording, including the rare waiver for connection or equipment failure.
Renewal
Associate certifications expire annually. You renew for free by passing an online assessment on Microsoft Learn. The assessment is unproctored and open book, shorter than the exam, and focuses on recent changes. Microsoft opens a six-month window before the expiry date, and a pass extends the certification by one year from that date.
More guides for DP-700
- DP-700 Domains Explained With Weightings
- DP-700 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is DP-700 Hard? An Honest Difficulty Check
- DP-700 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- DP-700 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is DP-700 Worth It? An Honest Look
- DP-700 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- DP-800 vs DP-700: Which Exam First?
- DP-600 vs DP-700: Which Exam First?
- DP-750 vs DP-700: Which Exam First?
Next step
If you want to see how a candidate can fit this format into weeks of preparation, read the study plan. To rehearse the time pressure, try one of our DP-700 practice tests in a single sitting.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on DP-700?
Microsoft does not publish a number for this exam. It says most Microsoft exams have between 40 and 60 questions, but the count can change.
Can I take DP-700 from home?
It is proctored and scheduled through Pearson VUE. Which delivery options you see (test center or online) appear when you book, so confirm them there.
Can I use notes?
No. The only reference allowed is Microsoft Learn through the exam interface, and only on exams that offer it.