The short version
SC-200 gives you 100 minutes, is proctored, and needs a scaled score of 700 on a scale of 1 to 1,000. Microsoft does not publish the number of questions. This page is based on Microsoft Learn pages checked on October 18, 2026, and the vendor pages win if anything changes.
Time and number of questions
Microsoft’s certification page for the Security Operations Analyst Associate says you have 100 minutes to complete the exam. Microsoft’s exam experience page lists 100 minutes of exam time and 120 minutes of seat time for associate and expert role-based exams without labs. Seat time is the slot you should reserve, because it includes reading the instructions, accepting the candidate agreement, and leaving comments at the end.
The same page says that most Microsoft certification exams contain between 40 and 60 questions but that the number varies. Microsoft does not publish a figure for SC-200, so treat any exact count you see elsewhere as unverified. It also notes that labs can be added or removed at any time and that it does not list which exams have them. The SC-200 page lists “interactive components” as possible. Read the overview screens at the start of your exam to see what you will get.
Passing score and how scoring works
You need 700 or higher on a scale of 1 to 1,000. This is a scaled score, so it does not equal 70 percent of the questions. Microsoft sets the passing standard from the skills needed for competence and the difficulty of the questions, which means a harder set of questions needs fewer raw points.
- Multi-part questions usually give one point per correctly answered component, so you can earn partial credit.
- There is no penalty for guessing. Answer everything.
- Some questions are unscored. They collect data to improve the exam, and you cannot tell which ones they are.
- Most exams give a result within minutes. Exams with labs take longer to score.
Your score report shows the overall score, pass or fail, and a bar chart for each skill area. It does not show a score per section and it does not tell you which questions you missed. Because sections have different numbers of questions, you cannot add the bars up to work out your result.
Question types
Microsoft says it does not identify specific question formats before the exam. It does publish an exam sandbox that lets you try the question types and the interface: case studies, drag and drop, hot area, multiple choice, build list, and labs are all shown on its exam experience page. Use the sandbox once before exam day so the interface is not new to you.
For SC-200 the practical lesson is that questions are scenario-based. Expect short situations and, possibly, longer case-style sets. Read the full scenario before you look at the options.
Languages
Microsoft lists ten languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Traditional), and Italian. English is always updated first. Microsoft says other languages follow about eight weeks later, so a translated exam may briefly cover an older version of the skills. If the exam is not offered in your language, you can request an additional 30 minutes.
Delivery
The exam is proctored and scheduled through Pearson VUE. Microsoft recommends registering with a personal Microsoft account rather than a work or school account, because exam records tied to an organizational account can be lost when you leave. Exam prices depend on the country or region, and Microsoft does not print a single figure, so check the scheduling page.
On associate and expert exams, Microsoft says you can open Microsoft Learn in a split screen during the exam. You can reach most of the learn.microsoft.com site except Q&A, practice assessments, and your profile. No extra time is added and the clock keeps running, so it is for the odd lookup, not for every question.
You may also take unscheduled breaks. Microsoft built five minutes into the exam time for this, but the clock keeps running while you are on a break, and you cannot return to questions you saw before the break. Review and answer first, then start the break.
Retakes
- If you do not pass, you must wait 24 hours before the second attempt.
- A 14-day wait applies between all later attempts, up to five.
- You cannot take the same exam more than five times in 12 months from the first attempt.
- You cannot retake an exam you have passed unless your certification has expired.
- Each retake is paid, where fees apply.
Renewal
The credential expires after 12 months. Microsoft lets you renew for free with an online, unproctored, open-book assessment during a six-month window before expiry. Passing extends the certification by one year from the expiration date.
The October 21, 2026 update
Microsoft says the English version of the exam is updated on October 21, 2026, and publishes the skills measured as of that date. Its study guide says it keeps two versions of the objectives depending on when you take the exam. If your exam date is before October 21, open the study guide and check which version applies to you. This page’s domain list uses the October 21 version.
More guides for SC-200
- SC-200 Domains Explained
- SC-200 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the SC-200 Exam Hard?
- SC-200 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- SC-200 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is SC-200 Worth It? An Honest Look
- SC-200 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- SC-200 vs SC-401: Which First?
Next step
Read the study plan to turn this format into a schedule. When you want timed practice, our SC-200 practice tests let you rehearse long scenario questions.
Frequently asked questions
Is 700 the same as 70%?
No. It is a scaled score, and the raw number of points needed can differ between exam versions.
Can I use Microsoft Learn during the exam?
Microsoft says yes on associate and expert exams, through a split-screen window limited to the Learn site. The timer keeps running.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No. Microsoft says points are not deducted, so never leave a question blank.