The short version
SC-900 gives you 45 minutes of exam time, you pass with a scaled score of 700 or more out of 1,000, and the exam is proctored. If you fail, you can retake after 24 hours. Microsoft does not publish the exact number of questions for this exam.
Time and number of questions
Microsoft lists 45 minutes of exam time for SC-900. It also lists a “seat time” of 65 minutes for fundamentals exams. Seat time covers the instructions, the candidate agreement, the questions, and optional comments at the end. Plan for the longer figure when you book a slot.
Microsoft does not state a question count for SC-900. Its general guidance is that most Microsoft certification exams have 40 to 60 questions, and that the number can change. Treat any fixed number you see elsewhere with caution.
Passing score and how scoring works
Technical exam scores run from 1 to 1,000, and 700 or higher passes. This is a scaled score. Microsoft states that it may not equal 70% of the points. Harder sets of questions need fewer points to pass, and easier sets need more, so a simple percent correct tells you little.
Other scoring rules from Microsoft:
- Multi-part questions usually give one point per correct part. You can earn all, some, or none of the points.
- There is no penalty for guessing, so answer everything.
- Some questions may not count toward your score. They are used to test new items, and you cannot tell which ones they are. Answer each as if it counts.
- You see a score report soon after finishing. It shows your overall score, pass or fail, and a bar chart per skill area. The bars are not a percentage and cannot be added up.
Question types
Microsoft does not announce question types for a specific exam. It points to its exam sandbox, a demo that lets you try the interface and the kinds of questions that may appear. Its general list includes multiple choice, drag and drop, hot area, build list, and case studies. Microsoft does not say which of these appear on SC-900. Try the exam sandbox once so the screens are familiar. Our question types guide explains how to approach each format.
Languages
The exam is offered in English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Indonesian (Indonesia), German, Chinese (Traditional), and Italian. Microsoft updates the English version first and says other languages follow roughly eight weeks later. If your language is not offered, Microsoft says you can request an extra 30 minutes.
Delivery
The exam is proctored. You can schedule through Pearson VUE. Students and educators can schedule through Certiport. Microsoft recommends registering with a personal Microsoft account rather than a work or school account, because records tied to an organizational account can be lost if you leave that organization.
Fundamentals exams do not give you access to Microsoft Learn during the test. Unscheduled breaks are allowed, but the clock keeps running, and you cannot go back to questions you saw before the break. For preparation on the day itself, read our exam day guide. Microsoft also offers accommodations if you need them.
Retakes
Microsoft’s policy for fundamentals exams:
- After a first failed attempt, wait 24 hours.
- After that, wait 14 days between attempts, up to five attempts.
- 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 the certification has expired.
- You pay for each attempt where a fee applies.
Microsoft does not tell you which questions you missed. Use the per-skill bar chart to decide what to study before the next try.
The October 21, 2026 update
Microsoft says the English exam changes on October 21, 2026. The change log marks two areas as “minor” (identity types in Entra ID, and Defender XDR) and the other areas as unchanged. Check the study guide for the date you plan to sit the exam.
More guides for SC-900
- SC-900 Domains Explained
- SC-900 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the SC-900 Exam Hard?
- SC-900 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- SC-900 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is SC-900 Worth It? An Honest Look
- SC-900 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AZ-900 vs SC-900: Which Exam First?
Next step
Now that you know the rules, the study plan shows how to spend your weeks. When you want a timed run, try our SC-900 practice tests.
Frequently asked questions
Is 700 the same as 70%?
No. It is a scaled score, so it does not map to a fixed percentage of questions.
Can I skip a question and return?
That depends on the question type and exam screens, so try the sandbox. Mark for review exists, but Microsoft says you cannot return to questions seen before an unscheduled break.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No. Microsoft states that incorrect answers do not subtract points.