Exam DP-900 is a test to examine the knowledge and proficiency of candidates in using Microsoft Azure Data Services. The exam asks questions regarding the relation and non-relational data, various data workloads, and instructor-led or self-paced learning material. The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is the first step to advanced exams like Azure Database Administrator Associate and Azure Data Engineer. However, it is only for explanatory and learning purposes and not as a compulsory prerequisite.
Marking in Exam DP-900
Microsoft provides the certification on the score of 700 and above out of 1000. The exam can be practiced through the exam sandbox provided on their website. It facilitates exposure to introductory screens, help topics, instructions, non-disclosure agreement, different question types, and the exam environment. There are 49 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes.
Languages
The exam DP-900 is conducted in English, traditional and simplified Chinese, Arabic, Russian, French, Indonesian, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Japanese.
Skills Measured
The questions concern the general availability features but switch to Preview Features if the latter is more prevalent. The measured skills are enlisted based on the percentage:
- Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure (15-20%)
- Identify considerations for relational data on Azure (20-25%)
- Describe core data concepts (25-30%)
- Describe an analytics workload on Azure (25-30%)
Syllabus
The syllabus is the most important thing for a candidate for any exam. Let’s look at the details required to give the best in each objective/syllabus:
Core Data Concepts
It covers details on batch and streaming, their differences, and the characteristics of relational data. It involves data visualization such as reporting, and business intelligence ELT and ETL processing and the concepts of data processing. It also includes analytics techniques, for instance, descriptive, predictive, cognitive, prescriptive, and diagnostic.
Relational Data on Azure
Candidates should have exposure to relational data structures such as tables, views and indexes, and relation workload, with a specific focus on the right data offering. In the Microsoft Azure Data Services, the exam judges the ability to describe and compare Saas, PaaS, and LaaS delivery models, Azure SQL database and server, Maria DB, MySQL, and synapse analytics. Comparative information on DDL and DML, identification of query tools, connectivity issues, and ARM templates.
Non-Relational Data on Azure
Candidates must be aware of characteristics, applications, types of non-relational data, identification of Azure Cosmos DB APIs, Blob, Table, and file storage. Data services for non-relational workloads, security components, and management tools are also checked.
Workload on Azure
The exposure to transactional workloads, differences in batch and real-time, data warehousing workloads, workflow in Power BI, the role of interactive reports, paginate reporting, and dashboards help earn the scores. Moreover, exposure to Azure Databricks, Azure Data Lake, Azure HDInsight, Azure Synapse Analytics, modern data warehousing, components of Azure Data Factory, data loading, and data processing pays off for the candidate.
You May Read – ISO 45001 real-world applications
Important topics
Some topics hold more significance than others in the vast syllabus. Here are the most important ones among them:
- Non-relational Data workloads and offerings
- Relational Data workloads and Azure services
- Analytics and core data workloads, along with core concepts of data analytics
- Modern Data warehouse components
- Data Visualization by Microsoft, specifically under Power BI
- Query techniques with programming language
- Ingestion and processing of data on Azure
Preparation Tips
Why are you aiming for this exam?
Clear career objectives assist in the preparation, career path, and clarity setting. Knowing the exact department or part where you wish to see yourself makes you focus on that part. It provides expertise and defines the next action after clearing the exam.
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Question pattern
Working on topics with a high frequency of questions is a smart preparation method. Practice on the topic will minimize the chances of errors.
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Use proper guidance
Having proper guidance while preparing for the DP-900 exam is very important. Ensure you take help from a legitimate mentor, and genuine online resources to better prepare for the exam.
Conclusion
Exam DP-900 conducted by Microsoft provides the certification in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. The right resources and preparation tips can help in clearing the exam. Ensuring reliable study material, clear objectives, practice, and experience can help one pass with flying colors.
