What is PL-300 Exam?

The PL-300 exam (Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst) validates your ability to prepare, model, visualize, and analyze data using Power BI. It ensures you can deliver actionable business insights, manage Power BI assets, and work within organizational data governance standards.

Who should take this exam

PL-300 is designed for:

• Data Analysts responsible for creating reports and dashboards.
• Business Intelligence (BI) Professionals working with data modeling and visualization.
• Power BI Developers/Consultants who design scalable data solutions.
• Business Users/Managers who use data for decision-making and want to validate their skills.

Typical candidates have 6–12 months of hands-on experience with Power BI and familiarity with basic data concepts. For those curious about how the PL-300 certification can impact their career, we recommend reading more on “PL-300 Certification: Is It Worth It?”

Prerequisites and recommendations

Official prerequisites: None.

Recommended skills:

• Familiarity with core data concepts and databases.
• Understanding of data analysis, KPIs, and business requirements.
• Practical experience building Power BI reports, dashboards, and DAX queries.

Practical recommendations:

• Consider earning Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) or DP-900 (Data Fundamentals) first if you’re new to cloud/data.
• 1 year of hands-on Power BI experience.
• Knowledge of Excel pivot tables and SQL basics.

If you’re new to cloud/data or need to brush up on your foundational skills, you may want to explore How Long Does it Take to Study for PL-300? for a better understanding of study timelines.

Exam objectives and domains

• Prepare Data (15–20%)
• Model Data (30–35%)
• Visualize and Analyze Data (25–30%)
• Deploy and Maintain Assets (20–25%)

For more on each of these areas, including what you’ll need to focus on for each domain, check out our detailed article on PL-300 Exam Questions.

Objective details by domain

The PL-300 exam measures four main skill areas:

Prepare Data (15–20%)

• Get data from different sources.
• Clean, transform, and load data.
• Profile data for quality and consistency.

Model Data (30–35%)

• Design and create data models.
• Optimize model performance.
• Write DAX measures for calculations.
• Configure model relationships and hierarchies.

Visualize and Analyze Data (25–30%)

• Create reports and dashboards.
• Add interactive elements (filters, slicers, drill-throughs).
• Enhance usability with bookmarks, tooltips, and conditional formatting.
• Perform advanced analytics with visuals.

Deploy and Maintain Assets (20–25%)

• Collaborate and share securely with stakeholders.
• Manage datasets, workspaces, and row-level security (RLS).
• Configure Power BI service settings.
• Monitor and optimize dashboards for performance.

What changed in this version

• Greater emphasis on Power BI Service deployment and governance.
• Updated objectives around data security (RLS, sensitivity labels).
• Reduced weight on basic visualization tasks, more focus on analytics and governance.
• More coverage of AI visuals and Power BI Premium features.

To learn more about the latest changes and how to prepare for them, explore our blog on PL-300 Exam Difficulty: How Hard Is It?.

Registration and scheduling

• Register via the Microsoft Learn certification portal.
• Exam delivered through Pearson VUE (testing centers or online proctoring).
• Schedule at your convenience with time zone flexibility.

If you need guidance on the process, read our detailed step-by-step guide on How to Register for PL-300 Exam.

Pricing and vouchers

Standard cost: ~$165 USD (varies by region).

Regional pricing applies; may be lower in some countries.

Discounts available:

• Students with verified academic email can receive up to 50% off.
• Military and nonprofit discounts often available.

Exam vouchers may be included in Microsoft training programs or enterprise licenses. To explore pricing options and potential discounts, visit our post on Cost and Pricing of PL-300 Exam.

Policies you should know

• Retake Policy:
  • Fail 1st attempt → retake after 24 hours.
  • Fail 2nd attempt → retake after 14 days (up to 5 times in 12 months).
• Renewal: Must renew every 1 year by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn.

Scoring and results

Score scale: 100–1000.

Passing score: 700.

Partial credit: Possible for multi-part questions.

Results delivered immediately on screen and via email.

Score report shows strengths/weaknesses by domain.

For more details on how the PL-300 exam is scored and what to expect after taking it, check out PL-300 Exam Info.

Exam day and test experience

Delivery options:

• On-site at Pearson VUE center.
• Online proctored at home.

Check-in: ID verification, room scan, and system check.

Allowed items: No personal items; whiteboard tools provided digitally.

Breaks: No unscheduled breaks; time keeps running.

Interface tips: Mark questions for review, time tracker visible.

Time management: Aim for ~1 minute per question, reserve last 10 minutes for flagged items.

Study plan and resources

Beginner Plan (8 weeks)

• Week 1–2: Learn Power BI basics (data sources, cleaning, visuals).
• Week 3–4: Study modeling with DAX and relationships.
• Week 5–6: Build full reports and dashboards; practice advanced visuals.
• Week 7: Take official practice tests and identify weak areas.
• Week 8: Final review with dumps, repeat labs, focus on deployment/governance.

Experienced Candidate Plan (4 weeks)

• Week 1: Review exam guide, brush up DAX & performance optimization.
• Week 2: Focus on deployment, governance, RLS, and Power BI Service.
• Week 3: Take practice exams, target weak skills.
• Week 4: Final mock exams + timed practice to simulate real test.

Resources:

• Practice exams and dumps for real-world question familiarity.
• Microsoft Learn (official modules).
• Power BI Community & Docs.

If you’re looking for more study resources and mock exams, visit How to Pass the PL-300 Exam for guidance on the most effective study strategies.

Certification validity and renewal

• Valid for 1 year.
• Renewal via free online Microsoft Learn assessment (available 6 months before expiry).

For more details on the renewal process, visit our blog on PL-300 Certification Renewal: How to Stay Certified.

Career outcomes

• Job titles: Data Analyst, BI Analyst, Power BI Developer, Reporting Analyst, Business Analyst.
• Uses at work: Data modeling, dashboard creation, business reporting, data governance.
• Salary range: US$70,000–110,000 annually (varies by region/experience).

To learn about the salary range and potential job roles after earning your PL-300 certification, read our blog on PL-300 Certification: Is It Worth It?

Related or next-step certifications

• DP-500: Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate (advanced analytics).
• Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305) or DP-203 Data Engineer if moving toward data engineering/architecture.

If you’re considering these certifications, read about them in Next Steps After Passing PL-300.

How this exam compares to similar certifications

• vs. Tableau Certification: PL-300 is Microsoft-ecosystem focused; Tableau is platform-agnostic.
• vs. AWS Data Analytics Specialty: PL-300 is beginner–intermediate and BI-focused; AWS exam is cloud + analytics heavy.

For further details on how PL-300 compares to similar certifications, check out PL-300 Exam Difficulty: How Hard Is It?.

Pass Your PL-300 with Confidence

Preparing for PL-300? Boost your chances with realistic practice material.

• Download PL-300 PDF Dumps here: PL-300 Dumps PDF
• Try Free Practice Tests here: Free PL-300 Practice Exam

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is PL-300 hard to pass?

It is moderate in difficulty. With hands-on Power BI experience and structured preparation, most candidates can pass on the first or second try.

Do I need coding skills for PL-300?

No, but basic knowledge of DAX and some SQL concepts help significantly.

How long should I study?

Beginners need 6–8 weeks, while experienced Power BI users may need 2–4 weeks of focused preparation.

Can I renew PL-300 for free?

Yes. Microsoft provides a free renewal assessment on Learn every year.