DP-900 guide
Azure data fundamentals, workloads, SQL, storage, Cosmos DB, and analytics basics.
These four Microsoft exams are not interchangeable. DP-900 is the Azure data fundamentals lane. PL-900 is the Power Platform fundamentals lane. PL-300 is the Power BI analyst lane. AI-103 is the Azure AI apps and agents lane and is currently still labeled beta by Microsoft.
The fastest way to choose well is to match the exam to the work you want, not just the easiest-looking title.
AI-103 is the only exam in this group that Microsoft currently labels as beta, so it is not the default beginner choice even if AI sounds exciting.
| Cert | Best for | Level | Main tools or topics | Good next step | Practice link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DP-900 | Azure data beginners | Beginner | Azure SQL, storage, Cosmos DB, analytics workloads, Power BI basics | PL-300 if analytics is the direction | DP-900 practice |
| PL-900 | Low-code and business automation beginners | Beginner | Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages, Dataverse, connectors, governance | PL-300 for analytics, or a role-based Power Platform path later | PL-900 practice |
| PL-300 | Power BI analysts | Intermediate | Power Query, DAX, semantic models, visuals, accessibility, refresh, security | Deeper analyst work and reporting ownership | PL-300 practice |
| AI-103 | Azure AI app and agent builders | Intermediate, beta | Python, Microsoft Foundry, RAG, agents, tools, monitoring, responsible AI | Azure AI implementation depth | AI-103 practice |
You want Azure data fundamentals, you still need cleaner data vocabulary, and you are deciding whether a future data analyst or Azure data path makes sense. Start with the DP-900 guide or jump straight to practice.
You want a broad beginner Microsoft certification for low-code business apps, automation, connectors, Dataverse, and Power Platform governance basics. Start with the PL-900 guide or open practice.
You care most about Power BI, dashboards, DAX, semantic models, usability, refresh, and security. That is the analyst-focused lane in this group. Start with the PL-300 guide or open practice.
You are building Azure AI apps and agents, especially with Python and Microsoft Foundry, and you need deeper implementation work around RAG, agents, tools, monitoring, and safeguards. Start with the AI-103 guide or open practice. Remember that Microsoft still labels the cert as beta.
Each linked practice page gives you a free daily set first. The relevant unlock, PDF, and bundle options live there when available.
DP-900 and PL-900 are the beginner-friendly options in this group. Neither is universally better. DP-900 is better when your brain already leans toward data and Azure. PL-900 is better when your brain leans toward low-code business solutions and automation.
PL-300 is the clearest data analyst choice in this group because it is the Power BI and reporting execution exam.
AI-103 is the best fit here for Azure AI app and agent builders, but Microsoft still labels it as beta. That matters if you want the most established possible target today.
PL-900 is the best low-code and business automation choice in this set because it is built around Power Platform fundamentals rather than analytics specialization or Azure data services.
Azure data fundamentals, workloads, SQL, storage, Cosmos DB, and analytics basics.
Power Platform fundamentals across apps, automation, pages, Dataverse, connectors, and governance.
Power BI data prep, modeling, DAX, reports, refresh, and security.
Azure AI apps and agents, Foundry, retrieval, tools, orchestration, safety, and monitoring.
Take DP-900 first for Azure data concepts. Take PL-900 first for low-code apps and automation.
Usually yes. PL-300 is a role-based Power BI exam, while DP-900 is a fundamentals exam.
No. It is intermediate and Microsoft still labels it as beta.
PL-300 is the best fit in this group for data analytics and Power BI work.
PL-300.
AI-103 is the direct fit here for Azure AI apps and agents, with the current beta caveat.
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