What the DP-200 is and how it works

According to Microsoft, “All technical exam scores are reported on a scale of 1 to 1,000. A passing score is 700 or greater.”^[1]

DP-200 is a Microsoft exam for Azure data engineers. Microsoft describes the candidate as someone who collaborates with business stakeholders to identify and meet data requirements, then implements data solutions that use Azure data services.

You can take the exam online with a proctor or at a test center. You choose the delivery option when you schedule through Pearson VUE from the Microsoft exam page.

Scores are reported on a scale of 1 to 1,000, and a passing score is 700 or greater. For most exams you get results within minutes of finishing, along with a report that gives your score and feedback on your performance.

If you do not pass, you must wait 24 hours before retaking. A 14-day wait applies between all later attempts, and you may not take the same exam more than 5 times within 12 months.

The certification is valid for 1 year. Renewal is a free online assessment, and you need to pass it before the certification expires.

Exam availability, languages, pricing and any change to the exam can vary, so confirm them on the official Microsoft Learn exam page before you book. This site is a practice aid and does not replace that page.

DP-200 Exam at a Glance

DP-200 content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official DP-200 content outline published by Microsoft. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through DP-200 questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: When configuring Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, which authentication method provides the finest-grained access control at the file and directory level?

1. Shared Access Signatures (SAS)
2. Storage Account Keys
3. POSIX-compliant ACLs
4. Azure AD OAuth tokens only

Answer: C. POSIX-compliant ACLs

Explanation:

The correct answer is POSIX-compliant ACLs. In Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, ACLs can be set on individual files and directories, which gives finer control than role-based access alone.

Shared Access Signatures grant delegated, time-limited access to storage resources, but they do not give per-directory permission rules in the same way. Storage account keys are the opposite of fine-grained: they give broad access to the whole account. Azure AD OAuth tokens only prove identity. Without ACLs or roles behind them, they do not define what a file or directory permits.

Rule to remember: roles decide broad access at the account or container level, while ACLs decide who can read, write or list at the file and directory level.

Example 2

Question: Which Azure service provides centralized audit logging for data access and queries across Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse Analytics?

1. Azure Monitor Logs
2. Azure SQL Auditing
3. Microsoft Sentinel
4. Azure Service Health

Answer: B. Azure SQL Auditing

Explanation:

The correct answer is Azure SQL Auditing. It records database events and writes them to an audit log in Azure Storage, Log Analytics or Event Hubs, which supports compliance and forensic review across Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse Analytics.

Azure Monitor Logs is where log data can be stored and queried, but it is not the feature that produces the database audit trail itself. Microsoft Sentinel is a security analytics and response tool that consumes logs. It does not generate the audit events. Azure Service Health reports on the state of Azure services, not on who accessed your data.

Rule to remember: auditing creates the record of data access, and other services store, query or analyse that record.

Example 3

Question: What Azure service provides a fully managed, serverless Apache Spark environment integrated with Azure Synapse Analytics?

1. Azure HDInsight
2. Azure Synapse Spark pool
3. Azure Databricks
4. Azure Machine Learning Compute

Answer: B. Azure Synapse Spark pool

Explanation:

The correct answer is Azure Synapse Spark pool. It provides on-demand, auto-scaling Apache Spark inside the Synapse workspace, so you do not manage clusters yourself.

Azure HDInsight offers Spark too, but it is a separate managed cluster service rather than something built into the Synapse workspace. Azure Databricks is a distinct Spark platform with its own workspace, so it does not fit the phrase integrated with Azure Synapse Analytics. Azure Machine Learning Compute is meant for training and running machine learning workloads, not as the general Spark engine in Synapse.

Rule to remember: when a question says the Spark environment lives inside the Synapse workspace, look for the Synapse Spark pool.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official Microsoft Learn exam page and read the list of skills measured. Note which of the three content areas feels weakest, since that is where your practice time should go.

1. Take the DP-200 Test cold, without notes, to see where you stand. Do not worry about the result.
2. Work through the topic sets that match your weak areas, such as Azure Data Storage Solutions and Azure Data Processing and Pipelines. After each question, read the explanation even when you were right.
3. For every miss, write one line on the rule you missed, then look up that service in Microsoft Learn and read the relevant page.
4. Cover security and compliance, real-time and batch analytics, and monitoring and optimization with their own sets, so that no area is left untested.
5. Near test day, retake the general test and compare it with your cold attempt. Review only the topics that still cause misses.

If you can, try the services in an Azure account. Creating a storage account, a pipeline and an audit setting yourself makes the scenario questions much easier to reason through.

Sources & last verified

1. Microsoft — passing score, score release (official source). “All technical exam scores are reported on a scale of 1 to 1,000. A passing score is 700 or greater.” Verified Nov 4, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
2. Microsoft — retake policy (official source). “If you don’t pass an exam the first time, you must wait 24 hours before retaking it. A 14-day waiting period is imposed between all…” Verified Nov 4, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
3. Microsoft — validity (official source). “Microsoft role-based (associate and expert) and specialty Certifications are valid for one (1) year from the date that you complete all requirements to earn that…” Verified Nov 4, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
4. Microsoft — renewal (official source). “There’s no cost to renew your certification, just make sure you pass the online assessment before your certification expires.” Verified Nov 4, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
5. pearsonvue.com — delivery (official source). “From the exam page, choose Schedule with Pearson and select the delivery option that works best for you—online or at a test center.” Verified Nov 4, 2026 · source checked Oct 30, 2026.
6. Microsoft — eligibility, other (official source). “Candidates for this exam are Microsoft Azure data engineers who collaborate with business stakeholders to identify and meet the data requirements to implement data solutions…” Verified Nov 4, 2026.

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