Is the DP-900 Worth It?

People and businesses love talking about data and how Big Data is in the middle of changing the shape of the modern economy. And it's true: data is being captured, moved, and sold at huge profits all the time. But data doesn't just exist – someone has to know how to store it, package it into usable chunks, and ensure those packages arrive.

In the world of data, the DP-900 is the very first test of a data analyst, database administrator, or data engineer's skills in asking and answering the most important questions about moving and storing data and using it effectively.

What is the DP-900?

The DP-900 is the certifying exam for the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals certification. It tests the fundamentals of using Microsoft Azure's data administration and management services. Azure is Microsoft's cloud platform of over 200 products and services—data storage and processing may only be a small portion of its overall capabilities, but the DP-900 represents a beginner's mastery over them.

The DP-900 is meant for beginners in data administration and Azure administration. It has 40-60 multiple-choice questions and takes 60 minutes to complete. The exam covers foundational data concepts and how Microsoft Azure's many data services implement them.

After the DP-900, other certifications can focus on your career. You could choose the Data Analyst Associate or the Power Platform App Maker Associate, depending on which parts of managing data you enjoy and excel at.

What are the DP-900 Exam Objectives?

The DP-900 is the only necessary exam for earning the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals. The DP-900 has four sections:

• Core data concepts

• Working with relational data on Azure

• Working with non-relational data on Azure

• Describing analytics workloads on Azure

The first section covers fundamental concepts in data analysis, like batch data, streaming data, visualizations and charts, and analytics techniques. The other three sections focus more heavily on Azure and knowing how to use its data-related tools, resources, and interface.

How Much Does the DP-900 Exam Cost?

The DP-900 costs $99 to take, and it can be taken online. Since it's at the beginning of Microsoft's data analysis and administration certification track, the DP-900 has no prerequisites.

Plus, since it can be taken online, $99 is all it'll cost to take the DP-900 and earn the Azure Data Fundamentals certification. One last cost consideration is how much training and preparation you do – online courses and training can help ensure you're prepared for the exam, but those shouldn't cost too much.

What Experience Do You Need for the DP-900?

The DP-900 is a beginner exam, and Microsoft doesn't expect or recommend any explicit experience before attempting it. That doesn't mean you should try it without preparation, though. A successful candidate should have a theoretical understanding of data analytics and workloads and a practical understanding of working with data in Azure.

For the theoretical part, you'll want to understand the different types of data workloads: batch, streaming, relational, and non-relational. You'll also need to understand data visualization methods, analytics techniques, and the concepts behind data processing.

When using Azure, you should understand where Azure falls relative to other data solutions. Understanding what PaaS, IaaS, and SaaS solutions are and what some of Microsoft's offerings are will help.

Relational and non-relational data are handled with different products and services in Azure, and you should be familiar with their primary uses before attempting the DP-900. Last, you should have a good understanding of analytics workloads and how Azure handles them.

Who Should Take the DP-900?

The DP-900 is an entry-level data fundamentals exam. Junior IT professionals who work with data are the ideal candidates for it. Data-related professionals further along in their careers are also prime candidates if they're trying to build a portfolio of career-defining certifications.

Is DP-900 Worth it for Database Administrators?

The DP-900 is worth it for most database administrators. Understanding how Microsoft Azure works with data is important, especially if you work with any cloud service providers while maintaining your databases.

Whether you're used to maintaining your databases according to your own specific methods or you're curious about implementing new services to your data management, the DP-900 ensures you understand what Azure is capable of so that you can maximize its usefulness.

If you've been a database administrator for a while and know your data might be moving to the cloud soon, you should find DP-900 particularly worth it. Earning the Azure Data Fundamentals will be a quick process. Afterward, the basics of Azure's data management services will be illuminated so you can choose what tools you want to incorporate.

Is DP-900 Worth it for Data Analysts?

The DP-900 is definitely worth it for data analysts—it was basically created for them. The DP-900 and the Azure Data Fundamentals certification are at the start of Microsoft's line of certifications for data analysis, administration, and engineering. Earning the DP-900 early in your career as a data analyst can set you up for long-term success and familiarity with the tools of the trade.

Not only is data visualization a crucial part of the DP-900, but so is demonstrating proficiency with Azure's built-in tools for automating data visualization. Data analysts can benefit from the specific knowledge of how to use Azure best, but especially from having a certification that proves broad data competence to employers.

Is DP-900 Worth it for Network Administrators?

The DP-900 might not be worth it for many network administrators. There are times it could be, but depending on where you are in your career and what you need the certification for, other better options could be available. If you're early in your career as a network administrator, you might want to focus on other certifications from Microsoft that focus on administration fundamentals, like the AZ-900.

But if you're well-established in your job and now you're interested in expanding your knowledge into adjacent skills that can expand and enhance your work, the DP-900 could be a great option. Earning it will teach you the fundamentals of data administration and reveal some considerations for using and navigating data in your networks. Later in your career, it could also make you a better manager of network administration teams as you learn how to analyze and visualize important data related to your teams and networks.

Is the DP-900 Worth it?

The DP-900 is definitely worth it for beginner and intermediate IT professionals who work with data. If you're a data analyst, junior data engineer, database administrator, or even an app developer, the DP-900 will prove your competence in navigating Azure's features. If you need to prove yourself with Microsoft data management and visualization tools, the DP-900 is a great way to start the journey.

Using DP-900 to Learn Skills

Preparing for and taking the DP-900 can prepare you for learning data administration skills because it covers the fundamentals and is broad in its approach. Whether you're coming at the DP-900, having never worked in data administration at all, or having worked for several years in the field but with no Azure experience, it's a great way to learn skills you'll use regularly.

Database administrators and data analysts can get tunnel vision on the job, get increasingly specialized in the parts of the job they do most often, and overlook peripheral parts. The DP-900 covers all the bases of how Microsoft Azure extends and enables the core concepts around data workloads and visualization.

As you prepare for the DP-900, you'll revisit writing SQL queries to retrieve and manipulate data. You'll learn basic troubleshooting practices as well as security best practices. The test will explore using APIs and the differences between Table, Blob, and File storage. And if you're shaky on non-relational data management techniques, you'll have them mastered before you test.

Using DP-900 to Validate Skills

Microsoft is one of the most trusted software vendors in the world, and their certifications come with that same level of respect and regard. For employers or managers, there's not much more you could do to demonstrate your competence with Azure than earn a Microsoft certification.

It doesn't matter if you're new to database administration or have spent several years as a data engineer; passing the DP-900 is a specific step in your certification journey. There are many certifications that follow the DP-900, and each one will further prove your excellence in the job, but those sorts of journeys are best started at the beginning.