PL-300 Power BI Certification: Complete 2025 Preparation Guide
Prepare and pass the Microsoft PL-300 Power BI Data Analyst certification. Exam structure, free resources, preparation time and tips from certified experts.
Why Get PL-300 Certified?
The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300) certification has become an industry standard in 2025. It validates your skills in modeling, visualization, and data analysis with Power BI.
At Datakhi, all our Power BI consultants are PL-300 certified. Here's our complete guide to help you pass the exam.
What the Certification Proves
By obtaining PL-300, you demonstrate your ability to:
- Transform raw data into actionable insights
- Create optimized data models
- Design effective visualizations
- Master DAX and Power Query
- Manage report security and deployment
PL-300 Exam Structure
The exam was updated in December 2025. Here's the domain breakdown:
| Domain | Weight | Key Skills |
| Prepare the data | 25-30% | Power Query, data sources, cleansing |
| Model the data | 25-30% | Relationships, DAX, optimization |
| Visualize and analyze | 25-30% | Visuals, reports, insights |
| Deploy and maintain | 15-20% | Workspaces, RLS, refresh |
Exam Format
- Duration: 100 minutes
- Number of questions: 40-60 questions
- Question types: Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, case studies
- Minimum score: 700/1000
- Price: $165 (2025 US pricing)
- Validity: 1 year (free renewal via Microsoft Learn)
The 4 Domains in Detail
1. Prepare the Data (25-30%)
This domain covers Power Query and data preparation:
- Connecting to sources (SQL Server, Excel, Web, API)
- Transformations: filtering, pivoting, merging queries
- Error handling and null values
- Query parameterization
- Load performance optimization
2. Model the Data (25-30%)
The technical heart of the exam with DAX:
- Creating relationships (1:N, M:N, bidirectional)
- Star schema vs snowflake schema
- DAX measures: CALCULATE, FILTER, ALL, RELATED
- Time Intelligence: DATEADD, SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
- Calculated columns vs measures
- Model optimization (cardinality, data types)
3. Visualize and Analyze (25-30%)
- Choosing the appropriate visual for the need
- Conditional formatting
- Interactions between visuals
- Bookmarks and navigation
- Q&A feature and automatic insights
- Paginated reports (Power BI Report Builder)
4. Deploy and Maintain (15-20%)
- Workspaces and applications
- Row-Level Security (RLS)
- Data refresh (scheduled, incremental)
- Dataflows and shared datasets
- Performance management and monitoring
Preparation Resources
Free Official Resources
- Microsoft Learn: Complete and free learning path
- Exam Readiness Zone: Official preparation videos
- Power BI Documentation: Complete reference
Recommended Paid Training
- Coursera: Microsoft Power BI Professional Certificate (50% discount on the exam upon completion)
- Udemy: PL-300 courses with practice exams ($20-50 on sale)
- MeasureUp: Official Microsoft practice tests
Essential Practice
- Power BI Desktop: Free, practice daily
- Sample datasets: Adventure Works, Contoso
- DAX Studio: To understand performance
Recommended Preparation Plan
Estimated preparation time: 40-50 hours depending on your level.
Weeks 1-2: Fundamentals
- Microsoft Learn path (free)
- Power Query practice with your own data
- Basic DAX exercises
Weeks 3-4: Deep Dive
- Advanced DAX (CALCULATE, filter contexts)
- Complex modeling and relationships
- First practice exams
Week 5: Final Review
- Intensive practice exams
- Review of weak points
- Reading official documentation
Tips for Exam Day
- Read carefully: Questions can be tricky
- Manage your time: 100 minutes go by fast
- Flag difficult questions: Come back to them at the end
- Watch out for case studies: They contain multiple questions
- Don't change your answers: Your first instinct is often right
After Certification
Once PL-300 certified:
- Add the badge to your LinkedIn
- Renew for free each year via Microsoft Learn
- Consider the next certifications: DP-600 (Fabric Analytics Engineer) or PL-500 (Power Automate RPA Developer)
Datakhi Supports You
At Datakhi, we offer Power BI training including PL-300 certification preparation. Our trainers are all certified and share their field experience.
Want to get certified with personalized support? Contact us to discover our training programs.