1. Introduction: What is the Azure Data Engineer Associate certification
The Azure Data Engineer Associate certification validates your ability to integrate, transform, consolidate data from various systems into structures suitable for analytics solutions.
This is a role-based certification from Microsoft aimed at data engineers working in the Azure cloud environment.
2. Who should take it & job role
Candidates typically:
- Work as data engineers, BI engineers or analytics engineers using Azure.
- Have experience with SQL, Python or Scala, and working with data solutions such as data lakes, data warehouses, batch/streaming.
- Want to prove their Azure data engineering capabilities to employers.
By achieving this certification, you demonstrate you can design and implement data storage, develop data processing, and secure/monitor/optimize data solutions on Azure.
3. Exam details & prerequisites
- Exam name: Exam DP‑203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure.
- Passing score: 700.
- Format & number of questions: Approx. 40–60 questions including multiple choice, case studies.
- Exam retiring/remoral: Note that as of 31 March 2025 the DP-203 exam was retired.
- Renewal: Certification holders can renew by passing a free online assessment.
- Fee & languages: Varies by region; available in multiple languages.
Important: Verify with Microsoft’s certification page for current status and dates, as the retired date indicates this exam may no longer be available in its original form.
4. Skills measured (with domain weights)
According to the study guide, skills measured include:
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Design and implement data storage | 15–20% |
| Develop data processing | 40–45% |
| Secure, monitor and optimize data storage and processing | 30–35% |
Key topics include:
- Partition strategy, data lake, data warehouse architectures.
- Use of Azure services: Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Stream Analytics, Azure Event Hubs, Azure Databricks.
- Languages & frameworks: SQL, Python, Scala; parallel processing; data architecture patterns.
- Performance optimization, monitoring, security, compliance.
5. Study plan & resources
Week 1-2:
- Review exam skills outline.
- Brush up on key languages (SQL, Python/Scala) and Azure fundamentals.
- Use the official Microsoft Learn path for DP-203.
Week 3-4:
- Hands-on practise with Azure services: Data Factory, Synapse, Databricks, Event Hubs.
- Build a basic pipeline: ingest, transform, load.
- Use case studies: e.g., streaming vs batch, data lake vs warehouse.
Week 5:
- Focus on optimization, monitoring, security: partitioning strategies, cost/performance tuning.
- Use practice tests. One candidate noted:
Week 6 (Final):
- Review weak areas.
- Do timed practice exam.
- Schedule the exam and relax the day before.
Recommended resources:
- Official Microsoft study guide.
- Training course DP-203T00-A.
- Books: “Azure Data Engineer Associate Certification Guide”
6. Hands-on preparation tips
- Spin up Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 and try different file formats (Parquet/Avro/ORC) and partitioning strategies.
- Use Azure Synapse Analytics: test distributions (hash, round-robin, replicated) and learn how they impact query performance. Reddit candidates emphasise this.
- Build a streaming-ingest example: use Event Hubs + Stream Analytics + Databricks.
- Monitor pipeline runs, set alerts, measure cost & performance.
- Practice using RBAC, encryption, access control, auditing in Azure.
- Time yourself under exam-like conditions.
7. After you pass: Renewal & next steps
- If you currently hold the certification, note the renewal requirement: complete the free assessment via Microsoft Learn.
- Seek advanced certifications: e.g., data architect roles, or move into analytics/AI tracks.
- Apply your new credential on your CV/LinkedIn and highlight specific projects.
- Continue maintaining hands-on skills, as cloud services evolve rapidly.
If you’re preparing to ace the Azure Data Engineer Associate exam, check out our tailored CertifHub practice tests and simulator for DP-203 — designed to mirror the live exam format and help you gain confidence.
Ready to get started? Explore CertifHub’s DP-203 Mock Exams.
FAQ
Q1: Do I need the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) certification before taking DP-203?
A1: No – DP-900 is not a prerequisite. It can help build foundational knowledge, but you may take DP-203 directly if you have sufficient experience.
Q2: How long should I study before taking the exam?
A2: It depends on your background. Candidates with prior Azure and data engineering experience reported 4-6 weeks of dedicated study; others may need longer.
Q3: Is the exam still available?
A3: As per Microsoft documentation, Exam DP-203 retired on March 31 2025. Make sure to check the current certification path for the Azure Data Engineer role.
Q4: What kinds of questions appear on the exam?
A4: You’ll see scenario-based questions, case studies, multiple-choice, sequence/order questions, and questions that require understanding real-world architecture and trade-offs.
Q5: Does the certification expire?
A5: Yes – role-based Microsoft certifications require renewal periodically, and you’ll be notified via Microsoft Learn when it’s time to renew.
Q6: Can I rely solely on video courses to pass?
A6: No – while video courses help, many successful candidates emphasise hands-on practice and working in Azure itself is critical.
