Data analysis is one of the most in-demand skills today. As organizations rely more and more on data to drive business decisions, there is a growing need for qualified data analysts. Microsoft offers various certifications that can help you start or advance your career as a data analyst. But are Microsoft certifications worth the time and money required to earn them? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Microsoft data analyst certification?
Microsoft offers three main certifications for data analysts:
- Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
- Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
The Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate certification covers skills like querying data in Transact-SQL, developing SSIS packages, modeling SSAS data, and visualizing data with SSRS and Power BI. It demonstrates fundamental skills across the Microsoft data analytics stack.
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals certification focuses specifically on cloud data skills. It covers Azure data storage options, Azure big data and analytics services, and considerations for migrating on-premises data solutions to the cloud.
The Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification covers data preparation, modeling, visualization, and automation with Power BI. Power BI is one of the most popular self-service BI tools today.
What are the benefits of getting certified?
Here are some of the top benefits of earning a Microsoft data analyst certification:
- Career advancement: Adding a Microsoft certification to your resume can boost your chances of landing a job or promotion as a data analyst. Hiring managers often view Microsoft certifications as an indicator of practical ability.
- Increased earnings: On average, certified data analysts command higher salaries than those without certification. According to PayScale, data analysts with a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification earn around $86,000 per year, compared to $77,000 without certification.
- Skills development: Preparing for Microsoft certification exams requires extensive hands-on practice across the data analytics workflow. You’ll sharpen your skills in SQL querying, data modeling, visualization, and more.
- Industry recognition: Microsoft certifications are globally recognized in the IT industry. They demonstrate you have knowledge of Microsoft’s popular data analytics products and services used by companies worldwide.
What is the exam format?
The format of Microsoft data analyst certification exams is as follows:
| Certification | # of Questions | Time Limit | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Analyst Associate | 40-60 | 2 hours | 700/1000 points |
| Azure Data Fundamentals | 40-60 | 2 hours | 700/1000 points |
| Power BI Data Analyst | 40-60 | 2 hours | 700/1000 points |
The exams consist of multiple choice and interactive simulation questions that test your knowledge and skills. You’ll need to achieve a minimum passing score to earn certification.
How much does certification cost?
The exam fees for Microsoft data analyst certifications are $165 per exam. So the total cost is:
- Data Analyst Associate: $165
- Azure Data Fundamentals: $165
- Power BI Data Analyst: $165
If you were to earn all three certifications, it would cost $495 for exams alone. Optional retake fees are $165 per exam.
You may also need to budget for study materials and training courses, which can range from $50 to over $1,000 depending on the provider.
How long does it take to prepare?
The time it takes to prepare for Microsoft data analyst certification depends on your existing skill level:
- Beginner: 3-6 months
- Intermediate: 1-3 months
- Experienced: 2-4 weeks
Those new to data analytics will need longer to develop the required skills before attempting certification. Experienced analysts can focus on reviewing key concepts and may only need a few weeks of prep.
To accelerate your preparation, you can take an instructor-led training course. Microsoft offers official training courses, starting at around $1,650 for five days of in-person or virtual classroom instruction.
What skills do you need?
Here are some of the key skills covered in each Microsoft data analyst certification exam:
Data Analyst Associate
- Querying data with Transact-SQL
- Developing SSIS packages for ETL
- Designing and implementing SSAS data models
- Creating reports and visualizations in SSRS and Power BI
Azure Data Fundamentals
- Azure data storage options like Blob, ADLS Gen2, SQL Database, etc.
- Big data solutions like HDInsight, Databricks, and Synapse Analytics
- Migrating on-premises data solutions to Azure
- Monitoring and troubleshooting data solutions on Azure
Power BI Data Analyst
- Connecting to data sources in Power BI
- Shaping and combining data using Power Query
- Modeling data using relationships and DAX calculations
- Designing interactive reports and dashboards
- Automating refresh and delivery using APIs
Conclusion
Overall, Microsoft data analyst certifications can be a worthwhile investment for your career. They demonstrate professionally-validated skills across Microsoft’s industry-leading data analytics products. With data analytics skills in high demand today, Microsoft certifications can help open new job opportunities and justify higher salaries.
However, certifications do require time and money to obtain. Make sure to honestly assess your existing skill level and career goals before deciding to pursue certification. An entry-level certificate like Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst may be the best place to start. More advanced options like MCSE: Data Management & Analytics build on foundational certs.
With proper preparation using available study materials and training courses, Microsoft certification exams are achievable for most data professionals. If you’re willing to put in the work to master Microsoft’s tools, certification can pay dividends for your data analytics career.