Quick answer: How do I pass Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)?
- Plan — 10 weeks.
- Exam — see the official exam page.
- Fee — Exam priced by country.
- Practise — free timed tests until you pass comfortably.
Key takeaways
- Study from the official exam objectives, not just videos.
- Hands-on practice beats rereading.
- Book the exam when practice scores are consistently strong.
Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) rewards a structured plan. This 10-week plan covers the exam format and cost, what to study when, and how to use practice tests so you walk in ready.

The exam and the resources that help
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)Microsoft | Exam priced by country1 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingMicrosoft | Free2 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 3 | Machine Learning SpecializationDeepLearning.AI & Stanford / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan3 | 2 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Azure Machine Learning Certification TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) before you pay.Start free test →
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training before you pay.Start free test →
- Machine Learning Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Machine Learning Specialization before you pay.Start free test →
The exam, then the resources to prepare with
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)The examExam priced by country
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingFree Microsoft Learn trainingFree
- CourseraMachine Learning SpecializationML foundations$49/mo Coursera plan
Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country1
Exam priced by country. Format: see the official exam page. Check the official page for prerequisites. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can train and deploy machine learning models with Azure Machine Learning. It's priced by country, needs Python and ML basics and renews free online each year.
Best forthe exam
Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training
- Cost
- Free2
Free learning paths and sandboxes. Microsoft Learn's free learning paths and sandboxes cover every Microsoft certification, from Azure and AI to Power BI. The training is free; only the certification exams are paid, and they're priced by country.
Best forfree Microsoft Learn training
Machine Learning Specialization
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan3
- Time
- 2 months at 10 hours a week
ML Specialization. Andrew Ng's specialization with Stanford teaches supervised and unsupervised learning, model evaluation and practical machine learning in Python. It takes about two months at ten hours a week and is widely regarded as the clearest structured start in ML.
Best forML foundations
A 10-week study plan

- Week 1 — Read the official exam guide and take a free baseline practice test.
- Weeks 2–8 — Work through the official free training with hands-on labs every week.
- Week 9 — Timed practice tests; review every wrong answer against the docs.
- Week 10 — Book the exam once you pass practice tests comfortably.
Tips that make the difference

- Labs over videos — Build in a free-tier or sandbox account every week.
- Read the docs — Exam questions follow official documentation.
- Cost safety — Set billing alerts before labs.
- Timing — Practise finishing with ten minutes to spare.
How we ranked these picks
Exam format, fee and prerequisites come from the official page for Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100), checked 3 November 2026. The plan reflects common preparation patterns; adjust to your background.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to prepare for Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)?
About 10 weeks for most people; less with experience.
How much does Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) cost?
Exam priced by country.
What is the Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) exam format?
See the official exam page.
Do I need Python?
Yes.
Is there a free Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers a free practice test, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- DeepLearning.AI & Stanford — Machine Learning Specialization, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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