Power Query Test
Tests Power Query in Excel and Power BI — connecting to and combining data sources, shaping data with applied steps, merges, appends, pivots and grouping, writing M with let expressions, custom functions and error handling, and performance through query folding and good refresh design. Pass to earn Power Query SOA-PQ.
- Intermediate difficulty.Assumes hands-on experience in the role.
- 20 scenario questions
- 20 minutes, timed
- 70% to pass · 90% for distinction
- Free no sign-up needed
- LinkedIn-ready · add it to your profile in one clickSee how ↓
What is the Power Query Test?
The Power Query Test is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests Power Query in Excel and Power BI — connecting to and combining data sources, shaping data with applied steps, merges, appends, pivots and grouping, writing M with let expressions, custom functions and error handling, and performance through query folding and good refresh design. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable Power Query certificate (SOA-PQ). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Power Query documentation (Microsoft) — and each answer is explained with its source.
Built for your job title
Data analyst, Business intelligence analyst, Excel power user, Power BI developer and Financial analyst — and anyone who wants quick, verifiable proof of Power Query skills for a CV or LinkedIn.
- Data analyst
- Business intelligence analyst
- Excel power user
- Power BI developer
- Financial analyst
What the test covers
Four skill areas with 5 questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area, so a retake brings questions you haven't seen.
- 01
Connecting and Shaping Data
25%- Data sources
- Applied steps
- Common transformations
- 02
Combining and Summarising
25%- Merge and append
- Group By
- Pivot and unpivot
- 03
M Language and Advanced Techniques
25%- let expressions
- Custom functions and parameters
- Error handling
- 04
Performance and Query Folding
25%- Query folding
- Refresh design
- Best practices
Independent skills test. Science of Apps is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Microsoft. Product and exam names are trademarks of their owners. Passing earns a Science of Apps certificate, not a certification issued by Microsoft.
Based on published standards
The questions are original scenarios, and each one names the public standard, official guide or research it draws on — shown under the question while you answer, and linked in your review. These are the sources behind this test:
- Power Query documentationMicrosoft40 questions
Try a sample question
In Power Query, appending queries is used to
- summarise a table into totals for each category
- stack rows from tables with the same columns, one under another
- join two tables side by side using a matching key column
- turn the values in one column into new column headers
Show the answer
B. stack rows from tables with the same columns, one under another — Append is a union; merge is a join. The real test has 20 questions like this.
How the test works
20 minutes, 20 questions
One question per screen, with a progress bar and a countdown. Your progress is saved on this device if you need to pause.
Graded on our server
Answers reach the page only after you submit, so the certificate can only be earned by passing.
Every answer explained
Pass or not, you see every question with the right answer, why, and the source behind it. Pass mark 70%, distinction 90%.
Your certificate
Founder-signed, with a QR code and credential ID. Download PDF or PNG, add to LinkedIn, and it's emailed to you.
What you earn

Pass, then add it to LinkedIn in one click
No typing. The Add to LinkedIn button opens your profile’s Licenses & certifications form already filled in: the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and a link recruiters can use to verify it.
- 1Take the 20-minute test
- 2Score 70% or more
- 3Click Add to LinkedIn

Power Query
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Power Query Test?
The Power Query Test is a free intermediate-level, 20-minute skill test from Science of Apps. It tests Power Query in Excel and Power BI — connecting to and combining data sources, shaping data with applied steps, merges, appends, pivots and grouping, writing M with let expressions, custom functions and error handling, and performance through query folding and good refresh design. Score 70% or more on its 20 questions to earn a verifiable Power Query certificate (SOA-PQ). Every question is based on published standards and research — including Power Query documentation (Microsoft) — and each answer is explained with its source.
How do I take the Power Query Test for free?
Read the four skill areas on this page, then take the 20-minute test online — no fee, course or sign-up. You see every answer explained when you finish. Score 70% or more and you get a Power Query certificate straight away, on screen, as a PDF and by email, with a credential ID anyone can verify.
Are the Power Query Test questions based on real standards?
Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: Power Query documentation (Microsoft). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.
What does the Power Query Test cover?
Four skill areas with five questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per area so a retake brings new questions: Connecting and Shaping Data (Data sources, Applied steps and Common transformations); Combining and Summarising (Merge and append, Group By and Pivot and unpivot); M Language and Advanced Techniques (let expressions, Custom functions and parameters and Error handling); Performance and Query Folding (Query folding, Refresh design and Best practices). Every question is an original scenario based on a published standard, official documentation or research, named under the question.
Who should take the Power Query Test?
Data analyst, Business intelligence analyst, Excel power user, Power BI developer and Financial analyst. It suits anyone who wants a quick, verifiable way to show Power Query skills, from students and career switchers to experienced professionals.
Can I use this for Power Query quiz, Power Query interview questions or Power Query practice questions?
Yes. The Power Query Test is free and covers all of these: 20 scenario questions in 20 minutes, each answer explained with the source it comes from, so it works as interview and exam practice. It isn't a full course, so use the areas you miss as your study list. Scoring 70% or more earns a verifiable certificate.
Can I take the Power Query Test from any country?
Yes. The test is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.
How long is the Power Query Test?
20 questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — with a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.
How hard is the Power Query Test?
We rate it Intermediate: assumes hands-on experience in the role. It has 20 scenario questions — 5 from each of 4 skill areas — and a 20-minute limit. You need 70% (14 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.
How much do Science of Apps certifications cost?
Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.
How are the tests graded?
On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.
What happens if I don't pass?
You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.
Do the certificates expire?
No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.
Can I add the certificate to LinkedIn?
Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.
How can an employer verify my certificate?
Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.
Are these accredited qualifications?
No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.
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