The Microsoft SC-900 certification exam serves as the gateway to securing the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity (SCI) Fundamentals certification. This exam is carefully crafted to test one’s knowledge and understanding of the nuances of Microsoft SCI solutions. This certification is at the entry-level, making it perfect for individuals who are starting their journey in the field and who want to acquire a credential that will demonstrate their foundational understanding. This certification essentially validates their comprehension of Microsoft SCI solutions, enhancing their professional credibility and opening up new opportunities in their career.

Who should take the Microsoft SC-900 certification exam?

Microsoft strongly suggests obtaining the SC-900 certification for both new and experienced IT professionals as well as business stakeholders. This certification is designed to validate their foundational knowledge and skills in areas such as security, compliance, and identity management. Although this is classified as an entry-level credential, it is highly recommended that candidates have some level of familiarity or experience with Microsoft 365 and Azure. This experience will provide them with the necessary context and understanding to successfully navigate the exam. Thus, before undertaking the examination, candidates should consider gaining some practical experience with these platforms to ensure they are well-prepared.

How to get the Microsoft SC-900 certification?

In order to achieve the SC-900 certification, it is required to secure a pass mark on the SC-900 examination. Pearson Vue administers this examination, and Microsoft provides preparation resources, yet there’s no obligation to complete any coursework. Here are some steps to guide you through this procedure.

1. Prepare for the exam.

Getting ready for the exam can be done by going through the official study guide from Microsoft, which can be found on their website. Additionally, Microsoft offers an exam practice site which allows you to get a feel for the structure, timing, and types of questions you’ll face in the actual test. If you’re looking for a structured learning environment, an exam prep course could be beneficial.

Ensure that the study materials you select are up-to-date, reflecting the most recent version of the exam. Take note that the English version of the SC-900 exam was last revised in January 2024.

2. Set up an appointment to take the exam.

Users interested in taking the SC-900 exam can establish an appointment by navigating to the Pearson Vue’s Certiport site. The first step towards this is to create a new account on the platform. During this process, you’ll be required to fill out your profile with relevant personal information. This step is essential because it helps the system identify you and keep track of your exam records. Once you’ve successfully set up your profile, the next step is to carefully read and accept the non-disclosure agreement. This agreement is an essential part of the process and is intended to maintain the integrity of the exam. After you have completed these initial stages, you’ll have the ability to register for the SC-900 exam. The registration process is rather straightforward and user-friendly. Once you have registered, you can then proceed to schedule a time to take the exam. The system offers you the flexibility to choose between taking the exam in person at a designated testing center or online, depending on your preference and convenience. Both options are designed to provide you with a comfortable and conducive environment for taking the exam.

3. Pass the exam and retake as needed.

In order to successfully pass the certification exam, it’s essential to earn a minimum score of 700. It’s important to understand that this is a scaled score system, implying that not all questions hold the same value—thus, achieving a correct response rate of 70 percent does not guarantee a passing score.

Should you find that your score falls short of the required 700, you have the opportunity to retake the exam. You can do so by paying the examination fee and scheduling a retake within a one-day period. Following that initial retake opportunity, there is a required waiting period of two weeks before another attempt can be made. It’s worth noting that Microsoft permits a maximum of five attempts at their certification exams within a given calendar year.

What does the SC-900 exam encompass?

The SC-900 exam comprehensively tests a candidate’s understanding and skills in four main areas, each contributing to a certain percentage of the exam questions:

• Microsoft security solutions (35-40% of the questions): This part of the exam explores the functionality and capabilities of different Microsoft security solutions. It includes areas like Azure’s core infrastructure security services, threat protection strategies offered by Microsoft 365 Defender and Microsoft Sentinel, and the fundamental principles of cloud security.
• Microsoft Entra (25-30% of the questions): This section is dedicated to the functionality of Microsoft Entra. Test-takers need to demonstrate their comprehension of primary concepts such as authentication processes, access management, and identity protection.
• Microsoft compliance solutions (20-25% of the questions): This part of the exam tests a candidate’s understanding of Microsoft Service Trust Portal and Purview. The questions evaluate how well the candidate comprehends these compliance solutions and their uses.
• Concepts of security, compliance, and identity (10-15% of the questions): The final section of the SC-900 exam encompasses general concepts related to security, compliance, and identity, including a broad range of topics like encryption practices, authentication techniques, the role of identity providers, and more.

Getting started with Certspots

The Microsoft SC-900 exam is a key stepping stone on your journey towards obtaining the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity (SCI) Fundamentals certification. This certification is considered to be at the entry-level, making it perfect for individuals who are just starting their journey in the field of cybersecurity. If you are currently in the process of studying for the Microsoft SC-900 exam, one option that you could consider is the comprehensive study guide provided by Certspots. This guide has been specifically designed with the aim of assisting examinees in their preparation journey. By leveraging this resource, you could enhance your understanding of the exam content, thus increasing your chances of performing well in the examination.