Azure AZ-800

It is a proctored exam you take through Pearson Vue, and Microsoft notes that you may have interactive components to complete as part of it. You get 120 minutes to finish the assessment. A free exam sandbox lets you try the question types in the same interface before exam day.

The passing score is 700. Microsoft reports scores on a scaled basis rather than as a simple percentage of correct answers, so you cannot convert 700 into a target number of right answers. Aim for broad competence across all five measured skill areas rather than perfecting one.

Microsoft does not publish an item count on the exam or certification pages. Because the only published constraint is the 120-minute limit and interactive components can consume extra time, practise pacing yourself on longer scenario-style items instead of counting questions.

You can retake the exam 24 hours after the first attempt. For subsequent retakes, the amount of time varies according to Microsoft's retake policy. Use the waiting period to review your weakest domain on the score report rather than immediately rebooking.

It is an intermediate-level exam that assumes several years of Windows Server experience, so it is not an entry point. The heaviest area is AD DS in on-premises and cloud environments at 30–35%, followed by three areas at 15–20% and hybrid server management at 10–15%, so breadth matters as much as depth.

Start with AD DS, which carries the largest weight at 30–35% and underpins identity scenarios elsewhere. Then cover storage and file services and hybrid networking, both at 15–20%, before virtual machines and containers. Finish with hybrid server management at 10–15%, which is the smallest slice but still tested.

The information is inconsistent. A warning on the exam page says the exam was retired on September 30, 2026, with no further earning or renewing of the certification after that date, yet the same page separately lists "Retirement date: none". Confirm the status with Microsoft before registering.

The exam page lists English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), German, French, Spanish, and Portuguese (Brazil). The English version was updated on January 21, 2026, and Microsoft states that localized versions, where available, are updated approximately eight weeks after that date, though timing can slip.

Microsoft does not publish a single global figure; pricing is based on the country or region in which the exam is proctored and is subject to change without notice, excluding applicable taxes. Confirm the exact amount with the exam provider before you register.

Memorizing portal clicks instead of understanding the underlying service behaviour is a frequent problem, as is neglecting hybrid networking and DNS. Others underestimate Azure Arc, Azure Update Manager and monitoring scenarios, or skip hands-on PowerShell and Windows Admin Center practice, leaving them unable to reason through unfamiliar interactive items.