MD-102 exam-day guide
MD-102 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring a valid, unexpired photo ID (passport or driver's licence are the usual accepted forms). The name on the ID must match the name on your exam registration exactly - if it does not, contact the provider before exam day to correct it.
Appointment confirmation and registration ID
Have your appointment confirmation number and the email from the test delivery provider accessible on your phone or printed. You will be asked for your registration ID at check-in.
Confirmed delivery mode (test centre vs online proctored)
Know which format you booked. If online, run the provider's system test on the same machine and network you will use on exam day, at least 24 hours ahead.
Second form of identification
Some test centres and regions require a second ID or a signature-bearing card. Requirements vary - confirm with the provider rather than assuming one ID is enough.
A quiet, private room with a clean desk (online proctored)
Remove phones, notes, watches, second monitors, and paper from the desk unless the proctor explicitly allows them. Tell household members you cannot be interrupted.
Working webcam, microphone, and speakers/headset (online proctored)
You will be photographed and may be asked to pan the camera around the room. Wired internet is more reliable than Wi-Fi if you have the option.
Scratch materials
Test centres typically provide a laminated sheet and marker and collect them afterwards. Online sessions may offer an on-screen whiteboard instead of physical paper. Confirm which applies to your booking.
Reviewed the official skills outline one last time
Skim the current MD-102 skills measured page and note the domain names: deploying Windows clients, managing identity and compliance, managing/maintaining/protecting devices, and managing applications. Use it only to sanity-check coverage, not to cram new topics.
A written one-page refresher of your weak spots
Condense the handful of facts you keep forgetting (Intune policy types, enrolment methods, Autopilot profiles, compliance vs configuration settings) into a single sheet to read in the final hour before check-in. Do not bring it into the exam.
Logistics plan: travel time, parking, arrival buffer
Know the route and add buffer for traffic and security screening. Arriving late can forfeit your seat and fee - confirm the provider's cut-off time.
Rest and hydration plan
Book the exam for a time of day when you are normally sharp. Sleep is worth more than one extra hour of revision the night before.
Post-exam plan for the score report
Know where the score report will appear (on screen and by email) and how retakes are scheduled, so you are not scrambling if the result is not what you hoped.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Do timed practice sets or a full practice test, then spend your remaining time only on the domains where you scored weakest. Re-read the official skills outline and tick off each subtopic honestly.
Do one end-to-end rehearsal in the same delivery mode you booked: a full practice test at a desk with no interruptions, or a short online session using your webcam and headset so the check-in process is not novel.
Run the provider's system test again if you are testing online, confirm your appointment time and time zone, and check the test centre address and travel plan. Charge devices and pack your ID.
Review your one-page refresher only. No new topics, no marathon sessions. Aim for a normal night's sleep.
Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine if you are already anxious, and arrive or log in with a comfortable buffer - commonly around 30 minutes early for a test centre, but confirm the provider's guidance.
Read your one-page refresher once, then put it away. Do not discuss topics with other candidates or look up answers in the queue - it raises anxiety and adds nothing.
Follow the proctor's instructions exactly: ID check, photograph, room scan, and reading the rules. Ask the proctor about breaks and scratch materials before the clock starts.
Read the whole question stem before the options. Watch for 'least privilege', 'most cost-effective', and 'first step' phrasing - these decide between two plausible answers. Eliminate two options, then choose.
For long scenario or case-study items, identify the constraint first (licence tier, existing infrastructure, security requirement), then evaluate options against that constraint rather than against general best practice.
Answer every question; there is normally no penalty for a guess, and unanswered items score nothing. Flag uncertain items and return to them only if time allows.
Confirm you have no unanswered items. Change an answer only when you can point to a specific word in the stem you missed - second-guessing on feel usually loses marks.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID with a name that matches your registration exactly. Without acceptable ID you can be refused entry and lose your fee.
Do not bring notes, phones, smart watches, or any recording device into the testing room or keep them on your desk during an online session. Possession during the exam is treated as misconduct.
Breaks and their effect on the clock vary by delivery mode and exam length. Ask the proctor during check-in whether a break stops or runs the timer - do not assume.
The pass mark is commonly reported as a scaled 700 out of 1000 for Microsoft role-based exams, but scores are scaled and a few points on a handful of questions is not how it works. Confirm the current pass score with the provider before you rely on it.
Question counts vary and some exams include case studies, drag-and-drop, or lab-style items that are not scored identically to multiple choice. Confirm the format and timing for MD-102 with the provider rather than relying on secondhand reports.
Retake eligibility and waiting periods are set by the provider and change over time. If you need a retake, confirm the current waiting period and attempt limits with the provider before booking.
Reporting misconduct or attempting to reproduce exam content - verbally, in writing, or online - can invalidate your result and your certifications. Treat the exam content as confidential.
If technical problems interrupt an online session, stop and contact the proctor immediately through the on-screen channel; do not troubleshoot silently, because unresolved issues may not be credited afterwards.