Microsoft Fabric was introduced almost a year ago and the certification associated with it was released during Jan 2024. It was in beta for 2 months and now it is generally available to be taken up.

Now that the exam is available generally, let us see what you need to prepare and the things you must learn.

DP-600 is a comprehensive exam that has a wide range of topics that needs to be covered before taking the exam.

If this is the first time you are taking a Microsoft Exam, it is good to know the format of the exam to begin with.

Format of the exam

The exam usually has 55-60 questions in the following format:

• Multiple choice questions with usually 4 choices. The choices are usually provided:

• • Using Radio buttons
  • Using drop downs
  • Using drag and drop

• Drag and drop the options in the right order
• True/False questions

The number of questions is around 55-60 and it includes case study questions as well. The case studies are usually 1-2 in number, and they have multiple questions in relation to the case study.

Microsoft documentation will be available for use throughout the exam. But it is important that you balance the allotted time while using the documentation.

Exam Content

The complete skillset required for the exam is described here:

Study guide for Exam DP-600: Implementing Analytics Solutions Using Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

We have described below the skillsets required from a developer perspective. This makes it easier to understand what are the things that a developer must know.

Interaction Languages

DP-600 requires the candidates be familiar with SQL, Power Query and DAX at least at intermediate level. Python is also necessary, but this has more to do with PySpark functions.

With respect to the skillset, we have provided below the skillset that is asked in a simpler manner.

The content of the exam can be split into categories: Power BI, Fabric Data Engineering and Others

1. Power BI

Within Power BI, we can further subdivide the topics that can be covered

DAX

• • Knowing the functions to be used in a formula for deriving the required result
  • Knowing how to analyze the performance of DAX queries
  • Being aware of how to optimize inefficient DAX queries

Semantic Model

• • Having a sound understanding of the semantic models in Fabric
  • Knowing the use cases of Direct Lake and its benefits
  • Knowing the administrative options (tenant settings) associated with Semantic Model
  • Knowledge of using 3rd party tools like Tabular Editor to edit the Semantic Model properties
  • Being aware of TOM C# Scripting

Power BI Desktop

• • Knowing the various GUI functions within Power Query
  • Knowledge of various options in Power Query to explore the data
  • Knowledge of features in Power BI like themes, visuals, and modelling tab
  • Knowledge of using git environment and Deployment pipelines

2. Fabric Data Engineering

Ingestion and Transformation

• • Knowing how to orchestrate with activities
  • Knowing how to use Copy Data
  • Knowing how to use Dataflow Gen 2 for ingestion and transformation capabilities using Power Query

Spark

• • Sound Knowledge of working with Delta tables
  • Knowing the various options provided with Spark for working with Delta tables
  • A good understanding of the maintenance operations on Delta tables

One Lake

• • A sound understanding of using shortcuts and its nuances
  • Knowing how to mix Item Permissions and Workspace permissions for granular access
  • Understanding the differences between Lakehouse and Warehouse

T-SQL

• • Knowing the various T-SQL functions that are generally used
  • Having knowledge of T-SQL syntax for statements generally executed in a warehouse

 Others

• • Knowing the license options available and identifying the suitable license for specific scenarios
  • Knowledge of tenant settings that are available for Fabric and Power BI
  • Knowledge of Workspace settings and grouping

References for the exam  

Below are the links you can use to start learning from scratch the skillsets required for the exam. Further below, we have provided the links that are helpful for each section of the skillset described in study guide.

Video links that help you to know end to end:

Microsoft Fabric – DP 600 Certificate Training (youtube.com)

Learn Together: How to pass Exam DP-600: Implementing Analytics Solutions Using Microsoft Fabric (youtube.com)

Learn Live | Microsoft Learn

Documentation:

Microsoft Fabric documentation – Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

Get started with Microsoft Fabric – Training | Microsoft Learn

End-to-end tutorials in Microsoft Fabric – Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

Plan, implement, and manage a solution for data analytics (10–15%)

1. Plan a data analytics environment

2. Implement and Manage a Data Analytics environment

3. Manage the Analytics Development Lifecycle

Prepare and serve data (40–45%)

1. Create objects in a lakehouse or warehouse

2. Copy Data

3. Transform Data

Note: Some of the transformation skills are not specific to any tool and can be achieved using Spark, Dataflow or T-SQL. Links have been provided for each of them.

4. Optimize Performance

Implement and manage semantic models (20–25%)

1. Design and build semantic models

2. Optimize enterprise-scale semantic models

Explore and Analyze data (20–25%)

1. Perform exploratory analytics

Note: Within this sub-topic, there exists these skillsets- implementing descriptive, diagnostic, prescriptive and predictive analytics. These skillsets are so vast that they cannot be covered using couple of links. We would suggest working with the various visuals available in Power BI and get an understanding of the different options available.

Design Power BI reports – Training.|Microsoft Learn

Perform advanced analytics in Power BI – Training.|.Microsoft Learn

2. Query Data by using SQL

We hope that this blog with the link aggregations will help you in preparing for the DP-600 exam and to become a certified Fabric Analytics Engineer. We wish you all the best from Data Crafters!