MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator

Pick how to study

• Try 10 free MS-102 questions
• MS-102 mock exam: timed, you pick the length
• MS-102 flashcards: spaced repetition
• MS-102 decision sheets: look-alike services, settled

The MS-102 exam

• Questions: 223

What MS-102 covers

Every question and flashcard is mapped to the MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator skills outline so you only revise what is on the exam.

• Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant
• Implement and manage Microsoft Entra identity and access
• Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR
• Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview

Why earn the MS-102 certification in 2026

MS-102 is the exam for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert credential, scheduled to retire on 30 November 2026. Earning it requires at least one of the Endpoint Administrator Associate, Teams Administrator Associate, Identity and Access Administrator Associate, or Information Security Administrator Associate certifications first. Microsoft expects candidates to have functional experience across all Microsoft 365 workloads and Microsoft Entra ID. The exam covers deploying and managing a Microsoft 365 tenant, Microsoft Entra identity and access, security and threats via Microsoft Defender XDR, and compliance via Microsoft Purview.

Who should sit this exam

Microsoft 365 administrators who run tenant settings, identity engineers who manage Microsoft Entra Connect Sync or Cloud Sync, and security staff who respond to Defender XDR incidents.

Exam tips

• Compare Microsoft Entra Connect Sync with Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync, and know how to troubleshoot each
• Practise Conditional Access, Identity Protection, self-service password reset and Privileged Identity Management
• Review Defender for Office 365 threat policies, attack simulations, and Defender for Cloud Apps policies
• Know sensitivity labels, retention labels and policies, and DLP policies that cover Microsoft 365 Copilot

MS-102 skill areas and weights

The MS-102 skills outline was updated on 28 April 2026. The change log lists minor edits to the audience profile and to six objective groups: users and groups, roles and role groups, secure access, Defender XDR reports and alerts, Defender for Endpoint, and Purview data loss prevention. Microsoft has scheduled MS-102 to retire on 30 November 2026.

• Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant: 25 to 30%
• Implement and manage Microsoft Entra identity and access: 25 to 30%
• Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR: 30 to 35%
• Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview: 10 to 15%

Source: Microsoft Learn study guide for MS-102, skills measured as of 28 April 2026.

MS-102 traps: free decision sheets

Each sheet settles one choice the exam tests, with every rule cited to a practice question.

• Defender for Cloud Apps policy type selection
• Entra Connect Sync vs Cloud Sync (and PHS vs PTA)
• Retention labels vs retention policies

MS-102 study resources

• Build a study plan: tell us your exam date and we schedule daily practice and review sessions backwards from the date.
• Decision sheets: each sheet settles one choice between look-alike services, verdict first, then the comparison, then the traps.

Frequently asked about MS-102

What does the MS-102 exam cover?

MS-102 covers planning and configuring a Microsoft 365 tenant, managing identity and access with Entra ID, securing the tenant with Defender XDR, and applying compliance and information protection with Purview. It replaces the retired MS-100 and MS-101 pair.

How long should I study for MS-102?

Most candidates spend 6 to 10 weeks preparing for MS-102. Real tenant access (a Microsoft 365 developer programme tenant works) accelerates the learning curve compared with reading documentation alone.

Is MS-102 worth it?

MS-102 is the current Microsoft 365 administrator credential and is widely required for Microsoft partner competencies. It is the natural prerequisite for specialised exams such as MD-102, SC-401, and MS-721.

What is the passing score for MS-102?

700 out of 1000.

How many questions are on AzurePrep for MS-102?

AzurePrep covers MS-102 with practice questions written to the published skills outline, spanning tenant management, identity and access, security, and compliance. The current question count is shown on the MS-102 landing page.

Ready for MS-102?

Try the practice surface for free. Answer a few questions, see the spacing loop, then decide. Try 10 free MS-102 questions or browse the catalogue.