Marco Grimaldi

L2 Managed Services Engineer @ NTT DATA · Language Teacher

4 minute read

🔐 PL-900 Overview: Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals

Just a heads-up: This review reflects my personal experience only. It is not sponsored or endorsed in any way.

ℹ️ Introduction

I earned the PL-900 certification in October 2022, which marked my second Microsoft credential. The experience turned out to be surprisingly enriching: it introduced me to low-code development, automation - from a different perspective compared to what was seen in 🤖 From Repetition to Automation: A Practical Review-, and conversational bots, showing me how the Microsoft Power Platform can empower everyday professionals to create meaningful business solutions.

🦾 Why the PL-900 Is Worth Your Time

  • Beginner-friendly but powerful: Geared toward professionals who want to create solutions without deep coding knowledge, PL-900 introduces core components like Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages, Dataverse, and Copilots.
  • Business-focused outcomes: You’ll see firsthand how low-code platforms enable the rapid delivery of custom applications, automated workflows, external websites, and AI-powered solutions.
  • A foundation for growth: Beyond the fundamentals, PL-900 sets the stage for more advanced certifications and can be directly applied to real-world challenges.

📊 Skills Measured (Updated on June 20, 2025)

The skills measured for the PL-900 exam fall into five main knowledge domains. Each carries a different weight in the overall exam:

  • Describe the business value of Microsoft Power Platform (15–20%)
    • Identify the business value and core components of Microsoft Power Platform
    • Describe how Power Platform solutions can improve business processes
    • Explain the value of Power Platform for organizations
    • Describe the value of connectors, AI, and Copilot features
  • Manage the Microsoft Power Platform environment (15–20%)
    • Describe Microsoft Dataverse and its role in Power Platform
    • Identify the capabilities of connectors
    • Describe the role of AI Builder
    • Explain environments, security, and governance in Power Platform
    • Manage solutions and data
    • Integrate Power Platform with Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Azure
  • Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Apps (25–30%)
    • Identify types of Power Apps (canvas, model-driven, portals)
    • Describe how to create and customize apps
    • Explain how to connect to data sources
    • Describe how to publish and share apps
    • Identify scenarios for using Power Apps
  • Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Automate (15–20%)
    • Describe the purpose and capabilities of Power Automate
    • Identify types of flows (cloud, desktop, business process)
    • Explain how to build and manage flows
    • Identify scenarios for automation
  • Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Pages (10–15%)
    • Describe the capabilities of Power Pages for building websites
    • Explain how to create and manage Power Pages sites
    • Identify scenarios for using

💡 Tips to Approach the Exam

  • Focus according to weighting: Roughly 40% of the exam revolves around business value and platform management. That said, Power Apps and Power Automate together can account for another 40–50%, so balance your study time wisely.
  • Make use of Microsoft Learn: The official learning paths are free, frequently updated, and map directly to the exam. Don’t skip the linked documentation — it often clarifies edge cases.
  • Take practice tests seriously: Microsoft’s practice assessments mirror the actual exam format and highlight areas that need reinforcement.
  • Know the exam mechanics:
    • Expect ~40–60 questions in multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, or true/false formats.
    • You’ll have ~45 minutes to complete the test, need a score of 700/1000 to pass, and can choose between online proctoring or an in-person Pearson VUE center.

🗂️ How I Studied

Since this was my second Microsoft exam, I reused and refined the same study approach that had worked well for the SC-900:

  • Collect and organize study materials from the start.
  • Watch John Savill’s Study Cram video - it distills the essentials engagingly and practically.
  • Work through Microsoft’s SC-900 course. It’s structured, free, and always up to date.
  • Do a second pass with John Savill’s Study Cram session after finishing the learning paths. It reinforces key points and strengthens weaker areas.
  • Stay confident on exam day. Trust your preparation, manage your time, and focus on what you know rather than second-guessing.

🎟️ Discounts and Vouchers

When I sat for PL-900 in 2022, I managed to secure a free exam voucher through a Microsoft Virtual Training Day on Power Platform. These sessions offered not only the voucher but also expert-led presentations and additional resources — a valuable combination.

Fast-forward to 2025, and things have shifted slightly. Full exam waivers are less common, but Virtual Training Days usually provide a 50% discount on the exam. Occasionally, full discounts resurface during major events like Microsoft Ignite or themed AI Skills Challenges.

If you’re planning for PL-900, keep an eye on Microsoft Events. Beyond the potential savings, the insights from Microsoft professionals can complement your self-study nicely.

📦 Wrapping It Up

I took on PL-900 partly while completing my SC-900 preparation, driven by curiosity and a desire to broaden my understanding of Microsoft’s ecosystem. You don’t have to rush the way I did — the Fundamentals series is designed to be approachable, descriptive, and not as technically deep as Associate or Expert tracks.

If you’re curious about low-code/no-code and want to explore how Microsoft tools can help streamline processes and enhance collaboration, PL-900 is an excellent place to start.

Disclaimer: This article is solely based on my personal account. I have not received any endorsement or compensation from Microsoft or any related party. I aim to share insights that may help others assess whether the PL-900 aligns with their own goals and needs. I also encourage you to look into available discounts, vouchers, or community resources that may help cover the costs of such exams.

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