Microsoft Certification · Exam MS-102

Microsoft 365 Administrator

A complete, exam-focused companion to the official documentation — built around the latest Skills Measured (effective April 28, 2026). Learn the concepts, memorise the caveats, and walk into the exam ready.

⏱ ~120 min ✅ Pass mark: 700/1000 📚 4 skill domains 🎓 Associate → Admin Expert

MS-102 validates your ability to deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant, implement identity and access with Microsoft Entra, secure the estate with Microsoft Defender XDR, and govern data with Microsoft Purview. It is the integrating exam that sits across every Microsoft 365 workload.

How to use these notes

Work through the four domains in order, then drill the Exam Tips & Caveats page before test day. These notes are a companion — pair every section with hands-on practice in a Microsoft 365 trial tenant and the official Microsoft Learn modules.

Skills measured at a glance

Exam weightings — focus your time accordingly. Defender XDR is the single heaviest area.

1 · Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant25–30%
2 · Implement and manage Microsoft Entra identity and access25–30%
3 · Manage security and threats using Microsoft Defender XDR30–35%
4 · Manage compliance using Microsoft Purview10–15%

Study domains

Domain 1 · 25–30%

Deploy & manage a M365 tenant

Tenant creation, domains, org settings, Service Health, M365 Backup, users & groups, licensing, roles, administrative units and PIM.

Start here →
Domain 2 · 25–30%

Microsoft Entra identity & access

Directory sync (Entra Connect / Cloud Sync), authentication methods, SSPR, Password Protection, Identity Protection, Conditional Access & MFA.

Explore →
Domain 3 · 30–35%

Security with Defender XDR

Secure Score & Exposure Management, incidents & advanced hunting, Defender for Office 365, for Endpoint, and for Cloud Apps.

Explore →
Domain 4 · 10–15%

Compliance with Purview

Sensitive info types, retention, sensitivity labels, Content/Activity explorer, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) including Endpoint DLP.

Explore →

Before you book

700
Score needed to pass (scaled to 1000)
40–60
Typical number of questions
1 yr
Certification renewal (free online)

Exam reality check

Expect case studies, drag-and-drop ordering, "build list" sequencing, hotspot (dropdown) and yes/no statement sets. Many questions hinge on which tool / which licence / which order. The Exam Tips page collects the highest-yield caveats. Most questions cover GA features; commonly-used Preview features can appear.

Disclaimer

These notes are an independent study aid for learning purposes only and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft. Microsoft constantly renames and re-scopes products — always verify every detail against the official Microsoft documentation linked throughout before relying on it.