Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
Become a Microsoft Power BI-certified data analyst — the most-used BI platform in the world.
- 40 to 60 questions in the official Microsoft format
- 700/1000 threshold
- 4 domains updated in January 2026 (prepare, model, visualize, manage)
- 100-minute exam
- Up-to-date skills measured: Copilot, calculation groups, DirectQuery
From
Overview
Power BI is the most widely adopted Business Intelligence platform in the world. PL-300 validates your ability to turn raw data into decision-ready reports, model a star-schema warehouse, write meaningful DAX, and secure datasets (RLS).
The January 2026 refresh covers generative AI (Copilot for narratives and pages), advanced calculation groups, and a stronger emphasis on DirectQuery vs Import mode.
In francophone Africa, demand is exploding across telecom operators, banks, donor NGOs, and national statistics institutions — where Power BI is the de facto reporting standard.
Why this certification in 2026
Excel reporting hits its limits. Companies look for analysts who can deliver clean, performant, and secure Power BI. PL-300 attests to those skills and quickly opens doors in consulting, banking, and telecom.
Fiche d'examen
- Émetteur
- Microsoft
- Code examen
- PL-300
- Questions
- 40 to 60 questions
- Durée
- 100 minutes
- Seuil
- 700/1000
- Coût officiel
- $165
- Validité
- 1 year (free annual renewal on Microsoft Learn)
- Prérequis
- No formal prerequisites
- Langues d'examen
- English, French + 13 other languages
Dernière mise à jour Microsoft — Skills measured updated January 15, 2026
Simulation syllabus
The syllabus follows the official exam framework faithfully.
- Connecting to data sources
- DirectQuery vs Import
- Power Query: profile, clean, transform
- Merge and append queries
- Fact tables and dimension tables
What this certification brings you
Power BI dominates global BI
Gartner Leader for over 15 consecutive years. The most in-demand BI tool on the market.
Data role within reach
PL-300 is often the only explicit prerequisite for Data Analyst / BI Analyst openings in francophone Africa.
Concrete salary jump
A PL-300-certified Data Analyst posts a median salary of 3M XAF/year in Abidjan vs. 1.9M uncertified.
Access to Fabric / Copilot innovations
The 2026 version explicitly covers Copilot in Power BI — a high-demand skill.
Career outlook & salaries
Ranges observed internationally and across French-speaking Africa.
| Poste | International | Afrique francophone |
|---|---|---|
| Power BI Data Analyst | €45k–70k/year | 550k – 1.4M XAF/month |
| Data Business Analyst | €50k–80k/year | 1.9M – 4.1M XAF/year (Abidjan, Glassdoor 2026) |
| BI Consultant | €55k–85k/year | 700k – 1.5M XAF/month |
| Decision Support Analyst | €45k–70k/year | 500k – 1.2M XAF/month |
- Poste
- Power BI Data Analyst
- International
- €45k–70k/year
- Afrique francophone
- 550k – 1.4M XAF/month
- Poste
- Data Business Analyst
- International
- €50k–80k/year
- Afrique francophone
- 1.9M – 4.1M XAF/year (Abidjan, Glassdoor 2026)
- Poste
- BI Consultant
- International
- €55k–85k/year
- Afrique francophone
- 700k – 1.5M XAF/month
- Poste
- Decision Support Analyst
- International
- €45k–70k/year
- Afrique francophone
- 500k – 1.2M XAF/month
Salary ranges observed on the international and West African markets. Sources: Coursera (2025), Glassdoor Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire (2026), Grey Search Africa × HEC Paris (2025), PMI Salary Survey (2024). Certifications meaningfully lift compensation, but actual salaries depend on experience, sector, and employer.
What's included in your simulation
- 40 to 60 questions aligned with skills measured January 15, 2026
- Coverage of Copilot, calculation groups, DirectQuery vs Import
- 100-minute timer
- Domain report (prepare, model, visualize, manage)
- Explanations including DAX and Power Query snippets
- Unlimited retries for 12 months
- Coaching available with a PL-300-certified mentor
Who this certification is for
Aspiring Data Analysts
You want to enter the data world via BI — PL-300 is the most efficient shortcut.
Advanced Excel users
Your spreadsheets hit their limits — Power BI and PL-300 are the natural next step.
Data-oriented Business Analysts
You want to deliver professional dashboards on top of your business analysis.
Junior BI Consultants
PL-300 is the entry ticket into data consultancies operating on Power BI.
Your ASK For IT expert
Human support from a certified expert.
Ibrahima Diallo
Data & Business Intelligence Expert
Dakar, Senegal
Microsoft-certified BI consultant, Power BI and Microsoft Fabric specialist, trainer for 6 years.
- PL-300
- DP-600
- DP-203
They earned theirs with this simulation
« PL-300 is the new standard for data analysts. ASK For IT covers the Copilot and calculation groups updates you won't find anywhere else in our region. Passed at 812/1000. »
Fatoumata Traoré
Power BI Data Analyst — Bamako, Mali
« I landed 3 Power BI contracts at telecom operators after PL-300. DAX time intelligence and RLS were the exact skills that set me apart. The simulator calibrates real difficulty well. »
Marc Assamoi
BI Consultant — Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Frequently asked questions about PL-300
Related certifications
To round out your profile or go deeper in your domain.
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PL-300
$59