If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard the news.

MS-900 is retiring on March 31, 2026. ⏰

And suddenly, what felt optional now feels urgent.

I still remember the morning I sat my own MS-900 exam. Coffee in hand. Slight nerves. Eight years ago, Microsoft 365 wasn’t what it is today — no Copilot, no Defender XDR integration at this scale. But the core idea was the same: understand the ecosystem.

I passed on my first attempt. Since then? I’ve helped over 1,200 students pass MS-900 certification — IT admins, consultants, career switchers, project managers.

And here’s the truth:

This exam is still absolutely worth it in 2026 — but only if you approach it strategically.

So let’s talk. No fluff. No corporate buzzwords. Just real guidance on how to pass MS-900 confidently before it retires.

Why the Retirement Actually Makes MS-900 More Valuable (Not Less)

The official retirement date is confirmed on Microsoft’s certification retirement page (March 31, 2026). 📅

When an exam retires, two things happen:

1. Employers rush to validate baseline knowledge.
2. Candidates delay — and miss the window.

If you earn MS-900 certification before retirement, you’ll still hold the credential permanently on your transcript. It doesn’t disappear.

And for many roles, especially:

• Junior IT admins
• Help desk transitioning to cloud
• Sales engineers
• Project managers managing M365 rollouts
• Career switchers entering tech

…it’s still one of the cleanest entry points into Microsoft 365 Fundamentals.

Who Should Take MS-900 in 2026 (And Who Should Skip It)

Let’s be honest.

✅ You Should Take MS-900 If:

• You’re new to Microsoft 365
• You work around M365 but lack structured knowledge
• You want a foundational cert before MS-102 or SC-900
• You’re transitioning into cloud roles

❌ You Might Skip It If:

• You already hold MS-102 or equivalent experience
• You architect Microsoft 365 at enterprise scale
• You manage complex licensing daily

For most beginners, MS-900 still builds a mental map of the ecosystem. That map matters.

Quick MS-900 Exam Facts (2026 Edition)

Let’s ground ourselves in reality.

Official study guide:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/resources/study-guides/ms-900

What Changed in the April 30, 2025 Skills Update

This is where many candidates fall behind.

Microsoft updated the skills measured on April 30, 2025. And yes — Copilot and Zero Trust now matter more.

Here’s the current breakdown:

Notice something?

Apps & services dominate.

Domain Breakdown — What You Actually Need to Know

1. Cloud Concepts (5–10%)

This is foundational:

• SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS
• Public vs private vs hybrid cloud
• Benefits of cloud computing

Don’t over-study this. It’s basic.

2. Microsoft 365 Apps & Services (45–50%)

This is the heart of MS-900.

Focus on:

• Microsoft Teams (including Teams Phone)
• SharePoint Online
• OneDrive
• Exchange Online
• Microsoft 365 Copilot
• Viva
• Power Platform basics

I’ve seen at least 4–6 Teams scenario questions per exam recently.

Understand use cases, not buttons.

3. Security, Compliance & Trust (25–30%)

This section has grown heavier.

Know:

• Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
• Microsoft Intune
• Microsoft Defender XDR
• Microsoft Purview
• Zero Trust principles
• Compliance Manager
• Data Loss Prevention

Zero Trust isn’t just a buzzword. It’s tested conceptually.

4. Pricing, Licensing & Support (10–15%)

Students struggle here.

Know:

• Difference between E3 vs E5
• Add-ons
• Enterprise vs Business plans
• Support offerings
• Service lifecycle

Licensing questions are often scenario-based.

My Proven 15–21 Day Study Plan (Used by 1,200+ Students)

Let’s keep this practical. 🚀

Week 1 – Build Foundation

Day 1–2

• Read official study guide
• Review skills measured
• Take Microsoft free practice assessment

Day 3–5

• Complete Microsoft Learn MS-900 path
• Focus on apps & services modules

Microsoft Learn path:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/describe-microsoft-365-core-services-concepts/

Day 6–7

• Review security modules
• Take notes on Entra ID, Defender, Purview

Week 2 – Hands-On Practice

You MUST get hands-on.

Sign up for Microsoft 365 Developer Program:
https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/dev-program

Steps:

1. Register with Microsoft account
2. Get free E5 sandbox tenant
3. Explore:
   • Teams admin center
   • Entra ID portal
   • Intune portal
   • Purview compliance portal

Hands-on builds retention 10x faster than passive reading.

Week 3 – Practice & Weak Spot Fixing

Take realistic practice exams.

One of the most realistic practice question banks my students have used successfully — especially the updated 2025/2026 set — is:
https://www.leads4pass.com/ms-900.html

Use it to identify weak domains.

Don’t memorize answers. Understand why.

Common Mistakes I’ve Seen (And How to Avoid Them)

After coaching 1,200+ candidates, patterns repeat.

❌ Memorizing Definitions

The exam tests scenarios.

❌ Ignoring Licensing

10–15% is enough to fail you.

❌ Skipping Copilot

Yes, it appears.

❌ Overstudying Cloud Basics

It’s only 5–10%.

Be strategic.

Exam Day Strategy (Simple but Effective)

Here’s my rule:

1. First pass: answer everything you’re confident about
2. Mark uncertain questions
3. Return with fresh perspective

If stuck between two answers:

• Choose the one aligning with Microsoft best practices
• Think “Zero Trust first”

Also — don’t panic if first 5 questions feel hard. That’s common.

Real Career ROI from MS-900

Let me share real examples.

• Help desk tech → promoted to M365 admin within 6 months
• Non-IT project manager → moved into M365 rollout project
• Sales rep → transitioned to solutions consultant

MS-900 certification signals structured understanding.

It’s credibility.

Your Next Step After MS-900

If you pass MS-900, consider:

• SC-900 (Security Fundamentals)
• MS-102 (Microsoft 365 Administrator)
• AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals)

Think of MS-900 as your launchpad.

Final Advice Before March 31, 2026

Here’s the honest truth:

You don’t need 3 months.

You need:

• 2–3 focused weeks
• Official material
• Hands-on exposure
• Realistic practice

If you commit, you’ll pass MS-900.

I’ve seen career switchers do it in 17 days.

Why not you?

Conclusion

MS-900 may be retiring, but that doesn’t make it obsolete.

It makes it urgent.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, now’s the moment.

Build your foundation in Microsoft 365 Fundamentals. Understand Copilot, security, licensing. Follow a focused plan. Practice strategically.

And walk into that exam confident.

I’ll be cheering you on. 🚀

FAQs

1. Is MS-900 worth it before retirement?

Yes. It remains on your transcript permanently and validates Microsoft 365 Fundamentals knowledge.

2. How hard is the MS-900 exam?

Moderate difficulty. With 2–3 weeks of structured study, most candidates pass.

3. Can beginners pass MS-900?

Absolutely. It’s designed as a fundamentals exam.

4. How many times does Copilot appear?

Expect conceptual questions within apps & services domain.

5. What’s the best way to pass MS-900 quickly?

Follow a 15–21 day focused study plan with official material and realistic practice questions.