How to get Power BI Certified (and do I need to?)

The continued relevance is mainly due to the influence and perspective of older generations.

Qualifications have traditionally been seen as indicators of expertise, competence, and commitment, and older generations continue to place a high value on credentials when evaluating candidates for positions or promotions. Put simply, if we have the same experience and I'm certified, and you're not, I will likely get the role over you. But as younger generations assume leadership roles and redefine the criteria for professional success, the importance of degrees and certifications may gradually diminish.

But this will likely take a few more years, so until then, let's get certified.

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I don't really know where to start.

Unfortunately, many people don't pursue Power BI certification due to various obstacles and misconceptions. Lack of Time is the primary reason.

You might also be held back by barriers such as:

• Barrier #1: Insufficient resources or guidance
• Barrier #2: Fear of being unable to pass the certification exam
• Barrier #3: Uncertainty about the value of certification in career growth
• Barrier #4: Difficulty balancing work, personal life, and exam preparation.

Each of these barriers can be overcome - there are resources galore, and all you need to do is get organised.

Here's how step by step.

Actionable steps toward study

Step 1: Choose the right certification path.

First, determine which certification aligns with your career goals and skill level. Microsoft offers various certifications, such as the Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate, specifically targeting Power BI professionals. Ensure this is what you want to do, as there are other Power BI-related certifications, such as data engineering, data science, and different data analyst types.

The Power BI-specific certification requires taking the PL-300 exam.

See the details here.

Within the above-linked page, review the exam requirements and objectives, and familiarise yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge. This will help you tailor your study plan and focus on relevant topics.

Some important notes regarding the certification exam:

• The Power BI exam is officially named: PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst.
• The PL-300 has replaced the DA-100. Some DA-100 study resources remain valid but ensure you're in line with the PL-300 study guide linked above.
• The English language version of this certification was updated on January 31, 2023. Again ensure your study material is relevant and includes the January changes.

Step 2: Create a structured study plan.

Many people fail to prepare adequately due to insufficient organisation or time management. To avoid this, create a structured study plan that breaks exam topics into manageable sections and allocates sufficient time for each subject. Be consistent with your study sessions and track your progress. Utilise online resources, such as Microsoft Learn, tutorials, blogs, and forums, to deepen your understanding of Power BI concepts and techniques.

The plan I used to pass the PL-300 successfully:

• Go through the Microsoft Learning path
• Tick off all aspects of the study guide here
• Attempt some practice exams
• Search forums like Reddit for helpful hints from past exam takers

Step 3: Uncover your knowledge gaps.

The key to success in obtaining Power BI certification lies in hands-on practice. Engage in real-world projects, or create your own, to apply the skills you've learned. The key here is to be humble enough to know what you don't know. For example, I had been a Power BI developer for three years before I took the exam, and there were topics I didn't know.

The topics which I needed to learn that were in the exam were:

• XML endpoints
• Power BI Service Apps and dashboards
• Deployment pipelines
• Promoted and certified content
• Row-level security

My best piece of advice for achieving certification - widen your vision

I spent a lot of time studying the nuts and bolts of DAX, visualisations, and analytical strategies, but that approach was only half the battle. My biggest mistake at the time was not understanding that Power BI is more than just the desktop app you have on your PC.

Remember that you're dealing with an entire landscape.

Don't overlook:

• Power BI Service (critical)
• Power BI on-prem gateway
• Paginated reports
• Power BI mobile app
• Power BI Service apps and dashboards (different to Power BI Desktop dashboards)
• Power BI Report Builder

Frame your learning not from a development standpoint but from a business deployment standpoint.

Learn the ecosystem, and you'll be ready to pass your PL-300 exam.

Let me know when you do.