Microsoft Beta Exam Guide: What to Expect and How Results Work

Introduction

Taking a Microsoft beta exam can be confusing. You finish the exam, check your dashboard, and see what looks like a failure message. Then you wait weeks with no updates. Sound familiar?

This guide explains everything you need to know about Microsoft beta exams: how the results process works, why you wait so long, what that "failed" message actually means, and whether beta exams are worth taking.

Key Fact: Beta exam results take 10-14 weeks because Microsoft must analyse responses from 400+ candidates, conduct psychometric analysis, set the passing score, and then rescore everyone. You receive your actual result approximately 7-10 days after the exam goes live.

What is a Microsoft Beta Exam?

Beta exams are a critical part of Microsoft's exam development process. According to Microsoft Learn, "Beta exams are critical to Microsoft's exam development process. When you take an exam in its beta form, your results provide useful information to evaluate the quality of the exam and its questions."

Microsoft uses beta exams to:

Evaluate question quality and clarity
Determine appropriate difficulty levels
Set the passing score based on real candidate performance
Remove or refine problematic questions

The important point: Passing a beta exam counts as a real certification. Microsoft states: "Passing a beta exam in the Certification path counts toward your Certification. You don't need to retake the exam in its final version."

A certification earned through a beta exam is identical to one earned through the live version. No one can tell how you earned your certification.

How Beta Exams Work: The Complete Timeline

Understanding the timeline helps manage expectations. Here is what happens from when you take the exam to when you receive results.

Phase 1: Beta Period (Weeks 1-4)

Microsoft opens registration for a 3-4 week window. The first candidates (typically 300) receive an 80% discount code. Once enough qualified candidates complete the exam (Microsoft needs approximately 400), the beta period closes.

Phase 2: Psychometric Analysis (Weeks 5-6)

Microsoft's team analyses every question using statistical methods:

p-value: Percentage of candidates answering correctly
Point biserial correlations: Whether questions differentiate between high and low performers
Item reliability and validity measures
Test characteristic curves

Every comment submitted during the beta exam is reviewed manually for candidate feedback and potential issues.

Phase 3: Subject Matter Expert Review (Week 7)

A panel of subject matter experts (SMEs) reviews questions identified as problematic during analysis. They decide whether to keep, fix, or remove each flagged item. Critically, the passing score is established during this meeting.

According to Microsoft: "A panel of experts works with Microsoft's psychometrician to determine a passing score based on the skills needed to be considered competent in the skill domain in relation to the difficulty of the questions."

Phase 4: Live Exam Assembly (Weeks 8-10)

The final question pool is assembled, the passing score is confirmed, and the live exam is built. This version is handed to Pearson VUE for system testing.

Phase 5: Results Release (Weeks 10-14)

The exam goes live (becomes generally available). All beta candidates are automatically rescored against the new passing standard. Results appear approximately 7-10 days after the exam goes live.

Microsoft explains: "You'll receive your score about 10 days after the exam becomes available worldwide or 'goes live' — approximately 10-12 weeks after the beta period begins."

Why Your Dashboard Shows "Failed" During the Waiting Period

This is the number one source of confusion for beta exam candidates. After taking a beta exam, your Microsoft Learn dashboard displays a message that looks like you failed. This causes significant stress for candidates who assume the worst.

Here is what Microsoft says about this:

"Until we have done the rescore, we don't know if you've passed or failed, but because the system knows you took the exam but doesn't see a passing result, you get this message."

What this message actually means:

During the waiting period: The message only confirms you took the beta exam. It does not indicate pass or fail.
After 2 weeks from the exam going live: If the message persists, you likely failed. If it changes, you passed.

Microsoft has acknowledged this causes unnecessary stress and has stated they are working to improve this experience. Until then, do not assume failure based on this message during the waiting period.

Beta Exam Pricing and Discounts

Beta exams offer significant cost savings compared to live exams.

Aspect	Details
Standard Exam Price	Varies by region and certification level (check Pearson VUE)
Beta Discount	80% off standard pricing
Discount Availability	First 300 candidates, first-come first-served
Additional Benefit	25% discount voucher for your next exam
Voucher Timing	Sent within 6 weeks after exam goes live

Important: The 25% discount voucher is only provided to candidates who register for and take the exam using the 80% discount code. You must actually take the exam, not just register.

If the 80% discount codes are exhausted, you can still take the beta exam at full price and receive the same certification if you pass.

Current Microsoft Beta Exams (2026)

Several Microsoft AI certification exams are currently in beta or recently completed their beta periods:

Exam	Name	Status	Expected GA
AB-730	AI Business Professional	Beta	February 2026
AB-731	AI Transformation Leader	Beta	February 2026
AB-900	Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals	Beta	February 2026
AB-100	Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect	Beta ended	January 2026

All these exams have a passing score of 700 and a duration of 45 minutes.

Finding New Beta Exams

Microsoft announces beta exams on the Microsoft Learn blog. You can:

Monitor the blog at https://aka.ms/learningblog
Filter for beta exam announcements at the Skills Hub community
Join the SME Profile database for exclusive early access (details below)

The SME Profile Database: Get Early Access

Microsoft maintains a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Profile database. Members receive exclusive beta exam codes that are not posted publicly, significantly increasing your chances of securing a discounted seat.

According to Microsoft: "Those in the SME database get a unique code to participate in beta exams (one that is not posted on the blog), increasing the likelihood of getting a seat in that beta exam."

Benefits of joining:

Exclusive beta exam discount codes
Higher probability of securing a seat
Opportunities for courseware authoring
Opportunities for exam item writing
Technical review opportunities

Microsoft has migrated the SME database to LinkedIn. Join the SME Profile LinkedIn group to participate.

Beta Exam Retake Policy

The retake policy for beta exams differs from live exams.

During the beta period: You can only take a beta exam once. Microsoft states this policy supersedes the general retake policy.

If you fail: You must wait for the exam to go live (become generally available) and then retake at the standard price. You can use your 25% discount voucher from the beta participation.

Once the exam is live, standard retake policies apply:

First retake: 24-hour waiting period
Subsequent retakes: 14-day waiting period
Maximum: 5 attempts within 12 months

How to Prepare for a Beta Exam

Beta exams present a unique challenge: limited or no study materials exist. Microsoft acknowledges this directly: "You should avoid beta exams if you don't have experience using the tools and products. Besides the study guide containing what the exam is about, there are usually next to zero materials to prepare for the exam."

Who Should Take Beta Exams

Beta exams are designed for experienced professionals. Microsoft states: "Only candidates who have experience with the technology should participate in beta exams."

Good candidates for beta exams:

Experienced professionals with hands-on technology experience
Early adopters with access to preview or beta product releases
Confident test-takers who perform well without extensive study materials
Those who can wait 3-4 months for results without career impact

Those who should avoid beta exams:

Beginners or those new to the technology
Candidates who need structured learning materials
Those requiring certification urgently for job applications or promotions
Risk-averse individuals uncomfortable with uncertainty

Microsoft's Official Preparation Strategy

Microsoft provides a 7-step approach for beta exam preparation:

Verify your qualifications: Review the "Who should take this exam?" section. Ensure you meet the target audience description.
Assess your skills: Review the "Skills Measured" section. Identify which skills you possess and which gaps exist.
Practise extensively: Actually perform the tasks listed in the skills measured. Microsoft emphasises: "Hands-on experience performing these tasks is essential to passing our exams. Practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more."
Learn from others: Consult peers about how they perform relevant tasks. Understand different approaches.
Research available resources: Search for white papers, Microsoft Learn documentation, and any available learning paths related to the exam topics.
Use practice tests if available: Microsoft is increasingly making practice assessments available alongside beta exams.
Take the exam: Apply your knowledge and experience.

Geographic Restrictions

Not all candidates can participate in beta exams. Microsoft states: "Candidates located in China, India, Pakistan, or Turkiye are not eligible to participate in beta exams for security reasons."

All other countries can participate in beta exams.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Beta Exams

Advantages

Significant cost savings: The 80% discount makes beta exams substantially cheaper. An exam that normally costs $165 USD would cost approximately $33 during beta, plus you receive a 25% voucher for your next exam.

Early certification: Get certified months before other candidates. This demonstrates cutting-edge knowledge and can differentiate your CV.

Same certification value: The certification earned is identical to one from the live exam. No one can tell how you earned it.

Contributing to quality: Your participation helps improve exam quality for future candidates. Microsoft reads every comment submitted during beta exams.

Proves real-world experience: Passing without extensive study materials demonstrates genuine expertise, not just book knowledge.

Disadvantages

Extremely long wait for results: The 10-14 week wait can be frustrating. You cannot know your status during this period, which may impact job applications or promotions requiring certification.

Limited study materials: You rely almost entirely on hands-on experience and the official study guide. No practice exams or courses are typically available.

Exam content uncertainty: Questions may be ambiguous, poorly worded, or cover unexpected areas. The exam content is not yet finalised.

One attempt only: If you fail, you cannot retake during the beta period. You must wait for general availability and pay again.

Misleading dashboard messages: The "failed" message during the waiting period causes unnecessary stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do beta exam results take so long?

Beta exam results take 10-14 weeks because Microsoft conducts a comprehensive process: gathering 400+ responses, performing psychometric analysis on every question, having SMEs review problematic items, setting the passing score, building the live exam, and rescoring all beta candidates. Results appear approximately 7-10 days after the exam goes live.

Do beta exams count as real certifications?

Yes. Microsoft confirms: "Passing a beta exam in the Certification path counts toward your Certification. You don't need to retake the exam in its final version." The certification is identical to one earned through the live exam.

What does the "failed" message mean during the waiting period?

During the waiting period, this message only confirms you took the exam. Microsoft states: "Until we have done the rescore, we don't know if you've passed or failed, but because the system knows you took the exam but doesn't see a passing result, you get this message." Do not assume failure based on this message.

Can I retake a beta exam if I fail?

Not during the beta period. You can only take a beta exam once. If you fail, you must wait for the exam to become generally available and then retake at the standard price. You can use the 25% discount voucher from your beta participation.

How much do beta exams cost?

Beta exams are offered at an 80% discount for the first 300 candidates. This typically reduces the cost by 80% from the standard price. If discount codes are exhausted, you can still take the beta at full price.

What happens to questions that are removed after beta?

Removed questions do not count against you. All beta candidates are rescored after problematic items are removed, ensuring fairness. You benefit from Microsoft's quality control process.

Can I provide feedback during a beta exam?

Yes. You can comment on individual questions during the exam. Microsoft states they read every beta comment to understand candidate feedback and identify potential issues. Your feedback directly influences which questions are kept, fixed, or removed.

How do I know when results are available?

Monitor the exam page on Microsoft Learn to see when it transitions from beta to generally available. Wait 7-10 days after that transition, then check your Microsoft Learn profile under the Certifications menu. If results are missing after 2 weeks from general availability, contact Microsoft Credentials support.

Is the 25% discount voucher automatic?

The voucher is sent to your registration email within 6 weeks after the exam goes live. You must have registered for and taken the exam using the 80% discount code to receive this benefit.

Which countries cannot participate in beta exams?

Candidates in China, India, Pakistan, and Turkiye are not eligible to participate in beta exams for security reasons, according to Microsoft.

Key Takeaways

Essential facts about Microsoft beta exams:

Beta exams count as real certifications, identical to live exam certifications
Results take 10-14 weeks total, with scores appearing 7-10 days after general availability
The 80% discount is limited to the first 300 candidates
You receive a 25% discount voucher for your next exam after rescoring completes
The "failed" message during the waiting period is misleading and does not indicate actual failure
You can only take a beta exam once during the beta period
Beta exams require real-world experience; limited study materials are available
Some countries are restricted from participation

Best practices:

Join the SME Profile database for exclusive early access
Monitor the Microsoft Learn blog for announcements
Act quickly when beta exams are announced (seats fill rapidly)
Ensure you have genuine hands-on experience before attempting
Check results approximately 2 weeks after the exam goes live
Do not panic about the "failed" message during the waiting period

Ready to Prepare for Your Microsoft Certification?

Whether you are considering a beta exam or waiting for general availability, quality practice materials make a significant difference in your preparation.

Examinotion offers practice exams for Microsoft AI certifications including AB-730 (AI Business Professional), AB-731 (AI Transformation Leader), and AB-900 (Copilot Administration Fundamentals). Our practice questions mirror actual exam formats, include detailed explanations, and help you identify knowledge gaps before exam day.

Start your preparation today and approach your certification exam with confidence.

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