- Exam MD-102 costs $165 USD, runs 100 minutes, and requires a score of 700+ to pass.
- Manage and maintain devices is the heaviest domain at 25-30% of the exam.
- A new domain, Optimize endpoint operations using automation, monitoring, and reporting, applies starting July 24, 2026.
- Failing once means a 24-hour wait; later failures require 14 days, capped at five attempts per 12 months.
Exam Snapshot: The Numbers You Must Know
Before you touch a single practice question, memorize the mechanics of Exam MD-102. These are the facts that determine how you pace your study, book your seat, and walk into the test center or online proctoring session with confidence.
- Certifying body: Microsoft, via Pearson VUE for both test-center and online-proctored delivery.
- Price: $165 USD in the United States, with regional pricing in other markets.
- Time limit: 100 minutes, which may include interactive components in the proctored format.
- Passing score: 700 or greater on the scaled range.
- Prerequisites: None formally required, though the audience profile assumes hands-on comfort with Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Entra ID, Windows Autopilot, Defender for Endpoint, Windows 365, PowerShell, Microsoft Graph, and agentic tools and workflows.
For a fuller breakdown of what that $165 actually buys and how regional pricing works, see the MD-102 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. And if you're still confirming exactly what score you need and how scoring works, the MD-102 Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass guide covers it in more depth.
The Five Domains at a Glance
Exam MD-102 is organized into five weighted domains. Weight percentages tell you where to invest study hours - a domain worth 25-30% deserves proportionally more repetition than one worth 10-15%.
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Prepare infrastructure for devices | 20-25% |
| Manage and maintain devices | 25-30% |
| Protect devices | 15-20% |
| Manage and secure applications | 15-20% |
| Optimize endpoint operations by using automation, monitoring, and reporting | 10-15% |
Notice that Manage and maintain devices alone carries nearly a third of the exam's weight - more than the two smallest domains combined. If you only have time to triple-check one area before test day, this is the one. For a domain-by-domain walkthrough with objective-level detail, bookmark the MD-102 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 5 Content Areas.
Domain-by-Domain Cheat Sheet
Domain 1: Prepare Infrastructure for Devices (20-25%)
Covers tenant and service configuration in Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra ID, plus device enrollment planning.
- Configure Microsoft Entra ID join and hybrid join settings
- Plan and implement Windows Autopilot deployment profiles
- Set up roles, scope tags, and RBAC for endpoint administration
Domain 2: Manage and Maintain Devices (25-30%)
The largest domain by weight. Focuses on the ongoing lifecycle of enrolled endpoints - configuration profiles, compliance, updates, and remote actions.
- Configure and monitor device compliance policies
- Manage Windows Update rings and update policies
- Use remote actions (wipe, retire, restart) and monitor device health
Domain 3: Protect Devices (15-20%)
Centers on endpoint security configuration, including Defender for Endpoint integration and security baselines.
- Implement endpoint security policies and security baselines
- Onboard devices to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Configure attack surface reduction and firewall rules
Domain 4: Manage and Secure Applications (15-20%)
Application lifecycle management from deployment through protection policies.
- Deploy and assign apps through Intune
- Configure app protection and app configuration policies
- Manage Microsoft 365 Apps deployment and updates
Domain 5: Optimize Endpoint Operations Using Automation, Monitoring, and Reporting (10-15%)
The newest domain effective July 24, 2026. Emphasizes PowerShell scripting, Microsoft Graph queries, and agentic tools for automating repetitive endpoint tasks.
- Build and troubleshoot PowerShell scripts for Intune
- Query device and compliance data via Microsoft Graph
- Use monitoring dashboards and reporting to identify operational issues
Key Takeaway
Since Domain 5 is entirely new, treat it as a study priority even though its weight is smaller - there are fewer legacy practice questions covering it, so you'll need fresh reps on PowerShell and Graph scenarios specifically.
Question Style and Format
Exam MD-102 isn't a pure multiple-choice test. Expect a mix of formats designed to test applied knowledge rather than memorized definitions:
- Scenario-based multiple choice: A short IT scenario followed by a best-answer selection among several plausible options.
- Drag-and-drop sequencing: Ordering steps in a deployment or troubleshooting process.
- Interactive components: The proctored format may include simulations or interface-style tasks, particularly around Intune console navigation and policy configuration.
- Case studies: A longer scenario with multiple related questions, common on Microsoft associate-level exams.
Because of this mix, rote memorization of terminology will only get you partway. You need to have actually clicked through Intune policy creation, Autopilot profile assignment, and Defender for Endpoint onboarding at least once. If you're unsure whether your background is sufficient going in, the MD-102 Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify page lays out exactly what's expected versus what's merely recommended.
Registration, Retakes, and Renewal Mechanics
Understanding the retake and renewal rules can save you money and scheduling headaches.
- First failure: You must wait 24 hours before rescheduling.
- Subsequent failures: Each additional retake requires a 14-day wait.
- Attempt cap: A maximum of five attempts is allowed within any 12-month period.
- Renewal: Once certified, the credential is valid for 12 months and renews at no cost through a Microsoft Learn renewal assessment - no need to retake the full proctored exam.
These mechanics matter when you're deciding whether to schedule aggressively or give yourself buffer time. A candidate who books three attempts in tight succession without changing their study approach is unlikely to pass on the third try either. For the psychological and content side of why the exam trips people up, see How Hard Is the MD-102 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026, and if you want context on how other candidates have historically performed, review MD-102 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows.
Key Takeaway
Use the mandatory wait period productively - a failed attempt tells you which domain weights caught you off guard, so spend the 24 hours or 14 days rebuilding practice reps specifically in that domain rather than re-reading everything.
Who Hires MD-102 Holders
The Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate credential maps directly to roles responsible for deploying, configuring, protecting, and monitoring the Windows, mobile, and app estate inside a Microsoft 365 environment. Typical hiring contexts include:
- IT departments migrating from on-premises device management to Intune and Microsoft Entra ID
- Managed service providers supporting multiple client tenants' endpoint fleets
- Internal helpdesk or desktop support teams moving into administrator-level responsibilities
- Organizations standardizing on Windows Autopilot for zero-touch device provisioning
If you're weighing whether this credential is worth pursuing relative to your career goals, the Is the MD-102 Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 article and the MD-102 Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis both dig into that decision. For open-role trends and job titles that commonly list this certification, check MD-102 Jobs.
Final-Week Review Schedule
With five domains and one exam session, your last week before test day should be structured around domain weight, not equal time-splitting.
Manage and Maintain Devices
- Rebuild compliance policies and update rings from memory
- Practice remote device actions end-to-end in a test tenant
Prepare Infrastructure + Protect Devices
- Re-walk Autopilot profile creation and Entra ID join scenarios
- Review Defender for Endpoint onboarding steps
Manage and Secure Applications + Optimize Operations
- Practice app protection policy assignment scenarios
- Run through PowerShell and Microsoft Graph query examples for reporting
Full-Length Practice + Rest
- Take one timed practice session under 100-minute conditions
- Review flagged weak spots only - avoid new material the night before
This isn't a generic Pomodoro or spaced-repetition template - it's sequenced specifically around domain weight, so the heaviest domain gets first and longest attention while the newest domain (Optimize endpoint operations) gets dedicated time despite its smaller share. For a longer-horizon plan that starts weeks earlier, see the full MD-102 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt.
FAQ
You need a scaled score of 700 or greater to pass Exam MD-102.
The exam runs 100 minutes and costs $165 USD in the United States, with regional pricing available elsewhere.
After a first failure you wait 24 hours before retaking. Subsequent failures require a 14-day wait, and you're limited to five attempts within any 12-month period.
Manage and maintain devices carries the highest weight at 25-30%, making it the single most important domain to master.
No. The certification renews every 12 months at no cost through a Microsoft Learn renewal assessment rather than a full proctored retake.
Keep this page bookmarked as your quick-reference sheet, and pair it with focused domain study and timed practice runs through MD-102 Exam Prep as your test date approaches.