Exam MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator

The MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator certification exam is designed for IT professionals responsible for deploying, configuring, and managing Microsoft 365 services. This exam validates a candidate’s ability to handle tenant-level implementation and administration within both cloud and hybrid environments. If you are actively managing Microsoft 365 tenants and aligning services across the ecosystem, this certification is tailored for you.

Role and Responsibilities of a Microsoft 365 Administrator

As a Microsoft 365 Administrator, you serve as the central point of coordination across various Microsoft 365 services. Your responsibilities include:

Integrating and orchestrating workloads: You function as the connecting link for all Microsoft 365 workloads, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.
Cross-functional coordination: You collaborate with architects and administrators who manage individual components such as identity, security, compliance, endpoints, infrastructure, and applications.
Strategic planning and implementation: Your role involves aligning technical solutions with organizational goals while ensuring secure and efficient deployments.

Prerequisites and Technical Expertise

Candidates preparing for the MS-102 exa m are expected to have comprehensive, hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 environments. Specifically, you should:

Have practical knowledge of all Microsoft 365 workloads, such as Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive.
Be familiar with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) and have administered at least one of the Microsoft 365 services in a production setting.

In addition, a solid understanding of the following foundational technologies is essential:

Networking concepts
Active Directory Directory Services (AD DS)
Domain Name System (DNS)
PowerShell scripting and automation

Exam Details

To successfully pass the MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator exam, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 700. Microsoft also provides accommodations for individuals who require additional support during the exam process. This includes extended time, the use of assistive technologies, or adjustments to the exam format—these can be requested in advance to ensure an inclusive testing experience. The exam is available in multiple languages, including English, Simplified Chinese, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Brazilian Portuguese, making it accessible to a global audience.

To attain the prestigious Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert credential, candidates must first hold at least one associate-level certification from the following options:

Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate
Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate
Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate
Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate
Microsoft Certified: Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate

Course Outline

The exam covers the following topics:

1. Deploying and managing a Microsoft 365 tenant (25–30%)

Implement and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant

Create a tenant (Microsoft Documentation: Create a new tenant in Microsoft Entra ID)
Implement and manage domains (Microsoft Documentation: Add a domain to Microsoft 365)
Configure org settings, including Security & privacy and Organizational profile (Microsoft Documentation: Add your organization’s privacy info to Microsoft Entra)
Identify and respond to service health issues
Configure and review Network connectivity insights
Monitor adoption and usage (Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Adoption Score)
Configure and manage Microsoft 365 Backup

Manage users and groups

Create and manage users in Microsoft Entra, including external users and guests
Create and manage contacts in the Microsoft 365 admin center
Create and manage groups, including Microsoft 365 groups and shared mailboxes
Manage and monitor Microsoft 365 licenses, including group-based licensing (Microsoft Documentation: View Microsoft 365 licenses and services with PowerShell)
Perform bulk user management, including PowerShell (Microsoft Documentation: Create Microsoft 365 user accounts with PowerShell)

Manage roles and role groups

Implement and manage built-in roles in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Entra
Implement and manage custom roles in Microsoft Entra admin center
Manage role groups in Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Purview, and Microsoft 365 workloads
Manage delegation by using administrative units
Manage roles in Microsoft Entra privileged identity management

2. Implementing and managing Microsoft Entra identity and access (25–30%)

Implement and manage identity synchronization with Microsoft Entra tenant

Prepare for identity synchronization by using IdFix (Microsoft Documentation: Prepare for identity synchronization to Microsoft 365)
Implement and manage directory synchronization by using Microsoft Entra Connect Sync or Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync (Microsoft Documentation: What is Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync?)
Monitor synchronization by using Microsoft Entra Connect Health (Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Entra Connect Sync with Microsoft Entra Connect Health)
Troubleshoot synchronization, including Microsoft Entra Connect and Microsoft Entra Connect cloud sync (Microsoft Documentation: Troubleshoot object synchronization with Microsoft Entra Connect Sync)

Implement and manage authentication

Implement and manage authentication methods (Microsoft Documentation: Passwordless authentication options for Microsoft Entra ID)
Implement and manage self-service password reset (SSPR) (Microsoft Documentation: Enable users to unlock their account or reset passwords using Microsoft Entra self-service password reset)
Implement and manage Microsoft Entra Password Protection (Microsoft Documentation: Enable on-premises Microsoft Entra Password Protection)
Investigate and resolve authentication issues

Implement and manage secure access

Plan for identity protection (Microsoft Documentation: What is Identity Protection?)
Implement and manage Microsoft Entra ID Protection (Microsoft Documentation: Configure and enable risk policies)
Plan Conditional Access policies
Implement and manage Conditional Access policies (Microsoft Documentation: Create a device-based Conditional Access policy)
Implement and manage multi-factor authentication (MFA) by using conditional access policies (Microsoft Documentation: Set up multifactor authentication for Microsoft 365)

3. Managing security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR (30–35%)

Review and respond to security reports and alerts generated by Microsoft Defender XDR

Review and respond to threats by using Exposure Management, including the Microsoft Secure Score (Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Secure Score)
Review and respond to incidents and alerts generated by Microsoft Defender XDR, including guided hunting (Microsoft Documentation: Incident response with Microsoft 365 Defender)
Review and respond to issues identified in Microsoft Defender XDR reports
Review and respond to threats identified by Threat intelligence

Implement and manage email and collaboration protection by using Microsoft Defender for Office 365

Implement threat policies and rules in Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Configure alert policies in Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Investigate and respond to email and collaboration threats by using Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Manage attack simulations, including training campaigns
Manage restricted entities, including blocked users

Implement and manage endpoint protection by using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Onboard devices to Defender for Endpoint (Microsoft Documentation: Configure Microsoft Defender for Endpoint capabilities)
Configure Defender for Endpoint settings (Microsoft Documentation: Manage endpoint security policies in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint)
Review and respond to endpoint vulnerabilities (Microsoft Documentation: Use Intune to remediate vulnerabilities identified by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint)

Implement, and manage Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps

Configure the app connector for Microsoft 365
Configure Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps policies
Review and respond to Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps alerts
Interpret activity log
Configure Cloud App Discovery
Review and respond to issues identified in Cloud App Discovery

4. Managing compliance by using Microsoft Purview (10–15%)

Implement Microsoft Purview information protection and data lifecycle management

Implement and manage sensitive info types by using keywords, keyword lists, or regular expressions (Microsoft Documentation: Create custom sensitive information types in the compliance portal)
Implement retention labels, retention label policies, and retention policies (Microsoft Documentation: Learn about retention policies and retention labels)
Implement sensitivity labels and sensitivity label policies (Microsoft Documentation: Apply a sensitivity label to content automatically)
Monitor label usage by using Content explorer, Activity explorer, and label reports

Implement Microsoft Purview data loss prevention (DLP)

Configure DLP policies for Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams
Configure Endpoint DLP
Review and respond to DLP alerts, events, and reports (Microsoft Documentation: Get started with the data loss prevention Alerts dashboard)

Microsoft MS-102 Exam FAQs

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Exam Policies Overview

Microsoft maintains a comprehensive set of certification exam policies to ensure a secure, equitable, and standardized testing experience for all participants. These policies apply universally, whether the exam is taken online or at a certified testing center—and are designed to uphold the integrity and global credibility of Microsoft’s certification program.

Retake Policy

Candidates who do not pass the exam on their first attempt must observe a minimum waiting period of 24 hours before rescheduling. This allows adequate time to access the Microsoft Certification Dashboard and select a new date. For subsequent retakes (from the second to the fifth attempt), a 14-day waiting period is required between each attempt. A maximum of five exam attempts is allowed within a 12-month period, starting from the date of the initial exam.

Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy

Microsoft offers flexibility in managing exam appointments. Candidates can reschedule or cancel their exam at no cost if the request is made at least six business days prior to the scheduled exam date. Requests made within five business days will incur a rescheduling or cancellation fee. If a candidate fails to appear for the exam or does not cancel at least 24 hours in advance, the full exam fee will be forfeited. In exceptional cases—such as emergencies or special accessibility needs—Microsoft may offer accommodations or waive penalties at its discretion.

Microsoft MS-102 Exam Study Guide

1. Understand the Exam Objectives

Before preparing for the MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator exam, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the exam objectives. The exam is structured to assess your ability to manage, deploy, and secure Microsoft 365 services across various organizational environments. Key focus areas include managing Microsoft 365 tenant configurations, implementing identity and access solutions, overseeing security and compliance features, and supporting Microsoft 365 core services such as Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive. By familiarizing yourself with each domain, you can better align your study plan with the real-world tasks and responsibilities expected of a Microsoft 365 Administrator. Mastery of these objectives not only prepares you for the certification but also enhances your day-to-day efficiency in administering Microsoft 365 environments.

2. Use the Microsoft Official Learning Path

Leveraging the Microsoft Official Learning Path is a strategic and effective way to prepare for the MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator exam. These curated learning modules are developed by Microsoft to align directly with the exam objectives and are regularly updated to reflect the latest platform changes and best practices. The learning path covers all essential topics, including tenant management, identity and access, security and compliance, and Microsoft 365 service administration. Each module combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on exercises, allowing you to build practical skills as you progress. By following this structured approach, candidates gain a comprehensive understanding of the concepts tested on the exam, increasing both confidence and readiness for certification success. The modules are:

3. Take Reference from Microsoft Documentation

Consulting Microsoft’s official documentation is an essential part of effective preparation for the MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator exam. The documentation offers in-depth, authoritative guidance on the configuration, management, and troubleshooting of Microsoft 365 services. It covers a wide range of topics such as identity and access management, security and compliance features, tenant administration, and service-specific configurations like Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, and more.

By using these resources, you gain real-world insights and detailed explanations that go beyond exam preparation, helping you apply best practices in practical scenarios. Regularly referring to this documentation ensures your knowledge is current, accurate, and aligned with Microsoft’s evolving technologies and standards.

4. Join Study Groups and Online Communities

Engaging with study groups and online communities can significantly enhance your preparation for the MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator exam. These collaborative spaces provide a platform to exchange knowledge, clarify doubts, and stay motivated alongside peers who are also preparing for the exam. Active participation in forums such as Microsoft Learn Community, LinkedIn groups, or certification-focused discussion boards allows you to gain different perspectives on exam topics, discover valuable resources, and receive tips from certified professionals. Being part of a community also helps you stay updated with any changes in exam content or structure.

5. Take MS-102 Exam Practice Tests

Incorporating practice tests into your study routine is a critical step toward exam readiness. These tests simulate the actual exam environment, helping you become familiar with question formats, time constraints, and the overall structure of the MS-102 exam. Regularly taking practice exams allows you to assess your knowledge, identify weak areas, and track your progress over time. Many practice tests also provide detailed explanations for each answer, which reinforces learning and deepens your understanding of complex topics. By evaluating your performance and refining your study plan accordingly, you increase your chances of passing the certification exam with confidence.

Exam MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator tests