Microsoft data engineering · Exam comparison
DP-700 vs DP-750: Microsoft Fabric or Azure Databricks?
Both are Microsoft data engineering associate exams, on different platforms. DP-700 (Fabric Data Engineer Associate) tests data engineering in Microsoft Fabric. DP-750 (Azure Databricks Data Engineer Associate) tests it in Azure Databricks, built around Unity Catalog.
- Choose DP-700 if your organization runs on Microsoft Fabric: lakehouses, warehouses, pipelines and eventstreams.
- Choose DP-750 if it runs on Azure Databricks: Unity Catalog, Lakeflow Jobs and Databricks compute.
Side by side
| DP-700 | DP-750 | |
|---|---|---|
| Certification | Fabric Data Engineer Associate | Azure Databricks Data Engineer Associate |
| Platform | Microsoft Fabric | Azure Databricks |
| Languages | PySpark, SQL and KQL | SQL and Python |
| Biggest skill areas in our practice tests | Ingest and transform batch data (14%) Ingest and transform streaming data (12%) Identify and resolve errors (11%) Optimize performance (11%) | Evenly spread: no skill area above 10% |
| Career path on ExamKite | DP-900 → DP-700 → DP-750 | DP-900 → DP-700 → DP-750 |
| ExamKite practice | 6 practice tests, 350 questions | 8 practice tests, 450 questions |
Where they overlap
Both are Spark and Delta Lake data engineering: ingesting and transforming data, loading patterns, orchestrating pipelines, securing data, working with Git, and monitoring and tuning workloads. The concepts carry over; the tools and their names don't.
Where they differ
DP-750 is built around Unity Catalog: creating, securing, governing, loading and modeling Unity Catalog objects make up 61% of its practice questions.
DP-700 spans more Fabric items: streaming data with eventstreams and KQL makes up 12% of its practice questions, and Fabric workspace settings another 10%.
Which should you take first?
Take the one for the platform you use. Neither has a prerequisite. If you work with both, DP-700 first matches our Data Engineer career path, and its Spark, Delta and pipeline skills carry over to DP-750. Thinking about Databricks' own certification instead? See DP-750 vs Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate.
Questions people ask
Do I need DP-700 before DP-750?
No. Neither exam has a prerequisite exam, so you can take them in either order.
Is DP-750 the same as the Databricks Data Engineer Associate?
No. DP-750 is Microsoft's exam for Azure Databricks. The Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate is Databricks' own certification, with its own exam and renewal rules.
How long are the certifications valid?
Both are valid for one year. You renew them with a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn before they expire.
More answers in the full FAQ.
Practice in the real exam formats
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