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PL-300 — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst

The certification for turning data into insight with Power BI — preparing, modelling, visualising and sharing data so organisations can make better decisions. For analysts and anyone working with business data.

Enrol Now — £295
Duration
4–8 weeks
Format
100% online
Prerequisites
None needed
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300)?

Microsoft’s associate-level certification proving you can prepare, model, visualise and share data with Power BI.

The certification explained

The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300) is an associate-level certification for people who turn raw data into clear, actionable insight using Power BI. It proves you can prepare and clean data, model it, build visualisations and reports, and share assets securely across an organisation.

It suits data analysts, business analysts and anyone who works with business data day to day — including Excel users moving into Power BI. The focus is practical: connecting to data sources, shaping data with Power Query, modelling relationships and DAX, then designing dashboards that help people make better decisions.

There’s no formal prerequisite, so you can enrol whatever your starting point. Some familiarity with data helps, and the Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) certification makes a good precursor if you’re newer to working with data.

PL-300
Microsoft certification — for data analysts using Power BI
Associate
level — a role-based credential, not entry-level fundamentals
Power BI
focus — prepare, model, visualise and share data
Microsoft
awarding body — a globally recognised analytics platform

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

PL-300 suits anyone who works with business data and wants to turn it into clear, shareable insight with Power BI.

Data Analysts

Make Power BI your core analytics tool and validate your skills with a recognised Microsoft credential.

Business Analysts Working with Data

Turn the numbers behind your work into reports and dashboards that drive decisions.

Report & BI Developers

Build, model and deploy Power BI reports and dashboards to a professional standard.

Finance & Operations Staff

Report on performance, budgets and operations with live, interactive dashboards.

Excel Users Moving to Power BI

Take your spreadsheet skills further with proper data models, DAX and shareable reports.

Those Targeting Senior Data Roles

Add a recognised analytics credential as you move toward senior analyst and BI lead positions.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 8 modules built around the four PL-300 skill areas — preparing the data, modelling the data, visualising and analysing the data, and deploying and maintaining assets — plus exam prep. Clear lessons with demonstrations throughout.

Introduction to Power BI & Data Analytics
The role of a data analyst · The Power BI ecosystem (Desktop & Service) · How the PL-300 exam works
~1 hr
Preparing & Cleaning Data (Power Query)
Connecting to data sources · Shaping and transforming data · Cleaning and profiling with Power Query
~2 hrs
Modelling Data (Relationships & DAX)
Building a data model · Relationships and cardinality · Calculated columns and measures with DAX
~2 hrs
Creating Visualisations & Reports
Choosing the right visuals · Designing effective report pages · Formatting and accessibility
~2 hrs
Analysing & Interpreting Data
Filtering, slicing and drill-through · Identifying trends and outliers · Using AI visuals and Q&A
~2 hrs
Building Dashboards
Pinning visuals and tiles · Designing dashboards in the Power BI Service · Mobile-friendly layouts
~1 hr
Deploying, Sharing & Securing Assets
Workspaces and apps · Sharing and managing access · Row-level security and refresh schedules
~1 hr
Exam Preparation & Practice
Practice questions · Weak-area review · Exam-day readiness
~1 hr

What the course covers

Connecting to data sources

Shaping & cleaning with Power Query

Profiling & transforming data

Building a data model

Relationships & cardinality

Measures & DAX

Choosing the right visuals

Designing report pages

Filtering, slicing & drill-through

Identifying trends & outliers

AI visuals & Q&A

Building dashboards

Workspaces & apps

Sharing & managing access

Row-level security

Refresh schedules & maintenance

Practice questions

Exam-day readiness

What’s included

Everything You Need to Succeed

Each course includes the materials, hands-on practice, and support you need to learn the skills properly and walk into the exam ready.

12 Months Course Access

Full access to all course materials and labs for 12 months. Study on any device, online 24/7. Never lose your progress.

Built-In AI Tutor

An AI-powered tutor built right into your course — ask it anything, any time, and get clear, instant explanations of tricky topics 24/7.

Meet your AI tutor →

Hands-On Practice & Labs

Guided hands-on labs and practice questions modelled on the PL-300 exam, so you build real familiarity with Power BI and walk in knowing what to expect.

Account Manager Support

A dedicated account manager to keep you on track, answer your questions, and help you arrange your exam when you’re ready.

Help when you need it →

Certificate & Digital Badge

Complete the course and you’ll receive a Career Smarter certificate of completion and a shareable digital badge for your LinkedIn and CV. The official Microsoft PL-300 certification itself comes from passing the exam.

Shareable & verifiable →

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not the right course? If you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling, we’ll refund you — no fuss.

Risk-free enrolment →

Want your certification sorted in one go? You can add your official Microsoft PL-300 exam at checkout — sat online or at a Pearson VUE test centre when you’re ready.

In practice

Power BI in the Real World

Organisations run on data now. See where Power BI skills make a difference.

Preparing the Data

Turning messy data into a clean model

Connecting to spreadsheets, databases and online services, then shaping and cleaning that data with Power Query before modelling relationships and measures. PL-300 gives you the skills to build a reliable foundation under every report.

Power BI in action Cleaning and modelling sales data once means every dashboard built on it stays accurate and consistent.

Building Reports

Designing reports people actually use

Choosing the right visuals, laying out clear report pages, and adding filters, slicers and drill-through so people can explore the numbers themselves. PL-300 means you can present data so the insight is obvious.

Power BI in action A well-designed report lets a finance team spot a budget overspend at a glance instead of digging through spreadsheets.

Sharing & Security

Getting insight to the right people, safely

Publishing to workspaces and apps, scheduling refreshes, and using row-level security so each person sees only the data they should. PL-300 gives you the grounding to share reports across an organisation with confidence.

Power BI in action Row-level security lets one regional sales dashboard serve every manager — each seeing only their own territory.

Exam details

About the Microsoft PL-300 Exam

PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst is a single exam, sat through Pearson VUE — online with a remote proctor, or at a test centre. It’s an optional add-on here: add your official Microsoft exam at checkout, and we’ll provide everything you need to book it when you’re ready. The exam covers four skill areas: preparing the data, modelling the data, visualising and analysing the data, and deploying and maintaining assets.

Exam
PL-300
Questions
40–60
Format
MC, case studies & labs
Pass mark
700 / 1000
Prerequisites
None
Exam
Optional add-on

What to Expect on Exam Day

The PL-300 exam is booked and sat through Pearson VUE. You can take it online with a remote proctor, or at a local test centre — whenever you’re ready.

Booking

When you add the exam and feel ready, your account manager helps you get set up and book through Pearson VUE — online or at a test centre near you.

Equipment required

For online testing you need a laptop or desktop (not a mobile or tablet), a working webcam and microphone, a quiet private room, and a stable internet connection.

On the day

You have around 100 minutes and roughly 40 to 60 questions, in a mix of formats — multiple choice along with case studies and hands-on labs.

Results

You get your score on a 1–1000 scale as soon as you finish. Score 700 or above and you’ve passed — you’ll be Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate.

Rescheduling

If something comes up, you can reschedule through Pearson VUE up to 24 hours before your exam. Your account manager can help if you’re not sure how.

Student reviews

What Our Students Say

4.8

1,247 verified reviews

The majority of students pass first time, based on an internal student survey conducted in May 2026.

5★
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3★
5%
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trustpilot
BEN Carter
Very approachable team to talk to set you up on your courses and a quick response to get you started soon as possible. Sandy was very helpful for me and setting me up for my course. Thank you
...
trustpilot
an iFi Audio Zen DAC
Highly recommend Career Smarter! Account manager Lanie is very responsive and always willing to help.
...
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Moby
I was looking for an AgilePM foundation course and found Career Smarter (thorough the Reed website), I requested information and received a prompt and helpful response from Lanie detailing the different options and prices etc. Lanie followed up a few days later but there was no sense of feeling pressured, nor any phone calls, just email and WhatsApp messages, giving me the time to consider the options and compare with others. I’ve now booked my course (which was easy, the website is good) which as it happens is also less expensive than other offers, and I’m encouraged by the other very positive reviews of this company.
Thank you Lanie, we haven’t spoken yet but I haven’t forgotten that you are on hand if I need further assistance.
...

Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

PL-300 takes you from a data background into recognised Power BI and data analyst roles. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

Data / analyst background

PL-300

£35k–£48k avg.

You are here

Power BI / Data Analyst

£42k–£58k avg.

Senior Data Analyst

£55k–£72k avg.

Analytics Lead / BI Manager

£70k–£92k avg.

Data & analytics skills are among the most sought-after in business
Power BI is one of the leading analytics platforms used by organisations worldwide

Recommended next certifications

→ Start here

DP-900 Azure Data Fundamentals

A great precursor — the core data concepts behind PL-300.

FundamentalsLearn more →
 → Broaden out

PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals

See where Power BI fits in the wider Power Platform.

FundamentalsLearn more →
 → Add cloud basics

AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals

Understand the cloud platform your data and reports run on.

FundamentalsLearn more →
 → Browse more

Microsoft Courses

Explore more role-based Microsoft certifications to take next.

View allLearn more →

Go further for less

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Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course, no hidden extras. Add your exam voucher at checkout when you’re ready.

Course only — right for you if…

You want to study first and buy your exam voucher later, or you already have a way to fund the exam (for example through an employer).

Course & exam — right for you if…

You want everything sorted in one go. Choose the Include Exam option below to add your official Microsoft PL-300 exam alongside your course.

PL-300 — Sale Price

£395 £295 inc. VAT Save £100

Everything you need to prepare for the PL-300 exam. Add your official Microsoft exam at checkout when you’re ready.

12 Months Course Access
Study anytime, on any device, 24/7
Built-In AI Tutor
24/7 AI help while you study
Hands-On Practice & Labs
Build real familiarity with Power BI
Official Exam
Optional — add at checkout, sat via Pearson VUE
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Change your mind, get a refund
Certificate & Digital Badge
On course completion — shareable & verifiable

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

Pay Monthly

From £18.75/month

CAREER SMARTER LTD is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Social Money Limited t/a Payl8r who is authorised by the FCA under Ref. Number 675283. Credit is subject to creditworthiness and affordability assessments. Missed payments may affect your credit file, future borrowing and incur fees. Representative Example: £440.00 over 12 months at 2.50% fixed per month. Rep APR 65.5%. Monthly: £47.67. Total repayable: £572.04. 0% interest rate applies only where the loan is repaid in full within 3 months.

Team & Corporate

Bulk discounts available

Training 3 or more employees? Get volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and custom reporting.

Talk to Our Team

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you enrol.

What is PL-300 / Power BI Data Analyst?

PL-300 leads to Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate — Microsoft's associate-level certification for people who work with data in Power BI. It proves you can prepare and clean data, model it, build visualisations and reports, and deploy and secure those assets across an organisation.

How long does the course take?

Most learners complete PL-300 in a few weeks alongside other commitments. There's no time limit: you have 12 months' access, so you can study at whatever pace suits you.

Is the exam included?

The course doesn't include the exam by default — it's an optional add-on. Choose Include Exam at checkout to add your official Microsoft PL-300 exam, or buy the course now and add it later when you're ready. You book and sit the exam through Pearson VUE, online with a proctor or at a test centre.

Do I need any prior experience?

No. There's no formal prerequisite for PL-300, so you can enrol whatever your starting point. Some familiarity with data helps, and the Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) certification makes a good precursor if you're newer to working with data.

Who is this course for?

Anyone who works with business data — data and business analysts, report and BI developers, finance and operations staff, Excel users moving to Power BI, and anyone targeting senior data roles. It's a role-based credential that proves practical Power BI skills.

How does finance at checkout work?

At checkout you can choose flexible finance options to spread the cost. You'll gain immediate full access to all course materials as soon as your first payment is confirmed.

Start Today

Start your data
career today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around Microsoft’s associate-level Power BI Data Analyst certification.

£295inc. VAT

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

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Microsoft Certified
Associate level
Built-in AI tutor
12 months access