The MD-102 exam is an Associate-level exam with a typical price of US$165. Microsoft updates the English exam on October 27, 2026, with more changes than most of its peers.
Quick Answer
- • MD-102 exam cost: US$165 (typical Associate price); Microsoft prices exams by country or region
- • With one retake: about US$330, because every attempt is a full fee
- • Renewing the certification each year is free
- • Exam update: October 27, 2026 (English version)
What MD-102 costs
MD-102 leads to Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate. Microsoft's own exam FAQ says Associate and Expert exams typically cost US$165, priced according to currency values in specific countries and regions, and that additional taxes may apply.
| Scenario | Cost (United States) |
|---|---|
| One attempt, pass first time | US$165 |
| One failed attempt, then a pass | US$330 |
| Yearly renewal assessment | Free |
| Official Microsoft Learn training and practice assessment | Free |
For every other exam and country, see the full Microsoft exam cost guide.
Retake policy and the real cost of failing
Microsoft does not refund exams you do not pass or appointments you miss, and you pay for every retake. After a first failure you wait 24 hours, then 14 days between later attempts, and you cannot sit an exam more than five times in 12 months.
That makes a failed attempt the single biggest avoidable cost: it doubles your total to US$330. Timed practice before you book is cheaper than a retake.
The MD-102 exam update on October 27, 2026
Microsoft updates the English version of MD-102 on October 27, 2026. Microsoft lists minor changes across seven areas, including enrollment, Windows Autopilot and Windows 365 deployment, device configuration profiles, Intune Suite add-ons, remote actions, app deployment and endpoint health monitoring. The outline as of that date includes Security Copilot agents in Intune. Localized versions are updated roughly eight weeks after the English one.
| Skill area | 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% |
Because the minor changes touch many sections, compare your notes with the new outline before you book rather than assuming nothing moved. The Security Copilot agent bullets in the automation domain are worth a read.
The MSCertQuiz MD-102 question bank has already been updated to the new skills outline, so practice questions match what the updated exam measures.
What the MD-102 exam tests
The fee buys one attempt at a 700-out-of-1000 pass mark across these skill areas, taken from the Microsoft Learn study guide. Knowing the weighting helps you decide where an extra week of study pays off.
Prepare infrastructure for devices (20–25%)
Joining and registering devices in Microsoft Entra ID, enrolling Windows, Apple and Android devices in Microsoft Intune (including Apple Business Manager and Samsung Knox), scope tags, multi-admin approval, compliance policies, Windows LAPS and Conditional Access compliance requirements.
Manage and maintain devices (25–30%)
Windows Autopilot profiles and device preparation policies, Windows 365 Cloud PCs, device configuration profiles for each platform, Intune Suite add-ons such as Endpoint Privilege Management, Remote Help and Cloud PKI, and remote actions such as wipe, retire and rotating BitLocker keys.
Protect devices (15–20%)
Intune antivirus, disk encryption, firewall and attack surface reduction policies, security baselines, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint integration, App Control for Business, and update management with update rings, Windows Autopatch and Hotpatch.
Manage and secure applications (15–20%)
Deploying Win32, line-of-business, Microsoft Store and Microsoft 365 Apps with Intune, store-based apps through Apple Business Manager and Managed Google Play, and app protection and app configuration policies.
Optimize endpoint operations (10–15%)
Automating Intune with PowerShell and Microsoft Graph, working with Security Copilot agents in Intune, Endpoint Analytics, remediation scripts, reporting and alerts for compliance drift and enrollment failures.
Total cost to get certified
The exam fee is the main cost, but it is rarely the only one. Here is a realistic range in United States dollars, using the figures above and MSCertQuiz practice at US$19.99 for one certification.
| Plan | Total |
|---|---|
| Exam fee, pass first time | US$165.00 |
| Exam fee plus MSCertQuiz practice (one certification) | US$184.99 |
| One retake plus practice | US$349.99 |
Microsoft Learn training, the official practice assessment and the exam sandbox are free, so the only required spend is the exam fee. Paid practice is optional, and its value is in catching weak areas before you pay for an attempt that you may need to repeat.
Is the MD-102 exam worth the cost?
Microsoft describes the MD-102 candidate as someone with subject matter expertise managing devices and client applications in a Microsoft 365 tenant using Intune. Device management is a daily task for most IT support and endpoint teams, so the exam maps closely to real work. The wide scope is why the fee is easiest to justify for people who already touch Intune and Autopilot.
After MD-102, many administrators compare it with MS-102 for broader Microsoft 365 administration.
A study plan that protects your fee
A planning guide, not an official Microsoft schedule: adjust it to your experience and the hours you can give each week.
- Week 1: Entra join and registration, Intune enrollment for Windows, iOS, macOS and Android.
- Week 2: Autopilot, configuration profiles, compliance policies and Conditional Access.
- Week 3: endpoint security, update rings, Autopatch, and Defender for Endpoint integration.
- Week 4: app deployment, app protection, automation and Endpoint Analytics, then timed practice questions.
Book the exam only when your timed practice scores are consistently above the 700 pass mark, not on the first good day.
How to spend less on MD-102
- • Use the free Microsoft Learn learning paths and the official practice assessment first.
- • Check Microsoft offers and student pricing and employer vouchers before paying full price.
- • Sit timed, exam-style practice until you pass consistently, so you only pay the fee once.
- • Reschedule at least 24 hours ahead, because missed appointments forfeit the fee.
Next steps: the MD-102 study guide, free MD-102 practice questions, whether MD-102 is worth it, or the MD-102 exam page.
Practice MD-102 with exam-style questions
40 free questions with explanations and Microsoft Learn references. No credit card required.
Start Free MD-102 Practice →Frequently asked questions
How much does the MD-102 exam cost?
Microsoft says Associate and Expert exams typically cost US$165, priced by country or region. MD-102 is an Associate exam, so US$165 is the typical figure in the United States. Taxes may apply and the fee is subject to change.
How much is an MD-102 retake?
A retake is another full exam fee, so one failed attempt followed by a pass costs about US$330 in the United States. Microsoft requires a 24-hour wait after the first failure and 14 days between later attempts, with a maximum of five attempts in 12 months. There are no refunds for failed or missed exams.
Does the MD-102 update on October 27, 2026 change the price?
Microsoft change log for the update covers the skills measured and does not mention a price change. Fees are set per country or region and can change, so confirm the amount when you schedule.
What is new in MD-102 from October 27, 2026?
Microsoft marks minor changes in seven areas. The outline as of that date includes reviewing Security Copilot agent recommendations in Intune, device queries with KQL, Windows Backup, Hotpatch policies and Intune Suite add-ons. Read the full outline on Microsoft Learn before you book.
Does MD-102 renewal cost anything?
No. Associate certifications expire after 12 months, and Microsoft lets you renew by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn within the renewal window, so only the first exam attempt carries a fee.
Is there a cheaper way to prepare for MD-102?
Yes. Microsoft Learn content and the official practice assessment are free. MSCertQuiz adds exam-style practice questions at US$19.99 per certification or US$14.99 per month for all certifications, which costs less than a single retake.