Exam PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate Certification Bootcamp

Instructor: Ashraf Ghonaim · Language: English or Arabic · Suggested duration: 3–4 days · Level: Intermediate Certification Track (Level 200–300)

Official exam: PL-300 (Designing and Implementing Enterprise-Scale Analytics Solutions Using Microsoft Power BI)

Objectives

• Master every technical skill measured across all four domains of the official Microsoft PL-300 exam.
• Connect, profile, clean, and shape complex data sources using Power Query and M parameters.
• Architect optimized Star Schema semantic models, configure RLS/OLS, and write advanced DAX measures and time intelligence.
• Design interactive, accessible reports with AI visuals and manage workspaces, apps, and refresh governance in the Power BI Service.
• Practice with timed mock exams, multi-requirement case studies, and DAX/modelling exam scenario drills.

Outline and contents (Mapped to Official Microsoft PL-300 Exam Domains)

1. Domain 1: Prepare the Data (25–30%)
   • Connecting to relational databases, shared semantic models, files, folders, and Dataverse; configuring storage modes (Import, DirectQuery, Dual) and parameters
   • Profiling data (Column quality, distribution, profile) and resolving data anomalies, null values, and import errors
   • Cleaning, transforming, merging, appending, unpivoting, and grouping queries in Power Query Editor
   • Preserving Query Folding, configuring data source credentials, and privacy levels
2. Domain 2: Model the Data (25–30%)
   • Designing a Star Schema: fact tables, dimension tables, cardinality (1:, *:), cross-filter direction, and bridge tables
   • Creating a common Date table, role-playing dimensions (USERELATIONSHIP), hierarchies, display folders, and sorting columns
   • Writing DAX measures, calculated columns, and calculated tables (CALCULATE, FILTER, ALL, ALLEXCEPT, iterators, Semi-Additive measures, and Time Intelligence)
   • Implementing Calculation Groups, Field Parameters, Dynamic Format Strings, andVisual Calculations
   • Optimizing model performance using Performance Analyzer, DAX Query View, and reducing cardinality
3. Domain 3: Visualize and Analyze the Data (25–30%)
   • Selecting and formatting visuals, small multiples, custom tooltips, bookmarks, drill-through, and conditional formatting
   • Designing for accessibility (Tab order, Alt text, color contrast) and Power BI Mobile layouts
   • Enhancing reports with AI visuals (Key Influencers, Decomposition Tree, Q&A, Anomaly Detection, Smart Narrative)
   • Configuring reference lines, error bars, forecasting, clustering, and grouping/binning
4. Domain 4: Manage and Secure Power BI (15–20%)
   • Creating and configuring Workspaces, Workspace roles (Admin, Member, Contributor, Viewer), and Power BI Apps (Audience views)
   • Applying sensitivity labels, endorsements (Promoted vs. Certified), and monitoring lineage/impact analysis
   • Configuring Row-Level Security (Static RLS and Dynamic RLS with USERPRINCIPALNAME()) and assigning security groups in the Service
   • Configuring On-Premises / VNet Data Gateways, scheduled refresh, and Subscriptions/Alerts
5. PL-300 Exam Readiness & Mock Exam Clinic (Led by Ashraf Ghonaim)
   • Dissecting PL-300 case study questions, drag-and-drop DAX completion items, and Yes/No scenario series
   • Full-length timed practice exam simulation and question-by-question debrief

Target audience

Data analysts, BI developers, Excel analysts, and reporting professionals seeking to pass the Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300) exam.

Expected outcomes

Participants gain complete mastery of the PL-300 syllabus, complete all official hands-on lab scenarios, and leave ready to pass the PL-300 certification exam on their first attempt.