MCSA: BI Reporting Certification Has Been Retired

This certification has been replaced by Microsoft with new certification(s).

Certification Details

Learn About the Microsoft MCSA: BI Reporting Certification

MCSA: BI Reporting is one of the most sought-after certificates provided by Microsoft, a leader in technology and innovation that creates, licenses, and sells a wide range of software, services, and electronics. Their comprehensive IT certification program is based on job roles and technology, and associate-level options have gained recognition for the benefits they come with.

Who Is the Microsoft MCSA: BI Reporting Certification Intended for?

This certificate is designed for data analysts, Business Intelligence (BI) professionals, and specialists in positions that require skills in analyzing data using Microsoft Excel or the ability to make reports with the help of Power BI. This MCSA certification is also aimed at individuals who are able to interpret and change data in software such as PivotCharts & PowerPivot, those who are excellent at interpreting information in Microsoft Excel, and employees capable of establishing direct connections with SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) and Microsoft SQL Azure.

What Are the Microsoft MCSA: BI Reporting Certification Exams?

There are two tests involved in this certification path. The first one is 70-778 that covers visualizing and analyzing data with the help of Microsoft Power BI. This exam assesses whether candidates can deploy Power BI to carry out data evaluations. It also checks how good applicants are at establishing connections with stores of data so they can display, structure, and change that data with the help of Power BI Desktop. They also have to understand how to set up data dashboards using Power BI.

The second exam needed is 70-779 that focuses on the use of Microsoft Excel for visualizing and analyzing data. For this test, students have to show they are apt at carrying out data evaluations using Excel as well as have right capabilities when it comes to understanding, altering, structuring, and presenting data with this tool. Furthermore, they should be able to tweak data effortlessly in PivotTables.

Each exam will contain from 40 to 60 questions and will require $165 to register. The bonus is that once a candidate passes these two tests and gets awarded Microsoft MCSA: BI Reporting, they can be sure this certificate does not expire so there is no need to renew it. Furthermore, it will act as a necessary prerequisite if a student wishes to pursue the expert-level MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification in the future.

Topics Tested in Exam 70-778

  • Consuming and Changing Data with the Help of Power BI Desktop — for this section, students will have to show they can connect to sources of data, which includes pulling information from Excel, accessing folders & databases, and establishing links to SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) & SQL Azure. Candidates will also have to demonstrate their ability to change data from one form of representation to another, work with incomplete data, and ensure the quality of the data is suitable.
  • Systematically Structuring and Representing Data — for this domain, students have to demonstrate they can improve data models so they are fit for inclusion in reports and are able to use Power Query properly. Also, the involved questions assess one’s skills needed to insert data in places manually, tweak configurations, use mathematical formulas to calculate tables & columns, incorporate KPIs to estimate data performance, produce hierarchies according to organizational requirements, differentiate between types of visual displays, manage sections in reports that have no available data, and lastly, facilitate dynamic methods of reporting by allowing program developers to transmit reports through applications.
  • Using the Power BI Service to Tweak Applications, Dashboards, and Reports — to tackle this domain, candidates will have to know how to make use of data gateways to access on-premises intel, customize the URLs & text of a dashboard, distribute records to Microsoft SharePoint, set access restrictions on dashboards, and lastly, inject records and dashboards into different applications.

Topics Tested in Exam 70-779

  • Incorporating MS Excel to Use and Alter Data — here candidates have to withdraw intel from folders & databases, access Power Query & Big Data, import files that the software can open, withdraw information from workbooks in MS Excel, sort relevant data and appropriately present them, make major & minor transformations of data in accordance with the company’s standards, and cut off irrelevant information when dealing with reports.
  • Create and Structure Data — this domain assesses the student’s ability to understand how different types of data interlink with other types, carry out the Get & Transform tactic, make manual & automated associations between data, incorporate DAX equations & queries, produce formulas in MS Excel, contrast between the targeted and actual values for the data at hand, produce a hierarchy for business & dates, and finally, find solutions to problems in a hierarchy.
  • Represent Data in Graphical Forms — for this final section, candidates will have to make use of PivotCharts & PivotTables, segregate or group data, do calculations to find measures in the graphs, report information in the form of a summary, select the right charts according to the purpose, withdraw MS Excel info stored in Power BI, and lastly, tweak & edit MS Excel info using Power BI.

What Career Opportunities Are Available for Certified Professionals?

Those who hold the MCSA: BI Reporting certificate can follow career paths such as:

  • Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Senior Financial Analyst
  • Senior Business Analyst
  • Project Manager

Moreover, each of these job roles come with high pay. According to PayScale, the average yearly salary of a Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst is $69k while that of a Data Analyst is $61k. The annual income of a Financial Analyst can be as high as $82k and that of a Senior Financial Analyst can reach peaks of $102k. The average earnings per annum of a Senior Business Analyst is $86k. Finally, Project Managers can make anywhere between $61k– $133k a year. If you were still indecisive about pursuing the Microsoft MCSA: BI Reporting certificate, then these high monetary figures will definitely erase all doubt and help you make the right decision.