PL-300 Course
Course Curriculum
8 live sessions · 24 hours of instruction · Delivered by a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Every session maps directly to the PL-300 exam objectives.
How the PL-300 Exam is Weighted
The curriculum is structured to match Microsoft's official exam skill breakdown. Heavier domains get more session time.
Session 1: Preparing Data
Prepare the data (15–20% of exam)
Learn how to connect Power BI to the data sources you'll encounter on the job and in the exam — from Excel files and SQL Server to SharePoint, APIs, and cloud services. Understand the architectural decisions that affect report performance.
Learning Outcomes
- Connect to diverse data sources: SQL Server, Excel, CSV, web, SharePoint, and cloud connectors
- Evaluate and select storage modes: Import, DirectQuery, and Dual
- Configure data source credentials and privacy levels
- Identify when query folding occurs and why it matters for refresh speed
- Understand the difference between flat files and relational sources
- Use parameters to make queries dynamic and reusable
Session 2: Cleaning & Shaping Data
Prepare the data (15–20% of exam)
Raw data is rarely ready to use. In this session you master Power Query — the transformation engine inside Power BI — to clean, reshape, and combine data so your model is accurate and maintainable.
Learning Outcomes
- Merge and append queries to combine data from multiple sources
- Unpivot, pivot, and split columns for proper tabular structure
- Handle nulls, errors, duplicates, and data type mismatches
- Create and manage query parameters for dynamic data sources
- Profile data to catch anomalies before loading into the model
- Apply best practices for query organization and documentation
Session 3: Data Modeling
Model the data (30–35% of exam)
Data modeling is the highest-weighted section of the PL-300 exam. This session builds your understanding of the star schema — the gold standard for Power BI models — and the relationship settings that control how filters flow between tables.
Learning Outcomes
- Design and implement star schemas with fact and dimension tables
- Define table relationships: cardinality (1:*, *:*), cross-filter direction
- Build and configure date tables for time intelligence
- Handle role-playing dimensions (e.g., multiple date fields on one fact table)
- Use calculated columns vs. measures — and when to use which
- Apply model-level best practices for scalability and maintenance
Session 4: DAX Deep Dive
Model the data (30–35% of exam)
DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is the formula language of Power BI. This session demystifies the concepts that trip up most exam candidates: filter context, row context, and context transition. You'll write real measures and learn to debug them.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand filter context, row context, and context transition
- Write CALCULATE to modify filter context
- Use FILTER, ALL, ALLEXCEPT, and RELATED in complex measures
- Build iterator functions: SUMX, AVERAGEX, MAXX, RANKX
- Create time intelligence measures: YTD, MTD, prior year comparisons, rolling averages
- Debug DAX using the Performance Analyzer and DAX Studio
Session 5: Visualizations
Visualize and analyze the data (25–30% of exam)
Great data tells a story — but only if you choose the right visual. This session covers when to use each chart type, how to format visuals for clarity and accessibility, and the Power BI features that let you deliver insight rather than noise.
Learning Outcomes
- Choose the right visual type for the data story and audience
- Apply conditional formatting, reference lines, and error bars
- Use the Analytics pane (trend lines, forecast, min/max)
- Build custom tooltips and report page tooltips
- Implement drillthrough pages and cross-report drillthrough
- Design accessible reports: alt text, tab order, high-contrast themes
Session 6: Interactive Reports
Visualize and analyze the data (25–30% of exam)
Power BI's interactivity features turn static reports into self-service tools. You'll learn bookmarks, buttons, slicers, and navigation patterns that make reports intuitive for any user — including mobile users.
Learning Outcomes
- Design multi-page report layouts with button-based navigation
- Implement slicers, sync slicers, and cross-filtering between visuals
- Use bookmarks, buttons, and the Selection pane for show/hide interactions
- Build mobile-optimized report layouts for Power BI Mobile
- Apply field parameters to let users switch measures and dimensions
- Control visual interactions to prevent unintended cross-filtering
Session 7: Dashboards & Distribution
Deploy and maintain assets (10–15% of exam)
Publishing a report is only the beginning. This session covers the Power BI Service: workspaces, apps, scheduled refresh, Row-Level Security, and the governance features that enterprise teams rely on.
Learning Outcomes
- Publish reports to the Power BI Service and manage workspaces
- Create Power BI apps and configure audience-based content distribution
- Pin visuals to dashboards and configure data alerts
- Set up scheduled refresh with and without an on-premises gateway
- Implement Row-Level Security (RLS) — static and dynamic
- Manage workspace roles and permissions for team collaboration
Session 8: Exam Prep & Review
All exam domains
The final session is dedicated to getting you across the finish line. We walk through the exam format, tackle practice questions together, review the most commonly missed topics, and build a personalized study plan for your exam date.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the PL-300 exam format: question types, case studies, and scoring
- Work through exam-style scenario questions with instructor guidance
- Review the most commonly tested and most commonly missed topics
- Identify your personal knowledge gaps and build a targeted study plan
- Learn strategies for approaching case-study questions under time pressure
- Leave with your exam voucher activated and a booking plan
24 hours. 8 sessions. One certification.
Exam voucher included. Taught live by a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Next cohort registrations now open.