Validates skills in preparing, modeling and visualizing data with Power BI, and managing and securing reports and models.
A good PL-300 course teaches Power Query, DAX, data modeling and report building across the four PL-300 skill areas, with real hands-on practice. We compared the options on depth, format, currency and price.
Most people should start with Microsoft's free PL-300 learning paths and add a Udemy course: Phillip Burton's if you are new to Power BI, or Nikolai Schuler's for a faster, exam-focused pass. Choose Microsoft's Coursera certificate for a paced program and a 50% exam discount.
| Course | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Microsoft Learn: PL-300 course | Free official course | Interactive | Free |
 PL-300 certification prep: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst | New to Power BI | Video | $130 |
| PL-300 | DA-100 Microsoft Power BI Certification - Exam Prep | Faster exam review | Video | $95 |
The official learning paths for preparing, modeling, visualizing and managing data in Power BI, with exercises. Training partners also teach the same material as a class.
Great fit if you want the official syllabus at no cost
Poor fit if you learn best from video; choose Burton's or Schuler's course
A 30-hour hands-on video course that teaches Power BI Desktop from scratch, covering Power Query, DAX, modeling, reports and the Power BI service across the four PL-300 skill areas. It includes two practice tests and is updated for the April 2026 outline.
Great fit if you are new to Power BI and want to learn the tool before the exam
Poor fit if you already use Power BI daily and want a short review; choose Schuler's 9-hour course
About 9 hours of video across the four PL-300 skill areas, with sample questions and a full practice exam. Nikolai Schuler updated it in October 2026.
Great fit if you want a short, exam-focused video course
Poor fit if you are new to Power BI; choose Burton's course
Microsoft's own eight-course program, about five months at 10 hours a week, from Excel data preparation through Power BI modeling, DAX and reports. It ends with a capstone project and a PL-300-style mock exam, and finishers get a 50% exam voucher.
Great fit if you are new to data analysis and want a paced program with a certificate and an exam discount
Poor fit if you need exam prep in a few weeks; use the Microsoft Learn paths or a short Udemy course
For most people, Microsoft's free learning paths plus a Udemy course: Burton's if you are new to Power BI, Schuler's if you already use it.
Yes. Microsoft Learn's free paths cover the exam skills. Add a video course if you prefer video and a practice test set to check you are ready.
The video courses here run from 9 to 30 hours. Plan for about 60 hours of preparation in total, including building your own report.
No, but Microsoft expects you to be proficient with Power Query and DAX by exam day, so choose a course that teaches both.