1.5 Scheduling, Price, and Delivery Options
Key Takeaways
- Most candidates schedule SC-900 through Pearson VUE from their Microsoft Learn certification profile.
- Eligible students and educators can schedule through Certiport, often at an academic price.
- Exam price is set by the country or region where the exam is proctored; the U.S. list price is commonly $99.
- SC-900 can be delivered either at a Pearson VUE test center or as an online proctored exam from home or office.
Booking paths: Pearson VUE and Certiport
Scheduling is part of exam readiness because it fixes the environment you will test in. SC-900 is booked from your Microsoft Learn certification profile, which links to the delivery provider.
- Pearson VUE is the standard scheduling path for most candidates. You connect your Microsoft Learn profile to Pearson VUE, pick a delivery method (test center or online proctored), and book a slot.
- Certiport is available for eligible students and educators, typically through academic programs, often at a reduced academic price. Use this path only if your institution participates and you qualify.
| Scheduling item | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Main provider | Pearson VUE for most candidates, booked via Microsoft Learn |
| Student / educator path | Certiport, if eligible, frequently at academic pricing |
| Delivery options | Test center or online proctored (at home or office) |
| Price | Set by the country/region where the exam is proctored |
| U.S. list price | Commonly $99 USD; verify your regional price before booking |
Test center vs. online proctored delivery
The four skill areas are identical regardless of how you sit the exam, but the logistics differ. Plan for whichever you choose:
- Test center: arrive early with valid, government-issued photo ID; lockers hold personal items; the workstation and environment are managed for you. This suits candidates who want zero responsibility for the technical setup.
- Online proctored (OnVUE): you take the exam from a private, quiet room on your own computer. Microsoft and Pearson VUE require a system/compatibility check in advance, a working webcam and microphone, a stable internet connection, a clear desk, and you must check in by photographing your ID and workspace. No second monitor, no phones, no notes, and no one else in the room.
Run the OnVUE system test before exam day if you choose online delivery — a failed compatibility check on the day can cost you the appointment. Microsoft also offers an exam sandbox and accommodation requests (extra time, assistive devices, or a 30-minute language allowance) that should be arranged during scheduling, not on test day.
Pricing is regional, not a skills-measured fact
Exam price is based on the country or region where the exam is proctored, and currency, taxes, and academic discounts all vary. The U.S. list price is commonly $99, but treat that as one regional data point, not a universal figure. If a study source quotes a single global price, confirm the current amount on the official scheduling page for your region before you pay.
Importantly, pricing is not part of the SC-900 skills measured — you will not be quizzed on it. It matters only for real-world planning. When preparing a team, do not assume everyone shares one scheduling route or price: a university cohort may include Certiport-eligible students at academic rates, while corporate learners book through Pearson VUE at standard regional pricing.
Scheduling checklist
- Confirm whether Pearson VUE or Certiport applies to your status, and book from your Microsoft Learn profile.
- Choose test center or online proctored, and complete provider-specific ID and system checks ahead of time.
- Verify the price for your proctored region rather than assuming the U.S. $99 figure.
- Plan around the 45-minute exam duration inside the larger 65-minute seat duration, and request any accommodations during booking.
Online proctored (OnVUE) requirements in detail
Because online delivery is now the default choice for many candidates, it is worth knowing exactly what it demands. A failed environment or system check on exam day is the most common avoidable way to lose an appointment, and the rules are strict for a reason: the proctor must be confident you are testing alone with no aids.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| System check | Run the OnVUE compatibility test days in advance on the same machine and network you'll use |
| Hardware | Working webcam and microphone; a single monitor only (no dual displays) |
| Connection | Stable internet; wired or strong Wi-Fi; close VPNs and bandwidth-heavy apps |
| Identification | A valid, government-issued photo ID matching your registration name |
| Environment | A private, quiet room, clear desk, no phones, notes, headphones, food, or other people |
| Check-in | Photograph your ID and all four walls/desk; a proctor reviews before you start |
During the exam the proctor monitors you by webcam and audio. Looking away repeatedly, reading aloud, or anyone entering the room can pause or void the session. There are typically no scheduled breaks in a 45-minute Fundamentals exam, so handle water, restroom, and distractions before check-in.
Booking, rescheduling, and vouchers
A few operational facts smooth the path from registration to test day:
- Reschedule/cancel windows. Pearson VUE generally lets you reschedule or cancel without a fee if you act far enough ahead (commonly more than 24 hours before the appointment); short-notice changes may forfeit the fee. Confirm the exact window when you book.
- Exam vouchers and discounts. Employers, training partners, and Microsoft events sometimes provide vouchers; Microsoft has historically offered discounted or free Fundamentals exam opportunities through programs like Virtual Training Days. These reduce or eliminate the standard fee but do not change the exam itself.
- Microsoft Learn profile linkage. Connecting your certification profile to Microsoft Learn is what lets you schedule, reschedule, and later download your certificate and badge; do this before you try to book.
Don't confuse logistics with content
The orientation point to carry forward: scheduling, pricing, ID, and OnVUE rules are real-world logistics, not SC-900 exam content. You will not be quizzed on Pearson VUE policies or the $99 figure. The exam-relevant logistics that do shape how you study are timing (the 45-minute window), scoring (the 700 scaled cutoff), retakes, and the no-Microsoft-Learn rule. Sort out the booking once, then put your real preparation time back into the four skill domains.
Which provider is the standard scheduling path for SC-900 for most candidates?
Which candidates can schedule SC-900 through Certiport when eligible?
How should candidates treat the commonly cited U.S. SC-900 price of $99?