Microsoft offers a variety of certifications for its 365 workload. These include Exchange, SharePoint and Skype for Business. These certifications are extremely popular. SharePoint has 190 million users in 200,000 organizations. Its popularity is only increasing. Investing in Microsoft 365 accreditations is a smart career move.
The Microsoft 365 Certified Enterprise Administrator Expert is the highest certification in the 365 cert path. To earn the Enterprise Admin Expert certification, you must have earned one of four Associate-level certificates and pass two additional exams. Find out if this certification is right for your needs by reading on.
What is the MS-101?
The MS-101 is also known as Exam MS-101: Microsoft 365 Security and Mobility. This exam is one of the two you must pass in order to earn the Microsoft 365 Certified Enterprise Administrative Expert certificate. The Windows creator does not require you to be an expert in all Microsoft 365 workloads. However, the Windows creator recommends that you have only been an administrator for one of these four areas.
This exam and the MS-100 exam validate your ability to plan, evaluate, migrate, deploy, manage, and manage Microsoft 365 services. This description covers a wide range of responsibilities, including security, compliance, and supporting technologies.
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Start trainingWhat is the MS-101 Test?
The MS-101 exam tests the general principles of “networking, server administration and IT fundamentals like DNS, Active Directory and PowerShell.” MS-101 also validates your ability to complete technical tasks in each of these three main categories. These technical tasks can be broken down into specific skill areas, which include:
Implementing Modern Device Services: 30-35 %
Microsoft 365 Security & Threat Management: 30-35%
Manage Microsoft 365 Governance and Compliance: 35-40%

The MS-101 exam is an entry-level exam. It tests the implementation, configuration, and management skills levels.
What is the MS-101 Exam Price?
You must first earn one of the four Associate-level certifications before you can take the MS-101 exam. Each exam costs $165 (USD). The MS-101 exam costs $165. To get the certification, however, you will need to pass the MS100 exam, which costs $165.
The final cost of the exams required to earn the Microsoft 365 Certified Enterprise Administrator Expert certification ranges from $495 to $660 depending on whether you take three to four exams.
What experience do you need for the MS-101 exam?
At least one year experience as an administrator in Microsoft 365 services is required. Before you can sit for MS-101, you will need to have earned one of the four prerequisite Associate-level certificates.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate
Microsoft 365 Certified Security Administrator Associate
Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate
Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate

In 2020, both MS-100 (and MS-101) were updated as well as the required certs. Previously, Microsoft 365 Certified Teamwork Administrator Associate and MCSE Productivity Solutions Expert accreditations were included on the list. However, these were removed by Microsoft as it shifted its focus to the 365 world.
The Microsoft 365 Certified Modern Desktop Administrator Associate cert requires you to pass two exams (MD-100 & MD-101). Microsoft 365 Certified Security Administrator Associate, Microsoft 365 Certified Messaging Administrator Associate, Microsoft 365 Certified Teams Administrator Associate and Microsoft 365 Certified Security Administrator Associate each require you to pass a single exam.
All four Microsoft 365 Certified Associate-level exams have the same exam parameters. The exam fee is $165.