People often ask what I do for a living. When I tell them, “I design Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations solutions for large enterprises,” they usually respond with a blank, uncomfortable stare and quickly change the subject. Sometimes, though rare, some gem of a person will look me straight in the eyes and say, “That sounds cool! How can I do that?” To which I excitedly respond: The Dynamics 365 fundamentals (ERP) certification!
The Dynamics 365 fundamentals (ERP) certification is a great first step for anyone new to Microsoft Dynamics for Finance and Operations (F&O). The MB-920 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP) exam measures a candidate’s understanding of the fundamental features and functions of the Dynamics 365 F&O applications, integration, and reporting capabilities. In this post, I’ll explain who should take the MB-920 exam, skills measured, and how to prepare for the MB-920 exam.
Who Should Take the MB-920 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP) Exam
Students looking to start their careers can benefit greatly from the Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP) certification. This certification is also beneficial for anyone seeking a career change, no matter what point they are in their career. As I mentioned, the MB-920 exam measures fundamental knowledge of the Dynamics 365 F&O apps. This certification may not be suitable for a mid-career level Dynamics professional. However, I can see some benefit for consultants or business users who may have deep knowledge in one or two areas of Dynamics 365 and would like to expand their breadth of expertise.
Finally, industry professionals migrating to Microsoft Dynamics 365 could benefit from studying the learning paths associated with the MB-920 exam that are relevant to their career. These learning paths are excellent introductions to the fundamentals of Dynamics 365 for F&O apps, and many include short labs for hands-on practice.
Skills Measured
As of this publication date, the MB-920 exam measures the following skills:
- Describe Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (20–25%)
- Describe Dynamics 365 Finance (20–25%)
- Describe Dynamics 365 Commerce (10–15%)
- Describe Dynamics 365 Human Resources (10–15%)
- Describe Dynamics 365 Project Operations (10–15%)
- Describe the finance and operations core functionality (15–20%)
How to Prepare for the MB-920 Exam
Microsoft Learn offers a great set of self-paced learning paths to support the MB-920 exam. I have spoken with several people who have passed the MB-920 exam using the self-paced option. Each module also includes additional resources that dig deeper into their respective topics.
Microsoft also offers a virtual or in-person instructor led courses that include lectures and hands-on labs to help students prepare for the MB-920 exam. I have not spoken with anyone who has attended one of these courses, so I cannot add much detail here.
Whether you take the self-paced or instructor led path, I recommend starting by studying all the learning paths in the MB-920 collection. This will give you a strong foundation for the MB-920 exam. These learning paths, however, may not be enough on their own. Be sure to explore the additional resources at the end of each module to gain deeper understanding of the areas where you feel less confident.
Once you’ve completed all the learning paths, take a free practice assessment offered by Microsoft. Microsoft Learn provides a breakdown of your performance in each of the skills measured on the exam and provides a list of recommended resources to expand your knowledge. Use this to focus on the more challenging areas. You can take the practice assessments as many times as you would like, and not all questions are repeated on each attempt. Microsoft recommends passing with a score of 80% or higher several times before you sit for the MB-920 exam.
Certification candidates should have a basic understanding of financial principles and business operations. As I mentioned above, nearly half of the MB-920 exam focuses on Supply Chain Management and Finance. If you do not have a fundamental understanding of these principles, I recommend you start by understanding the basics of finance and supply chain operations. Finance concepts such as ledgers, accounts payable and receivable, and expense management are necessary before studying for the MB-920 exam. If you are unfamiliar with these concepts, I recommend doing some background study before beginning the Microsoft Learn courses.
Depending on your prior knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics F&O, business processes, and accounting concepts, expect to spend about 20 hours studying for the MB-920 exam. Seasoned professionals may be able to pass the MB-920 exam in much less time, while it may take even longer for someone without a strong business and finance background.
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