Microsoft · Exam reference
About the Microsoft SC-200 exam
Microsoft SC-200: Security Operations Analyst validates the skills to monitor, investigate, and respond to threats using Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud. Candidates perform triage, incident response, and threat hunting with KQL across multi-cloud and on-premises environments.
10
Sample questions
100 min
Exam time limit
70%
Practice pass mark
$165
Exam voucher
The Microsoft SC-200: Security Operations Analyst exam certifies the skills of a security operations analyst who reduces organizational risk by performing triage, responding to incidents, hunting for threats, and engineering detections. Candidates monitor, identify, investigate, and respond to threats across multi-cloud and on-premises environments using Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud workload protections. The role leans heavily on Kusto Query Language (KQL) for threat hunting and on automation to scale incident response. This exam sits at the center of Microsoft's security portfolio and is one of the most in-demand SOC analyst credentials, reflecting how deeply Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR have become embedded in enterprise security operations. Earning the associated Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate credential demonstrates to employers that a candidate can operate a modern SIEM and XDR stack end to end: configuring automation and detections, responding to real incidents across Microsoft 365 and Azure, and proactively hunting for threats that automated rules miss. It's a strong credential for SOC analysts, incident responders, and threat hunters working in Microsoft-centric security environments, and it pairs naturally with broader Azure security and identity certifications.
Exam Domains Covered
Exam Format & Details
Approximately 40-60 questions (Microsoft does not publish an exact count) in 100 minutes. Mixed format: multiple-choice, multiple-select, drag-and-drop, build list, active screen, and multi-part case studies. Passing score is 700 out of 1000 (70%). Scheduled through Pearson VUE.
Why Practice Questions Matter
SC-200 mixes recall-based questions with scenario-driven case studies and interactive items like drag-and-drop and active-screen tasks, so familiarity with Microsoft's console layouts and KQL syntax matters as much as knowing the concepts. Practice questions modeled on the real skills-measured outline help candidates get comfortable distinguishing similar Defender XDR and Sentinel capabilities, recognizing which console handles which investigation step, and reading KQL queries correctly under time pressure. Repetition against realistic scenarios is the fastest way to convert study-guide knowledge into exam-day speed and accuracy.
Sample Practice Questions
The following questions are a preview of the type of syllabus-aligned questions you will practise in CertCrush. They reflect the format and reasoning style of the Microsoft SC-200 exam — not actual exam content.
Q1.What is the main warning about using full device isolation?
- A.It only works on servers, not on laptops
- B.It cuts off the user without warning, so business impact should be confirmed first
- C.It requires a live response session to be initiated first
- D.It automatically disables the user's Entra ID account
Domain: Respond to security incidents
Q2.A SOC wants to bring a commercial threat intelligence feed into Sentinel using the industry-standard method. Which connector type should they configure?
- A.A STIX/TAXII connector
- B.A DeviceFileEvents connector
- C.A custom detection rule connector
- D.An ATT&CK Navigator connector
Domain: Perform threat hunting
Q3.By default, how many days of interactive retention does the Analytics tier provide before it is extended?
- A.180 days
- B.90 days
- C.30 days
- D.365 days
Domain: Manage a security operations environment
Q4.Besides reviewing history, what can an analyst do directly from the device timeline?
- A.Nothing, it is read-only
- B.Take containment action, such as isolating the device
- C.Change the incident's classification
- D.Reassign unified RBAC roles
Domain: Respond to security incidents
Q5.In the context of an incident, what is an entity?
- A.A rule that determines an incident's severity
- B.A specific person, device, network address, file, or mailbox involved in an incident, extracted automatically from alert data
- C.A manual tag applied by an analyst after closing an incident
- D.A KQL query saved for reuse across investigations
Domain: Respond to security incidents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the free Microsoft SC-200 sample?
The free sample includes 10 syllabus-aligned practice questions, sample flashcards, and a preview chapter from the study guide. No account or payment is required to try the sample.
How many questions are in the full Microsoft SC-200 course?
The full course includes a comprehensive question bank covering all exam domains. You can see the total question count on the Microsoft SC-200 course page.
Are these official Microsoft exam questions?
No. CertCrush questions are independently written and syllabus-aligned — they mirror the format, difficulty, and reasoning style of the official exam. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.
Which domains does the Microsoft SC-200 course cover?
The course covers 3 exam domains: Manage a security operations environment, Respond to security incidents, Perform threat hunting.
Can I study on mobile?
Yes. CertCrush is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. The timed exam, flashcards, and study guide all work on mobile without installing an app.
What happens when I create an account?
Creating a free account lets you access full courses, track your weak areas by domain, and resume practice sessions across devices. No credit card is required to register.