what is the difference between MS 900 and AB 900?

MS-900 and AB-900 are different exams with different purposes and content. MS-900 has not changed to AB-900.

Key differences:

1. Exam focus

• MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
  • Broad fundamentals of Microsoft 365 apps and services.
  • Covers productivity and collaboration solutions, device and endpoint management concepts, and Microsoft 365 administration capabilities.
  • Also covers security, compliance, privacy, and trust in Microsoft 365 at a foundational level.
  • It is a general Microsoft 365 fundamentals exam, not specific to Copilot.
• AB-900: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals
  • Focuses specifically on Microsoft 365 Copilot and custom agents, plus related Microsoft 365 security, identity, data protection, and governance.
  • Skills measured include:
    • Identifying core features and objects of Microsoft 365 services (users, groups, teams, sites, libraries, roles, policies, etc.).
    • Understanding Microsoft 365 security principles and core security features (Zero Trust, authentication, conditional access, Microsoft Entra, SSO, Microsoft Defender XDR).
    • Understanding data protection and governance tasks for Microsoft 365 and Copilot (Microsoft Purview, DLP, Insider Risk, Communication Compliance, retention, DSPM for AI, eDiscovery, oversharing in SharePoint).
    • Performing basic administrative tasks for Copilot and agents (assigning Copilot licenses, monitoring Copilot usage and billing, managing prompts, creating and monitoring agents, configuring access to agents).

2. Audience profile

• MS-900
  • Aimed at people who need broad understanding of Microsoft 365 apps, services, and cloud concepts at a fundamentals level.
• AB-900
  • Aimed at those already familiar with Microsoft 365 core services, security, identity, access, data protection, and governance, and who specifically need fundamentals for Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents.
  • Assumes familiarity with admin centers such as Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, Microsoft Entra, and Microsoft Purview, and experience with AI-driven productivity tools and modern IT management practices.

3. Relationship between the exams

• MS-900 and AB-900 are separate certifications.
• MS-900 has not been renamed to AB-900.
• AB-900 is a newer fundamentals exam focused on Copilot and agent administration, while MS-900 remains the general Microsoft 365 fundamentals exam (with its own periodic skill updates, as shown in the MS-900 study guide change log).

For preparation, each exam has its own study guide and skills outline, and AB-900 also provides specific Copilot and agent-related practice assessment and learning resources.

References:

• Study guide for Exam MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
• Study guide for Exam AB-900: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals