CertifyDeckMS-102 retires on 30 November 2026 and many people ask which exam replaces it. Microsoft has not published an official mapping, but it has released a new certification that covers the same job with a different focus: AB-650, Administering Microsoft 365 and AI Services. It has been in beta since July and Microsoft has announced general availability for October 2026. Here is what official sources say.
What AB-650 is and where it stands
AB-650 is the exam for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Microsoft 365 and AI Services Administrator Associate certification. Microsoft announced it on 28 July 2026 and describes it as the credential for people who configure, manage, secure and govern Microsoft 365 tenants, workloads and AI services, including Microsoft 365 Copilot and agents.
As of 28 September 2026 the exam is still in beta. That has two practical consequences: you do not get your score when you finish, because Microsoft rescores beta exams when the exam goes live and releases results about ten days later; and there is no official practice assessment yet, which Microsoft usually publishes within eight weeks of an exam leaving beta. The discount offer for early beta candidates ended on 18 August.
The exam page lists English as the only language, a passing score of 700 and a price that depends on the country. It does not publish a duration or a number of questions, so we do not state them.
AB-650 outline by domain
Configure and manage Microsoft 365 tenants and workloads (20–25%): branding, domains, organizational settings, licenses for Microsoft 365 and for AI services (Copilot, Microsoft Agent 365 and Copilot Studio), Microsoft 365 Backup, service health, mailboxes, Teams, SharePoint sites and getting SharePoint and OneDrive ready for Copilot.
Govern and secure Microsoft 365 tenants and workloads (40–45%): identities in Microsoft Entra (users, guests, groups, roles and PIM, administrative units, bulk operations with Microsoft Graph PowerShell), authentication and Conditional Access, email and collaboration protection with Defender for Office 365, and data protection with Microsoft Purview, including DSPM for AI activity.
Manage and secure AI services in Microsoft 365 (35–40%): assessing tenant readiness for Copilot and fixing data oversharing, web search, Copilot connectors, Microsoft 365 Copilot Cowork, third-party AI providers, agent identities with Microsoft Entra Agent ID, the agent registry, Agent 365, and monitoring usage, cost and health with the Copilot Control System.
How it differs from MS-102
The level changes. MS-102 earns an expert-level certification that requires a prior associate one; AB-650 is associate level and its page asks for no prior certification. It is a more direct way into the administrator role.
So does the split. In MS-102, Microsoft Defender XDR is the largest domain (30–35%) and there is no AI block. In AB-650 threat protection centres on Defender for Office 365 and more than a third of the exam is about Copilot and agents. Identity with Entra and data protection with Purview appear in both.
That is why it should not be treated as a simple handover. Someone who knows MS-102 arrives at AB-650 halfway there, but has to study Copilot administration, agents and Agent 365 from scratch.
MS-102 now or AB-650 later
If you already hold a qualifying associate certification (MD-102, MS-700, SC-300 or SC-401) and are well into MS-102, sit it before 30 November: you earn an expert-level certification that stays on your transcript. Deadlines and a study plan are in MS-102 retires on 30 November 2026.
If you are starting from scratch, or lack the prior associate certification, AB-650 is the option with a future. Bear in mind that while it remains in beta there is no immediate score or official practice test, and that the exam is in English only.
What to study until general availability
The official AB-650 study guide is already published and is the reliable index. Much of its content matches current certifications. Identity with Microsoft Entra is the whole of SC-300. Basic Copilot and agent administration, Purview and SharePoint oversharing are the outline of AB-900, which is also a 45-minute fundamentals exam and works as a first step.
To practise the whole exam, the CertifyDeck AB-650 questions cover the three domains with original questions written from the official documentation, each with its reference.
Frequently asked questions
Does AB-650 replace MS-102?
Microsoft does not officially present it as a replacement: the MS-102 pages announce the retirement without naming AB-650. It is the closest current certification for Microsoft 365 administrators, with a new AI services block worth 35–40% of the exam.
When does AB-650 leave beta?
In its 28 July 2026 announcement Microsoft states general availability for October 2026, without a specific day. Until then the exam can be taken in beta, with a delayed score.
Does AB-650 require a prior certification?
No. The certification page only requires passing exam AB-650. Microsoft recommends experience with Microsoft 365 workloads and Microsoft Entra ID, an understanding of Defender XDR and familiarity with Microsoft Graph PowerShell.
Is AB-650 available in other languages?
Not for now. The exam page lists English as the only language. If the exam is not available in your language, Microsoft lets you request an additional 30 minutes.
Is what I studied for MS-102 still useful?
Yes for identity with Microsoft Entra, data protection with Purview and tenant administration. You need to add Copilot administration, agents, Agent 365 and the Copilot Control System, none of which exist in MS-102.