The 2026 DP-420 exam is still centered on Azure Cosmos DB development, but the useful way to prepare has changed. The key is understanding how data modeling, partitioning, queries, performance, distribution, and maintenance affect one another.
The Current DP-420 Exam Is More About Decisions Than Feature Lists
Microsoft’s current DP-420 skills outline, measured as of July 21, 2026, gives the largest share to data modeling and maintenance, while optimization also carries significant weight. The 2026 revision was described as minor rather than a major redesign.
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