Study Guide and Summary for the MB-820 Exam: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer Certification

MB-820 Exam Guide

Introduction

As you may already be aware, Microsoft has introduced the highly anticipated certifications for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central developers, including the MB-820 exam. To obtain this certification, one must possess expertise in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining solutions that utilize Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Skills Covered by the Exam Include 6 Core Areas:

  1. Describe Business Central (10-15%)
  2. Install, develop, and deploy for BC (10-15%)
  3. Develop by using AL objects (35-40%)
  4. Develop by using AL (15-20%)
  5. Work with development tools (10-15%)
  6. Integrate BC with other applications (10-15%)

Registering for the MB-820 Exam

If you would like to schedule an exam, click here.

Before the exam, I suggest reading the Exam overview and learning material with official "Microsoft Learn" links using learning points.


1. Describe Business Central (10–15%)

1.1 Describe the BC architecture

Describe the components and capabilities of Business Centralhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/deployment/product-and-architecture-overview
Describe the core solution and extensions approach for Business Centralhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-dev-overview
Describe the update lifecycle for customizations of Business Centralhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-customization-update-lifecycle
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/tenant-admin-center-manage-apps
Differentiate Business Central Online and Business Central on-premises featureshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/features-not-implemented-on-premises
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/fin-ops-core/dev-itpro/get-started/cloud-prem-comparison

 

1.2 Describe Business Central apps

Differentiate and describe the functionality of apps between the base app and the system apphttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/deployment/app-components?wt.mc_id=DX-MVP-5003099
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-system-application-overview?wt.mc_id=DX-MVP-5003099
Describe the process of bringing an app to AppSourcehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/bring-app-appsource/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/developer/appsource/publish-app
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-checklist-submission
https://community.dynamics.com/blogs/post/?postid=b38bf8bf-d7d0-4a36-9c92-714dcce8716b

 

2. Install, develop, and deploy for BC (10–15%)

2.1 Install and configure a BC development environment

Describe the development environment for BChttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-dev-overview
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-reference-overview
Install and configure the development environmenthttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-get-started
Manage JSON configuration fileshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-json-files
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-json-launch-file
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-rad-publishing
Manage multiple AL extensions in one workspacehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-multiroot-workspaces

 

2.2 Create, debug, and deploy an extension in BC

Debug an extension with Visual Studio Codehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-debugging
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-attach-debug-next
Deploy an extensionhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-how-publish-and-install-an-extension-v2
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/introduction-development-process/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-deploy-tenant-customization
Create or modify a BC extension in Visual Studio Codehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/introduction-development-process/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-extension-example
Manage multilanguage developmenthttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/manage-multilanguage-development/
Maintain extensionshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/app-maintain
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-app-life-cycle

 

3. Develop by using AL objects (35–40%)

3.1 Build and extend tables and pages in BC

Develop Role Center pageshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-designing-role-centers
Identify different page typeshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-page-types-and-layouts
Build and extend page objectshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-page-ext-object
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-page-object
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/extend-tables-page-objects/
Build and extend tableshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-table-ext-object
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-table-object
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/extend-tables-page-objects/
Build and extend enumshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-extensible-enums

 

3.2 Build and extend reports

Build reportshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/build-reports/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-reports
Substitute a reporthttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-substituting-reports
Create a report layouthttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/ui-manage-report-layouts
Create document reportshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-report-object
Design the data model of a reporthttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-report-dataset
Implement multilanguage in reportshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/implement-multilanguage-reports/
Use report triggers, functions, and processing-only reportshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-report-triggers?tabs=current%2Crdlc
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/understand-report-triggers-functions/
Develop the report request pagehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-request-pages-for-reports

 

3.3 Design and create an XMLport

Work with XMLportshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/work-with-xmlports/
Configure different XMLport propertieshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/properties/devenv-xmlport-properties
Define nodes and their propertieshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-xmlport-schema
Use XMLports in AL codehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-xmlport-object

 

3.4 Develop codeunits

Work with codeunitshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/work-with-codeunits/
Create and access codeunitshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-codeunit-object
Use events and triggershttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/events-triggers/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-events-in-al
Implement interfaceshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/business-central-interfaces/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-interfaces-in-al
Create installation and upgrade codeunitshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-extension-install-code

 

3.5 Work with entitlement and permission set objects

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/work-entitlements-permission-sets/
Create and extend permission setshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-permissionset-object
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-permissionset-ext-object
Override entitlements with inherent permissionshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-entitlement-object
Troubleshoot permission setshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/ui-define-granular-permissions#to-get-an-overview-of-a-users-permissions

 

3.6 Create queries in BC

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/work-with-queries/
Link and join data itemshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-query-links-joins
Apply filters in query objectshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-query-filters
Use queries instead of record variableshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-query-using-instead-record-variables
Aggregate data in query objectshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-query-totals-grouping
Use a query to create a reporthttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-report-dataset 
(Using a Query in a dataset definition)

 

4. Develop by using AL (15–20%)

4.1 Customize the UI experience and implement onboarding techniques

Create profiles in ALhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-design-profiles
Use and create views in ALhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-views
Develop the UI by using the user assistance modelhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/user-assistance
Integrate assisted setuphttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-designing-navigate-pages
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/build-assisted-setup/
Create teaching tips and in-app tours to onboard usershttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/onboarding-teaching-tips-tours
Create an onboarding checklisthttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/onboarding-checklist

 

4.2 Describe the essential development standards

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/essential-development-standards/
Implement the data process model in BChttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/implement-data-process-model-business-central/
Define the different functional table types and characteristicshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/identify-table-types/
Use document standards in BChttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/use-document-standards-business-central/
Implement master data standards and design patternshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/work-with-master-data-business-central/

 

4.3 Use AL to extend BC

Create custom procedureshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/create-custom-functions/
Differentiate data typeshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/methods-auto/library
Manage fileshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/introduction-basics-file-management/
Manipulate data by using codehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/manipulate-data-via-code/
Describe the basics of the ALhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/intro-basics-al-programming/
Use the different types of expressionshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-al-simple-statements
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-al-simple-statements
Work with AL built-in functions and AL statementshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/al-built-in-functions/
Work with variables and define them in AL codehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-al-simple-statements
https://learn.microsoft.com/is-is/training/modules/intro-basics-al-programming/
Manage errorshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-al-error-handling
Use access modifiers to limit accesshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-using-access-modifiers

 

5. Work with development tools (10–15%)

5.1 Implement semi-automated test processes and run standard BC tests

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/introduction-test-automation/
Test applications in BChttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-testing-application
Install and run the Test Toolkithttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-extension-advanced-example-test
Develop test codeunits and procedureshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-test-codeunits-and-test-methods

 

5.2 Manage and analyze telemetry

Monitor and analyze telemetryhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/telemetry-overview
Configure telemetryhttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/telemetry-enable-application-insights
Create custom telemetry signalshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-instrument-application-for-telemetry-app-insights

 

6. Integrate BC with other applications (10–15%)

6.1 Access REST services from within BC

Use the different HTTP classes and their functionshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-httpclient
Get data from and send data to an external REST servicehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/access-rest-services/
Use and read JSONhttps://community.dynamics.com/blogs/post/?postid=340bd1db-2a2c-41c7-a20f-060448f64649

 

6.2 Implement APIs

Create and work with APIshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/api-reference/v2.0/enabling-apis-for-dynamics-nav
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/api-reference/v2.0/endpoints-apis-for-dynamics
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-develop-custom-api
Manage UI interaction when working with web serviceshttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/webservices/handling-ui-interaction-when-working-with-web-services
Use Read-Scale Out to improve performancehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/database-read-scale-out-overview


Conclusion

Taking everything into account, the MB-820 certification is tailored for intermediate to advanced AL developers. The examination spans two hours and features an assortment of question types, including several case studies, single and multiple-choice questions, tasks requiring the correct sequencing of code blocks, and exercises involving the selection of appropriate code options to ensure functionality.

I hope this guide has been beneficial to you. Wishing you the best of luck with your examination!

References





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