MB-820 Exam: Does It Test AL Object Design Decisions More Than AL Syntax?

Candidates frequently ask whether MB-820: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer is mainly about remembering AL syntax. Once you tackle real exam-style questions, you'll discover the exam tests something deeper.
Many people initially focus on syntax since this is a developer exam. But as preparation continues, a pattern emerges. MB-820 prioritizes how you design Business Central solutions over how well you recall AL keywords. It pushes you to understand workflows, logic, and the reasoning behind development choices, not just individual coding steps.
I realized this when I started viewing AL objects as parts of a complete solution. Many questions revolve around decisions like when to use a table extension instead of creating a new table, why page extensions are preferred over direct changes, or how event-driven design keeps extensions upgrade-safe. Even reports, XMLports, and APIs usually appear in the context of choosing the right approach, not just building the object.
The Scenario-Based Reality
A large portion of the exam presents business requirements or development situations where you select the best solution. Often, multiple options look technically correct, but only one aligns with Business Central development best practices.
A common mistake I made early on was investing too much effort into memorizing syntax and object properties. While that knowledge is necessary, the exam tests whether you understand the impact of your design decisions. For example, adding a field isn't just about how to do it, but where it belongs and how it affects maintainability and future upgrades.
My study approach shifted accordingly. I prioritized the "why" behind development patterns instead of just the "how." That made practice questions feel more logical and reduced second-guessing. For exam-style practice, I found a mix of sources such as Study4Exam, Pass4Future, and CertBoosters useful for scenario-based preparation (This is my personal experience; you may go with what aligns with your requirement).
Bottom line: For MB-820, knowing AL syntax matters, but understanding AL object design decisions makes the real difference.
So for those who’ve already taken the MB-820 exam or are deep into preparation, what did you feel mattered more on exam day: confidently recalling AL syntax, or being able to justify the right design decision in a real-world Business Central scenario?