diff --git a/cmake-modules/AzureCodeCoverage.cmake b/cmake-modules/AzureCodeCoverage.cmake
index 74dc89fba..0f6e30e83 100644
--- a/cmake-modules/AzureCodeCoverage.cmake
+++ b/cmake-modules/AzureCodeCoverage.cmake
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
 # Defines utility functions to create code coverage targets with gcov.
 # gcov html and xml report.
 #
+#
+# There is an incredibly helpful FAQ on gcovr and branch coverage which should be read
+# here: https://gcovr.com/en/stable/faq.html#why-does-c-code-have-so-many-uncovered-branches
+
 
 ## SET UP only when option is set. 
 if(BUILD_CODE_COVERAGE)
@@ -55,7 +59,8 @@ function(add_gcovr_html)
             -r ${BASEDIR} ${EXCLUDE_ARGS}
             --object-directory=${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
             -o ${args_TARGET_NAME}/index.html
-
+            --exclude-unreachable-branches
+            --exclude-throw-branches
         BYPRODUCTS ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/${args_TARGET_NAME}  # report directory
         WORKING_DIRECTORY ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
         DEPENDS
@@ -102,6 +107,8 @@ function(add_gcovr_xml)
             -r ${BASEDIR} ${EXCLUDE_ARGS}
             --object-directory=${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
             -o ${args_TARGET_NAME}.xml
+            --exclude-unreachable-branches
+            --exclude-throw-branches
         BYPRODUCTS ${args_TARGET_NAME}.xml
         WORKING_DIRECTORY ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
         DEPENDS
diff --git a/sdk/core/ci.yml b/sdk/core/ci.yml
index 8606dd261..1671deb43 100644
--- a/sdk/core/ci.yml
+++ b/sdk/core/ci.yml
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ extends:
       LiveTestCtestRegex: azure-core.|json-test
       LiveTestTimeoutInMinutes: 90 # default is 60 min. We need a little longer on worst case for Win+jsonTests
       LineCoverageTarget: 88
-      BranchCoverageTarget: 50
+      BranchCoverageTarget: 68
       UseFederatedAuth: true
 #      PreTestSteps:
 #        - pwsh: |