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With the release of new Microsoft certifications, it’s now possible for the IT professionals to gain skills and knowledge to focus on their job roles. Previously, these credentials were mostly concentrated on product knowledge. However, towards the end of last year, some exams and credentials were retired and new ones were introduced. They are completely moving away from the MTA, MCSA, MCSE, or MCSD certification pattern that most people were accustomed to. The latest certificates are designed to provide hands-on skills to the specialists and are focused on specific roles. If you weren’t aware of these changes, then it’s time for you to understand them while making sure your skills remain relevant. Some of the job tasks covered by the Microsoft credentials include those for developers, administrators, functional consultants, and solution architects. Exam-labs is here to take you through the current Microsoft certification track while letting you know what these new role-based certificates mean to you as an IT specialist.
Microsoft Certification Job Roles
The Microsoft credentials are now focused on four broad categories based on job roles as shown below:
*Developer
They are targeted at those professionals who take part in designing, as well as constructing, testing, and maintaining Cloud solutions. The most popular Developer certification is Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate.
*Administrator
The administrator credentials are for the Microsoft administrators involved in implementing, maintaining, and monitoring Microsoft solutions. The Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate and Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate are the new Microsoft Administrator certifications for now.
Solutions Architect
Solutions architects are experts in networking, storage, and security. The most popular credential for Solutions Architect is Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
Functional Consultant
The work of Microsoft consultants is focused on leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365 in anticipating and planning customer needs. There are only four credentials for the Functional Consultant job role: Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Marketing Functional Consultant Associate, Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Customer Service Functional Consultant Associate, Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Field Service Functional Consultant Associate, and Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Sales Functional Consultant Associate.
Microsoft Certification Track
The Microsoft credentials are divided into three distinct levels. They are fundamental,associate, and expert. Let’s go deeper into each of these levels by mentioning some certificates that are involved. To earn any of these certifications, there are exams that you’re required to pass.
Microsoft Fundamental Certifications
These are beginner-level credentials targeting those who are new in their IT profession or would like to change their careers. There are three certificates:
*Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (MB-900)
*Microsoft 365 Certified Fundamentals (MS-900)
*Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Microsoft Associate Certifications
These certifications are targeted at those professionals who have two years of experience in their areas of specialization. The credentials cover a number of areas that include Azure deployment and security, data engineering, marketing consultants, field service consultants, finance and operations, and deployment of Microsoft 365. There are seventeen Microsoft Associate certificates. You can find some of them below together with their tests:
*Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)
*Microsoft Certified: Dynamic 365 for Marketing Functional Consultant Associate (MB-200 &MB-220)
*Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate (MS-200 &MS-201)
*Microsoft 365 Certified: Teamwork Administrator Associate (MS-300 &MS-301)
*Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-103)
*Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-200 &DP-201)
*Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-203)
Microsoft Expert Certifications
The Microsoft Expert certificates are for the IT experts with at least five years of experience working in specific technology areas. These credentials require to have at least one Associate certification before you take the exam. The following three certificates are included in the path:
*Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)
*Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-300 & AZ-301)
*Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert (MS-100 & MS-101)
Reasons to Pass Microsoft Certification Exams and Become Certified
1. You earn a certification from an industry leader in IT.
2. You get an in-demand role-based certification.
3. By receiving a role-based credential, you’ll be ready to perform your specific IT role efficiently.
4. Earning a Microsoft certification demonstrates your commitment to make your skills remain relevant in an ever-changing technology landscape.
5. You get recognition from your peers and employers.
6. With a role-based certificate and validated abilities, getting a job becomes easier since your
credential is more focused on a specific technology field.
7. Increased chances of earning a better salary.
8. There’s a room for growth since the Microsoft certification track allows you to advance from one
level to another.
How to Prepare for Microsoft Certification Exams?
Any exam candidate must take time to prepare for a certification test. Exam preparation requires valid study resources that will give you a deep insight into what your exam entails. Besides using the right resources, it’s also important that you employ some tips to help you pass your certification test. The Microsoft official website is the best place to start. This is where you’ll learn the details of your exam, as well as the topics that you have to cover.
When you know your exam topics, you can proceed to putting together all the materials that you’ll require for your revision. The other thing to do is to make use of training courses, study eBooks, practice tests from the Exam-labs website, and get hands-on skills. Exam-labs is an online platform that offers the most relevant and updated materials for your exam preparation. You can never go wrong with using these methods to revise for your Microsoft tests.
Conclusion
There’s no better way to showcase your skills than to earn a role-based credential. This will put you above all your peers and other IT professionals. A certification that is appropriate for a specific job will demonstrate your readiness to make use of your skills in providing IT solutions to enterprises. Earning any of the Microsoft certificates is now more attractive than ever. The best part about this is the fact that with easily accessible resources, earning your credential becomes a reality. With recommended training, video lectures, Exam-labs practice tests, you can now pass your exam. Keep pace with the current technical requirements and roles by earning a Microsoft role-based certification today.
