Azure Role-based Certification - What, When ?

Introduction

Big thank you to Gregor Suttie and Richard Hooper Microsoft MVPs, for an amazing initiative this December 2019 having 25 days of community-generated content on all aspects of the Microsoft Azure cloud services & products. It’s an honor to be one among the contributors from INDIA.

Make sure to check out all the great sessions on the Azure Advent Calendar 2019 website. Thought of, ’you get 25 days of great content’ is simply awesome!

My topic is all about Azure Role based Certifications. I lead Dear Azure | AZ-INDIA azure community, and many of my peers and community members asked me to share the certification exam details like resources, preparation time, its complexity, etc. This made me to shortlist the topic Azure role-based examination.

For professionals with Azure exposure, aspiring Cloud professionals, those interested in upgrading their skills set with Cloud, and all other IT professionals associated with the Cloud computing, especially the ones who are planning to appear Azure role based certification exam, this article will explain must do’s & don’ts along with detailing the right exam to be taken.

Prerequisite

Before we jump into more details, let's understand what it requires to go with for any Azure role-based certification. The answer is ‘Nothing’ except for your zeal to learn Azure, along with a few things as detailed in the later part of this article. 

What will be covered

In this article will touch base mainly on below listed exams,

•  AZ-900 - Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
• AZ-103 - Microsoft Azure Administrator
• AZ-203 - Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
• AZ-300 - Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies
• AZ-301 - Microsoft Azure Architect Design
• AZ-500 - Microsoft Azure Security Technologies

 To be frank there are continuous updates about Azure Role-based examinations with mentioning, learning path, study guides, etc. Here I will move in different way. As mentioned earlier, many of my connections in community, reach out posting different questions, aiming the response to ‘What Azure Exam should I go with?’ Will list few questions, with respective Exam numbers, I answered them with. 

What Azure Exam, When  

Below are the 10 shortlisted questions, which I think covers most of the scenarios,

Question - I am working as .NET developer from last 5 years, and masters web development. I want to upgrade my skills to Cloud, Microsoft Azure. I go through MS Azure Videos over YouTube. What exams will be good for me to move ahead in my career, as a cloud developer.

Answer - AZ-900; AZ-203 

Question - I am fresh graduate in IT, and looking for brushing up my skills in Cloud with Microsoft Azure, suggest exam I should go with ?

Answer - AZ-900

Question - I am working as full stack developer from last 9 years, and masters end to end development. I want to polish my skills with Microsoft Azure. What exams will be good to me to proceed?

Answer - AZ-900; AZ-203; AZ-500

Question - I am working as Business Analyst with around 11 years of total experience in IT. How should I move on with Cloud, specially Microsoft Azure? Any recommended certification.

Answer - AZ-900

Question - My profile is Architecting solutions in Microsoft technologies, with total 12 years of experience.

Answer - AZ-900; AZ-103; AZ-300 

Question - I am AWS solution Architect, and now want to expertise in Microsoft Azure. What all certification exams I should go with?

Answer - AZ-900; AZ300; AZ-301; AZ-500

Question - I have started working with Microsoft Azure as lead developer. I have done my AZ-203 exams. I am keen towards working in AI & ML areas. Kindly suggest.

Answer - AZ-900; AI-100; AZ-500

Question - I am working as System Admin from last 6 years. My organization demands me to move role in Cloud. I have no prior knowledge in working in Cloud. Kindly suggest certifications that suits my profile.

Answer - AZ-900; AZ-103; AZ-500

Question - I am a Biztalk developer cum lead and working from last 8 years into integration frameworks. What Azure certifications path you suggest for me?

Answer - AZ-900; AZ-300; AZ-301

Question - I work as Support Engineer for Microsoft products, now want to move in Microsoft Azure. Kindly suggest me Azure based certification suiting upgrading my profile.

Answer - AZ-900; AZ-103; AZ-300; AZ-301;

?Now, avoid...

• Relying only on Dumps (I personally feel this is the most unethical way of aiming any certification exam).
• Relying on mugging-up Online courses
• Running from gaining hands-on experience.
• Considering the exam as ‘not so important’
• Appearing without prior studying.

And must…

• Strictly follow, ‘Don't be a know-it-all; be a learn-it-all’
• Go through each section in detail with thorough understanding.
• Have an Azure Free trial account created, and make your hands dirty with managing Azure resources.

Also try to…

• Go for retake exam vouchers as a part of Microsoft Learning special offers, just to be more relaxed when attempting the exam.
• Book exam during weekends, so as to avoid any before or after office meetings.
• Take Microsoft Official Practice Test, this will help you to know your readiness on preparation.

Eagle Eye view of Certification Path

As a part of community event, I do organize Azure Weekend, learning series for Microsoft Azure services & products. Here I conduct webinar sessions on Azure topics, presented by Microsoft MVPs, product team, Authors, Subject Experts, you can view all the webinars here at my youtube channel (do subscribe for having future notifications).

Had one session presented by Abdul Rasheed Feroz Khan, about Azure Role-based Certification, kindly watch the recording (note it has few reference for old certifications),

Summary

Azure Role-based exams are one of the trickiest certifications, which will measure your actual skills on cloud concepts aligning to your role with Microsoft Azure. 

From the above article, my only intention is to make you feel more comfortable and confident in opting correct certification exam, with clear expectations and no assumptions. 

Do let me know if this article helps you in any way to select your Azure certifications. If you have any different question other than above listed ones, do reach me out and don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below. 

Very Best Luck, Happy Azure learning!