Modern Testing Reactions

I described one of the big changes to Microsoft's testing regimen last year - and now I have some first hand experience with it I would love to share with everyone.

As a reminder, Microsoft has made a series of large changes to their learning platforms, which now enable learners to take free practice exams, as well as to recertify their existing certifications via Microsoft Learn itself. And then they also added "Applied Skills" to the type of credentials they are offering learners - to validate real world expertise that isn't specific to a specific job type - but very relevant to proving you have what it takes to solve common business challenges.

All of these improvement speak to a larger pivot: away from having folks memorize answers and instead to a real-world, open-book experience that mirrors how we tackle problems in real life. Best of all - this minimizes the use of cheating techniques such as braindumps - if you have an open book exam - the question isn't whether you can get the answer - it is whether you can get it in the time allotted.

Of course, these improvements sound great in theory. But what happens when the clock is ticking and you need an answer?

Last week I took my first certification test in several months - as someone who has passed a lot of exams in the past (and failed plenty too!) - I have to recertify my skills every month or two, which leaves precious little time for earning new credentials. So I entered the test with some trepidation - the same as always - had I studied enough? The free practice exams certainly led me to believe I was in a strong position.

And then I started the test - and wow - the first case study wasn't easy. The second one? No better. I was ten questions into the exam and feeling headed for failure.

It was at that moment that I remembered: Microsoft Learn is now included in the exam! I validated the tool worked, and set to work tackling the next set of questions.

The best part of having Learn available during an exam is not that you simply look up the answer to each question: there simply isn't enough time to do that. The big benefit happens once you've eliminated the obviously wrong answers, and you have two choices, but both could be correct based on your interpretation.

Often, Microsoft asks questions in a particular way to elicit a correct answer - in a subtle way. The desire for a "low-code" solution means an accurate answer won't include traditional developer tools, even if those could also solve the problem. Asking for the "lowest cost" or "most secure" solution implies one must know the problem licensing SKUs, or the specific role with the least amount of privileges needed to accomplish a task.

And that's why adding Learn to the exam is super useful: there's no mental benefit to memorizing every single SKU or role of a Microsoft product when a quick Copilot chat can give you the answer. Using Learn isn't quite as easy as having Copilot - but for folks who know the material - it instantly increases your confidence in solutions - and lets you focus on the questions that are the toughest.

Thanks to having Microsoft Learn at my back - I passed my 73rd certification exam. If I can do it - you can do it as well - which is just a reason to have more folks sign up for exams and applied skills today.

Here at Cognizant we help tens of thousands of internal staff get certified every year - no one knows better than us how to properly educate associates and empower them to solve business challenges for our clients.