The end of Microsoft MCSA, MCSD and MCSE certifications

As of June 30, 2020, the following Microsoft certifications will retire:

• MCSA: BI Reporting
• MCSA: Dynamics 365 for Operations
• MCSA: SQL 2016 BI Development
• MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Admin
• MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Dev
• MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014
• MCSA: Universal Windows Platform
• MCSA: Web Applications
• MCSA: Windows Server 2012
• MCSA: Windows Server 2016
• MCSD: App Builder
• MCSE: Business Applications
• MCSE: Core Infrastructure
• MCSE: Data Management & Analytics
• MCSE: Productivity

Microsoft Learning is encouraging certification in existing functions roles in the market, such as Microsoft Azure (cloud), Modern Desktop.

The following image shows the recommended role-based certifications:

The following image represents the alternatives for those working with the Microsoft data platform (SQL Server, Power BI, ...) For example Database Administrator, Data Analyst..

 

For those who are waiting for the new dedicated Windows Server 2019 and/or SQL Server 2019 certifications, Microsoft Learning has made the following statement:

• No, there will be no Windows Server 2019 and SQL Server 2019 certifications. Windows Server 2019 and SQL Server 2019 content will be included in role-based certifications, as needed for certain work roles in the Azure and Data infrastructure and application areas and IA.

So what will happen to the MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE certifications that we have?

• These will remain in the certification transcript.

Is it still possible to do some of these certifications?

• Yes, until June 30, 2020 you can do any certification that is on the list above. After this date it will not be possible.

What about Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications?

• To date, there is no information that MOS certifications will be affected or retire.

What about Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA?

• To date, there is no information that MTA certifications will be affected or retire.

Is there an official communicative from Microsoft Learning?

• Yes, you can consult here.

Please note that the following exams will be withdrawn from 30 June 2020:

• 70-333: Deploying Enterprise Voice with Skype for Business 2015
• 70-334: Core Solutions for Microsoft Skype for Business 2015
• 70-339: Managing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016
• 70-345: Designing and Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 2016
• 70-457: Developing Mobile Apps
• 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
• 70-411: Administering Windows Server 2012
• 70-412: Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services
• 70-413: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
• 70-414: Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
• 70-417: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012
• 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014
• 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014 Databases
• 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014
• 70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014 Databases
• 70-465: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server
• 70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server
• 70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server
• 70-480: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3
• 70-483: Programming in C#
• 70-486: Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications
• 70-487: Developing Microsoft Azure and Web Services
• 70-537: Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack
• 70-705: Designing and Providing Microsoft Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations
• 70-740: Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016
• 70-741: Networking with Windows Server 2016
• 70-742: Identity with Windows Server 2016
• 70-743: Upgrading Your skills to MCSA: Windows Server 2016
• 70-744: Securing Windows Server 2016
• 70-745: Implementing a Software-Defined Datacenter
• 70-761: Querying Data with Transact-SQL
• 70-762: Developing SQL Databases
• 70-764: Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure
• 70-765: Provisioning SQL Databases
• 70-767: Implementing a Data Warehouse using SQL
• 70-768: Developing SQL Data Models
• 70-777: Implementing Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Solutions
• 70-778: Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Microsoft Power BI
• 70-779: Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Microsoft Excel
• MB2-716: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customization and Configuration
• MB6-894: Development, Extensions and Deployment for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance
• MB6-897: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Retail
• MB6-898: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Human Resources

New Microsoft Certifications

Over the last year, Microsoft has rolled out 23 new certifications.

To help orient you in the new program, below is a table showing how the 70-xxx exams align to our new certification program.

Exam Number	Exam Name	Replacement Certification
70-331	Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013	Teamwork Administrator  (MS-300, MS-301)
70-332	Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013	Teamwork Administrator  (MS-300, MS-301)
70-341	Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013	Messaging Administrator  (MS-200, MS-201)
70-342	Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013	Messaging Administrator  (MS-200, MS-201)
70-346	Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements	Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator (MS-100, MS-101)
70-347	Enabling Office 365 Services	Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator (MS-100, MS-101)
70-473	Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions	Azure Data Engineer (DP-200, DP-201)
70-475	Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions	Azure Data Engineer (DP-200, DP-201)
70-532	Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions	Azure Developer (AZ-203)
70-533	Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions	Azure Administrator (AZ-103)
70-535	Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions	Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-300, AZ-301)
70-695	Deploying Windows Desktops and Enterprise Applications	Modern Desktop Administrator (MD-100, MD-101)
70-697	Configuring Windows Devices	Modern Desktop Administrator (MD-100, MD-101)
70-698	Installing and Configuring Windows 10	Modern Desktop Administrator (MD-100, MD-101)
70-773	Analyzing Big Data with Microsoft R	Azure Data Scientist (DP-100)
70-774	Perform Cloud Data Science with Azure Machine Learning	Azure Data Scientist (DP-100)
70-775	Perform Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure HDInsight	Azure Data Engineer (DP-200, DP-201)
70-776	Engineering Data with Microsoft Cloud Services	Azure Data Engineer (DP-200, DP-201)
AZ-100	Microsoft Azure Infrastructure and Deployment	Azure Administrator (AZ-103)
AZ-101	Microsoft Azure Integration and Security	Azure Administrator (AZ-103)
AZ-102	Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Transition Exam	Azure Administrator (AZ-103)
AZ-200	Microsoft Azure Developer Core Solutions (beta)	Azure Developer (AZ-203)
AZ-201	Microsoft Azure Developer Advanced Solutions (beta)	Azure Developer (AZ-203)
AZ-202	Microsoft Azure Developer Certification Transition (beta)	Azure Developer (AZ-203)
AZ-302	Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Certification Transition (beta)	Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-300, AZ-301)
MB2-715	Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Online Deployment	Dynamics 365 Certification (MB-200, which is a prerequisite for several Dynamics 365 certifications)
MB2-717	Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales	Dynamics 365 for Sales (MB-210)
MB2-718	Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service	Dynamics 365 for Customer Service (MB-230)
MB2-719	Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Marketing	Dynamics 365 for Marketing (MB-220)
MB2-877	Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Field Service	Dynamics 365 for Field Service (MB-240)
MB6-895	Financial Management in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations	Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Financials (MB-310)
MB6-896	Distribution and Trade in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations	Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Supply Chain Management (MB-330)
MS-202	Microsoft 365 Messaging Administrator Certification Transition	Messaging Administrator (MS-200, MS-201)
MS-302	Microsoft 365 Teamwork Administrator Certification Transition	Teamwork Administrator Certification (MS-300, MS-301)

Simplifying the Certification Path for Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

Azure Administrator Associate will change at May 1, 2019. According with the Microsoft Learning Blog these will be the changes:

Do Microsoft Learning blog:  

Desde do lançamento do programa de certificação em setembro de 2018 a Microsoft Learning recebe uma enorme quantidade de comentários sobre os requisitos para as nossas certificações.

Eles decidimos modificar os requisitos de certificação para o Azure Administrator Associate.

A partir de 1 de maio de 2019, você só precisará passar  um exame o AZ-103: Microsoft Azure Administrator  para ter a certificação.


Este novo exame combina as habilidades cobertas em AZ-100 e AZ-101, com a maioria do novo exame proveniente do AZ-100.

O que você pode esperar:

• If you have taken and passed AZ-100, you will automatically be awarded the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification on or around May 1, 2019. Congratulations!
• AZ-100 and AZ-101 will retire on May 1, 2019. As a result, all exam registrations after May 1, 2019 for AZ-100 and AZ-101 will be cancelled. AZ-102 will retire as planned on June 30, 2019.
• If you have registered to take AZ-100 between now and May 1, 2019, choose to take it, and pass, you will earn the Azure Administrator certification on or around May 1, 2019. If you have registered for AZ-101, choose to take it, and pass, you will earn the AZ-101 exam badge. You will be able to share this badge with others to demonstrate additional skills in the Azure Administrator space. Learn more about badging.
• If you have taken AZ-101, you will receive an exam voucher (regardless of if you passed or failed) that can be used for any Microsoft exam delivered through Pearson VUE as our thanks to you for being early adopters of our new certification program and helping us to better understand the certification needs of Azure Administrators so that we could simplify the process going forward.
• Instructor-led training and online training (MOOCs) will be updated and available on May 1, 2019; the free learning content on Microsoft Learn will be complete around July 1, 2019.
• For those of you who have been preparing for one or both of these exams, you can see how the new exam aligns to AZ-100 and AZ-101 in the attached document, AZ-103 OD with Alignment to AZ-100 and AZ-101.pdf.

Document: AZ-103 OD with Alignment to AZ-100 and AZ-101

Microsoft Certification Prep Sessions 2017

It is normal in Microsoft Ignite to have Microsoft Certification Preparation Sessions this year is no exception and there are available on the Microsoft Ignite official Youtube channel.

Which includes the following sessions:

Microsoft Certification 101 - BRK1034 - https://youtu.be/xTCiGJyymZw

AZURE
70-532: Developing Azure Solutions - BRK3166 - https://youtu.be/LxAEHnTPFOQ
70-533: Implementing Azure Solutions - BRK3168 - https://youtu.be/dVVU4zQMv-s
70-534: Architecting Azure Solutions - BRK3170 - https://youtu.be/2orAXFfF4_0

BIG DATA
70-475: Big Data and Analytics Solutions - BRK3165 - https://youtu.be/vvm1a1PG988
70-773: Analyzing Big Data with Microsoft R | BRK3172 - https://youtu.be/UkzdU63ftUU
70-776: Engineering Data with Microsoft Cloud Services - BRK3173 - https://youtu.be/RH-MDvQiFio

WINDOWS 10
70-698: Installing and Configuring Windows 10 | BRK3163 - https://youtu.be/XVcmzfxpc-M
70-697: Configuring Windows Devices - BRK3171 - https://youtu.be/YNRMLNTwBVM

WINDOWS Server
70-740: Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016 - BRK3174 - https://youtu.be/L8zWO8rij4s
70-741: Networking with Windows Server 2016 - https://youtu.be/0CmTTLxbLmQ
70-742: Identity with Windows Server 2016 - BRK3176 - https://youtu.be/tABTHe24b_Q
70-744: Securing Windows Server 2016 - BRK3177 - https://youtu.be/kPRhFiuyvpY

PROGRAMING
70-357: Developing Mobile Apps - BRK3161 - https://youtu.be/dMM_jg4EcLk
70-483: Programming with C# - BRK3162 - https://youtu.be/xRiVMQy1qCU

OFFICE 365
70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements - BRK3159 - https://youtu.be/-rrqqg9nHvQ
70-347: Enabling Office 365 Services - BRK3160 - https://youtu.be/n3pPRokc6_Y

DATA BASES
70-473: Cloud Data Platform Solutions - BRK3164 - https://youtu.be/YiQQKyUzSJQ
70-764: Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure - BRK3169 - https://youtu.be/XgyrsJWJSdY

I already have Microsoft Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions and MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

I am very happy because I already have the Microsoft Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions certification. 

"This exam is for candidates who are interested in validating their Microsoft Azure solution design skills. Candidates should know the features and capabilities of Azure services to be able to identify tradeoffs and make decisions for designing public and hybrid cloud solutions. Candidates who take this exam are expected to be able to define the appropriate infrastructure and platform solutions to meet the required functional, operational, and deployment requirements through the solution lifecycle."

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-70-534.aspx

When consulting the Portuguese with this certification in the Microsoft Certification Profiles I noticed that there are not many and I was very happy.

The best part is that I am too MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure because I already had the Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions and Implementing Microsoft Azure Solutions.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure validates the skills needed to manage modern and highly effective data centers with expertise in identity and system management, virtualization, storage, and networking.

The MCSE certification can be obtained as follows:

1. Obtaining a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA).
2. Obtain approval at one of the following elective exams during the calendar year 2017.

You can find more information on https://www.microsoft.com/pt-br/learning/mcse-cloud-platform-infrastructure.aspx

Would you recommend someone to attend and take the Microsoft certifications?
YES, especially MCSE.

Microsoft Azure Machine Learning and HDInsight beta exams

Are you data scientists, analysts, data engineers, data architects or data developers who use Azure cloud services to build and deploy intelligent solutions or big data analytics solutions.

Now you have the opportunity to do two Microsoft exams totally for FREE.

Exam 70-774   : Perform Cloud Data Science with Azure Machine Learning (beta)
Registration    : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-70-774.aspx Voucher code  : SCPAZ774EP

Exam 70-775   : Perform Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure HDInsight (beta)
Registration    : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-70-775.aspx
Voucher code  : BPERB775VM

You must register and take the exam by March 31, 2017.

There are a limited amount of spots, so when they're gone, they're gone.

You should also be aware that there are some country limitations where the beta code will not work (e.g., Turkey, Pakistan, India, China, Vietnam); you will not be able to take the beta exam for free in those countries.

To prepare for the beta exam, check out my recent blog for ideas: https://borntolearn.mslearn.net/b/weblog/posts/just-how-does-one-prepare-for-beta-exams-without-preparation-materials.

Also, keep in mind that this exam is in beta, which means that you will not be scored immediately. You will receive your final score and passing status once the exam is live.

Beta Exams Microsoft SQL 767 and 764 require more participants

You are specializes in database administration and Data Warehouse implementation.

Until 31 January 2017 has the chance to make these two exams free betas.

Exam 70-764: Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure (beta)
Marking: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-70-764.aspx
Voucher: ZTNDFS764CC


Exam 70-767 Implementing the SQL Data Warehouse
Marking: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-70-767.aspx
Voucher: BVPYHJ767DD


There is a limited amount of seats.
These examinations are beta, which means that is your final score takes time, please be patient!

Source: Microsoft Training and Certification Community

New Exams for Data Scientists: Beta Testers Needed!

Microsoft is introducing a series of exams for data scientists and analysts! And, you can help us by participating in the beta exam! Our first, 773: Analyzing Big Data with Microsoft R, starting January 3, 2017 until February 28, 2017

Are you a data scientist or analyst who processes and analyzes large data sets using R with the following experience:

• Familiarity with data structures
• Familiarity with basic programming concepts such as control flow and scope
• Familiarity with writing and debugging R functions

There are 300 seats for the beta exam 70-773.

This means you can take the exam for free!! BUT... the seats are limited to first come, first served basis.

The registration for now can only be made by phone using the contact details for customer services at Pearson Vue at http://www.pearsonvue.com/microsoft/contact/.

You need to inform the voucher code ' PPCABD773MM ' when prompted for payment to take it for free and its MS IS not the MS ID.

Before register search the exam centre where you wish to take the exam in http://www.pearsonvue.com/microsoft/gov/also can make in your home or office more information at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/online-proctored-exams.aspx.

Resources for exam:

• EDX: Analyzing Big Data with Microsoft R https://www.edx.org/course/analyzing-big-data-microsoft-r-server-microsoft-dat213x
• MVA: https://mva.microsoft.com

Source: Microsoft Learning