Microsoft Partner FAQ

Transcription

1 Microsoft Partner FAQ Topic: New role-based certifications and competencies Q. What is the new certification model? A. The model is based on three tiers of expertise: Fundamentals, Associate and Expert. For some solution areas, there will be a fundamentals level exam. Upon passing that exam, he/she receives a Fundamentals certification. The Associate level typically includes two (2) role-based exams, though this can vary based on the skills required for the associated job role. Individuals must pass all required exams to receive the Associate certification. The Fundamentals exam is not required to receive the Associate level certification. Expert level requirements vary by certification, based on the skills required for that job role. In some cases, passing two Expert level exams without an Associate level certification, or by attaining an Associate level certification and then passing an Expert level exam. Be sure to refer to the specific certification and exam pages for specific requirements. There is an additional option for some Associate and Expert level certification, and that is by passing a Transition exam. The transition exam is intended for people who have already demonstrated skills in the content domain by passing the existing exams that the new role-based certification exams will be replacing. They cover the delta between the current certification and what we expect people who earn the new certification to be able to do. We don t want to retest people on the same content where they have already demonstrated competence by passing the existing exam, and we don t want to penalize people who have been preparing to take an exam that we are replacing with the new certifications (they should still take the exam but they should do so quickly as all of the affected exams will be retired within 6 months of the new exam availability). Transition exams cover net new content, content that wasn t covered in enough depth, and content on aspects of the technology that have likely changed since someone took the exam. As a result, the transition exam is not shorter than a typical exam but more focused on the key tasks and skills that were not assessed in the existing exam or certification that is being replaced. Q. When will these new certifications be available? A. New Azure Apps and Infrastructure certifications are currently available for the following roles: Azure Administrator, Azure Developer and Azure Solutions Architect. Transition exams are available for each of these roles. Q. How did you determine these roles and what are the definitions? A. The content domains assessed in the new role-based certifications are based on a thorough job task analysis (JTA) that was done to truly understand the skills required to be successful as in that job role. After compiling that list of skills, we narrowed it down to what we would measure in the certification process. There are four roles currently defined for the Azure Apps and Infrastructure certifications Cloud Administrator: Cloud Administrators manage the cloud services that span storage, security, networking, and compute cloud capabilities, with a deep understanding of each service across the full IT lifecycle. They take requests for infrastructure services, applications, and environments. They make

2 recommendations on services to use for optimal performance and scale. They provision, size, monitor and adjust resources as appropriate. Cloud Developer: Azure Developers design and build cloud solutions such as applications and services. They participate in all phases of development, from solution design, to development and deployment, to testing and maintenance. They partner with cloud solution architects, cloud DBAs, cloud administrators, and clients to implement the solution. Azure Developers should be proficient in developing apps and services by using Azure tools and technologies, including storage, security, compute, and communications. Cloud Solutions Architect: A Cloud Solution Architect (CSA) advises stakeholders and translates business requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable solutions. CSAs have advanced experience and knowledge across various aspects of IT operations, including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data management, budgeting, and governance. This role requires managing how decisions in each area affects an overall solution. CSAs must be proficient in cloud administration, cloud development, and DevOps, and have expert-level skills in at least one of those domains. Q. What is required to achieve one of these Azure Apps and Infrastructure certifications? A. To achieve one of these role-based certifications, you must pass the following exams: Azure Administrator Exam AZ-100: Microsoft Azure Infrastructure and Deployment Exam AZ-101: Microsoft Azure Integration and Security Upon passing both exams, the individual will be Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate Azure Developer AZ-200: Microsoft Azure Developer Core Solutions AZ-201: Microsoft Azure Developer Advanced Solutions Upon passing both exams, the individual will be Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate Azure Solutions Architect AZ-300: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies AZ-301: Microsoft Azure Architect Design Upon passing both exams, the individual will be Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert Q. What do I receive if I pass just one of the two exams required for certification? A. Individuals who pass one of the two required exams for certification will receive an achievement badge. Q. Do these new exams and certifications replace any existing Azure exams? A. Yes, Microsoft will be retiring the following exams on December 31, 2018: Exam : Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions Exam : Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

3 Exam : Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions The replacement for Exam is the Azure Developer Associate certification (consisting of exams AZ- 200 and AZ-201) The replacement for Exam is the Azure Administrator Associate certification (consisting of exams AZ-100 and AZ-101) The replacement for Exam is the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification (consisting of exams AZ-300 and AZ-301) Q. Will this change impact requirements for competencies? A. Yes, it will impact the Cloud Platform, Application Development, Application Integration and Cloud Business Applications competencies. Cloud Platform: Exams , and are among the requirement options Application Development: Exams and are among the requirement options Application Integration: Exam is among the requirement options Cloud Business Applications: Exam is among the requirement options Exams , or will retire on December 31, 2018 but will be valid for competencies until December 31, The new requirements will go into effect on January 1, Q. What should I do if I m currently preparing for one of the retiring exams? A. Individuals who are currently preparing for Exams , or must complete the examination by December. 31, Those exams will be valid for competencies until December 31, Q. My competency is coming up for renewal and my organization previously met the competency requirements by taking one of the retiring exams. Do I have to take the two new certification exams to meet requirements? A. No. Individuals in your organization who previously passed Exams , or should take the appropriate Transition exam instead. The Transition Exam covers the delta between the current certification and what we expect people who earn the new certification to be able to do. The Transition exam are as follows: Exam AZ-202: Microsoft Azure Developer Certification Transition Exam is for those who ve previously passed Exam Exam AZ-102: Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Transition Exam is for those who ve previously passed Exam Exam AZ-302: Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Certification Transition Exam is for those who ve previously passed Exam Pictured below is the prescribed path for those who have previously passed one of the retiring exams (Transition option) and for those who have not (Net new option)

4 Q. What is the difference between the new role-based certification exams and the transition exams? A. The content domains assessed in the new role-based certifications are based on a thorough job task analysis (JTA) that was done to truly understand the skills required to be successful as in that job role. After compiling that list of skills, we narrowed it down to what we would measure in the certification process. If you haven t passed the associated existing exam, to become Microsoft Certified, you will need to pass the exam(s) in the path. However, if you have passed the associated existing exam, we want to recognize your accomplishments and provide a shorter path to certification through the transition process. The transition exam is intended for people who have already demonstrated skills in the content domain by passing the existing exams that the new role-based certification exams will be replacing. They cover the delta between the current certification and what we expect people who earn the new certification to be able to do. We don t want to retest people on the same content where they have already demonstrated competence by passing the existing exam, and we don t want to penalize people who have been preparing to take an exam that we are replacing with the new certifications (they should still take the exam but they should do so quickly as all of the affected exams will be retired within 6 months of the new exam availability). Transition exams cover net new content, content that wasn t covered in enough depth, and content on aspects of the technology that have likely changed since someone took the exam. As a result, the transition exam is not shorter than a typical exam but more focused on the key tasks and skills that were not assessed in the existing exam or certification that is being replaced. Q. How much are the transition exams?

5 A. They are $US99 each. Q. Where can I find training for the new certifications? A. Learning paths for the new certifications can be found on Microsoft Learn. You can also prepare for the certifications through free Pluralsight self-paced course. Microsoft Certified Learning partners can also provide the necessary training. You can learn more about how to engage with them on Microsoft Learn. Q. Over time, will we see all existing Microsoft certifications and courses go through a Job Task Analysis? A. Yes as the exams that make up our existing certifications become outdated, they will be replaced with certifications, exams, and learning paths that will be based on a Job Task Analysis. Going forward, all new exams and certifications will also start with a Job Task Analysis.