Microsoft Azure offers multiple opportunities to technology professionals. So whether you’re starting your journey in the tech industry or already have several years’ worth of experience, you will be left behind if you don’t invest your time in getting an Azure certification.
Those who have been in the industry for a while or at least have been keeping up with all the tech-related news will be aware that Azure provides cloud services. With cloud computing gaining popularity, your knowledge of cloud computing will be an extremely valuable skill.
What is Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft developed the cloud computing platform known as Microsoft Azure, which some people may even recognize as Windows Azure. Numerous businesses rely on Microsoft Azure’s networking, storage, and analytics services for day-to-day operations. Furthermore, Azure is a public cloud, meaning that any company, regardless of size, can purchase these services for their enterprise.
Managing business and its goals has become extremely easy with Microsoft Azure. The best thing about Azure is the four distinct types of cloud computing services it provides:
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Serverless
When a business purchases Azure services, it is only billed for the services it uses by the end of the month. So, it is cost-effective even for small businesses that can choose only the specific services they need and pay for them.
Best Microsoft Azure Certifications to explore in 2024
With so many qualifications available, it might be difficult to decide where to begin or how far you want to travel down this “road.” This guide breaks down the Azure certification process into three stages: Fundamental, Associate, and Expert.
You must pass the AZ-900 fundamental level test to qualify for this. Additionally, the AZ-900 test is a prerequisite for the associate and expert-level Azure certifications. Let us start with the list of certifications. Here’s a guide to help you navigate through all the certifications and find the right learning path for you:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
There are four fundamental certifications for beginners trying to study Azure. But doing the most basic one Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals Exam (AZ-900), will clarify all the basic concepts for you. So, that’s an excellent spot to start for anyone starting completely fresh in Azure.
- Microsoft Certified: Azure – Fundamentals Exam AZ-900
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI – Fundamentals Exam AI-900
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data – Fundamentals Exam DP-900
This certification is best suited for applicants with a technical background. Microsoft’s Azure Cloud Service was created to give them an understanding of cloud computing services that could be useful for their day-to-day work schedules and duties, such as sales, marketing, and procurement.
- Cost- $99USD
- Length: 90 minutes to complete the exam.
- No.of questions- 40-60
- Format: Multiple Choice
- Difficulty level- easy
- Passing Marks- minimum 700
Other fundamental courses are:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals Exam (AI-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals Exam (DP-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Exam (SC-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Associate
Microsoft offers plenty of options for your next step. Those who want to level up after the fundamental courses can choose from 13 options depending on the most relevant study to their careers.
The top five choices of learners are:
- Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate Exam (SC-200)
- Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate Exam (SC-300)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate Exam (AI-102)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate Exam (AZ-204)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate Exam (DP-500)
Candidates who complete the associate-level exams are verified to possess design, development, and maintenance capabilities for cloud application services. The candidate completing this certification may communicate with cloud computing architects, administrators, and clients. Additionally, the applicant has one year of expertise in software development for scalable solutions and is proficient in one of the programming languages that support cloud platforms.
- Cost- $165USD
- Length: 150 minutes to complete the exam.
- No.of questions- 40-60
- Format: Multiple Choice
- Difficulty level- intermediate
- Passing marks- Minimum 700
- Microsoft Certified: Expert
Once you choose a route for your associate training, clear the exam, and become a certified associate, you can move up to the expert training program. There are four options for you to choose from for the expert training.
You can choose from:
- Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert Exam (AZ-400)
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert Exam (MS-100, MS-101)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam (AZ-305)
- Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert Exam (PL-600)
You must possess advanced knowledge and skills in IT operations, such as a working knowledge of virtualization, networking, data management, disaster recovery planning, budgeting, security, and business continuity, in order to apply for this certification. This certification attests to a candidate’s proficiency in the administration, development, and business operations of Microsoft Azure.
- Cost- $165USD
- Length: 180 minutes to complete the exam.
- No.of questions- 40-60
- Format: Multiple Choice
- Difficulty level- Advanced
- Passing marks- Minimum 700
- Microsoft Certified: Specialty
Specialty in Azure would mean you have officially cleared all levels, and now you know more about Microsoft Azure than most of your peers. As of 2022, there are seven specialty training subjects to choose from.
You can do a specialty in:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty Exam (AZ-2200
- Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty Exam (AZ-120)
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Support Engineer Specialty Exam (MS-740)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty Exam (AZ-720)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty Exam (AZ-140)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty Exam (DP-420)
- Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Specialty Exam (MB-260)
Conclusion
Microsoft Azure certification can skyrocket your career, opening up multiple opportunities for you as a cloud computing professional. However, picking the right certification path and exam is important for you. Hoping that the Azure certifications mentioned above will help you make a sound decision.
