Category: Certification

How was my Microsoft Teams Admin Certification renewal?

Hey my Cloud Marathoner friends,

As a Cloud Marathoner, continuous learning is part of the journey. Recently, I renewed my Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate certification, and I want to share the experience so you can prepare for yours.

Why Renewal Matters

Microsoft certifications are valid for one year, and renewal ensures your skills stay aligned with the latest updates in Microsoft Teams. The renewal process is free, online, and unproctored—perfect for busy professionals who want flexibility.

Got a renewal badge upon a successful renewal

The Renewal Process

Here’s what I learned from the official site on Microsoft Learn renewal page:

  • Eligibility: You can renew within six months before expiration.
  • Assessment: A short, open-book online assessment focused on recent Teams updates.
  • Skills Measured:
    • Implement compliance for Microsoft Teams
    • Lifecycle management and governance
    • Manage external access and Teams devices
    • Configure Teams Phone, auto attendants, and call queues
    • Manage apps and collaboration experiences for chat and channels
  • Attempts: Unlimited until expiration, with a 24-hour wait between retakes.
  • Validity: Passing extends your certification by one year.

Preparation Tips

Microsoft provides a curated learning collection (about 8 hours) to help you prepare. I recommend:

  • Reviewing Teams governance and compliance modules.
  • Practicing Teams Phone configuration scenarios.
  • Exploring device management and external access best practices.

Did i cleared the exam?

Well… not 100% flawlessly! 😅 While preparing for the renewal assessment, I discovered many new features and updates in Microsoft Teams—especially around management and governance. These changes reminded me that staying current is a continuous journey.

I had to catch up on several latest capabilities, and honestly, that was the most exciting part of the process. Despite all the odds, I managed to pass the assessment with a good score! 🎉

Here’s the reality check:

  • The renewal assessment highlighted areas where I need improvement.
  • Features like Manage collaboration experiences, advanced compliance settings and Teams phone deserve more attention in my learning plan.

And yes, I’ve got the screenshot from my exam results showing the points I should improve—because growth is all about transparency and learning forward.

Key Takeaways

Passing is great, but the real win is identifying gaps and planning your next learning sprint. That’s what makes us true Cloud Marathoners—always running toward knowledge, not just the finish line.

Are you planning to renew your Teams Admin certification soon?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or share your experience with the Cloud Marathoner community!

How Did I Renew the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Certification?

Hello Cloud Marathoners !

As a Cloud Marathoner, the journey never stops!
Recently, I renewed my Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification, and I want to share the experience so you can prepare for yours.

Why Renewal Is Important

Microsoft certifications are valid for one year, and renewal ensures your skills stay aligned with the latest Power BI updates. The renewal process is free, online, and proctored—perfect for professionals who want flexibility without scheduling hassles.

The Renewal Process and eligibility

Here’s what I learned from the official Microsoft learn site.

  • Eligibility: You can renew within six months before expiration.
  • Assessment: A short, open-book online assessment focused on recent Power BI updates.

  • Skills Measured:
    • Clean, transform, and load data in Power BI
    • Configure semantic models
    • Use DAX time intelligence and modify filter context
    • Optimize models for performance
    • Create visual calculations and enhance report designs
    • Manage workspaces and secure data access in Power BI Service

  • Attempts: Unlimited until expiration, with a 24-hour wait between retakes.
  • Validity: Passing extends your certification by one year.

Preparation Tips

Microsoft provides a curated learning collection (about 11 hours) to help you prepare. I recommend:

  • Reviewing DAX fundamentals and performance optimization.
  • Practicing workspace management and security settings.
  • Exploring visual design enhancements for better user experience.

My Experience and Exam results

The renewal was straightforward with the following simple, and known steps:

  • Logged into Microsoft Learn, clicked Renew.
  • Took the assessment.
  • Passed on the first attempt! 🎉

The best part? No stress, just focused learning and validation of current skills.

Key Takeaways

  • Start early—don’t wait until the last week.
  • Use Microsoft’s official learning paths for prep.
  • Treat renewal as an opportunity to refresh your knowledge and stay ahead.

Are you planning to renew your Power BI Data Analyst Certification soon?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or share your experience with the Cloud Marathoner community!

What is new in Teams Administrator and Power BI Data Analyst exam materials?

Greetings to all #CloudMarathoner members!

I had a chance to renew my lates two Microsoft exams and I would like to take an opportunity to share it with you. So, in this post, I would like to share my experience with the renewal process and as well as two Microsoft exams that I had a chance to renew.

What is the Microsoft exam renewal?

Renewing your Microsoft certification is a straightforward and stress-free process designed to keep your skills up-to-date with the latest technology changes. Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Eligibility and Timing

Eligibility: You can renew your associate, expert, or specialty certification for free.
Timing: You have a six-month window before your certification expires to complete the renewal assessment.

2. Renewal Assessment

Format: The renewal assessment is shorter than the original exam and focuses on recent technological updates.
Convenience: It’s an open-book assessment that you can take online. Flexibility: You can retake the assessment as many times as needed within the six-month window.

3. Steps to Renew

Connect Profiles: Link your Microsoft Learn profile with your certification profile and look for the renew button.
Prepare: Use free, self-paced learning modules available on your certification renewal page to refresh your skills.
Pass the Assessment: Complete the online assessment before your certification expires

Benefits you get

Career Advancement: Validates your expertise and helps advance your career. Free: There’s no cost to renew your certification.
Up-to-date Skills: Ensures your skills remain current with evolving technology.

What are the changes in the Teams Administrator exam?

Let’s look into the list of renewal exam objectives that you are going to be measured on. I liked the fact that all the modules and materials are presented to learners to study before taking the renewal exam. Moreover, you have a chance to take your renewal exam 6 month before your renewal date expires

✔ Implement compliance for Microsoft Teams
✔ Implement lifecycle management and governance for Microsoft Teams
✔ Manage access for external users
✔ Configure, deploy, and manage Teams devices
✔ Manage collaboration experiences for chat and channels
✔ Manage apps for Microsoft Teams
✔ Plan for Teams Phone
✔ Configure auto attendants and call queues

What are the changes in the Power BI Data Analyst exam?

Same rules on renewal exam do apply to the Power BI Data Analyst Associate exam, PL-300. I would strongly recommend checking the modules on the following renewal exam objectives:

✔ Clean, transform, and load data in Power BI
✔ Design a semantic model in Power BI
✔ Add measures to Power BI Desktop models
✔ Optimize a model for performance in Power BI
✔ Design Power BI reports
✔ Enhance Power BI report designs for the user experience
✔ Perform analytics in Power BI
✔ Create and manage workspaces in Power BI
✔ Implement row-level security

Call to Action

How did your last exam renewal go ❓

Please, share in the comments 💬 of this post or in my LinkedIn post 👉
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elkhanyusubov_sharingiscaring-cloudmarathoner-tag-activity-7272641560964485120-UgCQ

Microsoft DevOps 🚀 Engineer Expert certification renewal

Hello, my dear friends!

I am very glad to renew the Microsoft DevOps 🚀 Engineer Expert certification for another year 👍

The #cloudjourney and learning never stops ⛅❗🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

What is included in the annual assessment?

This exam assesses the following DevOps skills:
✔ Configure processes and communications
✔ Design and implement source control
✔ Design and implement build and release pipelines
✔ Develop a security and compliance plan
✔ Implement an instrumentation strategy

Your Support is Appreciated!

Thank you 🙏 T-Rex Solutions, LLC for a strong and relentless learning culture and for supporting my Microsoft #MVP journey 👏

In Summary

What is your next #certification#renewal ⁉ 🤔
Please, share in the comments 💬 below or on my LinkedIn post page.

Starting 2023 as a Google Cloud Digitial Leader cert

Hello #cloudmarathoners,

As I always say and post about this slogan: The #cloudjourney and learning never stops ⛅❗🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ – I try to stay true to that spirit as well.

New 2023 exam is a pass!

I have officially got certified in @Google Cloud and am happy to share that with you. Yay!

This cert focuses on teaching you how to articulate the capabilities of Google Cloud core products and services and how they benefit organizations. The candidate for this cert exam should be able to describe common business use cases and how Google Cloud solutions support an enterprise.

Google Cloud Certified Cloud Digitial Leader

Why this cert?

This certification is for individuals who wish to demonstrate their knowledge of cloud computing basics and how Google Cloud products and services can be used to achieve an organization’s goals. 

The Cloud Digital Leader exam assesses your knowledge in the following areas:

  • Digital transformation with Google Cloud
  • Infrastructure and application modernization
  • Innovating with data and Google Cloud
  • Google Cloud security and operations

Huge Thanks for your Support

Many Thanks 🙏 to #cloudfamily, #cloudmarathoner, and my co-workers at T-Rex Solutions, LLC for a strong and relentless learning culture and continued support.

End of year celebration with a pass on Microsoft SOC exam

Hello, my friends!

I am sincerely wishing you all a Happy New Year!

As I always say this motto: The #cloudjourney and learning never stops ⛅❗🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

What is the Microsoft SOC exam?

I am happy to share that I was able to pass an Azure security certificate before the end of 2022!!!

As you might know, this certification belongs to an important Microsoft Security operations space. I am very glad to finish this year with this achievement. 

Thank you my dear #cloudfamily, #cloudmarathoner, and my co-workers at T-Rex Solutions, LLC for a strong and relentless learning culture and continued support!

Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate

What skills did I learn?

Studying for this certification helped me gain the skills and knowledge required to reduce my organization’s risk by rapidly remediating active attacks on the environment, advising on improvements to threat protection practices, and referring violations of organizational policies to appropriate people and teams.

As an important part of the exam preparation, I did labs that investigate, respond to, and hunt for threats using Microsoft products, such as Azure Defender, Azure Sentinel, Microsoft 365 Defender, and other related security products.

Summary

Please, let me know if you are targeting this certification.
I would be more than glad to provide additional guidance for your preparations!

Thank you everyone for your greetings and wishes on social media.
I do really appreciate your continued support!!!

Post Build Table Topics: Your Cloud Certification Journey

Hello friends,

I hope you all enjoyed the Microsoft Build 2022 and had a chance to look into the Learning Zone and join the Cloud Skills Challenge.

If you did miss most of the Build then no worries, as it has recorded sessions that you can watch on your schedule.

Please, join me and Marcos today, if you missed certification and learning announcements during the Build event. We will address a very important topic: Cloud Certification Journey, and share tips & bits on getting yours started.

Post Build Table Topics: Your Cloud Certification Journey
Post Build Table Topics: Your Cloud Certification Journey

📌 Register for #free on meetup 👉 https://www.meetup.com/Microsoft-Reactor-Redmond/events/285992985/

What is the Digital Advertising Fundamentals & how to pass?

Hello Cloud Marathoners,

Two weeks ago, I have earned and shared a Microsoft Advertising badge. I got several request to provide information about the training material and my expereince with the exam.

What is the digital advertising?

Well, if you are you new to digital advertising, then these Microsoft courses will provide you an introduction to the digital marketing industry. You could start learning the foundations and then looking at search, shopping, and display advertising.

Digital Advertising Fundamentals

Earn the Badge

  • By complete the 4 courses in the Learning Path (in any order) you could earn a digital Badge. As you know, it can be shared and verified on LinkedIn or other social media platforms to demonstrate your new knowledge.
  • Keep in mind that each chapter has assessment questions
  • Finally, review all the material and get ready to pass the final assessment

Where you can start?

Checkout the Digital Advertising Fundamentals Learning Path 👉
https://lnkd.in/eu4ciw67 #sharingiscaring ❤

There are several more Learning paths that you can check below:
Choose a Learning Path or event to get started!

I hope you can get all the resources you need to start your own learning journey in Advert space. Good Luck and keep me posted on your progress!

Getting you ready for Azure Architect AZ-305 exam!

Hello Cloud Marathoners,

Thank you everyone who took a time from their busy schedule and attended my Global Azure 2022 session – Getting you ready for Azure Architect exam!

It was great pleasure to interact with each of you, and Thank You for great questions that you brought during the session.

Getting you ready for Azure Architect AZ-305 exam

In this session, I focused on a number of changes in Microsoft Azure Architect exam, as it might be troublesome to get ready for it with all the digital distractions around us.

However, in this lightning talk, I shared bits and tips on how to focus on the AZ-305 Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions exam objectives and help you to prepare for a big day.

A screenshot from the participants comments

As part of this presentation, I have shared free, official and community learning resources that will boost your knowledge, and hopefully help you pass this important exam with confidence.

A screenshot of an official practice exam reference

If you missed this session, no worries, you are covered, as this session was recorded. It is freely availiable on the #cloudmarathoner ⏯ 🖐 YouTube channel here.

The slides and as well as links to the recommended resources are posted on my 🖐 👨‍💻 GitHub repo here.

Please, feel free to check up this GitHub repo, share & fork it as you like 👍