MSDN Blogs: NEXT UP — Calling Aspiring Microsoft Azure Specialists!

Earning any kind of specialist certification is a great way to stand out from the crowd, whether you’re looking for a new challenge, a new job, or a way to make yourself more valuable to your current employer. With the growing importance of the cloud, Microsoft Azure is a must-have certification for anyone looking to prove their skills.

You’re probably familiar with all the great things Microsoft Azure brings to a business, including the collection of integrated cloud services. You’ve worked with those solutions and have earned technical skills and knowledge.

Now it’s time to validate that experience.

Here’s what it takes to become a Certified Microsoft Azure Specialist: schedule, prepare for and pass one of these two exams:

Exam 533 — Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions— is for you if you have implemented an infrastructure solution in Microsoft Azure, if you’ve implemented and monitored cloud and hybrid solutions, and if you’ve supported application lifecycle management.

This exam tests your knowledge of how to:

• Implement a website
• Implement virtual machines
• Implement cloud services
• Implement storage
• Implement a Microsoft Azure Active Directory
• Implement virtual networks

Exam 534 — Architecting Microsoft Azure Solution— is for people interested in validating their Microsoft Azure solution design skills.

To get certified by passing this exam, you’ll need to already be familiar with the features and capabilities of Microsoft Azure services, like being able to identify tradeoffs and make decisions for designing public and hybrid cloud solutions. You’ll also be 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.

In order to pass, you’ll need to know how to:

• Design Microsoft Azure infrastructure and networking
• Secure resources
• Design an application storage and data access strategy
• Design an advanced application
• Design websites
• Design a management, monitoring, and business continuity strategy

Next Up is our, five-week three-stage exam preparation camp created by Microsoft Certified Trainers to give you the edge you need and fast track your way to be a Microsoft Azure Certified Specialist.

STAGE 1: Five weeks of guided self-study with the support of skilled Microsoft Certified Trainers via Yammer.

STAGE 2: In Person Exam Preparation ½ day, which is designed to get you in shape to sit the exam, you will have access to skilled experts to help you answer those tough questions.

STAGE 3: In Person Exam Preparation ½ day, it is time to put all your hard work aside and to SIT THE EXAM and become a Microsoft Azure Certified Specialist.

The program kicks off the final week of September register today and get ready for your 5-weeks of virtual study prior to your in person class.