Who I Am and Why I Took the Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam

As a cloud/system administrator principally working with Microsoft 365 and Azure, I supported Microsoft Teams for many years until it became something much larger than that. Now, Teams is used for meetings, calling, collaborations with externals, compliance, and managing incidents. At this point, I had an unsettling realization: While I could keep Teams functional, I was often relying on trial and error and configurations that I inherited from other people. When there were governance or voice issues with Teams, I had to more times than I would like to have to, double-check myself. As a result of this realisation, I decided to take the Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam so that I could have official proof of my proficiency with Teams, as it was intended to be administered. The Facts About the Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam Before I began any studying for the exam, I confirmed if it was stillng iit was still worth my time.According to Microsoft Learn documentation, recognized training organizations, and exam reports from numerous candidates, the exam typically includes: Approximately 40 to 60 questions Multiple choice, drag-and-drop and scenario-based questions A completion time of approximately 2 hours A passing score (using a scaled scoring method) of 700 (out of 1000). Also, per Microsoft, all questions do not carry the same amount of weight, and this is how two people could feel that they took an exam which was much more difficult than another person. Prerequisites and recommended experience There are no official prerequisites. However, Microsoft strongly recommends that you have hands-on experience with: The Administration of Microsoft Teams Core Services within Microsoft 365 such as Azure Active Directory and Exchange Online Basic PowerShell knowledge specific to Teams You will see this recommendation throughout all Microsoft Learn study guides and official exam resources. Skill Areas Tested and Areas of Weakness According to the exam outline published by Microsoft, the MS-700 exam measures the following skill areas: Planning and configuration of Microsoft Teams Environment Management of teams, channels, chats, and apps Management of meetings, voice, and teleconferencing features Services usage monitoring and troubleshooting The difficulty stems from how these skill areas overlap each other, and many questions combine questions of Identity, Security, Compliance, and Teams policies into one scenario. Based on my experience and from participating in professional discussions, common areas of weakness include: Policy Precedence and Inheritance External Access and Guest Configuration Voice Routing and Calling Policies Governance and Lifecycle Management My Experience Studying: What Worked and What Did Not Work Where I felt I had the biggest challenges during my initial study period was by depending on reading documentations and watching videos. While this resource helped me learn about the different functionality of products, it did not adequately prepare me to answer scenario-based questions. While I could identify options, I found it difficult to choose the best solution in a business case context. How I Changed My Approach to Achieve Higher Results I completely altered my approach by: Following Microsoft Learn (MS Learn) modules as prescribed in the MS-700 skill outline. Creating a Microsoft 365 test tenant and daily practicing configuring it for real use. Reviewing every single practice question I got incorrect so that I understood the logic behind the correct answer. During my research, I discovered multiple websites that had MS-700 "dumps". As I looked deeper into these sites, I quickly determined that simply memorizing questions would not prepare me to reason through the type of scenarios on the test; therefore, I was very cautious about using this material and focused instead on Microsoft’s design principles and how that applied to the problems I would face on the exam. Why I Selected CERTIFICATION EXAM for My Practice I evaluated a number of different test preparation options, both official and non-official. CERTIFICATION EXAM became my primary preparation platform because they focus on reasoning not memorization. What I Found to be of Exceptional Value Scenarios were the focus of the questions and mirrored a real administrator’s situation Clear rationales were aligned to published Microsoft behavior Tracking of performance at the domain level quick identified my weak areas The above structure allowed me to understand why a particular choice was correct, not just which answer was the right choice. Exam Day: What Worked for Me I took the test online with Pearson VUE who is Microsoft’s official delivery method. The damage control screening process consisted of checking me in, checking the room, verifying my identity, and watching me take the test live. The test began, once I got started, the first thing that I found comforting was the fact that I was not being tricked on any of the questions. Microsoft was simply testing whether or not I could apply Microsoft’s suggested best practices based upon applicable real world limitations during the course of taking my exam. My experience with timed practice tests gave me confidence and helped me to manage my time effectively while taking the exam. After I found out that I passed, it showed me that having a plan to study was more beneficial than just cramming before the test. Job Effect After Passing MS-700 After passing the MS-700 certification, I now have a different perception as to how I am viewed by others in my workplace. No longer will I just be seen as someone who performs a function, but someone who can design, communicate, and defend a configuration of Microsoft Teams. Roles Which Require This Certification Based upon Microsoft dumps documentation and research of job markets, it has been established that the Microsoft MS-700 certification aligns closely with the roles of : Microsoft Teams Administrator Microsoft 365 Administrator Collaboration Engineer Cloud Systems Administrator Salary information based on geographic location Data from publicly available salary sources indicate a continued demand for these roles: In the United States, the average salary for Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 administrators is between USD 95,000 and USD 110,000, which can vary depending on experience and/or location. In India, the salary range for someone with Microsoft Teams administration experience can be in the range of 15 to 25 lakhs per annum. Across Europe, the average salary for a Microsoft 365 administrator can range from approximately EUR 45,000 to EUR 70,000 and will vary by individual country and their seniority level. Needless to say, there will be multiple factors contributing to the exact salary; however, it is clear there is value in being trained and having expertise in Microsoft Teams. Alternative options to the CERTIFICATION EXAM and an EVIDENCE-BASED COMPARISON While preparing for the MS-700 certification exam, I reviewed several alternatives as a means of learning and practicing for the certification exam. Microsoft Official Practice Tests These practice tests are available through Microsoft’s authorized partners and are very closely aligned to the Microsoft exam blueprint. They are typically correct; however, they tend to be more expensive than most other third-party alternatives. MeasureUp Practice Exams MeasureUp provides an Official Provider of Microsoft’s practice test material. The practice test has functionally accurate visitors to replicate the examination and provides detailed explanations of why answers are defined. Unfortunately, these resources are time-constrained and an expensive form of preparation for taking a Microsoft certification exam. Whizlabs MS-700 Practice Tests WhizLabs MS-700 Certification Practice Tests consist of structured quizzes covering each of the objectives outlined in the Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam objectives. Although WhizLabs is widely considered an outstanding source of preparation, users report that often the length of the answer explanations is insufficient for fully understanding how to answer the question based on a scenario. Udemy MS-700 Prep Courses There are many MS-700 Microsoft Certification training courses available through Udemy. Many of these courses are structured in a traditional video format, allowing students to use video for learning; however, they often do not include the more advanced types of simulation and analytics that would be needed to create an examination-type environment while preparing for the MS-700 Certification Exam. The certification examination may be assessed by comparing their documented features including: The MeasureUp practice tests are officially endorsed by Microsoft and provide the most accurate reflection of the actual Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam. The certification exam utilizes a scenario-based practice and is designed to manage progress on a domain basis. Video supported platforms are focused more on providing instruction than in assessing readiness to take an exam. I found the CERTIFICATION EXAM to be the best for my learning style since it made me think like an administrator while in an examination situation and helps me directly identify my weaknesses. Some suggestions for individuals preparing for the MS-700 Certification Exam include the following: You should utilize Microsoft’s official skills outline as the primary reference for your study. Whenever possible, practice creating configurations via a real Microsoft 365 tenant. Spend the necessary time studying about governance, policy precedence, and why this is necessary for organizations to utilize voice features. Use the practice tests as an assessment method to determine