Within the last month, I have taken all three Microsoft Azure Certification Exams, two of them have been BETA tests. Read on and you can get you own code to take a FREE Azure BETA Exam (only 500 codes available – first come – first served)

So, I post quite often about certification and testing but not that often about BETA exams. The Non-Disclosure Agreement we all sign when we take an exam mean that I cannot say too much about the content, other than you should study the Microsoft Learning pages for the detailed exam specifications.

70-532 – Implementing Microsoft Azure Solutions

70-533 – Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions

70-534  – Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

The exam I want to talk about is Exam 534 Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions. This is exam is not as deep-dive technical as the other two which if I am honest are pretty hard. The first because I am not a developer and it was wall to wall coding (not expecting a pass here!) The Implementing Infrastructure one was almost wall to wall PowerShell but was also a disappointing experience, not because the test was poor but because I was poorly prepared and did not pass (this was not a BETA test). I am retaking that exam on 30th December so watch this space for all sorts of whooping and hollering if I pass.

There are several distinctions between a BETA test and a live one. First the questions although checked and prepared can have some small typo or content errors, that is why we are testing them in a live situation to see how they fly. Secondly the exam has a much longer time allowance, so that you can make detailed comments on those questions that do have typos or content errors. Thirdly when you complete the exam there is no result passed down to you and your printout just says ‘Thanks for coming – the result will be with you in a few weeks’.

I take a large number of exams and often these are the BETA ones so I am used to waiting for results, but I also often get a feel for those where I have been ‘sub-optimal’ and I am expecting to retake 70-534 when it is released.

The key content difference for me with the Architects exam is that it is very similar to the old, old MCSE Design exams which regularly tripped up even technical product gurus. This exam covers Microsoft Azure end to end and requires a broad knowledge of all the services and how they hang together, but also how you implement them for a customer. For that reason this is aimed more at implementation consultants, partners and contractors who may be delivering Microsoft Azure services to their customers.

The 70-532 and 70-533 are, in my opinion aimed more at those customer implementing solutions directly.

Now for those who have read the post or even just scrolled down, here are the beta instructions. Good Luck.

Your Invitation to The Microsoft Azure Architecture Beta Exam

Microsoft recently released a new Azure architecture certification exam in beta: Exam 534 Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions. This is an invitation to take the beta version of the exam at no cost for the first 500 respondents. Passing this beta exam earns you a Microsoft Specialist certification.

The beta exam is available  at Pearson VUE testing centers or through the online proctoring option.  To take advantage of this exclusive invitation:

• Go to this details page for exam 534.
• Use the “schedule now” button, follow the steps, and enter code VPAZARCH when prompted.

Here’s the fine print:

1. As this is a beta exam, your will not receive a score report immediately upon completion of the exam.  Your results will be delayed for a period of several months until the exam goes live.
2. The code will only be available to the first 500 people who register for this beta exam.
3. This beta exam is not available in India, Pakistan, China, or Turkey.
4. Please review Microsoft’s beta exam policies in full.

Good luck on your next exam, whether you’re taking this beta or have another one scheduled.

The above is due to be posted on the Microsoft Learning Born to Learn Site on Monday, so hurry up if you want to register the exam before they are all gone. That’s a £100 Christmas present right there!