In this blog post I’ll explore the benefits of Microsoft Applied Skills Credentials.
Microsoft introduced Applied Skills credentials on October 25th 2023. A new verifiable credential that validates your ability to apply targeted skills needed to implement critical projects aligned to business goals. Applied Skills offers you the opportunity to put your skills centre stage, empowering you to showcase what you can do and what you can bring to key projects in your organisation.
“Organizations are searching for talent that can spearhead their most transformational projects in cloud computing and AI,” Kim Akers, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions Enablement and Operations, points out. “With Microsoft Applied Skills, we are offering a streamlined path to validate someone’s skills. So, whether you are a hiring manager, a recruiter, or simply a teammate looking to collaborate, when you see a credential that is verified by Microsoft, you know that you can trust that individual to do the task at hand.”
So, what does this mean?
You may be familiar with traditional exams that present around 50 questions, often including case studies, multiple choice, and drag and drop type of questions. These exams typically cover a broad range of topics. For example, the Azure Administrator certification includes areas such as Entra ID, governance, networking, security, containers, backups, monitoring and more.
Microsoft Applied Skills credentials are different. There are no questions to answer. Instead, you’re provided access to a virtual lab environment, a scenario, and a set of tasks to complete. These tasks require you to implement configurations and changes directly in the lab. Most assessment labs include 12–16 tasks, although the number can vary depending on the skill domain being assessed.
The Applied Skills assessment lab allows you to demonstrate your skills by completing tasks in the associated technology, such as Azure, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, AI and more. You’ll perform tasks in a live, remotely connected virtual machine, working with real software and applications.
Each credential focuses on a specific skill area, for example, Microsoft Entra ID. Once you complete the tasks, you submit the assessment and receive either a pass or fail result within one minute. If successful, you’ll receive a verifiable credential that you can share via email, LinkedIn, or include in your CV. This credential is linked to your Microsoft Learn profile, providing proof that you’ve passed the assessment.
I recently took the Applied Skills: Getting started with Identities and access using Microsoft Entra. I passed and received the verifiable credential shown below, which is now part of my Microsoft Learn profile. I also shared my achievement on LinkedIn profile. Click the link and feel free to connect.
Does the assessment provide step by step instructions?
No, the assessments are intentionally designed to reflect real world, problem solving scenarios where all necessary information might not be explicitly provided. Your ability to navigate, make informed decisions, and apply critical thinking is a key part of what is being assessed, therefore, no step by step instructions are included.
Are these assessments lab based only?
Yes, Microsoft Applied Skills assessments are entirely lab based. When you launch an assessment, a virtual machine is loaded. You’ll be provided with a username and password to sign in to the lab environment. In addition, you’ll receive account credentials to access the relevant portals, such as the Azure portal, Microsoft 365 Admin Centre, or other tools depending on the scenario. These credentials allow you to complete the tasks required in the assessment using real software in a live, cloud hosted environment.
Are Microsoft Applied Skills assessments free?
Yes, Microsoft Applied Skills assessment is free of charge.
What if I want to learn about the topic before launching and taking the assessment?
Each Microsoft Applied Skills assessment includes a free learning path that you can complete at your own pace. These learning paths are designed to help you build the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in the assessment. In addition to self paced learning, instructor led training is also available for many credentials. These paid training options are delivered by Microsoft Certified Trainers and can provide more structured, hands on guidance if you prefer a classroom style experience. Once you feel confident, you can return to the credential page and launch the assessment directly, as shown in the images below.
Is the assessment moderated?
No, Microsoft Applied Skills assessments are not proctored or moderated. They are open book, meaning you can refer to documentation, notes, or other resources while completing the tasks. This format reflects real world working conditions, where professionals often consult references to solve problems effectively.
Is there a time limit?
You will have 2 hours to complete the lab with the ability to request an additional hour if needed as you progress through the lab.
How many assessments are available for me to take?
At the time of writing, there was 38 free assessments available at the following link, Browse Credentials | Microsoft Learn. These assessments span a variety of technologies and roles, including:
- .NET
- Active Directory
- ASP.NET
- Azure
- Github
- Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Copilot
- Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft Entra
- Microsoft Fabric
- Microsoft Graph
- Microsoft Power Platform
- Microsoft Teams
- SQL Server
- Visual Studio Code
- Windows Server
Are these assessments for beginners?
There are beginner, intermediate and advanced assessments available. The difficulty level is clearly documented on each credential’s detail page. Example below:
Check out the Applied Skills poster at the following Microsoft link: https://aka.ms/AppliedSkillsPoster
This poster lists all Microsoft Applied Skills credentials on one page.
How do I start the assessment?
To begin a Microsoft Applied Skills assessment:
- Visit the Microsoft Applied Skills page.
- Browse the list of available credentials.
- Click on the assessment you wish to take.
- Review the learning path (optional) if you want to prepare beforehand.
- When ready, click “Launch lab assessment” to begin.
You’ll be guided through the process of signing in and accessing the virtual lab environment.
Log in to Microsoft Learn using your personal email account. Once you’re ready, click the “Take assessment” button on the credential page to begin, as shown in the image below.
Wait for the lab virtual machine to load. This may take a few moments, so please be patient while the environment is being prepared.
Log in using the credentials provided. These will appear on the right hand side of the screen once the lab environment has loaded.
In the lab, you’ll be asked to complete a series of tasks. The guidelines and requirements for these tasks are provided through a series of email messages, which you can access within the lab environment.
Can I save the lab and come back later?
No, you will not be able to save your progress and return to the lab at a later time. Once the assessment begins, you must complete all tasks in a single session. Be sure to plan accordingly and allow enough uninterrupted time to finish the lab.
What if I fail the assessment? can I take it again?
Yes, if you are not successful, you can retake the assessment. However, you must wait 72 hours before launching it again. This gives you time to review your performance, revisit the learning materials, and prepare for another attempt. If you fail again, you can still retake the assessment after another 72 hour wait. There is currently no limit on the number of attempts for Microsoft Applied Skills assessments.
What happens when I complete all the tasks?
After you’ve completed all the tasks in the lab, click the “Submit Assessment” button to submit your work for scoring. You’ll be asked to confirm that you want to end the lab. Selecting “Yes” will close the lab session and trigger the scoring process.
It typically takes a few minutes to evaluate your work. During this time, your actions are reviewed against the expected outcomes for each task. Do not click “Submit Assessment” until you’ve completed all tasks, as you won’t be able to return to the lab once it’s submitted.
Do Microsoft Applied Skills credentials expire?
Microsoft Applied Skills credentials do not expire. Once earned, they remain active on your Microsoft Learn profile. However, Microsoft may retire specific credentials over time to keep the programme aligned with evolving technologies.
Are Applied Skills credentials replacing role/questions based certifications?
No. Applied Skills credentials are not replacing Certifications. Microsoft are expanding their credentialing portfolio to better meet the needs of learners and customers by allowing people to validate very specific skills sets with this new offering.
Certifications are role based and assess a broader range of skills required to succeed in critical job roles within today’s rapidly evolving technical landscape
In contrast, Applied Skills credentials are scenario based and focus on a narrower skill set, typically aligned to solving a specific business challenge or implementing a targeted solution.
Tip for Using the Virtual Lab
You can resize the virtual lab machine to make it larger for easier viewing. If you have a second monitor, you can also split the instructions onto a separate screen. This gives you more space to work inside the lab environment and helps you follow the steps more comfortably.
I hope you found this post useful.
