Happy New Year all and welcome to my updated advice if Microsoft certifications are your New Year’s resolution for 2026.
Three years ago I published a post that covered advice if Microsoft certifications are your New Years resolution. However, a lot has changed since then. Including the introduction of Microsoft Fabric and the advancement of AI. So, I thought an updated version was required.
Microsoft certification path
My first piece of advice if Microsoft certifications are your New Year’s resolution is to decide what certification you want to gain first and stick with that choice. If you want to gain multiple certifications figure out which path logically makes the most sense to you.
For example, in an older post about certifications for Microsoft Fabric enthusiasts I proposed the below exam path for the DP-600 exam.
Where you first take the DP-900 exam to cover the Azure Data Fundamentals. From there take the PL-300 Power BI exam. Afterwards, take the DP-600 exam to gain the ‘Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate‘ certification.
Once you have decided which certification to go for check which exams are the current ones on the certification page. You would be surprised how many places online still state exams which are now retired. Plus, as I stated in a previous post the exams required can change.
Microsoft certification pages and study guides
Some time ago I wrote a post on how to make the most out of certification pages for Azure exams. In reality, a of changes has happened on exam pages since that post.
For example, as you can see on the page for the Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate certification you can see that it contains a rich number of details. Including a link to the practice assessment and a link to the study guide.
You can click on the study guide link to view or download the PDF file. Plus, you can now take advantage of AI directly in the study guide. By selecting the Ask Learn feature.
Another powerful AI tool you can look to work with to get the most out of exams is the Microsoft Learn MCP server. Which can be a powerful asset to work with when studying for exams. I shared my initial results of testing the MCP server some time ago. However, it is capable of so much more.
Microsoft certifications study technique
One way to study for the exams is to have in-person training. Which can be done either though an official Microsoft trainer or through customized training.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you are lucky you get to make a judgement call yourself. However, sometimes your employer will have their own preference.
As I mentioned in a previous post about data certifications I have my own personal technique for self-studying for Microsoft exams. Which is as follows:
- I go through the official Microsoft Learn modules stated in the study guide.
- I then watch the related Pluralsight videos. I must stress that other online video platforms are available.
- Finally, I go through the official practice tests from MeasureUp.
Practice tests can be either purchased when you book the exam or available through the Enterprise Skills Initiative portal if you work for a large enterprise. Providing a practice test for that exam is available. Always check this in advance.
Now, this is just my way of studying for a Microsoft exam. Everybody is different so you must discover a way that works for you. For example, if studying for the DP-700 exam you can also watch the CertiAce and the F-Files Podcast series videos instead.
Plus, these days I strongly suggest looking to work with the Microsoft Learn MCP server. Even if just getting it to create a study guide for you.
Again, there are advantages and disadvantages of doing either in-person training and self-studying.
Final words if Microsoft certifications are your New Year’s resolution
I hope my advice if Microsoft certifications are your New Year’s resolution has given some of you plenty to think about. You can get more information about some areas by clicking on the links in this post.
Of course, I am sure plenty of you have other New Year’s resolutions. Whatever your New Year resolutions are I wish you the best of luck with them.
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