Microsoft Applied Skills: Are They Worth Taking?
A little over a year ago, Microsoft announced Applied Skills credentials to verify in-demand technical skills. As of now, there are 35 “challenges” available to complete. These credentials are verifiable and validate that a person possesses a certain set of practical knowledge on a given topic. Applied Skills assessments are completely free of charge and can be taken remotely without the need for proctoring.
Background
I had planned to try these since the day they were announced but couldn’t find the time. When I eventually did, most of the ones I wanted to take were under maintenance, making it impossible to proceed. This was the message I frequently encountered:
Since spring/summer, many of the assessments have been brought back online, allowing users to take them. However, at the time of writing this (January 17, 2025), many appear to be undergoing maintenance again. In the spring, some technical issues were discovered during system maintenance (according to Microsoft training support), so perhaps a similar situation is occurring now.
Applied Skills vs. Certifications
One of the most frequently asked questions about Applied Skills is whether they are replacing traditional certifications. The short answer is no.
To elaborate: if you need to evaluate a broader set of skills, certifications are the way to go. However, if you want to validate a specific and narrower skill set, Applied Skills credentials are the right choice. Microsoft states that certifications typically validate 4–6 skill sets, while Applied Skills focus on just one specific area. Certifications are role-based, whereas Applied Skills are product-based.
Another difference is that, unlike associate- and expert-level certifications, Applied Skills credentials don’t expire. In that sense, they are more like Fundamentals certifications. However, they can be retired after a certain amount of time.
Microsoft described Applied Skills in their announcement as follows:
For more than 30 years, our industry-recognized certifications have provided proof of world-class technical proficiency for in-demand job roles. In today’s ever-changing business environment, there are also times when you need verified project-specific skills, as offered by Applied Skills credentials.
Preparing for the assessment
Preparing for an Applied Skills assessment is similar to preparing for a certification exam, though the scope is not as broad. On the assessment start page, you’ll find a list of tasks to perform in the lab, along with a specific Microsoft Learn learning path for self-paced study to help you gain the skills and knowledge needed.
Taking the assessment
As mentioned earlier, you can take the Applied Skills assessment from the comfort of your home or office without proctoring. When you start the assessment, a lab environment will be created for you, and you’ll have two hours to complete the given tasks. Typically, there are 12–16 tasks, but the number can vary depending on the lab.
It’s worth noting that you cannot save your work and return later. Once you launch the lab, you must wait 72 hours before launching it again. So, if you don’t pass, you can’t retry immediately.
Since labs are scored based on tasks performed correctly, there isn’t a single specific way to complete them. You can choose your preferred method (e.g., using the Azure Portal or PowerShell) unless explicitly stated otherwise.
After completing all tasks, you submit your assessment, and results are typically available within minutes. In my experience, this process works well, and I’ve never had to wait long for my results.
I’ve completed two assessments so far and have nothing negative to say about the lab environment. It has worked smoothly without any major issues. I’d recommend using a larger screen though since the lab runs in a browser. You can see a screenshot of the environment here.
Are they worth taking?
Finally, let’s address the question posed in the title: Are Applied Skills assessments worth taking? In my opinion, absolutely!
From my experience, the tasks are engaging and specific to each case, reflecting real-world scenarios (at least to some extent). Since these assessments are hands-on labs, they’re incredibly useful—you get to perform practical tasks in a real environment. The tasks range from easy to challenging, allowing you to validate your knowledge effectively. If you’ve prepared well, you shouldn’t encounter any major issues.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or a seasoned professional, I highly recommend giving Applied Skills assessments a try. You’ll likely learn something new. 😊
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