**My Experience With the Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam and How I learned to Manage Microsoft Teams**

The day I decided to do the Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam is etched in my mind.  I was an Azure-focused Systems Administrator, so naturally, I managed Microsoft 365 and the various applications within it.  With Teams quickly becoming the primary way to communicate throughout the organization, this became more of a necessity than just simply doing my job. I could create Teams policies and fix basic issues, but I ultimately knew that I didn't have a formal level of expertise, especially none that I had to document my abilities while demonstrating my knowledge of the tools required to use Microsoft Teams effectively.

My decision also stemmed from an increasing internal need to help implement, manage, and control teams' communication via chat, meetings, and security governance across multiple offices. I had actually used many of the features of Microsoft Teams, but I wanted a credential that I could use in interviews and new project proposals that would validate my experience working on Microsoft Teams. So I committed to taking the MS-700 Certification Exam!

**Getting to Know the Microsoft MS-700 Certification Exam**

Prior to beginning my journey towards getting certified, I wanted to ensure that I understood exactly what that meant before starting. According to Microsoft's certification information page, the MS-700 exam is officially called Managing Microsoft Teams and enables people to prove their skills to build, deploy, configure, manage, and maintain Microsoft Teams within enterprise organizations, including understanding and managing Governance and Compliance.

**What to expect from MS-700**

- The average exam consists of 40-60 multiple choice (MC) and scenario-based questions.
- Exam time typically runs 120 minutes.
- A passing score on MS-700 is 700 out of 1000 possible points.
- You must apply your knowledge and reasoning abilities to think through each of the reality-based questions instead of just memorizing answers.

While there are no specified prerequisites for taking this exam, the general agreement among trainers and professionals is that having previous experience using Office 365 services and familiarity with PowerShell to manage Teams,will better prepare you for passing this exam.

The exam delivery method is through Pearson VUE, allowing you to choose either a testing facility near you or an online proctored exam session. The price of the exam varies based on geographic location, but the average price for the exam is $165 USD (or equivalent). To register for an exam, you will be required to create a Microsoft Learn account, which will link you to scheduler and identification verification.

**What I Loved and What Stumped Me**

**The First Weeks: The Beginning of the Rollercoaster**

I started using the Microsoft Learning modules right away, and at first, the learning curve was very steep. There were great explanations of the different features and policies that Microsoft 365 has to offer, but finding a logical connection between the features to understand how to manage Teams was difficult. I did have access to some **[Microsoft dumps](https://www.certification-exam.com/en/dumps/microsoft-exam/)** practice exams to check my foundational skills, but found that the most beneficial way to learn was to connect what I learned with my actual testing tenant.

**Creating Effective Learning Habits**

I chose to handle my exam preparation as if it were a project:

- I used the Microsoft Learn modules as the official course syllabus and followed the domains in sequence.
- I created my own Teams environment in a test tenant so that I could create policies and troubleshoot real-life scenarios.
- I took timed practice assessments every week to identify my weak points and reinforce my strengths.
- I didn’t use any cheat sheets or dusty notes: my studies were work through consistent exposure and repetition.

It wasn't until I started to see progress as a result of being able to predict the reasoning behind Microsoft's best practices vs. just memorizing them.

The primary reason I used **[CERTIFICATION EXAM](https://www.certification-exam.com/)** quizzes was because the actual simulation of the exam experience, as well as the extensive explanation of the answers, demonstrated my accuracy in tracking my progress, were very similar to those of an actual test. These resources helped me develop my logical understanding of the content rather than memorising the facts.

While I also found sites that provided **[MS-700 dumps](https://www.certification-exam.com/en/dumps/microsoft-exam/ms-700-dumps/)**, I was careful about how I used these, as I only used them when I was confident that I understood the concepts. Because of the risks associated with relying on unvalidated dumps for learning the exam material, I avoided using it completely while I was preparing.

**The Day of the Exam: My Actual Experience**

I opted to take my exam using an online proctored session. Check-in went smoothly as it was well-structured. The clock began ticking, and I was able to utilise my muscle memory developed from using these resources consistently and frequently in practice. The scenario-type questions that had previously intimidated me were now very manageable. When the results page popped up, I was relieved that I had passed the exam with a score of 800.

**What Earning the MS-700 Certification Has Done for My Career**

Obtaining my MS-700 certification has greatly improved the way both my peers and colleagues perceive my skills as a professional. The certification proves to everyone that I am capable of operating Microsoft Teams at the same level as a more experienced administrator. This has helped to increase my credibility as a professional. It has also allowed me to take on more advanced roles regarding the planning and strategy of collaborative technologies, and to have more input during senior management meetings – especially when it comes to internal promotions.

Additionally, the certification is highly sought after in today's job market. Both Microsoft Teams Administrator and Microsoft 365 Administrator jobs are quickly growing and offer good career prospects. For example, the average salary of a MS-700 Certified MS-700 Certified Microsoft Teams Administrator is approximately £43,750 per year (based on Glassdoor), which is approximately equivalent in the U.S. Although the average salaries varies greatly from region to region due to local job markets and gross domestic product (GDP) of that specific area. For example, the Microsoft Job Portal reported in July 2023 that qualified individuals in India could earn a combined annual salary of ₹24.4 lakh and ₹31.9 lakh. Accordingly, an individual certified with MS-700 can potentially expect to earn up to 200% of what his/her counterparts earn around the world.

I used a range of resources when studying for the MS-700 exam. I found the official Microsoft practice tests to be the best option available, as they replicate the testing format and style of the actual exam. Although they are more expensive than other preparation tools, the fact that they are so realistic and provide extensive feedback make them a must-have resource. Udemy's video-based courses provided useful foundational knowledge, while Codecademy structured progression, usually by subject, through their progression tracking tool. Each of these resources has a strong point; but, most importantly, the use of adaptive quizzes and tracking of my progression were the main contributing factors in reinforcing my learning and readiness for the exam.

**Advice I would give to anyone studying for the MS-700 Exam**

- Know the Official Objectives — Make sure to create your study plan based on the official skills from Microsoft.
- Use Multiple Resources — Use Microsoft Learn, quizzes, and structured courses as a means of approaching each of the concepts learned through different perspectives.
- Engaging in Active Planning — Simulation of Administrators under Active Conditions Using Resources Easily Allocated will sew you to your performance time; so be sure to post how you did against your time. 
- Assess Areas of Weakness — Use the results of the examiner's analysis to determine what weaknesses, in terms of overall performance, you have and to consider whether to improve those areas of deficit for you, prior to writing your letter. 
- Analyzing Real Life Situations — An examination of how to effectively utilize critical thinking skills, or simply how to recollect an ite,m is the objective of the MS-700 Exam. 

**Conclusion**

The experience in acquiring and gaining my certification from Microsoft through the MS-700 progra, has been an incredible benefit; not only do I get to upgrade my resume, however I also gained great personal growth, as well as gained valuable confidence with my abilities and advancement potential within my career.

 For the person committed to mastering Teams Administration, employing a disciplined study strategy including practical applications, evaluation, and targeted skills assessments will make your success not just possible, but also most definable.

Whether this will be your first certification or you are simply adding a new certification to your resume, I hope my story provides you with both motivation to be successful and tangible examples on your road to being successful.