Ignite, the annual conference that brings the latest news, product announcements and training opportunities from the world of Microsoft, will be digitally kicking off this Tuesday, March 2^nd.  While I’ll be sure to tune in to some of the training sessions as they become available, I’m most interested in the Cloud Skills Challenge. 

Beginning on Tuesday and extending through the end of the month, users can choose and complete 1 of 7 challenges to earn a free voucher to sit for one of the following certification exams: 

• AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator 
• DP-100: Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure 
• MS-700: Managing Microsoft Teams 
• MS-100: Microsoft 365 Identity and Services 
• MS-101: Microsoft 365 Mobility and Security 
• DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI 
• SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst 
• SC-300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator 
• SC-400: Microsoft Information Protection Administrator 

Some of these exams are highly sought after and, considering the current cost of an exam attempt is around $165, completing this challenge seems like a no-brainer.  Who knows, perhaps completing the challenge may increase your knowledge on the subject and even improve your chances of passing the exam? 

Next Steps: 

• Register for Microsoft Ignite for free. 
• Review the official rules and FAQs of the Cloud Skills Challenge. 
• Sign up to be notified when the Cloud Skills Challenge Begins.