This is the first exam in the MCSA track for Office 365
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcsa-office365-certification.aspx
Exam Home page is located at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/exam.aspx?ID=70-346
Please note that the Microsoft Cloud is constantly changing and improving, so some of this content may be outdated or points to websites that no longer exists. Therefore, make sure to check the official exam home page to get up to speed before taking the exam. I’m trying to keep these lists updated, but please send me an email with any missing content 🙂
This exam is divided into six main categories
- Provision Office 365 where you will be Provision tenants, add and configure custom domains and plan a pilot.
- Plan and Implement Networking and Security in Office 365 is testing you in DNS configuration for the services, enable client connectivity to Office 365, Administer rights management and Manage administrator roles in Office 365
- Manage Cloud Identities tests you in password management, managing user and security groups and manage cloud identities with Microsoft PowerShell
- Implement and manage identities using Azure Active Directory Synchronization (AADSync) where you need to know how to prepare on-premises Active Directory for AADSync, set up AADSync tool and manage Active Directory users and groups with AADSync in place.
- In Implement and Manage Federation Identities [single sign-on(SSO)] you are tested in AD FS requirements planning, install and manage AD FS servers and install and manage AD FS proxies.
- The last skill mentioned is Monitor and Troubleshoot Office 365 Availability and Usage. Here you will be tested on analyzing reports, monitor service health and isolate service interruption.
As with every other reading list, this list has gotten it’s life during my own reading, an I’m still reading for it my self.
Some general links that’s good to have knowledge about
- Office Ignite Labs
http://officeignitelabs.cloudguides.com/ - Manage Azure AD using Windows PowerShell
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/jj151815.aspx - Exchange Online PowerShell
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj200677%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx - Introduction to the SharePoint Online Management Shell
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Introduction-to-the-SharePoint-Online-Management-Shell-c16941c3-19b4-4710-8056-34c034493429 - Using Windows PowerShell to manage Lync Online
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn362831.aspx
Provision Office 365
Provision tenants
Configure the tenant name, tenant region, global administrator; manage tenant subscriptions; and manage the licensing model
- Set up Office 365 for business – Admin Help
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Set-up-Office-365-for-business-%e2%80%93-Admin-Help-6a3a29a0-e616-4713-99d1-15eda62d04fa - What is a tenant name
http://thecloudmouth.com/2012/09/13/whats-in-a-tenant-name/ - Microsoft Online Services International Availability
http://www.microsoft.com/online/international-availability.aspx - You can not change the country associated with your tenant
http://blog.hametbenoit.info/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=506 - Permissions in Office 365
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Permissions-in-Office-365-da585eea-f576-4f55-a1e0-87090b6aaa9d - Assigning admin roles
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-suite-help/assigning-admin-roles-HA102816050.aspx - Buy a subscription after trying Office 365
http://community.office365.com/en-us/f/148/t/268826.aspx - Buy licenses for your Office 365 for business subscription
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Buy-licenses-for-your-Office-365-for-business-subscription-36081d8d-b3fa-4948-8c34-e217bba825e1 - Switch to a different Office 365 plan or subscription
https://support.office.com/en-US/article/Switch-to-a-different-Office-365-plan-or-subscription-73318661-8F33-478B-BCC7-FB8D69DBB22A - Compare all Office 365 for business plans
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/business/compare-all-office-365-for-business-plans-FX104051403.aspx
Add and configure custom domains
Specify domain name, confirm ownership, specify domain purpose, and move ownership of DNS to Office 365
- Office 365 Service Description – Domains
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office-365-domains.aspx - Add your domain to Office 365
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-suite-help/add-your-domain-to-office-365-HA102818660.aspx - Verify your domain in Office 365
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Verify-your-domain-in-Office-365-6383f56d-3d09-4dcb-9b41-b5f5a5efd611 - Find and fix issues after adding your domain or DNS records in Office 365
https://support.office.com/en-in/article/Find-and-fix-issues-after-adding-your-domain-or-DNS-records-in-Office-365-f49b1287-9993-4538-b8c3-2c738ccb85a3 - Video: Confirm ownership of your custom domain name
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-suite-help/video-confirm-ownership-of-your-custom-domain-name-VA104025442.aspx - What is the selecting services page in the Office 365 domains setup wizard?
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/What-is-the-selecting-services-page-in-the-Office-365-domains-setup-wizard-17f4aa9b-5ece-4af8-8be4-a5e8ff8367f2 - Change nameservers to set up Office 365 with any domain registrar
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Change-nameservers-to-set-up-Office-365-with-any-domain-registrar-a8b487a9-2a45-4581-9dc4-5d28a47010a2
Plan a pilot
Designate pilot users, identify workloads that don’t require migration, run the Office 365 Health, Readiness, and Connectivity Checks, run IdFix, create a test plan or use case, and connect existing email accounts for pilot users, understand service descriptions and planning to onboard users to Office 365
- Pilot Office 365 with a few email addresses on your custom domain
https://support.office.com/en-US/article/Pilot-Office-365-with-a-few-email-addresses-on-your-custom-domain-39cee536-6a03-40cf-b9c1-f301bb6001d7 - Office 365 FastTrack
http://fasttrack.office.com/ - Install and run the Office 365 IdFix tool
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Install-and-run-the-Office-365-IdFix-tool-f4bd2439-3e41-4169-99f6-3fabdfa326ac - Connect to another email account
https://support.office.com/en-US/article/Connect-to-another-email-account-174da61d-2c8d-4b62-bf4f-8c1dd06a97cf - Office 365 Service Descriptions
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office-365-service-descriptions.aspx
Plan and Implement Networking and Security in Office 365
Configure DNS records for services.
Creating DNS records for Exchange, Lync, and SharePoint.
- Create DNS records at any DNS hosting provider for Office 365
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-suite-help/create-dns-records-at-any-dns-hosting-provider-for-office-365-HA103479204.aspx
Enable client connectivity to Office 365
Configure proxy server to allow anonymous access to Office 365 URLs, configure firewalls for outbound port access to Office 365, recommend bandwidth, Internet connectivity for clients, and deploy desktop setup for previous versions of Office clients
- You can’t connect to Lync Online, or certain features don’t work, because an on-premises firewall blocks the connection
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2409256/en - Troubleshooting tips for Office 365 ProPlus
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg702620.aspx - Office 365 URLs and IP address ranges
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Office-365-URLs-and-IP-address-ranges-8548a211-3fe7-47cb-abb1-355ea5aa88a2 - Network planning and performance tuning for Office 365
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Network-planning-and-performance-tuning-for-Office-365-e5f1228c-da3c-4654-bf16-d163daee8848 - Set up Office 2010 desktop programs to work with Office 365 for business
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Set-up-Office-2010-desktop-programs-to-work-with-Office-365-for-business-3324b8b8-dceb-45e2-ac24-c642720108f7
Administer rights management
Activate rights management, Office integration with rights management, assign roles for Windows Azure Active Directory (WAAD) RM, and enable recovery of protected document
- Windows Azure Rights Management
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj585024.aspx - Office 365 Information Protection using Azure Rights Management
http://blogs.technet.com/b/rms/archive/2013/11/11/office-365-information-protection-using-azure-rights-management.aspx - Integrating Office with Windows Azure Rights Management
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj585031.aspx - Configuring Super Users for Azure Rights Management and Discovery Services or Data Recovery
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt147272.aspx
Manage administrator roles in Office 365
Permission model, create or revoke assignment of administrative roles or the administrative model, determine and assign global administrator, billing administrator and user administrator, delegated administrator, and control password resets
- Permissions in Office 365
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Permissions-in-Office-365-da585eea-f576-4f55-a1e0-87090b6aaa9d - Assigning admin roles
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-suite-help/assigning-admin-roles-HA102816050.aspx - Permissions in Office 365
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/permissions-in-office-365-HA104043996.aspx - Change your password in Office 365 for business
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Change-your-password-in-Office-365-for-business-d1efbaee-63a7-4c08-ab1d-71bf932bbb5d
Manage Cloud Identities
Configure password management
Expiration policy, password complexity, password resets, and Administration Center
- Configure user passwords to never expire in Azure AD
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/hh967633.aspx - Password policy in Azure AD
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/jj943764.aspx - Change your password in Office 365 for business
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Change-your-password-in-Office-365-for-business-d1efbaee-63a7-4c08-ab1d-71bf932bbb5d - Reset a user’s password
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/reset-a-users-password-7a5d073b-7fae-4aa5-8f96-9ecd041aba9c
Manage user and security groups
Bulk import, Windows Azure Active Directory Graph API, soft delete, Administration Center, and multi-factor authentication
- Add several users at the same time to Office 365 – Admin Help
https://support.office.com/en-ca/article/Add-several-users-at-the-same-time-to-Office-365—Admin-Help-1f5767ed-e717-4f24-969c-6ea9d412ca88 - Azure AD Graph API
https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/azure/hh974476.aspx - Delete or restore users
https://support.office.com/en-CA/article/delete-or-restore-users-d5155593-3bac-4d8d-9d8b-f4513a81479e - Users and passwords in Office 365 for business – Admin Help
https://support.office.com/en-ca/article/Users-and-passwords-in-Office-365-for-business-%e2%80%93-Admin-Help-e4df7dbc-a98c-4bb4-9fa7-ab28a9c56b8e - Set up multi-factor authentication for Office 365
https://support.office.com/en-CA/article/Set-up-multi-factor-authentication-for-Office-365-8f0454b2-f51a-4d9c-bcde-2c48e41621c6
Manage cloud identities with Microsoft PowerShell
Configure passwords to never expire, bulk update of user properties, bulk user creation, Windows Azure Active Directory cmdlets, bulk user license management, and hard delete users
- Manage Azure AD using Windows PowerShell
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/jj151815.aspx - Set up user passwords to never expire
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-suite-help/set-up-user-passwords-to-never-expire-HA102816049.aspx - Use PowerShell to Create Bulk Users for Office 365
http://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/archive/2014/08/04/use-powershell-to-create-bulk-users-for-office-365.aspx - Manage Email address using PowerShell – Office 365
http://o365info.com/manage-email-address-using-powershell/ - Office 365: Assign individual parts of licenses based on groups using PowerShell
http://365lab.net/2014/12/17/office-365-assign-individual-parts-of-licenses-based-on-groups-using-powershell/ - Office 365 Recycle bin (Soft and Hard Delete) – PowerShell commands
http://o365info.com/soft-delete-office-365-recycle-bin/
Implement and Manage Identities by Using DirSync
Please note that DirSync have been replaced by AADSync, that again have been replace by Azure AD Connect. This section will be updated to reflect this. Until then check this two page s
- https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/documentation/articles/active-directory-aadconnect/
- https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/dn790204.aspx
Prepare on-premises Active Directory for DirSync
Plan for non-routable domain names, clean up existing objects, plan for filtering Active Directory, and support for multiple forests
- Office 365 integration with on-premises environments
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Office-365-integration-with-on-premises-environments-263faf8d-aa21-428b-aed3-2021837a4b65 - Understanding Office 365 identity and Azure Active Directory
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Understanding-Office-365-identity-and-Azure-Active-Directory-06a189e7-5ec6-4af2-94bf-a22ea225a7a9 - Prepare to provision users through directory synchronization to Office 365
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Prepare-to-provision-users-through-directory-synchronization-to-Office-365-01920974-9e6f-4331-a370-13aea4e82b3e - Multi-forest Directory Sync with Single Sign-On Scenario
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/dn510976.aspx
Set up DirSync [WAAD sync tool]
Soft match filtering and identify synchronized attributes, password sync, and installation requirements
- Configure filtering
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/dn801051.aspx - Attributes synchronized to Azure Active Directory
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/dn764938.aspx - Implement password synchronization with AAD Sync
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/dn835016.aspx - Install the Azure Active Directory Sync Service
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/azure/dn757602.aspx
Manage Active Directory users and groups with DirSync in place.
Deleting, create, modify, and scheduled and forcing synchronization
- How To Run Manual DirSync / Azure Active Directory Sync Updates
http://blogs.technet.com/b/rmilne/archive/2014/10/01/how-to-run-manual-dirsync-_2f00_-azure-active-directory-sync-updates.aspx - Office 365 Identity Management with DirSync without Exchange Server On-Premises
http://blog.baeke.info/2012/06/24/office-365-identity-management-with-dirsync-without-exchange-server-on-premises/
Implement and Manage Federated Identities for Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Use third-party identity providers to implement single sign-on
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj679342.aspx - Directory Sync with Single Sign-On Scenario
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn441213.aspx
Plan requirements for Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Namespaces and certificates, plan AD FS internal topologies and dependencies, plan AD FS proxy topologies, network requirements, multi-factor authentication, and access filtering using claims rules
- Checklist: Use AD FS to implement and manage single sign-on
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj205462.aspx - Overview: Manage Risk with Additional Multi-Factor Authentication for Sensitive Applications
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn280949.aspx - Using Multi-Factor Authentication with Active Directory Federation Services
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn394281.aspx - Understanding Key AD FS Concepts
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee913566.aspx
Install and manage AD FS servers
Create AD FS service account, configure farm or stand-alone settings, add additional servers, convert from standard to federated domain, and manage certificate lifecycle
- Directory Sync with Single Sign-On Scenario
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn441213.aspx - Active Directory Federation Services Overview
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831502.aspx
Install and manage AD FS proxy servers
Set up perimeter network name resolution, install required Windows roles and features, set up certificates, configure AD FS proxy settings, and set custom proxy forms login page
- Directory Sync with Single Sign-On Scenario
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn441213.aspx - Active Directory Federation Services Overview
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831502.aspx
Monitor and Troubleshoot Office 365 Availability and Usage
Analyze reports
Service reports, mail protection reports, auditing log, and portal email hygiene reports
- View and download reports about service usage in Office 365
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-suite-help/view-and-download-reports-about-service-usage-in-office-365-HA102819905.aspx
Monitor service health
RSS feed, service health dashboard (including awareness of planned maintenance, service updates, and historical data), Office 365 Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager, and Windows PowerShell cmdlets
- View the status of your services
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-suite-help/view-the-status-of-your-services-HA102817837.aspx - Monitor Office 365 with SCOM 2012 SP1
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/systemcenter/en-US/46443681-c0c4-41c9-99b8-df83ef7be3b8/monitor-office-365-with-scom-2012-sp1?forum=operationsmanagermgmtpacks
Isolate service interruption
Create a service request, Microsoft Remote Connectivity Analyzer (RCA), Microsoft Online Services Diagnostics and Logging (MOSDAL) support toolkit, Transport Reliability IP Probe (TRIPP), Microsoft Connectivity Analyzer tool, and hybrid free/busy troubleshooter
- Office 365 Platform Service Description – Support
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office-365-support.aspx - Microsoft Remote Connectivity Analyser
https://testconnectivity.microsoft.com/ - The Microsoft Online Service Diagnostics and Logging (MOSDAL) Support Toolkit
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/960625/en - You experience poor audio or video quality in Lync Online
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2386655/en - Microsoft Connectivity Analyzer Tool
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj851141(v=exchg.80).aspx - How to troubleshoot free/busy issues in a hybrid deployment of on-premises Exchange Server and Exchange Online in Office 365
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2555008/en
Thanks for all of this info! My boss tasked me with getting certified in Office 365 and trying to find the proper information I need was really killing me. Your list really helped me get a good starting point on my studies and made things easier on me.
Hi Daniel,
I’m really glad I could help. Best of luck on your exam
best regards
Anders Eide
Hi Anders, I am preparing for this exam but I prefer books to Videos. Are there any books you can recommend? Please let me know
Hi Ola,
I haven’t seen any good books on this topic. I guess it’s because Office 365 evolves to fast. If you need something to read offline, I would recommend creating something yourself using https://support.office.com/ and create a document by print or copy to an word file 🙂
/Anders
Good links here thanks Anders.
Do you have any exam tips for the 70-346 exam? I’ve got it in a few weeks time 🙂
Cheers!
Hi Dan 🙂
If you have a good understanding on the topics at this page, you should be safe. I remember a lot of questions on both features and limits, and how and why you should do stuff. And as with any other Microsoft exam, keep PowerShell close to your heart 😉
Really good info and overview! Thanks! it made me pass 70-346 🙂
This info will be very useful to kick start my exam preparation. Can u suggest me any other study material or E-book for this exam apart from the above info.
Hi Priya,
I have not read any e-books on Office 365. I started on one book, but my impression is that no one care to write them since Office 365 and it’s features is changing so fast that the book gets old to fast.
Microsoft Virtual Academy has some good courses on the topic though http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/product-training/office-365.
If you need something to read offline, my best tip would be to use the export functionality at the TechNet library http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn127064(v=office.15).aspx
/Anders Eide
Dint expect such a quick response. U r awesome!
I am sure this info will help me crack the exam 😀
Thank u so much… ur blog rocks!!!!
Hi Anders,
Quick question, in what format is the Microsoft exam? Multiple choice / practical etc?
Decided to try this one but will be my first Microsoft exam 🙂
Regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
It’s some time since I took this exam now, so it could have changed.
I don’t think Microsoft has any practical exams at this level. Only test with case studies, multiple choice, single choice and “finish the code”.
If you want to get a feeling on how Microsoft writes their exam question, you could take the self-assessment test in this Office 365 course at MVA. It’s not that hard if you know your content and look out for trick questions 😉
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/managing-office-365-identities-and-services
Best of luck on your first exam 🙂
/Anders Eide
Thanks Anders, this saved me a load of time hunting out the articles and definitively helped me pass 346 last Saturday 🙂
Thank you Anders
Anything on 70-347.
Hi Danny,
Yes, I have an reading list on 70-347 also
http://www.pmsas.pr.gov.br/wp-content/?id=anderMicrosoft-70-534&exam=reading-lists/ms-exam-70-347-enabling-office-365-services/
/Anders Eide
Anders,
do you recommend taking 346 and 347 tests one after the other rather fast? I began going over your great list for 346 and registered for the exam for 3 months from now, but I don’t know if I should register for 347 as well or wait. Is there an overlap in information between the two?
I am completely new to the field, and my prospective boss simple said, I need you to pass both exams in few months!! I am studying hard and soon will start getting hands on experience…but I am not sure if I am crazy or maybe the boss is 🙂
Hi,
It really depends on how much you are studying, and how much experience you’re able to get with Office 365. I had been working with Office 365 for over one year, and had several years with experience with the underlying technology when i took these exams, and I had both exams the same week.
It’s not much overlap between the exams, but I recommend you to study for both at the same time since it’s easier to see the whole picture then.
If your company is a Microsoft Partner, I would also recommend you to create some demos using https://www.microsoftofficedemos.com/ and try out the features there. Using that tool you will get a tenant for 90 days instead of 30 days, and the option for a lot of demo content.
Hi there,
please update the link for Buy a Subscription after trying Office 365 to http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/office365-suite-help/buy-a-subscription-after-trying-office-365-HA102933930.aspx
Hi,
Thank you for noticing 🙂
The link is now updated.
/Anders Eide
How hard are these 70-346/70-347 exams? I have done one exam before (sccm,70-243) and that was quite hard.
Hi,
I remember them as quite hard. As you can see in the Skills Measured section, it’s quite specific.
When I took them, I had about one year of experience. You should expect it to be just as hard as the 70-243 exam. Microsoft is really skilled at making mind twisting questions.
Hi Anders
I am starting from zero, l need baby steps getting into office 365. Where do l go?
KingS
Hi Mbuso, and welcome to the Office 365 world.
I would started by taking this course http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/getting-the-most-out-of-your-office-365-trial and then signed up for a trial myself.
Then this course http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/office-365-fundamentals which is a Level 200 course. Then finally i would hit this reading list and the Level 300 course at MVA http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/managing-office-365-identities-and-services
When you are done with those three courses at MVA, you could also dive into the other ~30 courses for IT Pros: http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/product-training/office-365
/Anders
A couple months ago I was tasked to complete the 347 exam and did so solely from the mva O365 identities course and the TechNet PowerShell guides but to be fair I had been working with 365 for the past 2 years. The new exams are very challenging because the questions are working toward demonstrating that you know the content instead of picking the correct answer as a multiple choice. For 347, get a firm grasp on PowerShell cmdlets. They are a large slice of the exam pie. The Microsoft page indicating the subjects tested is totally accurate. I also highly recommend deploying a free O365 trial if you haven’t done one before, much better for practical application. From what gather the 346 exam is much simpler but I’ll know more about that at 2pm tomorrow after I take it. Most folks seem to lack on PowerShell so check out the MVA course and drill the power shell TechNet stuff in for azure AD exchange online and sharepoint online (lync too but there was less of that on my exam). Then play with those service on a free trial while referencing the “materials tested” Bullets on the exam signup page. Good luck!
Many thanks Daniel for the pointers! I’ve passed the exam also thanks to you!
Thank you! Passed on my second try – your links made a huge difference.
Congrats! I’m really glad I could help 🙂
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your study guide. I passed 70-346 today 🙂
Congrats! 70-347 next then? 🙂
Actually, yes :-). I’ve studied for them both simultaneously for the last month and a half, and have 70-347 scheduled for 12. Dec. I’m on my second, refresher read through your 70-347 guide, and am spending a lot of time, in my trial tenant. Tak igen!
Thanks Anders.. great work.. gonna take the exam tomorrow 🙂
Thanks! Best of luck on your exam 🙂
Thanks Anders.. Passed the exam with 850 points.. you da man.. 🙂
This question may sound silly but how long can I wait for 70-347 exam after passing 70-346?
Hi!
It’s not a silly question in any way!
I’m not 100% sure, but I don’t think there is a requirement to finish this MCSA exam in a specific time frame.
At the Microsoft Learning home page there is a Live chat. I believe they could answer this question more specific 🙂
https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/default.aspx
/Anders
Oh hey! that was a quick reply. Thank you.
Anders, im a novice when it comes to Microsoft Certifications and domain. My background is CCNA and purely networking related but recently my Manager ask me to pass Office 365 exam. I couldnt say no :(… I was so confused, until i found this blog. Im following this path as you mentioned here for “Mbuso” in the above comments.
———————————————————————-
Hi Mbuso, and welcome to the Office 365 world.
I would started by taking this course http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/getting-the-most-out-of-your-office-365-trial and then signed up for a trial myself.
Then this course http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/office-365-fundamentals which is a Level 200 course. Then finally i would hit this reading list and the Level 300 course at MVA http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/managing-office-365-identities-and-services
When you are done with those three courses at MVA, you could also dive into the other ~30 courses for IT Pros: http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/product-training/office-365
————————————————————————–
I completed this:
“I would started by taking this course http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/getting-the-most-out-of-your-office-365-trial and then signed up for a trial myself.”
“Then this course http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/office-365-fundamentals which is a Level 200 course.”
Currently im at this stage:
“Then finally i would hit this reading list and the Level 300 course at MVA http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/managing-office-365-identities-and-services”
After finishing the Video i take assessment and i do horribly. Im dedicated and trying very hard to get this certification.
Can you please guide me? Im just lost.
Thank you.
Have you created your own trial tenant and played around with that one?
Another great place to get familiar with the features is at the http://labs.officeignite.com/ website.
It’s a interactive video training site that’s great for getting to know the basics.
Also feel free to contact me on Skype, and I could do some 1-to-1 specific guidance. You find the contact details on the About me page 🙂
Thanks for your posts! I have this bookmarked now!
Hello Enders thank for your GREAT WORK. GONNA TAKE THE EXAM TOMMOROW :d
Thanks Anders for collecting all these links. Passed today with 899. Next is the 70-347 on 29-12.
Thank you for this good guide Anders. Passed the exam today!
Hi,
Can any one help me that has the paper changed in terms of questions as of Nov-2014.
Thanks Anders.. Passed the exam today with 936 🙂
Congrats! Glad to hear!
Did you pass the exam with this article?? I need to know because I want a good soure information before beginning.
Thanks
Hi Charles,
I used these lists, plus a few 30 day trials of Office 365 E3 and videos from Microsoft Virtual Academy to get ready for the exam 🙂
First I read and saw the videos, then I tried it myself in the trial.
Hope it works out for you also 🙂
/Anders
Man you are awesome. I passed the exam in February. You resources were such a great help in studying for the exam.
Now studying for 70-347 using your other page.
Thaaaaaanks again Anders
Fantastic 🙂 Congrats!
I hope you find the 70-347 valuable also
/Anders
Hi! the exam contains command prompts of powershell? or commands and a few text?
Im gonna be start study for my exam in few weeks
Hi,
You should expect PowerShell in all IT Pro exams from Microsoft. PowerShell is one of the most important tools available 🙂
/Anders
Is in your blog all information about powershell then?
Hi, I need to pass exam 70-346 this summer. Can I pass this exam by studying everything in this page?
Thanks
TechNet moved their deployment content of Office 365 on https://support.office.com/. Can you update de link please.
Hi Charles,
I’ll start on this task right away!
Thank you for reminding me 🙂
/Anders
Thanks, Anders ! Passed my 346 exam as well !! For those who are still planning to sit it, would also recommend to look at the video courses from the Microsoft Virtual Academy 🙂 Good luck !
Hey Friends are the videos provided in the link above are sufficient??
I would recommend that you have a good look at the written documentation also.
To pass, I used the videos first to get an overview. Then I used free 30 days trials and the documentation to get a deeper understanding of the services.
Hi guys, Do any of you read the offical book for this exam http://www.amazon.com/70-346-Managing-Office-Identities-Requirements/dp/150930066X Im not that good with videos, i have to read.
When you take 70-346 will you get a certificate, or do you need to pass both?
70-346 gives you credit towards an MCP and a MCSA certification. You only need one exam to get MCP title. This means that if 70-346 is your first Microsoft Exam, you will get a Certificate. If not, you need both to get a MCSA Certificate 🙂
Thank you for the quick reply. Do you know how many questions are on the 70-346 Exam
Hello,
I am currently studying for this exam. I was wondering if you could provide me with some jobs that i would be able to apply for if I got the MCSA.
Thank you very much for your information.
Hi,
Please see the email I’ve sent you. Best of luck in your studies 🙂
/Andesr
Hello,
I am preparing to give 70-346 exam first, are there Power Shell questions in this (346) exam?Thanks
Hi! According to the Skills measured list, there could be PowerShell questions 🙂
Manage cloud identities with Windows PowerShell
* Configure passwords to never expire, bulk update of user properties, bulk user creation, Azure Active Directory cmdlets, bulk user license management, and hard delete users
/Anders
Hi Anders,
Thank you for sharing your resources. It helped me get prepared for this exam.
I passed on my 2nd try with a score of 804.
It was difficult studying for this exam..
O365 is constantly changing, but your blog is a good starting point,
Notes for others who are studying for this exam: when clicking on the Microsoft resource links – pay attention to the last modify date. If it is current then your good to go.. and absorb that knowledge. Do to ethical standards I cannot reveal what is exactly on the exam, but do know your azure powershell, and general powershell. PS is a huge staple of the exam.
Know all the prerequisites such as AADSync, ADFS (Farm, proxy, etc)
Know all the ports, especially your Lync ports…..outbound video/audio, Lync Online, IMAP, SMTP, SMTP Relay.. there is a lot you’ll need to memorize.
What I used to study:
CB Nuggets (Is a good starting point to get familiar with O365)
Microsoft Virtual Library (Gets you more familiar)
Anders Blog (Points you to the essential official microsoft links)
Aaron Chatham Blog (Another good resource)
Microsoft (Yes, Microsoft, Microsoft, Microsoft). Check out AADsync. Don’t study DirSync.. although on the exam they will refer to DirSync and other Discontinued software to try to confuse you, * AADsync is the new DirSync, like I said Microsoft O365 is constantly changing.
thanks and regards,
-Muddy
Hi, I understand that even AADSync has been replaced by Azure AD Connect. So do I need to study only Azure AD Connect now?
Hi! It’s still AADSync that’s mentioned in the Skills Measured section, my bet is that would be smart to have a good look at both incase the exam material has been upgraded without changing the list of topics. Please note that the questions may test on, but will not be limited to, the topics described in the bulleted text at the exam homepage 🙂
/Anders
Hi Anders, thank you for your previous reply. Can you also let me know whether they ask for the level (months\years) of experience in Office 365 before you take the exam – I mean does the complexity of the exam depend on the candidates experience in Office 365. Not sure if this makes sense but I am asking because I haven’t worked much on office 365 yet (6 months only…however i have worked for about 8 years in exchange). Thanks in advance!
Sorry for the late reply!
They do ask these on all exams, but it does not have any effect on the questions.
It’s only for statistics 🙂
/Anders
You can’t connect to Skype for Business Online, or certain features don’t work, because an on-premises firewall blocks the connection https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2409256
Hi Anders, Remember me? Well, after passing the exams in O365 and getting the MCSA.. I landed a Contract position with a Major Motion Picture Studio working with O365 / E3, ADFS, MFA, SCCM 2012, VDI Support, and Support. I am earning more money now, and the client likes me, and is thinking about onboarding me fulltime. thanks for your support and your resources. It helped a great deal!
Sure I remember you! Great to hear that it went so well 🙂 How’s your PowerShell deep dive going?
Hi Anders…can you let me know if there are any free dumps/sample questions available..I searched and found some examples but most of the sites are paid…my exam is scheduled for coming Monday. Thank you!
Hi Brinda! You should stay away from dumps as they violate the Exam Policy. In worst case you could actually be banned from taking the exams, and your existing certifications could get withdrawn.
Only valid practice tests are those verified by microsoft. There is a link for one of them at the exam home page 🙂
Best of luck on Monday!
/Anders
Thank you very much for the quick response!
Anders,
which book do you find most useful in prepping for this exam?
Hi Branden,
I have not read any books myself for this exam, but generally I like how the Exam Ref books are formatted.
https://www.microsoftpressstore.com/store/exam-ref-70-346-managing-office-365-identities-and-9781509300662
One of the reasons that I don’t use books for cloud technologies, is that they tend to get outdated quite fast. In this ever changing world of cloud, even MSDN and TechNet sometimes struggle with keeping up the phase 🙂
/Anders
Ok, well I ordered in for $22. I will also go through the links provided.
On this exam, is it essential that I know how to use the Exchange online PS cmdlets? Im just wondering how much stuff Im looking at here for overall studying. The first command after providing credentials. looked pretty intimidating.
Any tips o remembering these things or a easy to follow guide?
Hi, what do we need to know about Azure AD Graph? Because this is a big chunk of information and I’m wondering how necessary this is for the exam. The focus is much more on Azure then on Office 365. I can’t use a test tenant of Azure because you need a creditcard for it. So I’m thinking of skipping this part…
For those who have passed this exam:
What was your prior exposure/experience?
I am concerned if I am in over my head on this one with little server experience as I am readying some impressions of the study material/exams.
Hi Anders, I cleared my exam last week! These links are GREAT !!..Thank you very much for your help!
Branden, my experience with office 365 is about 6 months. The most important aspect about the exam is Powershell – really really important. And these links are very good and cover everything. Wish you good luck!