Among the many Microsoft Certification changes and updates announced around the Microsoft Ignite 2016 conference recently is the addition of the brand new MCSA: Cloud Platform certification. There are a total of 5 Microsoft Azure specific exam, and this new MCSA certification wraps those up into an easier certification to achieve. But, don’t worry, you only need to pass 2 of the exams to earn the new MCSA: Cloud Platform certification.
EXAM IS RETIRED: This exam was retired December 31, 2018.
What exams qualify?
With the recent changes there have not been any new certification exams announced, so currently there are the same 5 Azure exams we’ve had for awhile now. Here’s the list of exams to choose from for the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification:
- 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
- 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
- 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
- 70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
- 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
As you can see, the topics covered by the exams for the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification have a fairly good range in areas around the Microsoft Azure cloud; from infrastructure, to development, to architecture, to data and big data.
Which exams should I take?
The requirements for the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification are setup similarly to the new MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification that it’s a foundational path for. You pick the specific exams that fit your expertise, work role, and/or interests in a way that tailors your MCSA: Cloud Platform certification in the direction you want. However, it can be difficult to choose which exams to take, so here’s a list of some example “expertise areas” and the suggested exams you could take to earn an MCSA: Cloud Platform certification that’s tailored for that area:
- Azure / Cloud Developer
- 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
- 70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
- Azure / Cloud Infrastructure and Architecture
- 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
- 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
- Big Data Architect
- 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
- 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
- Azure / Cloud Data and Big Data
- 70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
- 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
- Azure / Cloud Big Data Developer
- 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
- 70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
The above are just a few examples of the different combinations of 2 exams you could take to earn the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification.
Foundation for MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure
The MCSA: Cloud Platform is one of the 4 different new MCSA certifications that provide the foundation to earning the new MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification. There have been some “foundational” type paths in Microsoft certifications in the past, but the new changes to the program offer different certification paths in a fairly easy to follow way. You can choose the path that fits you best with the appropriate exams, and there’s plenty of room to turn it up to 11 and earn the full MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification.
The path from MCSA: Cloud Platform to MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification only requires a total of 3 exams to be passed. You take the first 2 to earn the MCSA: Cloud Platform (as shown above), and then you take 1 additional elective exam to upgrade that MCSA to earn the full MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification!
The MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure offers a total of 10 elective exams to choose from! This give you full flexibility to tailor your certification to your own interests, expertise or work role with plenty of options to choose the path best for you!
Happy studying!
“Solutions Architect” sounds a bit more impressive than “Solutions Expert” 🙂
The title “Architect” has become a bit ambiguous in the IT industry. It doesn’t have the same meaning at every company. I think the direction Microsoft is taking with the certification is to eliminate any possible confusion. IMO
What a great synopsis. To be frank the new format was a little confusing to me at first and this article helps clarify quite a bit.
I was really confused about this. Thanks for breaking it down.
Is there a typo for the developer as it shows the 70-475 with a different title than the other areas of focus…
oops, thanks for catching the typo. It’s fixed. 🙂
Hi Chris, thanks for the post. It clarifies lot of doubts.. One question:
If I pass 70-533,70-534 and 70-475, will I get two MCSA certificates
Azure / Cloud Infrastructure and Architecture and
Big Data Architect?
I would have to review to say for sure. If you pass an exam that counts towards 2 certifications, then you get double recognition benefit for that one exam.
Thanks Chris….I was a little confused about this and thanks for breaking it down.
Reply
You’re very welcome. Thank you!
HI, looking through the MCSA: Cloud Platform exams, it looks like 70-473 and 70-475 exams are no longer listed – https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/learning/mcsa-cloud-platform-certification.aspx
I can’t actually find these 2 exams in any of the MCSA certifications, I wonder if they’ve changed the exam requirements and updated the MSCAs. I can see MCSA: Data Engineering with Azure which looks like 70-475 but is slightly different.
MS changed the MCSA’s so 475 and 473 are no longer MCSA exams. However they do still count towards MCSE.
Hello Chris,
in that case, how would you change your list from above? How would you add 535 and 537, since there is no description for 537 yet.
Azure / Cloud Developer
70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
Azure / Cloud Infrastructure and Architecture
70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
Big Data Architect
70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
Azure / Cloud Data and Big Data
70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions
70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
Azure / Cloud Big Data Developer
70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
70-475: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
The above are just a few examples of the different combinations of 2 exams you could take to earn the MCSA: Cloud Platform certification.
Thanks,
Nik
Exam 70-535 is a direct replacement for 70-534, but 70-537 I’m not sure. We’ll have to see where the Azure Stack 70-537 exam fits into the certification tracks.
Hi Chris
Are there any books that can help to prepare for MCSA.
I am planning to prepare for the following two exams. Please suggest the best methods,resources and prerequisites to prepare for these two exams. Thanks
Azure / Cloud Infrastructure and Architecture
70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
MZK
Yes, there are exam ref books from MS Press, and training content from http://SkillMeUp.com and http://Opsgility.com that’s pretty good.
One thing to note is the 70-534 exam was replaced by the new 70-535 exam.
Here’s links for the exam ref books:
http://www.pmsas.pr.gov.br/wp-content/?id=buildazure-70-533&exam=2018/02/01/book-exam-ref-70-535-architecting-microsoft-azure-solutions/
http://www.pmsas.pr.gov.br/wp-content/?id=buildazure-70-533&exam=2018/02/01/book-exam-ref-70-533-implementing-microsoft-azure-infrastructure-solutions-second-edition/
Thanks Chris,
Will the books and training content you suggested suffice to cover all topics and pass both the exams or is there additional study material you would recommend.Thanks!
MZK
We are a Gold Cloud Partner company and two of my team members had cleared 70-533 exam in Dec 2015. Our partnership status is due for renewal in April 2018, so do we need these (or other two) individuals to retake 70-533 exam or can it still be counted while applying? How can I know if this exam is still valid and can be counted for while applying for partnership?
Also, there are 3 categories for Data Analytics – Advanced, Beginner and Power BI. If we clear criteria for any one of them, can we say we are Data Analytics Gold/Silver certified, or we need to be specific while mentioning on our website that we are “Data Analytics Beginner Silver Partner”.
Awaiting reply.
I’m not too familiar with the requirements of the MS Partner Program in regards to retaking exams. I would assume as long as the exam and the earned certification is still showing as “Active” on your MCP Transcript that it will still count towards the requirements for the Partner program. Although, I would contact Microsoft an inquire about this just to make sure. Thanks.
Hi Chris, I saw on this site that MCSA: Cloud Platform is retiring end of 2018. I was currently learning to aquire this certification, what can I now? Switch to:?
If you’re going to be passing the exams before the end of the year, I would say to keep going on your existing path. If you’re going to be closer to the end of the year, or after the new year before being ready to take the exams, then I’d say switch directions as you see appropriate.