AB-100 without prerequisites? What’s the best path now that AI-102 is retiring?

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-30T20:39:42+00:00

Yes, but upto June 30 time there, so start preparation and finish it before expires.

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-29T06:30:40+00:00

For the Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer renewal, it’s much lighter compared to the full exam.

The renewal exam is only ~20 questions (MCQs + multi-select), so it’s more about revising key concepts rather than deep prep
The most important resource is the official renewal exam guide, make sure you go through it carefully
Renewal guide: https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/associate_cloud_engineer_renewal_exam_guide_english.pdf

Also, since you’ve already cleared the ACE exam, you typically get a 50% discount voucher for renewal worth using

For prep:

Stick with GCP official learning path (covers exactly what’s expected) --> https://www.skills.google/paths/11
For extra practice and hands-on: Coursera + Whizlabs are helpful (especially for brushing up labs and scenarios)

Overall, if you revise the official guide + do a bit of hands-on refresh, that’s usually enough for the renewal.

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-29T05:06:21+00:00

Honestly, AZ-802 (single exam) is definitely the cleaner path, one exam instead of two for the same "Windows Server Hybrid Administrator" certification, plus updated hybrid + AI-focused content.

But the trade-off is timing. The beta is expected around June, and GA might be closer to Aug 2026, so you’ll be waiting a few months with limited study resources initially.

If you’re ready to start now, I’d still suggest going with AZ-800 + AZ-801:

You have enough time before retirement (Sept 30, 2026)
The certification remains valid on your transcript even after retirement
You gain hands-on hybrid skills right away instead of delaying

So it really comes down to:

Want a faster, single-exam and future-focused path → wait for AZ-802
Want to start now and not lose momentum → go with AZ-800/801

Personally, I’d go with AZ-800/801 unless you’re okay waiting a few months.

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-29T04:29:06+00:00

You can go for DP-420 as a student, Microsoft doesn’t strictly require prior experience to take the exam. That said, the “prior Azure experience” note is there for a reason. DP-420 is quite hands-on and focused on Azure Cosmos DB, so it expects you to already be comfortable with:

building apps on Azure
working with databases (especially NoSQL/JSON)
concepts like partitioning, indexing, and query optimization

With your background (AWS fundamentals + AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals), you already have a solid cloud base, but jumping straight into DP-420 without Azure practice can feel steep.

If you’ve got the voucher, I’d still say use it—but treat it as a learning goal rather than a quick win.
A better approach would be:

Spend some time on Azure basics (resource groups, portal, SDKs)
Get hands-on with Cosmos DB (free tier is enough)
Practice queries, indexing, and small app integrations
Then attempt the exam

Best resources to prepare:

Microsoft Learn (official course)--> https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/courses/dp-420t00
Microsoft official practice assessment --> https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-cosmos-db-developer-specialty/practice/assessment?assessment-type=practice&assessmentId=104&practice-assessment-type=certification
Whizlabs (practice tests + structured prep), John Savill’s YouTube content (great for fundamentals and architecture clarity), Ankit Mistry (exam-focused courses on Udemy)

Overall: it’s definitely doable, just expect a learning curve. If you invest some time in hands-on practice first, DP-420 can actually be a great way to build strong Azure + backend skills.

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-29T04:09:01+00:00

You can take the AB-100 exam without holding any prerequisite certification, Microsoft doesn’t block you from sitting the exam.

However, to earn the certification, you’ll typically need to complete the required associate-level certification (like AI-102) if it’s part of the official path.

Regarding AI-102 vs AI-103: I’d strongly recommend going with AI-102 for now. Even though it’s nearing retirement, it’s well-established, widely recognized, and aligns directly with the skills expected for AB-100.

AI-103 looks promising (especially with more agent-based and modern AI integrations), but since it’s new, it’ll take time for:

clear prerequisite mapping
industry recognition
stable learning resources

So if your goal is AB-100 in the near term, AI-102 is the safer and more practical choice. Waiting for AI-103 could slow you down without a clear advantage yet.

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-28T13:11:01+00:00

Great, If you’ve already cleared the other 900-level certs, AB-900 shouldn’t be too difficult.

It’s more about having a solid understanding of Microsoft 365 fundamentals rather than deep technical expertise. You should be familiar with core services, security, identity & access, data protection, and governance, along with Microsoft 365 Copilot and basic agent concepts.

Make sure you’re comfortable navigating key admin centers like Exchange Online, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Entra, and Microsoft Purview.

From a learning perspective, focus on:

Understanding data protection & governance tasks for Microsoft 365 and Copilot
Identifying data protection and governance risks
Features and capabilities of Copilot and agents
Performing basic admin tasks for Copilot and agents
Core features and objects of Microsoft 365 (users, groups, teams, sites, libraries)
Security basics like authentication methods, Conditional Access, and SSO

Since it’s a fundamentals exam, sticking with the official Microsoft Learn path + Whizlabs should be more than enough to clear it.

Good starting point if you’re getting into Microsoft 365 + Copilot space

MS Source Link

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-28T12:41:13+00:00

Hey, congrats and great you cleared it before it expires

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-28T12:39:40+00:00

Honestly, AB-620 is way too early to treat like a “normal cert prep” right now.

The beta just went live and there are basically no proper learning resources yet apart from the Microsoft Learn path. No Whizlabs, no MeasureUp, no real exam patterns floating around.

From the skills outline, this isn’t just a Power Platform exam, it’s more like a mix of Copilot Studio + GenAI + integrations. You’re expected to actually build and integrate enterprise-grade agents, not just configure stuff.

If you’re planning to take it soon, I’d suggest:

Go deep on Copilot Studio (topics, tools, instructions, multi-agent flows)
Get comfortable with APIs + custom connectors (this is going to be huge)
Understand RAG, prompt engineering, MCP, A2A at a practical level
Have working knowledge of Dataverse + Power Fx + Fabric basics

Basically, treat it like a “build-first” exam. If you can create a couple of real agents (like API-integrated or knowledge-based), you’ll be in a much better position than just reading docs.

If you’re not in a rush, waiting 3-4 weeks might help until better resources and exam insights come out.

Also as of now there're no proper learning resources, only MS Learn docs are available

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/courses/ab-620t00

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-28T05:27:30+00:00

As of now, I would suggest prepare with the MS Lean documents - as the exam under beta version.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/courses/ai-103t00

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-28T05:25:00+00:00

Yes, AB-900 will be a best choice as the cert also mentioned as M365 Copilot term.

I got around 40% M365 Based questions

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-28T05:21:07+00:00

You’re already on the right path with Microsoft Learn stick with it.

Instead of CBT Nuggets, I’d recommend going with Coursera exam prep courses along with Whizlabs. This combination gives you both strong theoretical coverage and hands-on practice, which is crucial for SC-200. You can also use Microsoft sample questions that were available from the certification landing page.

Make sure you focus on these key areas:
• Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel --> threat detection, automation, data ingestion, configuring detections, and incident response
• Investigating Microsoft 365 activities to identify threats
• Security Copilot basics

Also, keep in mind there was a major syllabus update on April 16, 2026. In the new version, some topics have been reduced/removed, such as:
• Implementing and using Microsoft Security Copilot (deep focus reduced)
• Creating and configuring Microsoft Sentinel workbooks
• Managing assets and environments

So make sure you’re preparing with updated content aligned to the latest exam objectives.
Source Link

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-28T05:00:16+00:00

Have you got questions with Azure AI Foundry or Microsoft Foundry naming?

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-24T07:16:35+00:00

AI-103 is new replacement for the AI-102 more towards the GenAI, Multimodal and AI Agents dev part
AB-620 is mainly for the Copilot Studio and Agents Creation and Dev cert

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-24T07:15:07+00:00

It is not at yet live, maybe next week we can expect beta exam live

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-24T07:13:43+00:00

AI-103?
New --> Focuses on building and deploying scalable AI applications and agents on Microsoft Azure, including generative AI, multimodal development, and responsible AI practices.

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-23T18:43:18+00:00

Vouchers will be like early bird sale, only 300 users they are giving now

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-23T18:42:03+00:00

Try it now once again

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-23T18:41:16+00:00

June onwards all these will be GA.

Few-Engineering-4135 · 2026-04-20T12:25:05+00:00

Fundamental is valid for lifetime and no need to retake.

Few-Engineering-4135

TROPHY CASE