More Microsoft Exam Retirements in 2017 and 2018
Thiago Earp
11 October, 2017
If you’re pursuing a Microsoft certification in 2017, pay close attention: you may be chasing a soon-to-be-retired exam. In the past 12 months, Microsoft exam and certification pathways have been in a constant state of change with a total of 55 exams and 17 certifications retired.
These changes have been driven by a need to modernise and streamline certification pathways alongside Microsoft’s release of core technology platforms, including Windows Server 2016, SharePoint 2016 and Exchange 2016.
With 17 additional Microsoft exam retirements planned, make sure you’re not preparing to sit an exam that’s about to be retired. Here are the Microsoft certification exams retiring in 2017 and 2018.
Windows Client exam retirements
The below exam provided credit towards the MCP Certification and assessed skills on Windows 10.
Windows Client exams retiring on August 31, 2017:
- 70-734: OEM Preinstallation for Windows 10
Windows 7 exam retirements
Despite Microsoft retiring the MCSA: Windows 7 certification in 2015, exams 680, 685 and 686 did continue to be available to students. However, time is now numbered for the aforementioned exams.Windows 7 exams retiring on July 31, 2018:
- 70-680: Windows 7, Configuring
- 70-685: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician
- 70-686: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator
Universal Windows Platform exam retirements
Windows 10 introduced the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), providing a common app platform available on every device that runs Windows 10.Exam 70-354 and 70-355 below certifications formed part of the MCSD: Universal Windows Platform, retired on 31 March 2017 – Microsoft is now removing the individual exams. The MCSD: App Builder certification is the new replacement.
Universal Windows Platform exams retiring on September 30, 2017:
The new exam - 70-535 - will be available on November 30, 2017, and you will no longer be able to register to sit exam 70-534 after this date. As the new exam is a direct replacement, your previous certifications will not be affected and you will not be required to recertify.
- 70-354: Universal Windows Platform – App Architecture and UX/UI
- 70-355: Universal Windows Platform – App Data, Services, and Coding Patterns
System Center 2012 exam retirements
System Center 2012 exams retiring on December 31, 2017:- 70-246: Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
- 70-247: Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud
Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM exam retirements
Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM exams retiring on December 31, 2017:- MB2-709: Microsoft Dynamics Marketing
- MB6-705: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8 Installation and Configuration
- MB6-890: Microsoft Dynamics AX Development Introduction
- MB6-892: Microsoft Dynamics AX Distribution and Trade
- MB6-893: Microsoft Dynamics AX Financials
SharePoint Server 2013 exam retirements
As Microsoft make way for SharePoint Server 2016, they have started to retire the exams based on the product’s older version. SharePoint Server 2013 exams retiring on July 31, 2018:- 70-488: Developing SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions
- 70-489: Developing SharePoint Server 2013 Advanced Solutions
Project Server 2013 exam retirements
Similar to SharePoint, Microsoft is now focusing on the newer edition of the technology: Project Server 2016. Project Server 2012 exams retiring on December 31, 2017:- 74-344: Managing Programs and Projects with Project Server 2013
Microsoft Azure exam retirements
Significant changes are in progress for Exam 70-534 - Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions. Because of this, Microsoft is retiring the exam on December 31, 2017, with an aim to introduce a new exam 70-535 as a replacement.The new exam - 70-535 - will be available on November 30, 2017, and you will no longer be able to register to sit exam 70-534 after this date. As the new exam is a direct replacement, your previous certifications will not be affected and you will not be required to recertify.
- 70-534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
Other Microsoft exam retirements
Other Microsoft exams retiring on December 31, 2017:- 74-678: Designing and Providing Microsoft Volume Licensing Solutions to Large Organizations
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