I Took All Three New Microsoft AI Exams - So You Know What To Expect

TL;DR

• I sat all three Microsoft AI exams in beta. Each one tests a different aspect of AI readiness across Microsoft 365 & Azure.

AB-731 - Business First, with a Heavy Azure AI Focus

AB-731 was very different to the first two exams. It felt far more like a business AI exam, but you still needed a solid understanding of Azure AI services to have a good go at the answers. This exam is the AI Transformation Leader exam, and that sentiment was seen throughout.

My experience:

• The exam was heavily focussed on Azure AI services and Azure AI Foundry. Remembering which service for what scenario was the most challenging part for me.
  • The exam still referenced Azure AI Foundry; I'd imagine this would change to Microsoft Foundry by the time the exam is GA.
• There were clear questions around Copilot licensing and organisational AI adoption, which aligned well with the exams' purpose.
• I liked how it tested higher level AI understanding without going into technical deep dives.
• Very little portal / configuration content, which makes sense given the first two exams test this criteria.
• Whilst it was suggested Microsoft Learn is available during this exam, for me, it wasn't.

It felt like this was the exam to tie everything together. AB-900 being the fundamentals, AB-730 with some more practical work, and AB-731 which allows you to step back and look at AI from a business-perspective.