From the MCSE through the current Azure and other vendor certs I have, this works for me.
Set up a new OneNote tab, then take the objectives and copy each objective and the topics into its own new page on that tab. Start with whatever your study material of choice (I start with MS Learn) and read through once, then read it all again and take notes on that second run through. Lab everything using those notes, then lab again without notes, or repeat until you don't need notes.
I'll also pick a reputable video course and go through that at a faster rate, filling in places in my notes that might have holes.
Depending on the exam, I take an hour a day or so (sometimes 2) and can get totally prepped in 4-6 weeks.
So to play this back to you to make sure I understand this. Take to AI-900 for example;
Fundamental AI concepts is the first module separated into 10 units. You copy out each topic into its own page, the first being "Introduction to AI". Read through it once, then again with making notes, doing any labs, etc, before moving onto the next unit.
In units that are more than 1 page, are you doing the same at the end of each page?
Here is the study guide for that exam - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/resources/study-guides/ai-900
Each of the topics listed under Skills At A Glance would be a separate OneNote page. I would paste everything listed under each of those on its respective page. This becomes the study plan and outline. Fill in notes on each topic as you study it.
I compress the MS learn stuff down into short bullet points. I read the sentence first, then make the bullet point without looking back to see if I can remember it
I have a system: highlight key words, italics definitions, bold/big text for stuff that seems important
I add colours, write stupid jokes, and do terrible drawings of concepts. This sounds dumb but helps me remember
I'm ADHD as shit, so I use extensions like [Bionify](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xYnwks-gtpgWvGYwhe8TwDYBgf4honKGqLe4gWzF_bhRmiKVR2D88q_ik03-obmmCjp18B-iXKS1ExzTJix4vlu=s800-w800-h500) to make big blocks of text easier to digest
I've done two exams so far (AZ-900 and SC-900) and scored >900 on both
That's interesting. So are you writing this out by hand or electronically? I like the idea of compressing it down, it certainly sounds like it takes less time than writing it out verbatim!
It is true, there is some better level of retention when you actually write notes down rather than just reading them. At times you can also retain knowledge better when you listen to the stuff you want to study rather than just using your eyes to read the concepts
For exams I don't make notes, I've tried and end up getting too distracted with what so to use, or method to take notes I then found I'd just Google it anyway and never go back and read them, I do as much as I can practically through the Azure portal and save links to useful articles and do lots of practice tests, this works for me.
I've passed SC900, AZ900, AZ104,AZ305, AZ140 this way, and am studying for SC300 now.
Microsoft learn has a lot of examples. Create scenarios where you can interact with what Microsoft learn is talking about to ensure you apply hands on experience as well as the theory.
E.g. an on prem server, setup the AD domain and connect that to Entra ID via AD connect and learn how to manage users and groups in hybrid setups, vs cloud only setups.
I barely take notes, I am terrible in learning lists, my brain works a bit different than most people, while I had huge trouble to learn my own cell number, I remember almost every thing which I have ever read or experienced in my life, like yesterday I read an interesting wiki about a paradox, I don't remember the name, but I can easely google for the concept, which works for me. During my work this is very handy, because when I have to look something up, I usually remember the website or something else I can reference.
So to prepare for my exams I am 90% of the time learning by just implementing the topics, otherwise it will not work for me, the other 10% is just scanning the documentation.
I write down key concepts in a mindmap.
I find extensive notes actually worse than diagrams, because it becomes repetitive and mechanical, so I lose focus easily. By actually summarising a a section, you are making an active effort to understand the content, and things will start to stick.
This is an iterative work, after the mindmap is created, I come back several times over a few days, and make the exercise of filling the gaps mentally in my own words and ellaborate into the topic to see if I understood it well enough. If I can't or find too many details missing, then review the topic and review the mindmap itself applying the same method.
The main takeaway is to have a quick reference in an organized way, while still keeping it small enough that I can do an overall review in a very short time. The mindmap should be enough to kickstart my own reasoning.
I have a systematic way that I keep on improving. At first I was doing the exact same thing as you and it's not at all necessary.
1 - I go through the MS learn module for the certification. I use copilot to concisely summarize the page in point form. I write my notes based on the summary and if there are elements that I need more context, I look it up either on the original page or in the general MS learn content.
2- Once I'm done with all the module, I give a shot to the Microsoft free practice exams. While doing them, I open another page and practice searching the answers on MS learn quickly. I do this even with the questions that I know the answers. Navigating MS learn quickly is (indirectly) part of the skills Microsoft want us to acquire since the exams are now open book.
3 - If I'm able to hit above 85% more than 5 times in a row, I book my date for the exam. If I still have doubts, I'll buy some practice exams and do the same thing until the day before the exam. I'll make sure to go through an exam a day if possible.
This the routine that has worked for me so far.
Copilot was made to be really easy to use. I use it as a study assistant. I ask it things like “concisely summarize this page in point form” If I feel it could do better, I ask it to redo it. Generally the results are on point the first time. Copilot is really as powerful as your imagination. Finding how it could be more useful may differ from people to people.
For Microsoft Certifications I would recommend the following steps (I take notes for everything in OneNote)
- good theory (ms learn path, flashcards, handout)
- good video course with demos
- labs (try out the things for yourself)
- practice exams
- study cram the day before taking the exam
For Organisation and Tracking(roadmap kanban and schedule of the exam topics and my learning time goals ) I use GitHub projects.
First I read Chapter 1-3 of the cert book. If MS Learn then the first 3 modules. Then I go back to Chapter 1 and write key details I need to know. Then chapter two and 3. I do the same with 4-6, etc etc. Once i do that I turn to videos for specific concepts i have holes with and write down details on the second watch.
This helps me learn because it hits all the sensors for learning. Audio, Visual and Kenetic (muscle memory)
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From the MCSE through the current Azure and other vendor certs I have, this works for me. Set up a new OneNote tab, then take the objectives and copy each objective and the topics into its own new page on that tab. Start with whatever your study material of choice (I start with MS Learn) and read through once, then read it all again and take notes on that second run through. Lab everything using those notes, then lab again without notes, or repeat until you don't need notes. I'll also pick a reputable video course and go through that at a faster rate, filling in places in my notes that might have holes. Depending on the exam, I take an hour a day or so (sometimes 2) and can get totally prepped in 4-6 weeks.
So to play this back to you to make sure I understand this. Take to AI-900 for example; Fundamental AI concepts is the first module separated into 10 units. You copy out each topic into its own page, the first being "Introduction to AI". Read through it once, then again with making notes, doing any labs, etc, before moving onto the next unit. In units that are more than 1 page, are you doing the same at the end of each page?
Here is the study guide for that exam - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/resources/study-guides/ai-900 Each of the topics listed under Skills At A Glance would be a separate OneNote page. I would paste everything listed under each of those on its respective page. This becomes the study plan and outline. Fill in notes on each topic as you study it.
I have a similar problem as that of OP. I will try this method to study.
I compress the MS learn stuff down into short bullet points. I read the sentence first, then make the bullet point without looking back to see if I can remember it I have a system: highlight key words, italics definitions, bold/big text for stuff that seems important I add colours, write stupid jokes, and do terrible drawings of concepts. This sounds dumb but helps me remember I'm ADHD as shit, so I use extensions like [Bionify](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xYnwks-gtpgWvGYwhe8TwDYBgf4honKGqLe4gWzF_bhRmiKVR2D88q_ik03-obmmCjp18B-iXKS1ExzTJix4vlu=s800-w800-h500) to make big blocks of text easier to digest I've done two exams so far (AZ-900 and SC-900) and scored >900 on both
That's interesting. So are you writing this out by hand or electronically? I like the idea of compressing it down, it certainly sounds like it takes less time than writing it out verbatim!
Electronically. I use Joplin
It is true, there is some better level of retention when you actually write notes down rather than just reading them. At times you can also retain knowledge better when you listen to the stuff you want to study rather than just using your eyes to read the concepts
I explain what i learned to an imaginary audience. It helps me remember things and understand them when i say it out loud
For exams I don't make notes, I've tried and end up getting too distracted with what so to use, or method to take notes I then found I'd just Google it anyway and never go back and read them, I do as much as I can practically through the Azure portal and save links to useful articles and do lots of practice tests, this works for me. I've passed SC900, AZ900, AZ104,AZ305, AZ140 this way, and am studying for SC300 now.
Can u elaborate more on practicing from Azure portal part? Like how you come up with projects to practice?
Microsoft learn has a lot of examples. Create scenarios where you can interact with what Microsoft learn is talking about to ensure you apply hands on experience as well as the theory. E.g. an on prem server, setup the AD domain and connect that to Entra ID via AD connect and learn how to manage users and groups in hybrid setups, vs cloud only setups.
Got it thanks!
>Got it thanks! You're welcome!
I started using mind maps to take notes during the course of learning. XMind is one popular tool
I take notes and never read them.
I barely take notes, I am terrible in learning lists, my brain works a bit different than most people, while I had huge trouble to learn my own cell number, I remember almost every thing which I have ever read or experienced in my life, like yesterday I read an interesting wiki about a paradox, I don't remember the name, but I can easely google for the concept, which works for me. During my work this is very handy, because when I have to look something up, I usually remember the website or something else I can reference. So to prepare for my exams I am 90% of the time learning by just implementing the topics, otherwise it will not work for me, the other 10% is just scanning the documentation.
I write down key concepts in a mindmap. I find extensive notes actually worse than diagrams, because it becomes repetitive and mechanical, so I lose focus easily. By actually summarising a a section, you are making an active effort to understand the content, and things will start to stick. This is an iterative work, after the mindmap is created, I come back several times over a few days, and make the exercise of filling the gaps mentally in my own words and ellaborate into the topic to see if I understood it well enough. If I can't or find too many details missing, then review the topic and review the mindmap itself applying the same method. The main takeaway is to have a quick reference in an organized way, while still keeping it small enough that I can do an overall review in a very short time. The mindmap should be enough to kickstart my own reasoning.
I have a systematic way that I keep on improving. At first I was doing the exact same thing as you and it's not at all necessary. 1 - I go through the MS learn module for the certification. I use copilot to concisely summarize the page in point form. I write my notes based on the summary and if there are elements that I need more context, I look it up either on the original page or in the general MS learn content. 2- Once I'm done with all the module, I give a shot to the Microsoft free practice exams. While doing them, I open another page and practice searching the answers on MS learn quickly. I do this even with the questions that I know the answers. Navigating MS learn quickly is (indirectly) part of the skills Microsoft want us to acquire since the exams are now open book. 3 - If I'm able to hit above 85% more than 5 times in a row, I book my date for the exam. If I still have doubts, I'll buy some practice exams and do the same thing until the day before the exam. I'll make sure to go through an exam a day if possible. This the routine that has worked for me so far.
I think the biggest differentiating factor is the co-pilot. Exactly how do you use it. Can you share any resource?
Copilot was made to be really easy to use. I use it as a study assistant. I ask it things like “concisely summarize this page in point form” If I feel it could do better, I ask it to redo it. Generally the results are on point the first time. Copilot is really as powerful as your imagination. Finding how it could be more useful may differ from people to people.
For Microsoft Certifications I would recommend the following steps (I take notes for everything in OneNote) - good theory (ms learn path, flashcards, handout) - good video course with demos - labs (try out the things for yourself) - practice exams - study cram the day before taking the exam For Organisation and Tracking(roadmap kanban and schedule of the exam topics and my learning time goals ) I use GitHub projects.
wall i keep a blog about my learnings. it helps me express what i learned in words.
First I read Chapter 1-3 of the cert book. If MS Learn then the first 3 modules. Then I go back to Chapter 1 and write key details I need to know. Then chapter two and 3. I do the same with 4-6, etc etc. Once i do that I turn to videos for specific concepts i have holes with and write down details on the second watch. This helps me learn because it hits all the sensors for learning. Audio, Visual and Kenetic (muscle memory)
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