Microsoft Exams are Now Open Book! 

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I'm a massive supporter of this change. As you've said Lisa in the real world we have access to these resources and the test will still require you to be able to navigate them quickly and efficently. Also I would argue in an ecosystem where things are changing so quickly it's actually good practice to be checking your knowledge when you need it as it is totally plausible there has been a change you've missed out on.

This is a HUGE update. Thanks for sharing.

I used this today - when I clicked "full screen" for Learn it froze me out with a white screen - luckily the proctor quickly restarted my exam session so I was able to carry on where I left off with only a minute or two lost. Still managed to pass; my first MS exam ever! Thanks Lisa for your helpful exam prep videos!

Lisa, this is amazing and thank you for sharing. As a neuro divergent person who does not do well in memorization tests, this will make a huge difference to close some of the gaps in what I can naturally remembers and what my brain does not want to hold on to.

This is HUGE for us. Thanks 🙏 for sharing this. ❤😊

Thank you good teacher

This is really great, I quit taking the Microsoft exams several years ago since they were testing on items that you rarely touch. The open book concept will test your ability to be able to find the answers which I have always excelled at. I am close to retirement so it won't benefit me, but it will be very useful for the younger folks who want to get ahead in their careers.

Absolutely great update. It's so much harder to write tests which go beyond memorization to other aspects of Bloom's Taxonomy like understanding, application, analysis, evaluation, and creation. But companies need to know that professionals can evaluate options, create artifacts, analyze information, etc. These kind of changes may go a long way toward providing better value in training and therefore overcoming so much skepticism in the industry over certifications.

This is so cool! I like that this also actively encourages learning to navigate and use the docs effectively which could be a skill a lot wouldn't otherwise have (I definitely search google a lot more than I use said docs so shall be familiarising myself properly before my next exam in the off chance I have time to go over flagged questions at the end)

I have advocated for years about the importance of understanding and how it trumps memorisation. I so vividly remember a CRM (cannot remember the version, but not recent) where the question required knowing the columns returned by a configurable report - prior to configuration! For that and many other questions, the best answer would be "log on and have a look". But, not surprisingly, that was never an option!!

It is awesome. Thank you so much you sharing information .

❤🎉 This is incredible news. I'm working my way through the PL Series and I have learned so much by studying, by doing, by living.

Really like your explenation!

Hi , i am appearing for Microsoft Exams since 2004 . I believe it is biggest change since then and for good.

You'e the best Lisa! love your videos. Im torn on this decision by Microsoft. On one hand, it makes total sense because from taking a few Power Platform and D365 exams its obvious lots of answers are based on pure memory, but on the other hand I just studied for a year straight everyday for 8hrs to pass my 6 exams and now it does not seem the certs will carry the same weight. I hope the new exams are very challenging to compensate for this and employers still take them serious.

Fully support this move by Microsoft. It aligns exams with how professionals actually work-using resources to solve problems, not just relying on memory. Makes the certification process more practical and less stressful.

Its real world like nice! 😊

Good job👍🏾

Interesting idea. I’ve spent the past 2 years doing PL900, PL100, PL200, PL600, and last week I passed PL400. The PL600 and PL400 were pretty intense. I don’t think there is any way I would have had time to look for content and still complete the exams in the required time.

Let's be honest; every single one of us uses the internet to check stuff while we're building or planning. Something you know the system can do, but haven't used before or for a while. quick search through the documentation (or youtube!) and find how to do it. This doesn't take away from the knowledge of what the system can do, just some of the pain of having to try to remember every detail.

Very helpfull sessions. I have a query, can you please help? If I need to automate the test steps of a model driven app, ehich should I use? Like we are using Test studio for canvas apps, do we have any such option for model driven apps too?

Do you know if they have created a new question pool or is it roughly the same. I need to resit PL-200

Great news! Do you know if this applies to PL-400? I haven’t been able to find a definitive list

Where I can find the list which exams are open book. Is the MB-700, which is a role based exam, open book?

It's already open book tbh. I took my PL100 a week ago, and it was there.

Recently passed PL 400 3 days ago..

Are you able to use your own notes too?

Lisa thank you for a great video. Exams are an outdated methodology to test someone. In the real world customers, and employers are more interested in what real-world knowledge you have that can solve their issues. In my opinion, the ability to diagnose, research and implement a solution is the key skill not passing an exam. Customers and employers have never asked me for certification they just want the problem solved. With AI exams are really a relic of the past. Being able to ask the right questions to attain the right result is key.

Going to take PL500 this week, is that a open book certification. Also can you please help with the reference materials for the exam.

The certifications demonstrate knowledge, they do not guarantee practical skills or real-world problem-solving abilities. Employers may still require candidates to prove their abilities through practical assessments or interviews. Some individuals may prepare for certification exams by memorizing specific answers or "brain dumping" information without truly understanding the concepts. This can lead to candidates who hold certifications but lack a deep understanding of the subject matter. Not all employers or industries place significant value on Microsoft certifications. Some may prioritize other qualifications or factors, such as experience. I have most employers giving little value to this certificates and much more to the fact that have you worked on any project on this Tool etc.

Awesome news, thanks for the information, in this extremely busy world where humans are so so busy in various activities and tasks and family and regular life various issues and problems that it's extremely difficult to just focus on studies and stop everything else, so the concept of open book exams already exists in various renowned well named universities exams and studies, so it's a great initiative and hope all other certification vendors like IBM, GOOGLE, CISCO, FORTINET, JUNIPER, AWS, PALO ALTO also follows the same path

its good move, but they should also increase time.

Does it work for all Microsoft exams?

Seems like its lowering the bar. I want the exams to be as hard as possible so when they are passed, it really means something. If I almost got 700 but failed, I likely needed to do more study and I understood that. Now I can crack open MS Learn during the exam and get over the line. I am not a fan at this stage - I feel it devalues the certifications. Open book for recertifying, fine, we all have busy lives but learning details for the exam doesn't seem like much of an ask to me.

Does it not devalue the exams?

This makes too much sense! What's the catch? This can be dangerous for those of us with ADD/ADHD who start researching something and start chasing rabbits. I'll have to remember to bring some rabbit traps with me. How do you cook a rabbit? Does it taste like chicken? Chicken fried steak sounds good. Now I'm hungry for chicken fried steak smothered in cream gravy. Biscuits and gravy... with bacon!

Bad news

Imo this devalues the test. Microsoft must have not been making as much money due too people not taking the test.