This is a complete guide to multiple Microsoft Azure Certification exams along with necessary details to help you identify the suitable certification:
When you have a Microsoft Azure certification, you have the privilege of pursuing a wide range of career options like becoming a Solution Architect, Solution Developer, Cloud Architect, and DevOps.
Different companies are in search of experts in this domain because most of them have migrated their on-premise infrastructure to the cloud or set up a hybrid system because of the benefits they can derive from storage, computing, and networking.
Microsoft certification is one of the most demanding certifications in the cloud market. In this article, we will cover 14 Microsoft Azure certification exams and provide details on how to write any of these exams, and help you choose the right certification and career path.
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Table of Contents:
- Microsoft Azure Certification Guide
- Comparing Azure Certifications
- Recommended Microsoft Azure Recommended Courses
- Microsoft Azure Fundamental-level Certifications
- Microsoft Azure Associate-level Certifications
- #1) Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator
- #2) Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator
- #3) Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty
- #4) Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate
- #5) Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer
- #6) Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty
- #7) Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
- #8) Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty
- #9) Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer
- #10) Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
- #11) Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer
- #12) Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer
- Microsoft Azure Expert-level Certifications
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Microsoft Azure Certification Guide
Nobody can deny the fact that cloud computing is one of the fastest-growing technology.
In this modern time, we have big names in the industry like IBM Cloud, Google Cloud Platform, AWS, Salesforce, Alibaba Cloud, Oracle, and Azure who have made their presence known in the cloud space through millions of dollars invested into this business space.
Microsoft Azure is an emerging market leader in the cloud domain. Canalys reports of April 2021 stated that the global cloud market grew by 35% this quarter to $41.8 billion. AWS has 32% of the market, Azure has 19%, and Google has 7% while others share 42% of the market.
After Microsoft announced the Azure Fundamentals Exam, they have further moved forward with the announcement of the two new fundamental level certifications, Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals and Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals.
In this write-up, we will discuss all the Azure Certifications available and all the useful information that you need about these certifications.
#1) Microsoft Azure Fundamental-level certifications
Fundamental Certifications
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
- Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
#2) Microsoft Azure Associate-level certifications
Administrator Certifications
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator
- Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty
Developer Certifications
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer
- Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty
Data Engineer Certifications
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer
Security Engineer Certifications
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer
#3) Microsoft Azure Expert-level certifications
Solutions Architect certification
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect
- Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer
Comparing Azure Certifications
Certification | No of Questions | Exam Duration | Passing Score | Certification Validity | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals | 40-60 | 85 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | No Expiry for AZ-900 | $99 |
Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals | 40-60 | 60 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | DP-900 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $99 |
Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals | 40-60 | 60 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AI-900 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $99 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator | 40-60 | 180 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-103 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator | 40-60 | 180 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | DP-300 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty | 40-60 | 210 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-120 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate | 40-60 | 180 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-600 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer | 40-60 | 180 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-700 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty | 40-60 | 120 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-140 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer | 40-60 | 180 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-204 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty | 40-60 | 120 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-220 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer | 40-60 | 150 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | DP-203 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist | 40-60 | 180 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | DP-100 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer | 40-60 | 180 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AI-102 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer | 40-60 | 120 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-500 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect | 40-60 | 150 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-303 & AZ-304 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer | 40-60 | 150 – 210 Min | 700 Min 1000 Max | AZ-400 passed prior to June 30, 2021 valid for 2yrs After June 30, 2021 valid for 1yr | $165 |
Recommended Microsoft Azure Recommended Courses
(i) AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Exam
This online certification course, available on Udemy, arms you with key Microsoft Azure Administration knowledge that is needed to successfully pass the certification exam about it. The course introduces you to several major concepts associated with Azure and even teaches you how to implement solutions for the Microsoft Azure platform.
Course Features:
- Learn how to pass the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administration Exam on the first attempt.
- Secure the Azure Administrator Associate Batch.
- 12 hours on-demand video
- 24 articles with 1 practice test
- 5 Downloadable resources
Duration: 12 hours on-demand video
Price: $19.99
(ii) AZ – 204 Developing Solutions Certification
This is a comprehensive online course designed to help you pass the AZ-204 Microsoft Azure Certification test in your first attempt. The course informs you about certain core concepts associated with Azure. This is a course we recommend to those who aspire to become certified Microsoft specialists.
Course Features:
- Learn Fundamental Concepts of Microsoft Azure
- 13 Articles
- 1 Practice Test
- 3 Downloadable resources
Duration: 9.5 hours of on-demand video
Price: $19.99
(iii) AZ – 305 Designing Azure Infrastructure Solutions Certification
This online course on Udemy does a fine job of preparing you for the AZ-305 Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solution exam. The course compels you to understand all the different applications that are necessary when designing applications for Microsoft Azure.
Course Features:
- Exam Prep for Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Test
- 16 Articles
- 2 Practice Tests
- 24 Downloadable resources
- Review Key Azure Services
Duration: 17.5 hours
Price: $19.99
(iv) AZ – 500 Microsoft Azure Security Exam Certificate
This online course of Udemy takes a detailed approach to prepare students who wish to secure the AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security Exam certificate. The course makes you go through all the core objectives that are necessary to pass the exam.
Course Features:
- 20 Articles
- 2 Practice Tests
- 15 Downloadable Resources
- Exam Prep for AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security Test Certificate.
Duration: 20.5 hours
Price: $19.99
(v) AZ – 900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam Prep
This beginner-friendly course familiarizes you with several core concepts associated with Microsoft Azure. The course is ideal for those who wish to secure a Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals badge. You will learn the main concept of cloud computing and understand what solutions or services Azure is primarily known for.
Course Features:
- Exam Prep for Microsoft AZ-900 Fundamentals Test
- 3 Articles
- 1 Practice Test
- 1 Downloadable resource
Duration: 5 Hours on-demand video
Price: $16.99
Microsoft Azure Fundamental-level Certifications
#1) Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
This is a perfect certification for candidates that are new to the Azure platform and are just working on a cloud platform. Exam: AZ-900 needs to be passed to earn this certificate.
This certification will always give you the opportunity to show your skill in concepts like networking, storage, computing, application development, and application support.
Skills Covered:
- Cloud concepts.
- All the core Azure services.
- Core solutions and management tools on the Azure platform.
- General security and network security features.
- Describe identity, privacy, governance, and compliance features.
- Azure cost management and Service Level Agreements.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 85 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $99
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-fundamentals/
#2) Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
Anyone preparing to earn this new fundamental level certification must have a basic knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence and how to implement these two on Microsoft Azure and other related Azure services.
Skills Covered:
- Learn everything surrounding AI workloads.
- Fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure.
- All the features of computer vision workloads on Azure.
- Features of conversational AI workloads on Azure.
- Features of Natural Language Processing (NLP) workloads on Azure.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 60 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $99
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-ai-fundamentals/
#3) Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
Anyone preparing to earn this new certification should know the core data concepts and how they can be implemented on the Azure platform using Microsoft Azure data services.
This certification is for those who are just practicing working with data in the cloud.
Skills Covered:
- Learn everything surrounding core data concepts.
- Learn how to work with tasks with relational data.
- Learn how to work with tasks with non-relational data.
- Knowing analytic tasks on Azure.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 60 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $99
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-data-fundamentals/
Microsoft Azure Associate-level Certifications
#1) Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator
Anyone planning to write this exam should know how to implement, manage and monitor an organization’s Azure environment. This individual will be part of a team with the responsibility of implementing and maintaining an organization’s cloud infrastructure.
Skills Covered:
- Manage Azure identities and governance.
- Implement and manage storage.
- Configure and manage virtual networking on Azure.
- Able to monitor and back up Azure resources.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-administrator
#2) Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator
Anyone that is planning to sit for this exam should be able to implement and manage all parts of cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions built within Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services by using different methods, knowledge of T-SQL, and tools to perform daily operations.
Skills Covered:
- Implementation and planning of data platform resources.
- Implementation of an environment that is secure on the Azure platform.
- Monitoring and optimization of operational resources.
- Optimize and query the performance of Azure services.
- Automation of tasks on the Azure platform.
- Implementation and planning a High Availability and Disaster Recovery Environment.
- Perform administration with T-SQL
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-database-administrator-associate/
#3) Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty
Anyone sitting for this exam must have the experience and knowledge of the SAP system landscape and industry standards that are specific to the initial migration or integration of an SAP solution on Microsoft Azure.
Skills Covered:
- Migrate SAP Workloads to Azure.
- Design and implement an infrastructure to support SAP Workloads.
- Design and implement high availability and disaster recovery
- Maintain SAP Workloads on Azure.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 210 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-for-sap-workloads-specialty/
#4) Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate
Anyone sitting for this exam must be able to plan, deploy, package, update and maintain the Azure Stack Hub infrastructure. They must be Azure administrators or Azure Stack Hub operators who could provide cloud services to end-users inside their datacenter using Azure Stack Hub.
Skills Covered:
- Provide cloud services.
- Implement data center integration.
- Deal with identity and access management.
- Manage infrastructure.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-stack-hub-operator/
#5) Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer
Anyone sitting for this exam must know how to plan, implement and maintain Azure networking solutions, which include hybrid networking, routing, security, and private access to Azure services.
Skills Covered:
- Design, implement and manage hybrid networking.
- Design and implement core networking infrastructure.
- Design and implement routing.
- Design and implement private access to Azure services.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-network-engineer-associate/
#6) Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty
Anyone sitting for this exam must be able to know how to plan, deliver and manage virtual desktop experiences and remote apps on the Azure platform.
Skills Covered:
- Plan an Azure virtual desktop architecture.
- Implement an Azure virtual desktop infrastructure.
- Manage the user environment and apps.
- Monitor and maintain an Azure virtual desktop infrastructure.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 120 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-virtual-desktop-specialty/
#7) Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
Anyone sitting for this exam must be capable of designing, developing, building, testing, deploying, performance tuning, monitoring, and maintaining cloud applications and services on Microsoft Azure.
Skills Covered:
- Develop Azure Compute Solutions.
- Develop for Azure Storage.
- Implement Azure security.
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions.
- You must be able to connect and consume Azure services and third-party services.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-developer/
#8) Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty
Anyone sitting for this exam must be capable of deploying physical devices, configuring and maintaining them via cloud services all through the device lifecycle. They must be able to implement the configuration and coding tasks required to create and maintain the cloud and edge portions of an IoT solution.
Skills Covered:
- Setting up an IoT solution infrastructure.
- Provision of devices and managing devices.
- Know the implementation of IoT edge.
- Implementation of business integration.
- Processing of data and managing data.
- Optimization, monitoring, and troubleshooting of IoT solutions.
- You must know how to implement security.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 120 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-iot-developer-specialty/
#9) Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer
Anyone sitting for this exam must be able to integrate, transform, and consolidate data from different structured and unstructured data mediums into a structure that is suitable for building analytics solutions on Azure.
Skills Covered:
- Design, implement, manage, and monitor the security and privacy of data via the full stack of data services.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 150 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/roles/data-engineer
#10) Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
Anyone sitting for this exam must be capable of planning and creating a suitable working environment for data science and be able to apply data science while implementing and running machine learning workloads on the Azure platform.
Skills Covered:
- Manage Azure resources for machine learning.
- Run experiments and train models.
- Deploy and operationalize machine learning solutions.
- Implement responsible machine learning.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-data-scientist/
#11) Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer
Anyone sitting for this exam must be able to build, manage, maintain, monitor, and deploy AI solutions that use Azure Cognitive Services. The candidate must be able to use Azure Cognitive Search and Microsoft Bot Framework.
Skills Covered:
- Management and planning of Azure cognitive services solution.
- Implementation of computer vision solutions on the Azure platform.
- Implementation of natural language processing solutions on the Azure platform.
- Implementation and integration of knowledge mining solutions.
- Implementation and integration of conversational AI solutions.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-ai-engineer/
#12) Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer
Anyone sitting for this exam must be able to know how to implement security controls and threat mitigation. He must be able to manage identity and access, data protection, application security, and network security in cloud and hybrid environments.
Skills Covered:
- Manage identity and access (IAM).
- Implement platform protection.
- Manage security operations.
- Secure data and applications on Azure.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: None
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 120 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-security-engineer/
Microsoft Azure Expert-level Certifications
#1) Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect
Anyone sitting for this exam must be able to design and implement solutions that run on Microsoft Azure and understand all DevOps processes. He is able to configure aspects like compute, network, storage, and security.
To earn this certificate, you need to pass two exams: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-303) and Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-304).
Skills Covered:
- Implementation and the monitoring of Azure services and infrastructure.
- Implementation and management of security solutions.
- Implementation of solutions for apps on the Azure platform.
- Implementation and management of data platforms.
- You must be able to design monitoring, data storage, business continuity, infrastructure.
- You must be able to design identity and security.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: AZ-303, AZ-304
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 150 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-solutions-architect/
#2) Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer
Anyone planning to sit for this exam must know how to collaborate with people, processes, and technologies in other to continuously deliver business value to organizations. He must be able to work on source control, security, compliance, continuous integration, testing, delivery, monitoring, and feedback.
To be certified as a Microsoft DevOps Engineer, you must earn at least one of the following certificates:
Azure Administrator Associate, Azure Developer Associate.
Skills Covered:
- Develop an instrumentation strategy.
- Develop a site reliability engineering strategy.
- Develop a security and compliance plan.
- Manage source control.
- Facilitate communication and collaboration.
- Define and implement continuous integration, continuous delivery, and release management strategy.
Exam Info:
- Prerequisites: AZ-104 or AZ-204
- Number of Questions: 40 – 60
- Exam Duration: 150 – 210 Minutes
- Passing Score: 700
- Cost: $165
Note: Price is based on the country you take the exam
Details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/devops-engineer/
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Azure certifications expire?
Azure certifications are valid for 2 years. 6 months to the expiry date, you will be eligible to renew it online. What you are renewing is a certification title by just writing a current exam for that certification.
2. What are the different Azure certifications?
– Administrator Certifications
– Developer Certifications
– Data Engineer Certifications
– Security Engineer Certifications
– Specialty Certifications
3. Is Azure Certification hard?
I will not say Microsoft Azure certification exams are difficult because it’s very achievable with adequate preparation using several online exam guides and sometimes having hands-on experience can go far in helping you to pass any of the Azure exams.
4. Can I get a job with Azure certification?
Getting Azure certifications can open more job opportunities that pay very well. The reason for this is the upsurge of organizations moving their complete IT infrastructure to the cloud or creating a hybrid system between their on-premise and cloud environments.
5. Are Azure certifications worth it?
The answer is a resounding yes, the reason is that these certifications will open your mind and prepare you for the various tasks that can be carried out in the Azure environment and prepare you for cloud computing which is now the norm in IT terrain.
6. Which Azure certification is easiest?
It is recommended to go for the Microsoft AZ-900 certification exam as a beginner, which validates your foundational level knowledge of Azure cloud services.
Conclusion
The need for cloud experts by top organizations is on the increase and Microsoft certifications are one of the top cloud computing certifications that IT experts are rushing to get because of the extent to which Microsoft services and products are used all over the world.
We have now seen different Microsoft Azure certifications available and what is needed from you to pass the exams like exam guide, exam duration, exam cost, passing score, number of questions for each certification, prerequisites for each certification exam.