How a Microsoft Learn Challenge helped me pass the AI-102 certification exam

Earlier this month, I was given the opportunity to participate in the MVP Global Cloud Skills Challenge. Who  doesn’t like a challenge, right? I decided to focus on the Data and AI challenge because I want to keep my Azure AI skills up-to-date in this fast-paced technology field. These skills are essential to me, as I spend most of my work days in the data and machine learning world, and pull in AI technologies as needed on various projects.

The Data and AI challenge was for a limited time; therefore, it wasn’t something I could put off and procrastinate. As I worked through the learning path, I enjoyed the completeness of the content and the analogies presented to understand rather complicated topics.  The visuals and the knowledge checks gave me the confidence that I was interpreting the concepts correctly. The hands-on exercises allowed me to get acquainted with updated user interfaces, new features and increase my comfort level with the cloud shell. Not going to lie, it was very motivating to see the leader board fill up with people that had already completed the challenge, I wanted to see my name there as well. I ended up completing all 42 modules in this challenge in about a week. I absolutely love that there were 42 modules in this challenge 😀

Part of the challenge included learning more about digital accessibility. As a dyslexic person, I enjoyed seeing the focus Microsoft is putting on this area. One of the things that I am incredibly uncomfortable with is taking timed exams. However, after completing four modules centering around accessibility, I decided that I could attempt a certification exam, and if necessary, Microsoft would provide accommodations for my dyslexia. I reviewed the skills outline for exam AI-102: Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution and discovered that this exam’s requirements were covered in the Data and AI Cloud Skills Challenge that I had just completed. I promptly scheduled the exam for the following week before I could chicken out. In the few days I had before taking the exam, I revisited some of the learning modules and augmented this knowledge with reading some documentation. Exam day arrived and even though I was confident in the topics that would be covered in the exam, I was extremely anxious about the process of taking the test. After about the first 15 minutes, I started to relax – I ended up with plenty of time to review the questions twice. Upon completion of the exam – the testing software immediately informed me that I had passed. I am now a Microsoft Certified AI Engineer Associate. Obtaining this certification paved the way for another opportunity. I have been preparing class content and delivering training on Microsoft technologies on a regular basis for the past couple of years. With the confirmation of my training experience, I was able to enroll as a Microsoft Certified Trainer – a “one day” goal that I had set for myself years ago – that “one day” ended up being May 13th, 2021. I nominate you, dear reader – to follow the same path as I did to take the AI-102 exam – here is a link to a collection of modules that I used in order to prepare: AI-102 Exam Prep Learning Collection. Happy Learning !! #TheMVPChallenge