Free Microsoft Certification and Discounts – March 2021
Previously, I have been doing a different blog post for every single offer Microsoft did regarding certification exams. As there are more and more opportunities to get discounted certifications, I will now just have a single blog post per month that highlights all the different options in an easier to consume blog post! If you want to save $$$ on Microsoft Certifications, you are at the right spot!
Microsoft Ignite Cloud Skills Challenge – Free Voucher
The Microsoft Ignite Cloud Skills challenge is a limited time challenge in which you can get a free certification. The challenge starts at March 2, 2021 at 4:00 PM UTC and ends on March 30, 2021 at 4:00 PM UTC. Similar to previous Ignite Cloud Skills Challenges, you need to finish a Microsoft Learn Path in order to get the exam voucher for free, however, this time Microsoft really shrunk down the list of available exams. This exam offer is exam-specific and only redeemable for select Microsoft exams. Eligible exams are:
- AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator
- DP-100: Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure
- MS-700: Managing Microsoft Teams
- MS-100: Microsoft 365 Identity and Services
- MS-101: Microsoft 365 Mobility and Security
- DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI
- SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst
- SC-300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator
- SC-400: Microsoft Information Protection Administrator
Links
- Official Page / Sign up for the challenge: https://csc.docs.microsoft.com/ignite/registration/March2021
- Rules: https://csc.docs.microsoft.com/ignite/OfficialRules/March2021
Microsoft Virtual Training Days – Free Voucher & Training
Microsoft Virtual Training Days don’t only give you a free certification voucher – they also give you free training . This opportunity is really centered around Fundamentals exams, mainly the AZ-900 / AI-900/ DP-900 / PL-900 / Dynamics 365! They keep adding new dates so make sure you check often!
Links
- Microsoft Virtual Training Days Landing Page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/training-days
- I have also blogged more details around this in September 2020 over here: https://vladtalkstech.com/2020/09/get-free-training-and-a-free-certification-voucher-with-microsoft-virtual-training-days.html
[US Only] Microsoft Cloud Skills Challenge – Free Voucher
Yes, this is confusing from a naming perspective versus the one before, but it is a different one! This article was posted on the US Partner Team blog and is only available to residents of the United States.
- Fundamentals
- Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate
- Building applications and solutions with Microsoft 365 Core Services
- Microsoft 365 Security Administration
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance
Links
- Official Page / Sign up for the challenge: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/us-partner-blog/2020/10/05/sharpen-your-teams-technical-skills-with-the-cloud-skills-challenge/
- Rules: https://learncloudchallengeapp.blob.core.windows.net/sharedfiles/updated_tcs_us_ocp_dec_2020_final.pdf
[Canada Only] Data & AI Academy – Free Voucher & Training
This one is for Canada only – so as a Canadian I have to say Sorry to everyone else. Here’s the description: Now there’s a more rewarding approach to hands-on learning that helps you learn, get certified, and achieve your goals faster. #InvestInYourself with free certifications and virtual courses for Canadian professionals. This Academy allows you to get either the Training, Voucher, or both Training and Voucher for most DP- / AI- certifications for free!
- Data & AI Academy Landing Page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/sites/dataAIAcademy/
30 Days to Learn It Cloud Skills Challenge – 50% Off
30 Days to Learn It can help you build skills and start your preparation for Microsoft Certifications for AI, DevOps, Microsoft 365, low code, IoT, data science, cloud development, and more. Select your challenge, work through learning modules, and exchange ideas with peers through a global community forum. You can be eligible for 50 percent off the cost of a Microsoft Certification exam by completing your challenge within 30 days.
Links
- Official Page / Sign up: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/offers/30-days-to-learn-it
- Terms and conditions: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/offers/30-days-to-learn-it/official-rules#terms-and-conditions
MCT & MVP Discounts
If you are a Microsoft MCT or MVP, remember you can get 75% or 50% off respectively for your Microsoft Certifications. You can learn more about this either on MCT Central or on the MVP site. As an MVP you need to request the code, so make sure you do it before you schedule your exam!
Did I miss any offers? Let me know in the comments! Remember to also check my Microsoft Certification Study Guides to get ready for your exams! If this blog post saved you some money, please do leave a comment, I always enjoy reading them and knowing my content helped you out!
Leave a comment and don’t forget to like the Vlad Talks Tech Page on Facebook and to follow me on Twitter here for the latest news and technical articles on SharePoint. I am also a Pluralsight author, and you can view all the courses I created on my author page. |

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26 Comments
- March 2, 2021 at 3:06 amHans Schwindt
Too bad that this Challeng is only valid for people who live in the USA.
Microsoft Cloud Skills Challenge – Free Voucher.Best wishes from Europe
Reply - March 3, 2021 at 8:17 amsivakumar
Is it worth for Indians ?
Reply- March 3, 2021 at 3:24 pm
I think it’s worth it for everyone!
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- March 11, 2021 at 12:44 pmNidhi Agarwal
Can you please share the session for voucher for AZ 104
Reply- March 11, 2021 at 1:41 pm
As shared in the blog post, the AZ-104 voucher can be received by completing the Ignite skills challenge > https://csc.docs.microsoft.com/ignite/registration/March2021
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- March 11, 2021 at 12:46 pmNidhi Agarwal
After the session how many days will it take for the voucher to come
Reply- March 11, 2021 at 1:42 pm
“If you complete your challenge before it ends, one Microsoft Certification exam will be associated with your Learn profile on April 7, 2021. You will be notified via email when it becomes available.”
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- March 12, 2021 at 9:42 amGerson Rubio
- March 13, 2021 at 1:29 pm
None at the moment 🙁
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- March 18, 2021 at 1:27 pmkanyinda grace
great
Reply - March 23, 2021 at 5:04 amdaphay
hi guys, no free voucher for ms600? only registered for the 30 days challenge yesterday and tho i am all but done with the course its going to be mid april before the 50% off one comes through and thats kinda far lol. if anyone has please point me to it. Thanks
Reply - March 23, 2021 at 11:43 amtech
Thank you for sharing
Reply - March 26, 2021 at 1:55 amRaynold Nena
How to get older Microsoftware Certifications
Reply- April 5, 2021 at 8:18 am
You cannot 🙁
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- March 28, 2021 at 7:04 amImran
I have complete all 32 modules of
Microsoft Ignite Security Operations Analyst Challenge, and there is 100% completed shown in said module, where in dash board it still showing 16/32 modules.what did it mean ?
Reply- April 5, 2021 at 8:19 am
I know there was a bug with the completition – if you don’t get it in time , contact their support!
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- March 29, 2021 at 9:17 amThuzi
Hi,
Please advise if the 30 Days to Learn It Cloud Skills Challenge – 50% Off- is available for all regions, I stay in Africa,South Africa
Reply- April 5, 2021 at 8:17 am
Did you check the terms and conditions in the blog post? https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/offers/30-days-to-learn-it/official-rules#terms-and-conditions
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- April 12, 2021 at 6:11 pmFelipe Martins
There’s, on this link, virtual trainning for MS-900 and SC-900? I got the az900 and MB901
Reply - April 14, 2021 at 4:34 pmAlbert
Hi Vlad,
Reply
My name is Albert Coman, I’m 40 years old and I’ve recently passed COMPTIA A+. I’m based in UK-8 years+(Romanian citizen though) and have a construction industry background, therefore no IT experience at all, especially practical (due to that I think my brain expanded when learning for the exams ). I want to pursue an IT career, particularly Windows related and as little networking as possible (I simply don’t ‘click’ with it). Should I go for the MTA Fundamentals or higher? Bear in mind that I’d like to have a good shot at actually getting a job at the end of it…
Many thanks for your help,
Al- April 18, 2021 at 10:00 pm
Hello Albert,
I would not go for the MTA exams as Microsoft announced they will expire soon. Without networking, I would say the best paths to avoid networking would be focusing on the Microsoft 365 productivity cloud (starting with MS-900) or Power Platform (PL-900). It’s tough to focus on Windows Management without a little networking – but there’s definetly a lot of possibiltiy in M365/Power Platform with as little as possible 🙂
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- April 21, 2021 at 4:36 amansley
great info.
Reply - June 16, 2021 at 9:43 amTonia Kimura
How much does it cost to get all these certs????
Reply- July 6, 2021 at 3:36 pm
It depends on how many you want – and what region of the world you’re in!
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- October 27, 2021 at 12:55 pmDianne
Is there an updated version for the current period?
Reply- October 27, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Hey Dianne,
I Will have one up soon – the best one that’s upcoming is this: https://vladtalkstech.com/2021/10/free-certification-exam-with-the-microsoft-ignite-cloud-skills-challenge.html + the ongoing Virtual Training Days!
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