What the Course Entails and Exam Details

This specialty-level exam measures your proficiency across several core technical domains that are critical for an IoT Developer.

• Implement IoT Solution Infrastructure: Focuses on creating and managing essential Azure IoT resources, such as IoT Hub and Device Provisioning Service (DPS), and setting up device connectivity using SDKs and supported protocols.
• Provision and Manage Devices: Covers the entire device lifecycle, from zero-touch provisioning with DPS and managing device registries to modifying device twin properties and automating device management at scale.
• Implement IoT Edge: Involves deploying modules to IoT Edge devices, configuring Edge gateways, publishing Edge modules to a container registry, and implementing offline support.
• Process and Manage Data: Requires knowledge of configuring message routing, processing telemetry data using Azure Stream Analytics and Azure Functions, and integrating with data storage solutions like Azure Time Series Insights.
• Monitor, Troubleshoot, and Optimize: Includes setting up diagnostics logging, querying metrics in Azure Monitor, tracing message flow, and optimizing solution performance and capacity.
• Implement Security: Emphasizes securing the entire solution by managing X.509 certificates and symmetric keys, configuring attestation mechanisms, and integrating with Azure Defender for IoT.

The underlying knowledge of software development, including the use of supported languages and data processing principles, is expected from candidates.

 What to Expect in the Final Exam

The AZ-220 exam is a rigorous test that evaluates your practical application of Azure IoT concepts and technologies. The current exam cost is $165 USD.

• Exam Format: Candidates can expect a variety of question formats, which may include multiple-choice, multiple-response, drag-and-drop, case studies, scenario-based questions, and possibly performance-based labs in a live environment.
• Number of Questions: The final exam typically contains between 40 and 60 questions, though this number can vary slightly.
• Passing Score: The required passing score for this Microsoft specialist exam is 700 out of 1000.
• Time Limit: You will generally be allocated 120 minutes to complete the technical portion of the exam, although the entire seat time may be longer to accommodate the NDA and tutorial.
• Specific Rules: The exam is strictly proctored, prohibiting outside materials, electronics, and communication with others. A digital whiteboard is provided for notes during the session.

 How to Study and Exam Centers

Preparation is key to succeeding on the AZ-220 exam. A multi-faceted study approach is recommended to build both deep theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on skills.

• Official Study Guide: Start by thoroughly reviewing the official Microsoft Learn path for the Azure IoT Developer Specialty. This free online curriculum is specifically tailored to cover all the skills measured in the AZ-220 exam syllabus.
• Hands-on Labs: Practical experience is essential for an IoT specialty. Engage with Microsoft's official github-based labs and practice deploying IoT Hubs, creating custom Edge modules, routing data, and configuring security features within a trial Azure environment.
• Official Practice Tests: Utilize the official practice test provided by Microsoft's partner, such as MeasureUp. These tests help you become familiar with the actual exam format, pace your time, and identify technical areas where you need more review.
• How and Where to Take the Exam: The AZ-220 exam is delivered through Pearson VUE. You can schedule and take the test in one of two ways. You can choose to take an online-proctored exam (OnVUE) from the comfort of your home or office, ensuring you meet the strict environment and technical requirements. Alternatively, you can take the exam in person at a physical Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center located worldwide. You will need to bring government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your registration.

 Job Opportunities from the Course

Earning the Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty credential significantly boosts your credibility and opens doors to highly sought-after, technical roles across various industries investing in digital transformation and smart technology. Passing the AZ-220 exam unlocks a direct path to the following career opportunities.

• Azure IoT Developer
• IoT Solutions Architect
• IoT Device Engineer
• Cloud Developer (IoT Focus)
• IoT Data Engineer
• IoT Systems Integrator