MODULE 3

Skilling

LESSON 3.4

Build Your Training & Exam Timetable 

Align Exams To Your Training Timeline

Creating and building a training timetable is crucial when training a team of people for several reasons, as it facilitates: 

1. Structured Learning: A timetable provides a clear structure, ensuring that all necessary topics and trainees are covered within the available time. 

2. Time Management: It helps trainees manage their time effectively. 

3. Consistency and Routine: A well-planned timetable establishes a routine, which can be comforting and motivating for trainees.  

4. Resource Allocation: Timetables ensure that resources such as training materials, equipment, and trainee is used efficiently.  

5. Flexibility and Adaptability: While a timetable provides structure, it can also be designed to allow for flexibility. 

6. Goal Setting and Achievement: Timetables help in setting clear training goals and milestones. 

Establishing and following a training schedule allows organisations to improve the learning experience, optimise resource use, and foster team growth. 

START HERE

During this training phase, it's crucial for your business to allocate dedicated time for training, exam preparation, and taking the exams, themselves. This ensures everyone stays focused on achieving these certifications, benefiting both team members and the business.  

We have also provided a downloadable tracker to help you manage this phase.

Team Tracker  

Our tracker will enable the business to create a clear schedule for all three training phases. This will give your business an accurate understanding of when each training session begins, through to the completion of exams, and subsequently confirming that points have been correctly accumulating in the partner centre. 

Image 1:  The entry view for your certification training and exam timeline for the Enterprise track.

Image 2: The entry view for your certification training and exam timeline for the SMB track.

GETTING STARTED

Step 1

Entering Your Training Dates 

After finalising your dates, go to the "Team Tracker" tab in our download and input the names of the four selected individuals who will complete the prerequisite exams – 2 x AZ500 and 2 x SC-200. 

Reminder: All four individuals must pass these exams. While one or two individuals can take both exams, this approach won't garner you enough points for the Skilling metric.

However, for SMB only 1 x AZ500 and 1 x SC-200 is required! 

Once a name is entered, you can then record the start date of each program, followed by the program duration or allocation of time in the weeks column. The Booked, ETA Finished, and Days columns will be auto populated for you. 

Image 3: The entry view for your team member names and training timeline added.


Next, we can move to the Exam Study / Prep phase. 

Step 2

Entering Your Exam Study Requirements 

Some individuals might need more time to prepare for the exam. This is something you should discuss with each team member to determine if / when this is necessary. 

Image 4: The entry view for your team member exam preparation phase.

Please be aware: It is advised that this period should not exceed two weeks, though the exact duration is up to your discretion.  

To provide extra study time, toggle the corresponding “No” dropdown to “Yes” and specify the desired duration (in weeks) for this study phase. 

Image 5: The entry view for your exam preparation time factored in.



In the example, John and George have stated that they don’t need any extra study time, whereas Paul and Ringo would prefer some additional time for this purpose. Paul requires 2 weeks, while Ringo needs 1 week. 

Next, we can move to the Exam phase. 

Step 3

Entering Your Exam Dates 

Image 6: The entry view to add your tentative exam sitting dates.



The following section pertains to a tentative schedule for the exam. This date is initially a tentative date, and will be booked in as the exam date approaches. 

Please Note: It is advised that each team member undertake the exam no later than 7 days after their last training session concludes, whether this is following the training program itself or following the exam study / preparation period. 

Our tracking system enforces this policy, aiming to maximise the likelihood of each team member successfully passing their exam. The 'Sit By' column in the tracker reflects this by adding 7 days to the date when the last training was completed. 

Image 7: The entry view with tentative dates entered.



In the image above, you will notice that the last date is highlighted in red. This indicates that the anticipated date of the exam falls outside of the recommended 7-day window.  

Choosing to override this window is entirely at your discretion and serves simply as a guideline. 

Once the training is officially booked by an individual, the final exam date can be added to the spreadsheet, and the 'booked' column should be updated to ‘Yes’, from ‘No’ as confirmation. 

What If You Already Have Some Of The Required Certifications? 

We’ve got you covered.  

To start, simply add the team member’s name into the tracker. 

Image 9: Add your team member’s name.



Then change the two dropdown selectors under the ‘Certified’ and ‘In PC’ (In Partner Center) columns – from ‘No’ to ‘Yes’ and you are done! 

Image 10: Change the two dropdown boxes to ‘Yes’.



Finally, as you can see in the image, John has completed one of the optional exams, that will help you gain additional points. As indicated, these designation points won’t count until all four prerequisite exams are completed, and these points are showing in Partner Center. 

Image 11: Additional exam resources available to support your team. 



These materials encompass additional training through Microsoft Learn, study guides, preparation videos, practice exams, exam sandbox environments, and lastly, a link to book the actual exam itself. 

Next Lesson: 

We will outline how to track and update your tracker until your team are certified!