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If you want to demonstrate that you have the range of skills needed to succeed in a given job role, a Certification is the right way to go. If you want to validate your skills on a specific business problem or scenario your organization faces, an Applied Skills credential will make more sense.

Here are some key differentiators between Certifications and Applied Skills:

• Breadth of skills validated: Certifications typically validate 4-6 skill sets, while Applied Skills validate one specific skill set.
• Focus: Certifications are job role-based, while Applied Skills are product-based.
• Purpose: Certifications validate skills needed for the technical aspects of job roles that leverage Microsoft solutions and technologies. Applied Skills validate specific scenarios hindering an organization's digital transform organization's

Many of the Applied Skills credentials can be used to help you prepare for Certification exams. Because Applied Skills are awarded based on performance within a lab, that experience may set you up for success on a Certification. All role-based Certification exams require experience, so earning an Applied Skills credential is one way to get some of the experience needed to pass the exam. However, not all skills assessed on a Certification exam will have an associated Applied Skills assessment lab, so you should not rely on Applied Skills alone. Visit how to prepare for a Certification exam.

If you want to demonstrate that you have skill sets that the Certification did not assess, are "Certification adjacent," or are needed for a specific project that you would like to do or are working on, an applied skill credential would be a great way to show your employer and peers that you have those skills and the skills validated by your Certification.

It depends on your technical expertise and why you want to earn a Microsoft credential.

If you are exploring technology or just beginning your learning journey in technology, starting with a fundamentals certification makes the most sense because it focuses on ensuring you have the foundational knowledge you need to get started.

Suppose you have experience and want to explore how Microsoft technologies and solutions are used to solve critical business problems. In that case, an Applied Skills credential is a great way to validate fundamental world skills focused on specific projects or scenarios.

If you have some experience and are pursuing a job that leverages Microsoft solutions, a role-based certification is the logical solution to validate role-based skills. Note that some Applied Skills credentials relate to our certifications and may provide another way to prepare for a certification exam.