MD-100: Modern Desktop Associate Study Guide & Exam Prep

Under this post, we will give out a study guide for everyone intending to the write and pass the MD-100 examination. However, before we go ahead and start to elaborate on the purpose of this post, it is very necessary to first all establish the fact that the readers understand what the subject matter is centered on.

What is MD-100?

The MD-100 is the first of the two examinations that must be written and passed by everyone that wants to get the certification regarded as Modern Desktop Associate Administrator. The MCA certification which is being sought by a large and growing number of employers is an essential part of the resume of any IT professional.

The certification is a very important one which is all modeled around Windows 10. Generally, this includes upgrading from the older versions of Windows Operating System, the various manners in which you can keep it updated as well as the security which Windows 10 brings along with it.

To put it better and for further clarification, the new Microsoft 365 Certified Associate (MCA) Modern Desktop certification exam tests the ability of a candidate in terms of deployment of Windows, management of devices and data, Maintenance of Windows as well as the configuration of connectivity. To cut long story short, for anyone that desires to achieve knowledge and experience in this regard, the MD-100 is a vital exam.

What are the topics I need to cover for the exam?

Just like every other examination out there, we have a specific list of that are relevant to MD-100 and as such, everyone taking the examination will need to cover them. Most of the questions you will be answering in the exam are picked from these courses.

To find a comprehensive range of these topics, your best bet is to check the Microsoft exam site. Some of the topics that will be suggested to you on the site include Manage Devices, Deploy Windows, Configure Connectivity as well as Maintain Windows. However, while it is advised that you cover all these topics as suggested by Microsoft, you must cover the following highlighted topics as well (probably even with more intensity):

• NTFS permissions
• Group Policy
• Windows permissions

• Powershell Commands
• Bitlocker
• AutoPilot

The noteworthy thing that needs to be hammered as regards MD-100 is that you should not go for the examination without considering the implications of the capabilities offered through other Microsoft 365 components. If you do not make this consideration, you will be putting yourself at a huge disadvantage in the exam. As a result of this, as far as this exam is concerned, at the very least, you need to have a good grasp of and a particular level of exposure to Azure Active Directory as well as Microsoft Intune. Nevertheless, this doesn’t take away the fact that they are not the core focus of the exam.

Tips concerning the format

As we have stated earlier, the new Microsoft exam format spans across a good number of different topics. It, however, comes with the standard multiple-choice and scenario-based format. In other words, they give you many questions based on one big complex case. In addition, you have practical labs. However, MD-100 specifically does not give any practical labs. Typically, the MD-100 has 45 questions with 40 being multiple choice and 5 based on a big complex case scenario.

The multiple-choice questions are quite straightforward but the scenario-based questions are tricky. Take time to read and understand the presented scenario to not make mistakes when answering the subsequent questions. Alternatively, you can skim through the scenario, while you look at each question and refer back to the relevant part in the scenario to read in detail after which you then look for the possible answers. This technique will probably save you more time than the former one 

In any case, the examination has a duration of 2 hours within which you are expected to finish all the 45 questions. As such, you have enough time to properly read the questions and provide the correct answers. You can review your answers before you submit them.

With these tips, you can now study and pass the MD-100 without much hassle.