The MS-203 is also known as the Microsoft 365 Messaging test. It is an industry-standard certification exam that allows the candidates to validate their knowledge of licensing, authentication types, and integration process with Microsoft 365 apps. Thus, if you are rooting for a fruitful career in this field, you should consider passing the MS-203 exam. On top of that, it will lead you to the well-known Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate certificate.

Who Is The MS-203 Exam Intended For?

This official evaluation is designed for the messaging administrators who are responsible for messaging infrastructure, managing hygiene, hybrid configuration, client access, migration, transport, and mailboxes. What’s more, every candidate should have expertise in deploying, configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting permissions, recipients, and public folders in the cloud and hybrid enterprise environments. The applicants who apply for this qualifying exam should have confident skills in implementing a cloud-only or secure hybrid topology that can easily meet the business needs of any enterprise.

What Is The Microsoft MS-203 Exam?

As already noted, the Microsoft MS-203 is the well-recognized accreditation exam that helps the candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of how to manage the organizational setting and implementing a hybrid configuration & migration as well as secure the messaging environment of the enterprise.

Furthermore, the candidates need to be familiar with all the details of this exam to avoid any confusion on the final test day. The total number of questions you meet in the exam is 40-60. And you have to complete them within 120 minutes, no more.

Regarding the registration procedure, applicants have to pay an enrollment fee, the amount of which depends on their location. So, the candidates living in the USA have to pay $165 while others can check their exam costs by visiting the official website of Microsoft.

Moreover, you have to register with the Pearson VUE website to schedule your exam. It’s important to note that you can take the MS-203 evaluation online or at a testing center at your convenience. Besides, this is a proctored exam and if you chose to take it online, you should have a working webcam, microphone, and stable internet.

What Are The Topics Covered In The Microsoft MS-203 Exam?

As you realize, the candidates have to master the precise test topics to perform better in this Microsoft exam. In more detail, they should have enough knowledge of managing organizational settings and resources, securing the messaging environment, and planning the mail architecture. Moreover, test-takers should also be proficient in planning and executing a hybrid configuration and migration.

In other words, once you dig deep into the key concepts of these topics, you will be well prepared to take the serious Microsoft MS-203 exam.

Managing Organizational Resources And Settings (30-35%)

The first tested domain discusses the processes of planning and managing the organizational settings that include managing email address policies, address book policies, Global Address list, and organizational sharing. Additionally, this section also covers the management of mobile devices through Outlook mobile and ActiveSync, as well as recipient resources including mailboxes, license options, and groups. The candidate’s ability to control client access and Exchange certificates lifecycle will also be checked with the help of this exam.

Securing The Messaging Environment (20-25%)

The second tested part talks about controlling role-based permissions that involve the management of role groups, user roles, and user accounts. Also, the candidate should know about managing compliance that has subtopics like configuring Exchange data loss prevention policies, Office 365 Labels, managing content search, and eDiscovery cases. Lastly, the candidate will be tested as regards managing message hygiene through Exchange Online and Microsoft Defender for Office 365.

Planning And Managing Mail Architecture (20-25%)

The third exam area covers the solid knowledge and skills in planning and configuring transport architecture with help of connector management. In addition, you should also be familiar with mail flow, namely, you should have expertise in managing hybrid mail flow and transport rules. Besides, the candidate's knowledge about troubleshooting mail flow and appropriate analysis is also tested in this domain.

Planning And Implementing A Migration And Hybrid Configuration (20-25%)

The fourth tested section highlights the important aspects of planning and implementing a hybrid environment that involves configuring OCT, deploying Exchange Hybrid Agent, and evaluating hybrid access. Moreover, this exam domain also focuses on the migration process. In more detail, in the final test, the candidates will meet questions related to applying migration methods, configuring migration endpoints, troubleshooting mailbox migration, managing mailbox migration request batches utilizing a New Exchange admin center. As well, the candidates should have a sufficient ability to navigate public folders including creation, planning, and configuration.

What Are The Career Opportunities For Candidates After Passing The MS-203 Exam?

After passing the MS-203 exam, the candidates are provided with remarkable opportunities to excel in their careers. It makes you proficient in Microsoft technologies and Microsoft 365 applications. Thus, the candidates who successfully ace this evaluation are given a bundle of opportunities to make their name in the IT industry. That’s because the potential employers are waiting for Microsoft certified to fill their vacant positions. For instance, you are offered a job role as Microsoft 365 Messaging Administrator.

The applicants are also offered an attractive salary package once they pass the MS-203 exam and achieve the prestigious certificate. So, the starting average salary of a certified Messaging Administrator is around $46k according to Glassdoor. However, there are several chances of promotion as you move forward to high-level certifications. So, this figure could grow to $115k per year.

Anyway, after achieving this Microsoft accreditation, the candidate becomes credible in front of the employers and boosts his or her chances of getting a high position in the company you want. All you have to do is work on improving your skills and sharpen your knowledge to grab the best opportunities in the IT sector.

Career Path

As you understand, once you pass the MS-203 exam and achieve the Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate qualification, you will get many career opportunities. In the meantime, if you want to expand your expertise, you should consider taking the Microsoft 365 Identity and Services exam together with the Microsoft 365 Mobility and Security to get the Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert certification. It is an expert-level accreditation that will not only raise you to a new professional level but also will allow you to work with Microsoft 365 experts. Furthermore, you will be offered a handsome salary and a chance to grow in your chosen field.