I finally took the MB2-703 exam and passed, YIPPPEEEE
This is the 3rd time I have taken the customization and configuration exam because I have taken it for
- CRM 4
- CRM 2011
- CRM 2013
Every time I take the exam, during my studying and preparation for the exam I always learn or understand how CRM works a bit better. The certifications involve studying new functionality added in each new release of CRM but my understanding is different and I focus on different aspects of CRM and try to understand how the internal CRM mechanics are working and I wrote articles like these
CRM 2013 – When should you create a custom activity entity?
CRM Entity ownership – How do you decide?
To see all the articles, questions and videos I have created for the CRM 2013 customization and configuration certification click the link below
https://crmbusiness.wordpress.com/mb2-703-crm-2013-customization-and-configuration-certification/
I have also createde some links to some good free articles on subjects on the exam but alas there isn’t many links there because I started to late with that idea
It’s worth the effort
The value of the certification comes from the studying and reading for the certification rather than having the certification. It was a great motivator to learn the new functionality because to make the exams different there is usually an emphasis on new functionality, which is logical because otherwise the exams could be quite similar.
I find it useful to refresh my knowledge on areas I haven’t used for a while, forgotten and the new functionality which I may not have used yet.
Learning the information to a level you can pass a certification does reinforce the information and helps it stick in your mind.
I have written before
CRM 2013 – Why you should take and pass the Configuration and Customization Certification
A quick recap why I think it’s worth studying for the latest CRM certifications
- Learn how the new functionality works, particularly it’s limitations
- Study CRM functionality you don’t use very often
- Refresh your knowledge on CRM
- You get a broad knowledge of CRM
My process of studying
Read the MOCS (Microsoft Official Circiculm)
You can find the link to the MOC’s for all the certifications here. The MB2-703 MOC link is below.
MB2-703: – Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Customization & Configuration
The MOC should be the solid base to build your studying for the certification around. The MOC covers all the areas which will be in the exam and unlike CRM 2013 books, only focuses on the areas which will be on the exam.
Read articles on the subjects
The MOC’s are great but they can be a bit dry and I like to read articles on areas of the exam. Articles are small bite sized chunks with the added benefit of usually containing examples and screen shots. The real world usage of CRM 2013 functionality is very useful for understanding how the CRM 2013 functionality can be used and limitations
Take notes
Taking notes is a good way of highlighting the important points for revision and condescending the MOC’s, blog posts and other sources of information into a smaller collection, which you can revise from.
Using CRM 2013 trial
There is no better way to learn the functionality of CRM 2013 than by using it. If you are fortunate you will use CRM 2013 every day in your job, but there are still areas you don’t use very often, but make sure you know how they work rather than just the theoretical knowledge of how they work.
Tips on passing the certification
New Functionality
Study the new functionality added into CRM 2013
- Business Process Flow
- Business Rules
- Access Teams
Use CRM 2013
Don’t just read and study about CRM 2013 topics, but actually try it out with a CRM 2013 trial
- This will give you some practical knowledge/experience of the functionality
- It will help you understand how it really works, which isn’t always the same as it says in the manual
- You learn how it doesn’t work (important, particularly for the exam)
- It creates experiences and visual images which will help you recall information in the exam
- You will have experience of using the functionality, which is useful for your job
Write your own study notes
Going through the process of making notes when reading the MOC’s or articles on the exam subjects I would make notes. The process of taking notes means you have to understand the material and select the key points. To do this you have to actively think about the topic and subjectively understand it to the key features/limitations. I believe this will help you learn and increase your understanding.
The benefit of taking notes is you can use them to study with later.
Blog about the CRM 2013 functionality
Teaching and explaining about a topic makes you learn and understand the topic in more detail. This will give you a deeper understanding of the functionality.
I found writing about the security and business rules very useful
CRM 2013 – MB2-703 – Business Units and Security Roles Study Information
CRM 2013 – Understanding Business Rules
If questions came up about these topics I had a very good understanding and could work out the answers
Exam tips
Book the exam so you have a deadline
This is a great motivational tool and will stop you keep putting off taking the exam.
Create some practise questions or use mine to practise
If you are studying with someone else both create practise quesitons and notes, share them with each other
There is some practise questions you can find on my blog post below
https://crmbusiness.wordpress.com/mb2-703-crm-2013-customization-and-configuration-certification/
Study Notes
Create your own study notes, you will be learning and reinforcing the information by creating the notes and reading study notes is quicker and easier than MOC’s or blogs
My study notes are here
CRM Chat Study notes can be found here
CRM GEEK for CRM 2011
The study notes are very useful, 46 pages of good notes about the CRM 2011 Customization and Configuration exam. http://www.crmanswers.net/2014/01/crm-2013-mb2-703-exam-my-experience.html
Exam Techniques
- Get there early, sometimes the test centers are in odd places which could take some time to
- Take your time in the exam (you will have plenty)
- On each question, first eliminate the answers you know are wrong, usually there are some obvious answers which are wrong. This will leave you with a smaller choice
- Review all the questions, just to make sure you haven’t made any silly mistakes
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