Exam MS-203: Microsoft 365 Messaging
MS-203 Exam candidates – Messaging Administrators are responsible for managing hygiene, messaging infrastructure, hybrid configuration, migration, transport, mailboxes, and client access. MS-203 Microsoft 365 Messaging is a refreshed exam from both MS-200 and MS-201 exams. One way of achieving edge over your other competitors is through gaining certifications. Survival of fittest policy has started ruling the job market. In order to survive, you have to keep yourself updated with the latest development. Certifications also show the dedication you have towards your goals and development. Let us dig deeper into this valuable credential.
What is Exam MS-203: Microsoft 365 Messaging?
Messaging Administrators in hybrid and cloud enterprise settings who deploy, configure, administer, debug, and monitor recipients, permissions, mail protection, mail flow, and public folders are candidates for this exam. Hygiene, messaging infrastructure, hybrid configuration, migration, transit, mailboxes, and client access are all managed by Messaging Administrators.
Who should take the exam?
This test is for Messaging Administrators who should be familiar with authentication types, licenses, and Microsoft 365 application connectivity.
Role of Messaging Administrator:
- Messaging Administrators are responsible for managing hygiene, messaging infrastructure, hybrid configuration, migration, disaster recovery, high availability, and client access.
- They collaborate with the Security Administrator and Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator to implement a secure hybrid topology that meets the business needs of a modern organization.
Exam Details
| Name of the exam | Exam MS-203: Microsoft 365 Messaging |
| Code of the exam | MS-203 |
| No. of questions | 40-60 |
| Format of questions | multiple choice, multiple select, case studies and fill in the blanks |
| Cost of exam | $165 |
| Duration of exam | 120 minutes |
| Languages available | English |
| Scheduling platform | Pearson VUE |
| Passing score | 700 (on a scale of 1-1000) |
How to register for the exam MS-203 exam?
Follow the steps written below to register for the exam:
- Go to the Microsoft site and find your certificate in the list. Then select schedule exam, to register.
- If the certificate will be available for your country then you will be able to select the exam during the registration process.
- You will also select the language of the greeter, proctor, and proctoring software.
Exam Retake Policy for MS-203
- If you do not pass the test on your first attempt, you must wait at least 24 hours before retaking it. If you pass the test, you will not be able to repeat it.
- If you fail the test on your second attempt, you must wait at least 14 days before taking it again. The failure in the third, fourth, or fifth try follows the same pattern.
- You will only be able to take the exam five times each year. This year’s 12-month cycle begins on your fifth attempt failure. You must contact Microsoft if you intend to administer the test for more than 5 months each year.
Academic pricing on the certifications
In most countries, academic pricing on Microsoft Certified Professional tests is provided (except India and China). To be eligible for the academic price, you must verify your student status before booking your exam.
Applying student status through your account profile
- Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
- Select Profile settings from the Account menu at the top of the page.
- In the Job function menu, select, or ensure that you have selected, “Student.”
- Look for the academic pricing notice that appears next to the Job function menu. If your student status has not yet been validated, click “Get verified” to verify your status.
Applying student status when registering for an exam
- Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
- On the exam for which you want to register, click Schedule exam.
- On the Confirm your exam registration details page, ensure that the Job function field displays “Student – Verified.” If it does not, click “Get verified” to validate your status, or click Edit to change your status.
Verifying your academic status
Select the method you wish to use to verify your status. The methods include:
- School-issued email account
- School network credentials
- International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
- Verification code from a Microsoft representative or your institution’s administrator
- Documentation
Exam Syllabus
1. Manage Microsoft Exchange Online settings and resources (40–45%)
1.1. Manage organizational and client access settings in Exchange Online
- manage a Global Address List (GAL)
- Add or remove an offline address book (OAB)
- manage address book policies
- Plan and configure organization relationships and individual sharing
- Configure Outlook on the web policies
1.2. Manage recipient and resources
- Manage user mailboxes
- manage resource mailboxes
- Manage shared mailboxes
- Create and manage mail contacts and mail users
- Manage groups, including distribution lists, dynamic distribution lists, mail-enabled security groups, and Microsoft 365 groups
- Manage mailbox permissions, including delegation
- Manage mailbox mail flow settings
- Create and manage public folders
1.3. Manage Exchange hybrid settings and migration
- Configure virtual directories and URLs in a hybrid environment
- Maintain and expand the configuration by using the Hybrid Configuration wizard
- Configure migration endpoints
- Create and manage a cross-tenant migration batch
2. Plan and manage the mail transport architecture (25–30%)
2.1 Manage and secure mail flow
- Plan and configure connectors
- Plan and implement mail flow rules (transport rules)
- Manage accepted and remote domains
- Configure namespaces, accepted domains, and DNS records, including Exchange Online Protection (EOP)
- Implement email authentication, including Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, and Reporting and Conformance (DMARC)
2.2 Troubleshoot mail flow
- Configure and manage alert policies
- Trace a message
- Analyze a message trace
- Analyze message headers
- Analyze non-delivery reports (NDRs)
- Troubleshoot by using the Microsoft Remote Connectivity Analyzer
3. Secure the messaging environment (25–30%)
3.1. Manage role-based permissions in Exchange Online
3.2. Secure messages by using Microsoft 365 Defender
- Configure and manage anti-phishing policies
- Configure and manage anti-spam policies
- Configure and manage anti-malware policies
- Configure and manage Safe Attachments
- Configure and manage Safe Links
- Configure and manage quarantine policies
3.3. Manage compliance
- Configure Messaging Records Management (MRM) and retention policies for a specific mailbox folder
- Enable and configure archive mailboxes
- Manage inactive mailboxes
- Analyze audit logs
- Manage journal rules
- Manage content search
- Manage standard eDiscovery cases (not including Premium eDiscovery)
Preparation Resources for MS-203 Exam
There are numerous resources that can be used for preparation. But one should be very careful while choosing the resources as they determine your level of preparation and how well will you pass the exam. let us have a look at a handful of resources –
1. Microsoft documentation
Microsoft provides its own documentation that may be utilised to prepare for the exam. The documentation may be found on the official Microsoft documents site or by following the links below. In terms of quality and syllabus legitimacy, the documentations are the most reliable source. They may be an excellent resource for planning. Access the Microsoft documentation.
2. Microsoft learning paths
These are provided at no cost and can assist in exam preparation by clarifying the concepts of the exam subjects. Learning pathways are Microsoft’s official resources, mostly online classes, that are made available to Exam MB-201 students. There are several tools available to help you prepare for the test. There are several internet sites that provide dependable online lessons and might be a wonderful resource. You can access them on the official site.
3. Instructor led training
If you are a curious person who has many doubts, instructor-led trainings may be the best option for you. These engaging workshops are developed by world-class subject matter experts and will assist you in learning the necessary abilities in a shorter amount of time. Microsoft, as well as numerous educational websites, provide these trainings. The Microsoft resource may be found at this link –
4. Books
Books are, without a doubt, the most valuable preparation resource. You can consult many books of your choosing and obtain them from libraries or bookstores. You may also choose e-books if that is more convenient for you. Check to see if the book covers all of the required topics on the syllabus and is appropriate for your level of knowledge. For Exam MS-203, you may also use the official Microsoft guide.
5. Practice papers and sample papers
Practicing as much as possible can aid you in higher exam performance. They assist you in discovering your flaws and weak areas. With each practice session, you’ll be able to see how your performance has improved and how this is affecting your chances of passing the test. Now you may take a free practice exam. You may locate a variety of trustworthy websites that can provide you with high-quality information as well as a large number of practice papers.
