How to overcome the major Challenge in writing Applied skills in Azure
Tags: azure, beginners, tutorial, learning
Published: 2023-12-23 21:41:20

## What is Microsoft Applied Skills?
It is a fresh, verifiable certification that attests to your possession of the specialized knowledge required to carry out important tasks in line with corporate goals and objectives. Applied Skills provides a fresh perspective on how to highlight your abilities and highlight your contributions to important projects inside your company.

## About the assessment
- It is 2 hours assessment and the time start counting down once you click Start assessment.
- It can be taken every 72 hours, since it is a free assessment, you have the privilege of taking it every 72 hours.
- Each assessment has modules which will guide you on what to expect. Guided projects which is a form of practical on what you have read is also included.
- The assessment is purely practical; don't expect objective or multichoice questions.

## How to locate the assessments
Use this link to take you to all the assessments in Azure: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/browse/?credential_types=applied%20skills&products=azure

## Challenges of the assessment 
The major challenge faced by many students taking the assessment is how to log into the virtual machine and I will try as much as possible to proffer solutions. 
**NOTE:** Please ensure you have strong internet connection when taking the assessment for better performance
- Log in: Once you click on start
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/l822lvof2lb4aklj2ych.png)

You will be taken to page showing Loading your lab content
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fuqd4mzed8trec4kfodo.png)

Then it will display resuming and it may take some minutes depending on your internet
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bl45c1ueb6utq5nocall.png)

Then it will take you to your virtual machine and the instructions pane 
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/l4y12itqfrxncl02bsnx.png)

The instruction pane will display your remaining time and instructions written from step 1 to step 4 and troubleshooting. I will advice to read the instructions carefully. To do this, Click on each step.

- Step 1: Log into the virtual machine (if necessary). When you click on it it will reveal the username and password into your virtual machine.
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/egu1hfw943o0d80gc09o.png)
- To log into your virtual machine, just click on the password, and it will automatically type it for you in your virtual machine and click the forward arrow to log in
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9082oz7edafruaew3mmu.png)
- This will take you to the virtual machine desktop
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/emvax7q196hrf1yt2v2b.png)
- Click on other steps and read the instructions given.
- You will need Step 4: Log into Microsoft Azure, to get your log in details for your Azure portal once you have logged into your virtual machine.
- After logging into your virtual machine, click open emails
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/vnjkkokrf3i7b52f70la.png)
This will automatically open Edge browser with three tabs: inbox, sign in to Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Edge
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bbqmej113jlsqdzgvylt.png)
Read through the inbox because that is where your questions are. If possible, have a pen and a jotter to write down what the question is asking you to do and the solutions.
- Next is to log into Azure portal by clicking on sign in to Microsoft Azure tab
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xqusg83r1ga5vudqmyzb.png)
Log in with details from step 4 above.

**Take Note**
For wider view, I advice that you split the instruction pane
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/mwoh2o3djzrnkdj74oi7.png)
This will open the instruction pane in a new tab
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6ykg19i5vi79zh8werq1.png)
You will notice that the whole screen for the assessment cover just one-third of the entire screen of your system and it is better to work with bigger screen. After splitting the instruction pane, press and hold function key (fn) and press f11
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2rzb01pex2vtw34ff519.png)
- Do not Click Submit Assessment until when you are through with the whole assessment.