Welcome back, thanks for keep on reading me, and for the ones who read for the first time, welcome.

With this third post I'll keep answering the question Where did you train? addressing in specific the topics for the exam 70-765 "Provisioning SQL Databases"

From both exams this was the one that I enjoyed the most, particularly because most of the topics evaluated were new to me, (Spoiler Alert) this one I'll dare to say is 75% over azure SQL.

The Skills measured are:
1. Implement SQL in Azure (40 -45%)
2. Manage databases and instances (30 - 35%)
3. Manage Storage 30 - 35%)

By no doubt the course that helped me the most was Migrating SQL Server Databases to Azure that I mentioned in the previous post, in that course you will learn how to deploy a Microsoft Azure SQL Database, it will also explain the different options you have to create SQL as a Service (PaaS) or if you want to create an Azure VM (IaaS), also explains you the different storage options, their redundancy etc. That same course and eBook explains you how to secure your SQL Databases, just to mention some other skills that you will acquire with that course.

The other area that is evaluated here is Storage, which you can find it in this course also mentioned in the previous post. Yes at this point you could start noticing that most of the courses are shared among both exams, and I think that was the idea (the reason why it is called MCSA Database Administration) because the database role covers that, be that one who has the expertise not only in troubleshoot slowness, maintain the data in a way it can be retrieved faster, but at the same time be that person who can say, this is the infrastructure I recommend that will satisfy with your needs, specially with how IT is moving (Cloud).

Lastly there are a few skills that aren't covered by those two courses and they belong to the On-Premises instances -For those who haven't heard of that term before, On-premises refers to the Servers (Application, storage, Database) that are provisioned in your own data center not in the cloud.

The first of those topics is:

1. Manage SQL Server instances
Create databases, manage files and file groups, manage system database files, configure tempdb

This are regular DBA tasks and sometimes Dev tasks, but for those that are not familiar with that, you can find some training with this videos:
Create databases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKWZZcrin5I even if the video is built with SQL 2012, the steps are the same
Manage Files and Filegroups: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8TuJgikCWk

2. Perform database maintenance
Monitor DMVs, maintain indexes, automate maintenance tasks, update statistics, verify database integrity, recover from database corruption

Monitor DMV's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWFg6KdVoh4 this is an outstanding SQL Pass session you can use to get a bit of a knowledge as to what to use to monitor the Performance. Even if the video is form 5 years ago is a good resource to start getting familiar with it.

This exam has practice test available so you can choose to buy that option when purchasing your exam or not. Personally I choose to buy it as mentioned before it helped me to get familiar with the evaluation method that is used, so is your choose if you want to buy that or not.

In the exam you will see two scenarios, one with questions and multiple choice answers and the second with real case scenarios. Compared with the 764 exam this is shorter and less complicated that the other.

I personally  believe that even if this exam is less complex that the other, is the one that gives you the best knowledge for a future career in the newer technologies.

Enjoy the study and if you need any questions I'll be glad to help.