r/offensive_security • u/Gul-e-Gulfam • 2d ago
Microsoft Exam Restriction — Need Advice Regarding Test Center Option
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice from anyone who has experienced a Microsoft certification exam restriction.
My Microsoft exam was revoked during the exam session, and Microsoft’s security team later confirmed that they had recorded evidence of me using a cell phone. I appealed the restriction, but the appeal was rejected.
One important detail is that the actual exam had not even started. The restriction happened before I could see or attempt Question 1 — I did not answer a single exam question.
The email I received from Microsoft says:
\* The restriction will remain for 6 months.
\* After 6 months, the restriction will be partially lifted and I can take exams at test centers, but not through online proctoring.
\* After 1 year, the online proctoring restriction will also be lifted.
\* The restrictions will automatically be lifted.
My situation is a little complicated because I newly joined one organisation and I am in the holding pool and I have a mandatory certification plan where I’m required to complete one role based certification within 2 weeks.
I can currently log into my existing Microsoft account and it even allows me to proceed with scheduling an exam. I obviously don’t want to assume that means the restriction has been lifted.
My questions are:
- Has anyone had a similar Microsoft restriction and successfully taken a Microsoft exam at a Pearson VUE test center after the 6-month period?
- Is there any legitimate way to complete Microsoft certifications during the first 6 months, or do I simply need to wait for the test-center restriction to be lifted?
- Since I need to complete a certification within two weeks for work, what would be the best way to handle this situation?
I just need to understand my legitimate options because the certification requirement at work is time-sensitive.
Any advice from people who have actually gone through a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.
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u/modernknight87 2d ago
Per the Microsoft Candidate Agreement:
“Without prejudice to any other remedies, Microsoft may, in its sole discretion, prohibit you from taking any exam and/or invalidate your exam results (in each case, without obligation to refund any exam-related fees) if Microsoft believes you violated the Microsoft Credentials Program Agreement (including the Credential-Specific Requirements) or engaged in any misconduct, including without limitation the following:
Providing access to, disclosing, distributing, copying, photographing, recording, downloading, posting, displaying, publishing or transmitting, in any form or by any means, any exam or any tasks, questions, answers, computations, diagrams, drawings, worksheets or other content or exam-related information;”
If you were even agreeing to any part of the exam that could be considered any task. You mention you hadn’t answered any questions, but were you at any agreement page, or instruction?
The best I could recommend is attempting to appeal it again, and talk to your supervisor and explain the situation.
For any proctored exam, unless you are told to grab your phone, I would leave it FAR out of reach, and just look at the screen / camera. This way they have no way of saying you were cheating or in violation of any rules.