Designing and Building an AI-901 Study App
Project type: AI-assisted learning-experience design
Role: Product designer, learning designer, and builder
Focus: Diagnostic assessment, retrieval practice, spaced repetition, adaptive study, AI tutoring, progress tracking, and exam simulation
Stack: Replit, Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity, VS Code, Resend, OpenAI, Stripe, Clarity, Google Analytics (and more)
Status: Working MVP
OPPORTUNITY
I wanted to continue building my vibe coding skills while preparing for the Microsoft AI-901 exam. Creating my own study application gave me a practical way to learn both the platform and the exam content at the same time.
I also saw the project as an experiment in designing a mobile, interactive learning experience enhanced by AI. Rather than build a static study guide or a basic quiz bank, I wanted to explore how practice questions, realistic exam interactions, spaced repetition, progress data, and generative AI insights could work together in one focused product.
The goal was to create an experience that helps certification candidates understand what they know, identify where they need more practice, and use their available study time more effectively.
Role
I defined the product, organized the exam content, designed the learning experience, and used AI-assisted development tools to build and refine the application.
My work included the question model, domain structure, practice flow, exam simulation, flashcards, progress tracking, scoring, generative AI explanations, and business model for monetization.
Cert Buddy™ (for AI-901) currently includes:
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500+ questions across seven exam domains
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Four question types
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Domain-based practice with immediate feedback
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Persistent study sessions that avoid repeats
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A timed 40-question mock exam
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Auto-save and exam resume
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200+ spaced-repetition flashcards
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Readiness and domain-mastery tracking
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Exam history, streaks, accuracy, and study-time reporting
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Generative AI insights for deeper question explanations
The app supports both short study sessions and full exam practice.
APPROACH
The product is designed as an AI-powered study companion that combines retrieval practice, immediate feedback, repetition, progress data, and adaptive study experiences.
Practice mode lets learners focus on one or more exam domains, avoids unnecessary repetition, and provides an explanation after each response. Exam mode uses proportional sampling so all seven domains are represented, while the readiness dashboard highlights strengths, weak areas, and where additional practice is likely to have the greatest value.
AI Insights adds a deeper layer of support by explaining why an answer is correct, why other options may be wrong, and which related concepts deserve review. Although it is not a conversational tutor, it uses generative AI to provide more contextual and personalized guidance at the moment a learner needs it.
The experience adapts through domain filtering, performance tracking, spaced repetition, readiness scoring, and recommendations about what to study next.
LESSONS LEARNED
This project reinforced that a useful study app requires more than a large question bank. The content must align to objectives, the practice experience must feel reliable, and the learner needs a clear picture of what to study next.
It also showed the value of learning by building. Creating the app required me to understand the AI-901 domains more deeply while also improving my product design and Replit development skills.