AZ-900 is Microsoft's entry-level Azure certification. It covers cloud fundamentals and core Azure services — no hands-on lab required, no deep technical background needed. This guide covers everything: what's on the exam, the best resources, how to study, and what to expect on test day.
Exam Overview
Exam Code
AZ-900
Full Name
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Passing Score
700 / 1000
Exam Cost
$165 USD
Number of Questions
40–60 questions
Time Limit
45 minutes
Question Types
Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, yes/no
Prerequisites
None
Who should take AZ-900?
- • Non-technical professionals who work with Azure services or cloud teams
- • IT beginners starting a cloud career
- • Sales, finance, or operations staff at companies using Azure
- • Developers or IT pros who want a credential before pursuing AZ-104 or SC-900
Exam Domains & Weightings
AZ-900 covers three domains. The weightings tell you where to focus your study time.
Domain 1: Cloud Concepts
25–30%- • Benefits of cloud (high availability, scalability, reliability, predictability, security, governance, manageability)
- • Cloud service types: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
- • Cloud deployment models: public, private, hybrid
- • Shared responsibility model
- • CapEx vs OpEx and the consumption-based model
Study tip: Know the exact definitions Microsoft uses. "Reliability" and "resiliency" mean specific things in Azure terminology.
Domain 2: Azure Architecture and Services
35–40%- • Core Azure components: regions, availability zones, resource groups, subscriptions
- • Compute: Virtual Machines, App Service, Azure Functions, Container Instances, AKS
- • Networking: Virtual Network, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute, DNS, Content Delivery Network
- • Storage: Blob, Files, Queue, Table, Storage tiers (Hot/Cool/Archive)
- • Databases: Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Azure Database for MySQL/PostgreSQL
- • Identity: Azure Active Directory (now Microsoft Entra ID), MFA, Conditional Access
- • Additional services: IoT Hub, Azure AI, Azure DevOps, Azure Arc
Study tip: This is the heaviest domain. Focus on when to use each service, not just what it does. Exam questions are scenario-based.
Domain 3: Azure Management and Governance
30–35%- • Cost management: Pricing Calculator, TCO Calculator, Azure Cost Management
- • Governance: Azure Policy, RBAC, resource locks, Azure Blueprints
- • Security: Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Azure Key Vault, Microsoft Sentinel
- • Monitoring: Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights, Azure Advisor
- • Deployment tools: Azure Portal, CLI, PowerShell, ARM templates, Bicep, Cloud Shell
- • Compliance: Microsoft Trust Center, Service Trust Portal, compliance documentation
Study tip: Candidates frequently underestimate this domain. Know the difference between Azure Policy (enforce rules) and RBAC (control access).
Ready to test yourself?
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Scenario-based questions with detailed explanations. No credit card required.
Start Free Practice →Best Study Resources
You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to pass AZ-900. These resources cover everything on the exam.
1. Microsoft Learn AZ-900 Learning Path
FreeThe official Microsoft training for AZ-900. Covers all three domains with interactive modules. This should be your first stop — it's aligned directly to the exam objectives.
Time: ~8-10 hours
2. Free Azure Account (Hands-On Practice)
FreeCreate a free Azure account and spend 30-60 minutes exploring the portal. Seeing the services in context makes scenario questions much easier to answer.
Includes $200 credit for 30 days + always-free services
3. Practice Questions with Explanations
EssentialThe gap between "I studied the theory" and "I know how questions are phrased on the real exam" is what causes most failures. Practice questions close that gap. Aim for 300+ questions before exam day.
4. AZ-900 Exam Skills Outline (Official)
FreeDownload the official exam skills outline from Microsoft. This is the exact blueprint Microsoft uses to write questions. Compare your knowledge against each bullet point.
Not sure if you're ready yet?
Take the free 5-minute AZ-900 readiness quiz. No signup required. Get a personalized study timeline based on your current knowledge.
Check My ReadinessStudy Strategy
The most common mistake: studying theory without ever seeing how questions are actually worded on the exam. Microsoft writes questions that test your ability to apply concepts in scenarios — not just recall definitions.
Start with the official skills outline
Download it from Microsoft. Read through every bullet point. Mark anything you don't recognize — that's your study list.
Work through Microsoft Learn by domain
Don't try to read everything in one sitting. Do one module per session. Take notes on service names, use cases, and anything that seems like it could be an exam question.
Practice questions after each domain
Don't save practice questions for the end. After each domain, do 30-50 questions. Read every explanation — including the ones you got right.
Take timed mock exams in the final week
Simulate real exam conditions. 45 minutes, no looking things up. If you're scoring 75%+ consistently, you're ready. Focus remaining time on any domain below 70%.
Schedule the exam before you feel 100% ready
Most people who "wait until they're ready" keep delaying. If you're scoring 75%+ on practice tests, book it. The deadline creates focus.
Common mistake: Memorizing practice question answers instead of understanding why. The real exam uses different wording. Focus on reasoning patterns, not answer lists.
Exam Day Tips
Read every word
AZ-900 questions often hinge on one word: "most cost-effective," "minimal administrative effort," "without downtime." Skim and you miss the constraint.
Use the flag feature
Flag questions you're unsure about and keep moving. Come back at the end. Don't spend 5 minutes on one question early on.
Eliminate wrong answers
On most questions, two options are clearly wrong. Eliminate those first, then decide between the remaining two. Your odds go from 25% to 50%.
Don't change answers unnecessarily
Your first instinct is usually right. Only change an answer if you have a specific reason — not just doubt.
Common Questions
Is AZ-900 hard to pass?
It's one of the more approachable Microsoft certifications, but candidates who only read theory — without doing practice questions — often fail despite knowing the content. The questions are scenario-based and worded specifically. Preparation matters more than raw difficulty.
What is the passing score for AZ-900?
700 out of 1000. Microsoft uses scaled scoring, so the exact number of questions you need to answer correctly varies slightly depending on the question set. Aim for 75%+ on practice tests before sitting the real exam.
Can I take AZ-900 online?
Yes. AZ-900 is available through Pearson VUE either at a test center or online proctored from home. Online requires a quiet room, reliable internet, and a webcam. Many candidates find test centers less stressful.
Does AZ-900 expire?
Yes. Microsoft fundamental certifications (including AZ-900) used to not expire, but Microsoft introduced annual renewal requirements. You can renew for free via Microsoft Learn without retaking the exam.
What comes after AZ-900?
Depends on your goal. For cloud administration: AZ-104 (Azure Administrator). For security: SC-900, then SC-300. For data: DP-900, then DP-203. For AI: AI-900. AZ-900 is a valid starting point for any of these paths.
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