Practice tests are the single most important study tool for Microsoft certifications. They expose you to question formats, reveal knowledge gaps, and build exam-day confidence. The good news: You don't need to spend hundreds on practice tests to pass. This guide shows you exactly where to find quality free resources—and how to use them effectively.
The practice test industry for Microsoft certifications is massive—and chaotic. Prices range from free to $200+. Quality varies from excellent to actively harmful (wrong answers teaching incorrect concepts).
What This Guide Covers
- Verified free resources with quality assessments
- Exactly how many questions you need per certification level
- Red flags that indicate low-quality practice tests
- Strategic usage: when free is enough vs. when to invest
Our evaluation criteria: accuracy, current content (2026 exam objectives), explanation quality, and user experience. Let's start with the most important question.
Why Practice Tests Matter
The Pass Rate Correlation
Candidates who complete 300+ practice questions have an 82% first-attempt pass rate. Those who skip practice tests have a 48% pass rate. Practice tests aren't optional—they're the difference between passing and failing.
What Practice Tests Reveal
1. Knowledge Gaps You Didn't Know Existed
Reading about Azure Storage feels complete until a practice question asks: "Which storage tier is optimized for data accessed less than once per year?" Suddenly you realize you never learned tier selection criteria.
2. Microsoft's Question Patterns
Microsoft exams use specific phrasing patterns:
- • "Which solution meets the requirements with minimal administrative effort?"
- • "You need to recommend a solution that minimizes costs."
- • "Which service should you use?"
Practice exposes you to these patterns before exam day.
3. Time Management Under Pressure
Fundamentals exams give you 45 minutes for 40-60 questions. That's less than 1 minute per question. Timed practice tests train you to recognize questions you can answer quickly vs. those requiring careful reading.
4. Confidence on Exam Day
Walking into a Pearson VUE test center after 500 practice questions feels completely different than after 50. You've seen similar scenarios. You know the format. Anxiety drops significantly.
Critical Insight:
Practice tests aren't about memorizing answers—they're about developing pattern recognition and decision-making speed for scenario-based questions.
Start with 40 Free Practice Questions
Try MSCertQuiz risk-free. No credit card required. Available for AZ-900, AZ-104, MS-900, SC-900, and more.
Microsoft Official Practice Assessments
Cost: 100% Free
Question count: 20-25 per exam
Available for: Most certifications (not all)
Access: Microsoft Learn exam pages
What You Get
Guaranteed Accuracy
These are written by the same teams that create actual exams. Answers are authoritative—no community disputes or conflicting explanations.
Current Content
Updated when exams change. If Microsoft added Copilot questions to MS-900 in January 2024, the official practice assessment included them by February 2024.
Immediate Feedback
Each question shows whether you're correct immediately after answering, with brief explanations.
Limitations
- Small question banks: Only 20-25 questions—insufficient alone for comprehensive prep
- No exam simulation: Can't take as a timed, full-length practice exam
- Limited repetition: Questions repeat if you retake assessment (same pool)
- Not all exams covered: Some certifications lack official practice assessments
How to Use Effectively
Recommended Strategy:
- Take official practice assessment FIRST as diagnostic tool
- Identify weak domains from your results
- Study weak areas using Microsoft Learn modules
- Use additional practice tests (MSCertQuiz, MeasureUp) for volume
- Retake official assessment before scheduling exam to verify readiness
MSCertQuiz: 40 Free Questions Per Certification
Cost: 40 questions free, $9.99 for full access (400 questions)
Free question count: 40 per certification
Available for: AZ-900, AZ-104, MS-900, SC-900, AI-900, and more
No credit card required for free tier
Why MSCertQuiz Stands Out
1. Modern Question Format
Reflects 2026 exam updates including AI topics, Microsoft Entra ID terminology, and current service names. Questions removed when services deprecate.
2. Detailed Explanations
Every question includes comprehensive explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. Learn why wrong answers are wrong—critical for understanding concepts.
3. Practice and Exam Modes
- Practice Mode: See explanations immediately, no time limit, great for learning
- Exam Mode: Timed simulation, score at end, mimics real exam pressure
4. Progress Tracking
See which topics you're strong in vs. where you need more study. Resume sessions if you run out of time.
5. No Upsell Pressure
The 40 free questions are genuinely free—no bait-and-switch tactics. If 40 questions are sufficient for your prep (combined with other resources), you never need to pay.
Free vs. Paid
Free Tier (40 Questions)
Sufficient for:
- • Fundamentals exams (combined with other free resources)
- • Diagnostic assessment of readiness
- • Sampling question quality before purchasing
- • Supplementing paid resources from other providers
Paid Tier ($9.99 - 400 Questions)
Recommended for:
- • Associate-level certifications (AZ-104, AZ-204)
- • Candidates who need comprehensive question coverage
- • Those who prefer single platform for all practice
- • Exam mode simulation with full-length tests
Microsoft Learn Knowledge Checks
Cost: 100% Free
Question count: 3-5 per module (hundreds total across learning paths)
Available for: All Microsoft certifications
Format: Embedded in learning modules
What Makes Knowledge Checks Different
These aren't traditional practice tests—they're learning validation tools embedded in Microsoft's official training content. After each learning module, you answer 3-5 questions to confirm comprehension before moving forward.
Strengths
- Context-rich learning: Questions appear immediately after relevant content, reinforcing retention
- Guaranteed accuracy: Written by Microsoft, aligned with exam objectives
- Massive volume: Complete learning path contains 100+ knowledge check questions
- Instant feedback: Explanations reference the module content you just learned
Limitations
- Not exam-like format: Questions are simpler than actual exam scenarios
- No timed simulation: Can't practice under exam pressure
- Linear progression: Must complete modules in order to access knowledge checks
Best Use Case
Use Microsoft Learn for initial learning and concept validation, not final exam preparation. Complete the full learning path for your certification, then transition to dedicated practice tests for exam simulation.
Think of knowledge checks as "chapter quizzes" in a textbook—valuable for learning, but you still need full practice exams before the real test.
Ready for Realistic Exam Practice?
MSCertQuiz offers exam-style scenarios with detailed explanations. Try 40 questions free, upgrade to 400 for $9.99.
MeasureUp Free Trials
Cost: 30 questions free trial, $79-99 for full access
Free question count: 30 (one-time trial)
Available for: Most Microsoft certifications
Quality: Official Microsoft practice test partner
Why MeasureUp Is Respected
MeasureUp is Microsoft's official practice test provider—questions undergo Microsoft review before publication. This is the gold standard for practice test accuracy.
Strengths
- Microsoft partnership: Only practice test provider with official Microsoft endorsement
- Question quality: Scenario complexity matches actual exams closely
- Performance-based questions: Includes simulations for exams that have them
- Detailed explanations: References to Microsoft documentation
Limitations
- Expensive: $79-99 per exam (vs. $9.99 for MSCertQuiz)
- Limited free trial: Only 30 questions, requires email signup
- Older interface: UI feels dated compared to modern platforms
Strategic Use of Free Trial
Don't waste the MeasureUp free trial early in your study process. Save it for final validation:
- Complete your primary study (Microsoft Learn, MSCertQuiz, etc.)
- When you're scoring 80%+ on other practice tests, use MeasureUp trial
- Treat it as final dress rehearsal before scheduling real exam
- If you score below 70% on MeasureUp, you need more study
ExamTopics Community Questions
Cost: Free (with ads) or $8/month premium
Question count: Varies widely (100-500+ per exam)
Quality: Inconsistent—community-contributed
Important: Use with caution, verify all answers
What ExamTopics Is
ExamTopics is a community-driven platform where users share questions they remember from actual exams (against Microsoft's terms of service, but it exists). Users vote on correct answers and discuss in comments.
Advantages
- Large question banks: Often 200+ questions per popular exam
- Real exam exposure: Some questions are verbatim from actual exams
- Community discussions: Comments explain why answers are correct/incorrect
- Free access: Can use without payment (with ads)
Critical Problems
- Wrong answers marked correct: Community votes don't guarantee accuracy
- Outdated questions: Includes deprecated services and old exam content
- No official review: Anyone can contribute, no quality control
- Ethical concerns: Sharing actual exam content violates Microsoft agreements
- Legal risk: Using actual exam content could invalidate your certification
How to Use ExamTopics Safely
Critical Guidelines:
- 1. Never memorize answers. If a question appears on your real exam, you must answer from understanding, not memory. Microsoft can detect memorization patterns.
- 2. Verify every answer. Read comment debates, cross-reference Microsoft documentation.
- 3. Use for concept exposure only. Treat ExamTopics as supplemental study material, not authoritative practice tests.
- 4. Avoid recently added questions. Newer questions are more likely to be current exam content (riskier).
- 5. Don't rely on it exclusively. Combine with official Microsoft resources.
Our recommendation: Use ExamTopics sparingly for additional practice volume, but prioritize official Microsoft resources and reputable paid platforms like MSCertQuiz or MeasureUp.
Udemy Practice Tests During Sales
Regular price: $50-80 per course
Sale price: $11.99-14.99 (frequent sales)
Question count: 200-400 per course (varies by instructor)
Quality: Highly variable depending on instructor
The Udemy Practice Test Landscape
Udemy hosts dozens of Microsoft certification practice test courses. Quality ranges from excellent to terrible. During Udemy's frequent sales (every 2-3 weeks), prices drop to $11.99-14.99, making them affordable.
Top-Rated Udemy Instructors (2026)
Scott Duffy (AZ-900, AI-900)
Microsoft MVP, courses regularly updated. Known for accuracy and clear explanations.
Typical rating: 4.6-4.7/5 stars with 50,000+ students
Alan Rodrigues (AZ-104, AZ-900)
Comprehensive practice tests with detailed answer explanations. Frequent content updates.
Typical rating: 4.5-4.6/5 stars with 100,000+ students
Piotr Zientara (MS-900, SC-900)
Focuses on Microsoft 365 and security certifications. Good for fundamentals exams.
Typical rating: 4.4-4.5/5 stars with 30,000+ students
Udemy Strategy
Maximize Value:
- Never pay full price. Wait for sales (sign up for Udemy emails to get notified)
- Check recent reviews. If last reviews are 6+ months old, content may be outdated
- Verify update date. Course should be updated within last 6 months for current exams
- Read negative reviews. Complaints about wrong answers? Skip that course.
- Use 30-day refund policy. If quality is poor, request refund (Udemy honors this)
Quality Indicators and Red Flags
Green Flags (High Quality)
Questions about AI services (2024+ exams)
If practice test includes Azure OpenAI, Copilot, or AI security topics, it's current.
Microsoft Entra ID (not Azure AD)
Correct terminology as of 2024. Azure AD is old branding.
Detailed explanations for wrong answers
Explaining why incorrect options are wrong teaches concepts.
References to Microsoft documentation
Links to official docs allow you to learn more about topics.
Last updated within 6 months
Recent updates indicate the provider maintains current content.
Red Flags (Avoid These)
Questions about retired services
Skype for Business, Azure AD branding, StaffHub—all retired. Indicates outdated content.
No AI or Copilot questions for recent exams
2024-2026 exams all include AI. Missing AI questions = outdated.
Minimal or no explanations
Just answers without teaching why—you're memorizing, not learning.
Multiple complaints about wrong answers
Check reviews. If users consistently report incorrect answers, avoid.
Grammar errors or poor English
Suggests low-quality production, likely outsourced content.
How to Use Practice Tests Effectively
The Three-Phase Approach
Phase 1: Diagnostic (Week 1)
Goal: Identify knowledge gaps
- • Take Microsoft Official Practice Assessment (20-25 questions)
- • Take MSCertQuiz free questions (40 questions)
- • Don't worry about scores—focus on discovering what you don't know
- • Create list of weak topics from results
Phase 2: Targeted Learning (Weeks 2-3)
Goal: Master weak areas
- • Study weak topics using Microsoft Learn modules
- • Complete knowledge checks after each module
- • Take domain-specific practice questions (if available)
- • Aim for 80%+ on focused practice
Phase 3: Exam Simulation (Week 4)
Goal: Validate readiness
- • Take full-length timed practice exams
- • Score consistently 80%+ before scheduling real exam
- • Use MeasureUp free trial as final validation
- • Review all explanations—even for correct answers
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake: Memorizing Answers
Taking the same 100 questions 10 times doesn't improve understanding. Seek variety—300+ unique questions minimum.
Mistake: Skipping Explanations
Reading explanations only for wrong answers misses learning opportunities. Read every explanation.
Mistake: Only Using Free Resources
For fundamentals exams, free resources can work. For associate/expert level, invest $10-20 in comprehensive practice.
Mistake: Scheduling Too Early
Don't schedule your exam until you're consistently scoring 80%+ on multiple full-length practice tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free Microsoft certification practice tests enough to pass?
Free practice tests can be sufficient for fundamentals certifications (AZ-900, MS-900, SC-900) if you combine multiple sources and achieve 80%+ scores consistently. For associate-level exams (AZ-104, AZ-204), most candidates benefit from paid resources with larger question banks. Recommended approach: Start with free resources, then invest in paid practice if needed.
How many practice questions should I complete before taking a Microsoft exam?
For fundamentals certifications: 300-400 unique questions. For associate-level: 400-600 questions. For expert-level: 500-800 questions. Quality matters more than quantity—completing the same 100 questions five times provides less value than 500 unique questions once.
Is ExamTopics reliable for Microsoft certification practice?
ExamTopics offers free community-contributed questions, but quality varies significantly. Correct answers are often disputed in comments. Use ExamTopics for supplemental practice only, not as your primary resource. Always verify answers through official Microsoft documentation. Treat it as crowdsourced study material, not authoritative practice tests.
What is the best free practice test for AZ-900?
The Microsoft Official Practice Assessment is the best free starting point (20-25 questions). Combine it with MSCertQuiz (40 free questions) and Microsoft Learn module knowledge checks for comprehensive free preparation. This combination provides 100+ free questions with verified answers aligned to current exam objectives.
How do I know if practice test questions are up to date?
Check for: 1) Questions about AI services (added 2024-2026), 2) Microsoft Entra ID terminology (not Azure AD), 3) Current service names (no deprecated products), 4) Recent exam objective alignment, 5) Publication or update date within last 6 months. Red flags: Questions about retired services, Azure AD branding, or outdated pricing.
Can I use only Microsoft Learn modules without practice tests?
Microsoft Learn is excellent for learning content but insufficient alone for exam preparation. Practice tests expose you to question formats, time pressure, and scenario-based thinking required for Microsoft exams. Best approach: Use Microsoft Learn for initial learning, then validate with 300+ practice questions before scheduling your exam.
Start Your Practice Journey Today
MSCertQuiz offers the best balance of quality and value. Try 40 questions free for any Microsoft certification.
Related Resources
How to Pass AZ-900 First Try
Complete study guide with practice test strategies.
Microsoft Certification Exam Changes 2026
What's new in AZ-900, AZ-104, SC-900, and MS-900 exams.
AI Skills in Microsoft Certifications
How AI topics boost certification value in 2026.
Start Free Practice Now
40 free questions for any Microsoft certification.