The AZ-900 exam registration page can be intimidating. Ninety-nine dollars is a significant investment, and the thought of potentially failing and having to pay again adds pressure. However, with the right preparation strategy, passing on the first attempt is entirely achievable.
Statistics show that approximately half of candidates fail their first AZ-900 attempt. The reason usually isn't lack of intelligence or capability—it's lack of a structured study plan. This guide provides exactly that: a comprehensive roadmap to first-time success.
What You'll Learn
- Exactly how the exam works and what to expect
- Three different study timelines based on experience level
- Which resources genuinely help versus which waste time
- Proven practice test strategies for exam readiness
- Exam day tactics for handling difficult questions
Understanding the AZ-900 Exam (What You're Actually Up Against)
Before diving into study strategies, it's essential to understand exactly what the AZ-900 exam entails.
The Basics
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Questions: 40-60 questions (exact number varies)
- Passing score: 700 out of 1000 (scaled scoring, not percentage-based)
- Cost: $99 USD (sometimes discounted)
- Prerequisites: None – anyone can take this exam
The exam tests three main domains:
1. Cloud Concepts (25-30%)
This section covers high-level business concepts. Topics include CapEx vs OpEx, scalability benefits, and cloud deployment models.
Real Talk:
This section trips up technical people more than beginners. Questions are business-focused, not technical. Think like a CTO, not a technician.
2. Azure Architecture and Services (35-40%)
The largest portion. Covers core Azure services and when to use each one in specific scenarios.
3. Azure Management and Governance (30-35%)
Cost management, security, compliance, and monitoring tools.
Common Mistake:
Many skip this section because it sounds boring. Don't. Expect 15+ questions on governance and cost management.
Your Study Timeline: Pick Your Path
Three paths are provided. Choose based on your current experience level—not how fast you want to finish.
Path 1: The One-Week Sprint (For IT Professionals)
Target audience: System admins, network engineers, help desk pros
Time investment: 15-20 hours over 7 days
Day 1 (3 hours): Cloud Concepts
- Watch John Savill's AZ-900 Study Cram (YouTube, free)
- Complete Microsoft Learn's Cloud Concepts module
- Focus: CapEx vs OpEx, deployment models, IaaS/PaaS/SaaS
Day 2-7: [Continue pattern...]
Additional days follow same structure
Path 2: The Two-Week Standard (For Tech-Adjacent)
For business analysts, project managers, QA testers. 20-25 hours over 14 days.
Path 3: The Four-Week Deep Dive (For Career Changers)
For complete beginners from non-tech fields. 30-40 hours over 28 days.
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Essential Study Resources (What Actually Helps)
There are countless resources out there. Here's what actually works.
The Free Stuff (Start Here)
1. Microsoft Learn (100% Free)
Official learning path for AZ-900. Includes hands-on labs in sandboxed Azure environment.
My take: This should be your foundation. It's free, official, and actually good.
2. Free Azure Account
$200 credit for 30 days. Deploy VMs, create storage, explore the portal.
My take: Hands-on beats reading every time.
The Paid Stuff (Worth It)
Practice Tests (ESSENTIAL)
You need 400-500 unique practice questions. The free stuff gives you maybe 40-60 questions. That's not enough coverage.
Where to get them:
- MSCertQuiz: 500 questions for $9.99 (try 40 free first)
- MeasureUp: Official partner, $79-119 (expensive but official)
- Tutorials Dojo: $12-15, decent quality
What to AVOID
Exam Dumps (Brain Dumps)
Don't use sites offering "real exam questions." Here's why:
- • Often wrong (community-generated answers)
- • Against Microsoft's policies (can get banned)
- • Don't help you actually learn
- • Questions get updated, dumps don't
Mastering Cloud Concepts (Domain 1)
This section is about business value, not technology. Think like a CTO.
Cloud Service Models
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
You manage OS and up. Like renting an apartment—it's furnished, but you cook your own meals.
Example: Azure Virtual Machines
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
Azure manages OS and platform. Like a restaurant—they provide kitchen, you create the dish.
Example: Azure App Service
SaaS (Software as a Service)
Complete software managed by provider. Like Netflix—you just use it.
Example: Microsoft 365
CapEx vs OpEx
This WILL be on your exam.
CapEx (Capital Expenditure)
- • Upfront cost to buy infrastructure
- • Example: Buying 100 servers for $500K
- • You own it, depreciates over time
OpEx (Operational Expenditure)
- • Ongoing cost for services used
- • Example: Paying $10K/month for cloud VMs
- • Pay-as-you-go, better cash flow
Azure Architecture and Services (Domain 2)
The heavy section. You need to know what services exist and when to use them.
Key services to master: VMs, App Service, Functions, Blob Storage, VNet, SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and more. Focus on WHEN to use each, not memorizing every feature.
Azure Management and Governance (Domain 3)
Cost management, security, compliance, monitoring. Don't skip this—it's 30-35% of the exam.
Key topics: Azure Policy, RBAC, Cost Management, Azure Monitor, pricing calculator vs TCO calculator.
The Practice Test Strategy That Actually Works
Don't just take one practice test and think you're ready. Here's the right approach:
Stage 1: Diagnostic (Week 1)
Goal: Find out what you don't know
- • Take one full practice test (timed, 45 minutes)
- • Identify which domains you struggled with
- • Study specifically what you missed
Stage 2: Section Practice (Week 2)
Goal: Master each domain individually
- • Take section-specific tests
- • Focus extra time on weak areas
- • Review explanations for EVERY question
Stage 3: Full Tests (Final Week)
Goal: Build endurance and timing
- • Take 3-4 full-length tests from different sources
- • Simulate exam conditions (45 minutes, quiet room)
- • Target: 80%+ consistently
How Many Questions?
You need exposure to 400-500 unique questions. Why? Microsoft's question bank has hundreds. You need to see enough variety to handle surprises on exam day.
Week Before Exam: Your Final Checklist
7 Days Before
- ✓ Schedule your exam if you haven't
- ✓ Take your last full practice test
- ✓ Aim for 80%+ score
3-4 Days Before
- ✓ Light review only
- ✓ Don't introduce new material
- ✓ Test your webcam/internet (if online)
Day Before
- ✓ Light review in morning (30 min max)
- ✓ DO NOT take a full practice test
- ✓ Get 8 hours of sleep
Exam Day Strategy: How to Handle the Test
Time Management
45 minutes for ~50 questions = about 1 minute per question.
My Strategy:
- First pass (30-35 min): Answer every question, flag unsure ones
- Second pass (10-15 min): Review flagged questions
- DO NOT: Spend 5 minutes on one question
When You're Stuck
If you have NO idea:
- Eliminate what you can
- Make educated guess
- Flag it and move on
Remember: You can miss 30% and still pass. One hard question doesn't determine your result.
Common Questions
How hard is AZ-900 really?
It's the easiest Microsoft Azure certification. With proper prep over 2-4 weeks, most candidates pass. The exam tests fundamental concepts, not advanced skills.
Can someone with zero IT experience pass?
Yes. AZ-900 is designed for beginners. With 4 weeks of study (2-3 hours daily), career changers from non-IT backgrounds regularly pass.
Is hands-on Azure experience required?
No, but it helps. The exam is knowledge-based. However, creating a free Azure account and exploring the portal significantly improves understanding.
How many practice questions are needed?
400-500 unique questions recommended. This provides adequate coverage and exposes you to various question formats used in the actual exam.
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