Thinking of exploring the world of cloud computing but not sure where to start? The Microsoft AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals exam is your perfect launchpad. Whether you are an IT enthusiast or business professional, this beginner-level certification to understand the cloud concepts and sets the stage for deeper Azure expertise — Guess what, no technical background required!
In today’s cloud-first world, understanding the basics of Azure isn’t just an asset — it’s a necessity. With over 95% of Fortune 500 companies using Microsoft Azure, knowing how cloud services work gives you a serious edge in the job market. AZ-900 not only proves your foundational knowledge but also helps you speak the language of cloud, from scalability and regions to pricing models and SLAs.
But before you hit “Register,” you need to know what you’re signing up for. What’s the format of the AZ-900 exam? How many questions should you expect? What topics should you focus on? In this blog, we break down the complete AZ-900 exam structure — updated for 2025 — so you can go into the test center (or your living room) fully prepared and confident.
The AZ-900 certification is a beginner’s certification confirming basic knowledge of Azure cloud services. It forms a solid base for pursuing more advanced certifications within the Azure ecosystem. This blog will cover the exam format, structure, and tips to prepare for the AZ-900 exam. We will delve into the exam objectives and discuss the core concepts of Azure cloud computing that you need to know to pass the certification exam. Additionally, we will provide insights into the types of questions that you can expect in the exam and how to approach them. So, let’s get started and gain a deeper understanding of Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.
Why the AZ-900 Certification is a Game-Changer for your Career?
The AZ-900 certification isn’t just a badge — it’s a powerful signal to employers that you understand the language of cloud. In a digital economy where everything from AI to cybersecurity is built on cloud infrastructure, having a Microsoft-certified foundation in Azure can set you apart in interviews, internal promotions, and cross-functional collaborations.
Whether you are switching careers, leveling up in IT, or just starting out, this credential boosts your credibility. It shows you’re not only eager to learn but also committed to staying relevant in an evolving tech landscape. Many professionals use it as a springboard into more technical Azure roles or advanced certifications like AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) or AZ-305 (Solutions Architect).
How do Companies use the AZ-900 Certification?
Companies are increasingly integrating AZ-900 into their onboarding, training, and digital transformation strategies. Why? Because cloud fluency across departments leads to faster decision-making, better planning, and smarter spending. Microsoft’s own enterprise partners often require teams in sales, marketing, and customer support to be AZ-900 certified, not just engineers!
Here’s how companies leverage the AZ-900 certification:
| Use Case | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Onboarding for non-technical roles | Accelerates cloud understanding across business units |
| Pre-sales and customer-facing teams | Improves conversations around cloud services and architecture |
| Career advancement programs | Used to benchmark and promote internal cloud literacy |
| Cross-functional IT-business alignment | Helps business teams better understand technical constraints |
| Hiring criteria | A trusted filter for shortlisting candidates in cloud environments |
Microsoft AZ-900: Exam Overview
Regardless of your role, the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam AZ-900 verifies your core knowledge of cloud services and how Microsoft Azure provides cloud services. The AZ-900 exam is designed for individuals aiming to showcase a basic understanding of cloud services and how Microsoft Azure delivers them. It’s not just for tech experts; it’s also for those in non-technical roles like sales, marketing, or purchasing related to cloud solutions. Even if you have technical skills, taking this test is a way to prove your grasp of cloud-based services and solutions.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Glossary
here’s a glossary of terms related to Microsoft Azure Fundamentals:
- Azure: A platform created by Microsoft for cloud computing.
- Cloud computing: Providing computing services over the internet, which includes servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence.
- Virtual machine: A virtualized computer system that functions like a physical computer but is actually software running on a physical computer.
- Region: A geographical area in which Azure data centers are located.
- Availability Zone: A physically separate location within an Azure region that contains one or more data centers, providing redundancy and resiliency.
- Resource Group: A logical container for Azure resources, used for organizing and managing resources.
- Azure Active Directory: It’s a service in the cloud that manages identity and access. It takes care of verifying who you are and what you’re allowed to do with Azure resources.
- Azure Marketplace: An online store where customers can find, try, and buy Azure solutions.
- Azure Monitor: A service that collects and analyzes telemetry data from Azure resources, providing insights into their performance and health.
- Azure App Service: A platform-as-a-service offering for building and deploying web and mobile apps.
Exam preparation resources for Exam AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
here are some useful resources to help you prepare for the Exam AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals:
- Microsoft Learn: This is a great starting point for learning about Azure Fundamentals. Microsoft Learn provides free, interactive, and self-paced courses that cover all the topics you need to know for the exam. You can access the Azure Fundamentals learning path here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-fundamentals/
- Exam Ref AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: This book is an official study guide for the AZ-900 exam and provides in-depth coverage of all exam objectives. You can purchase it on Amazon or Microsoft Press.
- Microsoft Azure documentation: This is a comprehensive guide to all Azure services and features. You can use it to review specific topics that you need to brush up on or to learn about new Azure services. You can access the Azure documentation here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/
- Azure YouTube channel: Microsoft Azure’s YouTube channel provides a wealth of information on Azure services and features. You can watch videos on specific topics or attend live events to learn about the latest updates. You can access the Azure YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0m-80FnNY2Qb7obvTL_2fA
- Azure fundamentals certification exam AZ-900 preparation guide: This guide provides an overview of the exam and its objectives. It also provides sample questions and links to additional resources. You can access the guide here: https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RE4Hl7f
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Format
Knowing all about the exam format helps you prepare better.
- The Microsoft AZ-900 is a 60 minutes exam so you need to up your speed. Also, you can expect about 40 to 60 questions in your exam.
- Moreover, these questions are in Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Format. As you answer the questions, use the method of elimination. Figure out and eliminate the wrong choice, and voila! you have the right answer.
- Further, if you find any question complicated, you can try that later after completing the exam.
- And most importantly there is no negative marking. So you should definitely attempt all the questions
- Lastly, the exam will cost you $99 USD
Scheduling the exam
The AZ-900 exam from Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is designed to test your knowledge of fundamental cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, privacy, compliance, trust, and Azure pricing and support. You have various options for scheduling the exam:
- For Non-Students interested in Technology
- For Students or Instructors
Exam Policy
- Microsoft allows you to cancel the Exam for free up to 24 hours before your booked appointment. However, if you fail to show up for your exam on the scheduled date without postponing or canceling it, Microsoft maintains the right to charge you the full exam cost.
- Through the Certification Dashboard, you can reschedule or cancel your planned exams.
Certification Validity
- Microsoft Azure Certifications no longer come with an expiration date. In the past, they used to last for a specific period, typically three years, with some requiring recertification after two years. However, Microsoft has revamped its certification process, and now these certifications are valid for a lifetime.
Microsoft Exam AZ-900 Course Outline
The next important move is to understand the course outline for the AZ-900 exam. This gives you an idea of the exam structure. The exam is divided into three domains, and the percentage beside each domain indicates its significance in the exam. These domains are then broken down into subtopics, offering more details about the exam content. To prepare for the certification, it’s advisable to organize your studies around these exam topics.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam AZ-900 Updated Course Outline!
Module 1 – Describe cloud concepts (25–30%)
The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam cover the latest and updated exam guide including –
Describe cloud computing
- Define cloud computing (Microsoft Documentation: What is cloud computing? and Types of Cloud Computing)
- Describe the shared responsibility model (Microsoft Documentation: Shared Responsibility Model in Cloud)
- Define cloud models, including public, private, and hybrid (Microsoft Documentation: What is a Public Cloud?, What is a Private Cloud? and What is a Hybrid Cloud?)
- Identify appropriate use cases for each cloud model (Examples of cloud computing)
- Describe the consumption-based model (Microsoft Documentation: Consumption and Fixed Cost Models)
- Compare cloud pricing models (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Product Pricing and Azure Cloud Services pricing)
- Describe serverless
Describe the benefits of using cloud services (Benefits of Cloud Computing Services)
- Describe the benefits of high availability and scalability in the cloud (Microsoft Documentation: Benefits and considerations of using cloud services)
- Describe the benefits of reliability and predictability in the cloud (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Reliability and Overview of the reliability pillar)
- Describe the benefits of security and governance in the cloud (Microsoft Documentation: Security governance and Governance in the Microsoft Cloud and Azure governance documentation)
- Describe the benefits of manageability in the cloud (Microsoft Documentation: Cloud management in the Cloud Adoption Framework, Cloud management gateway overview and Azure Management Guide, Before you start)
Describe cloud service types
- Describe infrastructure as a service (IaaS) (Microsoft Documentation: What is IaaS? and Azure IaaS (infrastructure as a service)
- Describe platform as a service (PaaS) (Microsoft Documentation: What is PaaS? and Use platform as a service (PaaS) options)
- Describe software as a service (SaaS) (Microsoft Documentation: What is SaaS? and About SaaS)
- Identify appropriate use cases for each cloud service (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Cloud Services)
Module 2 – Describe Azure architecture and services (35–40%)
Describe the core architectural components of Azure
- Describe Azure regional, regional pairs, and sovereign regions (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Regions and Avaialbility Zones and Azure Regional Pairs and Azure Sovereign Clouds)
- Describe availability zones (Microsoft Documentation: Azure availability zones)
- Describe Azure datacenters (Microsoft Documentation: Datacenter security overview)
- Describe Azure resources and resource groups (Manage Azure resource groups)
- Describe subscriptions (Microsoft Documentation: Subscription decision guide and Azure subscription)
- Describe management groups (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Management Groups)
- Describe the hierarchy of resource groups, subscriptions, and management groups (Microsoft Documentation: What are Azure management groups? )
Describe Azure compute and networking services
- Compare compute types, including container instances, virtual machines, and functions (Choose an Azure compute service, Azure Container Instances, Introduction to Azure virtual machines, Introduction to Azure Functions)
- Describe Virtual Machine options, including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets, availability sets, and Azure Virtual Desktop (Virtual machines in Azure, What are virtual machine scale sets? and What is Azure Virtual Desktop?)
- Describe resources required for virtual machines (Windows virtual machines in Azure)
- Describe application hosting options, including Web Apps, containers, and virtual machines
- Describe virtual networking, including the purpose of Azure Virtual Networks, Azure virtual subnets, peering, Azure DNS, Azure VPN Gateway, and Azure ExpressRoute (What is Azure Virtual Network?, Virtual Network Subnet, Azure Virtual Network Peering, Azure Peering Service Overview, What is Azure DNS?, What is Azure VPN Gateway?, Azure ExpressRoute and Significance of Azure ExpressRoute)
- Define public and private endpoints (What is a private endpoint?)
Describe Azure storage services
- Compare Azure storage services (Introduction to Azure Storage)
- Describe storage tiers (Storage account overview, Hot, Cool, and Archive access tiers)
- Describe redundancy options (Azure Storage redundancy)
- Describe storage account options and storage types (Storage account overview)
- Identify options for moving files, including AzCopy, Azure Storage Explorer, and Azure File Sync (azcopy copy, Get started with AzCopy, Transfer data with AzCopy and file storage, What is Azure File Sync?, Get started with Storage Explorer)
- Describe migration options, including Azure Migrate and Azure Data Box (About Azure Migrate)
Describe Azure identity, access, and security
- Describe directory services in Azure, including Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and part of Microsoft Entra and Azure Active Directory Domain Services (Azure AD DS)
- Describe authentication methods in Azure, including single sign-on (SSO), multifactor authentication (MFA), and passwordless (Passwordless authentication options for Azure Active Directory, authentication and verification methods are available in Azure Active Directory)
- Describe external identities in Azure, including business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C)
- Describe Microsft Entra Conditional Access
- Describe Azure role-based access control (RBAC) (What is Azure role-based access control (Azure RBAC)?)
- Describe the concept of Zero Trust (What is Zero Trust?)
- Describe the purpose of the defense in-depth model
- Describe the purpose of Microsoft Defender for Cloud (What is Microsoft Defender for Cloud?)
Module 3 – Describe Azure management and governance (30–35%)
Describe cost management in Azure
- Describe factors that can affect costs in Azure (Plan and manage your Azure costs)
- Compare the Pricing calculator and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator (Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Calculator)
- Describe the Cost Management capabilities in Azure
- Describe the purpose of tags (Use tags to organize your Azure resources and management hierarchy)
Describe features and tools in Azure for governance and compliance
- Describe the purpose of Microsoft Purview in Azure
- Describe the purpose of Azure Policy (What is Azure Policy?)
- Describe the purpose of resource locks (Lock resources to prevent unexpected changes)
Describe features and tools for managing and deploying Azure resources
- Describe the Azure portal (Azure portal overview)
- Describe Azure Cloud Shell, including Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI) and Azure PowerShell (Overview of Azure Cloud Shell)
- Describe the purpose of Azure Arc (Azure Arc overview)
- Describe infrastructure as code (IaC) (IaC on Azure)
- Describe Azure Resource Manager (ARM) and ARM templates (What is Azure Resource Manager?, What are ARM templates?)
Describe monitoring tools in Azure
- Describe the purpose of Azure Advisor (Introduction to Azure Advisor)
- Describe Azure Service Health (What is Azure Service Health?)
- Describe Azure Monitor, including Log Analytics, Azure Monitor alerts, and Application Insights (Log Analytics tutorial, Azure Monitor overview, Application Insights overview)
Exam Result
- The result is declared immediately after your exam. The score is displayed and you will see whether you have cleared the exam or not. This AZ – 900 requires a score of 700 or above to qualify.
Always, remember strong preparation is the key to success. And you must use the right resources to pass this exam with flying colours. So lets have a look at your learning resources.
How to prepare for the Microsoft AZ-900 Exam?
There are tons of resources available for you to prepare for the exam. You need to be wise enough to make the right choice. So firstly, you must visit the Official Microsoft AZ-900 website as it is the epicenter for all the information. Make sure you are on the same page as the vendor in respect to exam details and objectives.
Additionally, enhance your knowledge by using Microsoft Learn and referring to Microsoft documentation. If you prefer a more structured approach, consider enrolling in instructor-led training courses to gain a thorough understanding of the exam concepts. And let’s not overlook the trusty companions—books! Books have long been a favored method for exam preparation, and the top recommendation for the Microsoft AZ-900 exam is “Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Exam” by Jim Cheshire.
Moreover, the roadmap to your success is only complete when you have the right strategy. We present to you our Online Tutorials and Study Guide that will set you on the right track. They will enrich your preparation journey and supplement your learning experience. Most importantly, these resources will result in strengthening your preparation.
Use Microsoft Learn (For Free!)
Microsoft Learn offers a dedicated AZ-900 learning path with interactive modules. These are official, up-to-date, and completely free — perfect for structured self-paced learning.
Watch Video Tutorials
Platforms like YouTube, Online Tutorials, or LinkedIn Learning have instructor-led AZ-900 courses. Visual learners can benefit from seeing demos of Azure services in action, which reinforces understanding.
Take Practice Tests
Mock exams are essential to test your readiness and familiarize yourself with the question format. Look for practice tests with explanations, so you understand your mistakes and don’t repeat them. Start preparing with the AZ-900 Free Practice Test
Focus on Real-World Scenarios
Many AZ-900 questions are scenario-based. Try to understand why Azure services are used in specific cases, not just what they do. This is the difference between rote learning and true cloud literacy.
Exam Ref AZ-900 Book (Microsoft Press)
- Author: Jim Cheshire
- Why it’s great: A great resource if you like structured, textbook-style learning with examples, summaries, and review questions.
Join Microsoft Tech Community & Reddit (r/AzureCertification)
Connect with other learners, find tips from recent test-takers, and clarify tricky concepts through discussion forums.
Expert Corner
In a nutshell, the Microsoft AZ-900 exam will bridge the gap towards your dream job. So, before embarking on your preparation journey, it’s always beneficial to be thorough with all the important exam information. You need to be familiar with the details beforehand. Once you have that knowledge, it’s all about practice. Practice tests are crucial to get used to the exam format. They help you keep track of your preparations and are excellent for pinpointing areas where you might need more knowledge. Importantly, go through practice tests after you’ve covered the entire syllabus. Trying multiple practices not only helps evaluate your performance but also boosts your confidence. Ready to evaluate yourself, try free official practice test here!
