Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals Certification (Exam Guide, Syllabus, Cost, Study Plan, Practice Questions, Career Path, and FAQs)
Cloud computing is no longer a niche skill—it's a core part of modern IT. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, organizations are moving their applications, data, and infrastructure to the cloud to improve flexibility, security, and scalability. As a result, professionals with cloud knowledge are in high demand across industries.
If you're looking to start a career in cloud computing or simply want to understand Microsoft's cloud platform, the Microsoft AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals certification is one of the best places to begin.
Unlike advanced Azure certifications that require hands-on technical expertise, AZ-900 is designed for beginners. It introduces the fundamentals of cloud computing, Microsoft Azure services, pricing, security, governance, and compliance without expecting prior experience in cloud administration or software development.
Whether you're a student, IT support professional, business analyst, project manager, or someone planning a career change, this certification provides a strong foundation for understanding how Azure works and how businesses use cloud technology every day.
In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about the AZ-900 exam—from its syllabus and cost to study strategies, career opportunities, and preparation tips.
What Is Microsoft AZ-900?
Microsoft AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals is Microsoft's entry-level certification that validates your understanding of cloud computing concepts and the core services offered by Microsoft Azure.
Rather than testing advanced technical skills, the exam focuses on helping candidates understand:
What cloud computing is
Different cloud service models
Core Azure services
Azure pricing and support options
Security and identity management
Governance and compliance basics
Think of AZ-900 as learning the "language of the cloud." It doesn't teach you to build complex Azure solutions, but it helps you understand how Azure works and why organizations rely on it.
Who Should Take the AZ-900 Certification?
One of the biggest strengths of AZ-900 is that it's suitable for almost anyone interested in cloud computing.
This certification is ideal for:
Students preparing for an IT career
Fresh graduates entering the job market
IT support professionals
System administrators
Help desk engineers
Business analysts
Sales and marketing professionals working with Azure solutions
Project managers
Career changers exploring cloud technology
You don't need programming skills or previous Azure experience. A basic understanding of computers and the internet is enough to get started.
Why Should You Earn the AZ-900 Certification?
Although AZ-900 is an introductory certification, it offers several valuable benefits.
1. Builds a Strong Cloud Foundation
Cloud computing introduces many new concepts, from virtual machines and storage to networking and identity management. AZ-900 explains these topics in a beginner-friendly way, making it easier to understand more advanced technologies later.
2. Enhances Your Resume
Cloud certifications demonstrate initiative and a willingness to learn. Even if you're applying for entry-level IT roles, having AZ-900 on your resume can help you stand out.
3. Prepares You for Advanced Azure Certifications
Many professionals use AZ-900 as the first step toward certifications such as:
AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate
AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate
AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer Associate
AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Starting with AZ-900 makes these certifications much easier to understand.
4. Useful Beyond Technical Roles
Cloud knowledge isn't only valuable for engineers. Managers, consultants, sales professionals, and business decision-makers also benefit from understanding Azure terminology and services when working with technical teams or clients.
AZ-900 Exam Details at a Glance
FeatureDetailsCertificationMicrosoft Azure FundamentalsExam CodeAZ-900LevelBeginnerDurationApproximately 45–60 minutesNumber of QuestionsAround 35–60Passing Score700 out of 1000Exam FormatMultiple Choice, Drag-and-Drop, Case StudiesDeliveryOnline or Authorized Test CenterPrerequisitesNone
Microsoft updates exam objectives periodically, so it's always a good idea to review the latest skills measured before scheduling your exam.
Understanding the AZ-900 Exam Syllabus
The exam covers four primary knowledge areas. Instead of memorizing definitions, focus on understanding how these concepts relate to real-world cloud environments.
1. Describe Cloud Concepts
This section introduces the fundamentals of cloud computing.
You'll learn about:
Public cloud
Private cloud
Hybrid cloud
Cloud benefits
High availability
Scalability
Elasticity
Reliability
Disaster recovery
Business continuity
For example, imagine an online shopping website during a holiday sale. Cloud scalability allows the website to automatically handle a sudden increase in visitors without crashing. Once traffic returns to normal, resources scale back down, helping the company save money.
2. Describe Azure Architecture and Services
This is the largest section of the exam.
You'll become familiar with Azure's core infrastructure, including:
Azure Regions
Azure operates data centers around the world. Regions allow organizations to deploy resources close to users, improving performance and reducing latency.
Availability Zones
Availability Zones are physically separate data centers within the same region. They improve fault tolerance by ensuring applications continue running even if one data center experiences an outage.
Resource Groups
A Resource Group acts like a folder that organizes related Azure resources.
For example, if you're developing an e-commerce application, you might place its virtual machines, databases, networking, and storage accounts into one Resource Group for easier management.
Compute Services
Azure offers several ways to run applications, including:
Virtual Machines
App Services
Azure Functions
Containers
Kubernetes Service
Each option is designed for different workloads and levels of management.
Storage Services
Azure provides multiple storage options, including:
Blob Storage
File Storage
Queue Storage
Disk Storage
Understanding when to use each storage type is a common exam objective.
Networking
Basic networking topics include:
Virtual Networks
VPN Gateway
Load Balancer
DNS
Content Delivery Network (CDN)
The exam doesn't require deep networking knowledge but expects you to understand each service's purpose.
3. Describe Azure Management and Governance
Running cloud resources efficiently requires proper management.
Important services include:
Azure Portal
Azure Resource Manager
Azure Monitor
Azure Policy
Azure Advisor
Cost Management
Resource Locks
For instance, Azure Advisor analyzes your environment and recommends improvements related to performance, security, reliability, and cost optimization.
4. Describe Azure Security and Identity
Security is one of Microsoft's strongest selling points.
Key topics include:
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory)
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Azure Key Vault
Compliance
Governance
Rather than expecting deep security expertise, AZ-900 focuses on understanding how these services help protect cloud resources.
How Much Does the AZ-900 Exam Cost?
The exam fee varies by country because Microsoft adjusts pricing based on local currencies and regional policies.
In many regions, the exam costs approximately USD $99, although taxes and local pricing may apply.
Microsoft also offers discounts through:
Student programs
Academic institutions
Microsoft training events
Certification challenges
Promotional campaigns
Before booking the exam, check the official Microsoft certification website for the latest pricing in your country.
Is the AZ-900 Exam Difficult?
For most candidates, AZ-900 is considered one of Microsoft's easiest certifications. However, "easy" doesn't mean you can pass without preparation.
The exam tests your understanding of concepts rather than memorization. Questions often present practical scenarios and ask you to identify the most appropriate Azure service or cloud model.
If you dedicate one to two hours of study each day for several weeks and complete a few practice exams, passing on your first attempt is very achievable.
How to Prepare for the AZ-900 Exam
A structured study plan is far more effective than jumping between random videos or articles.
Step 1: Learn Cloud Fundamentals
Start by understanding the basics of cloud computing.
Focus on:
Cloud deployment models
Cloud service models
Benefits of cloud computing
Shared responsibility model
Once these concepts make sense, Azure services become much easier to understand.
Step 2: Explore Azure Hands-On
Theory alone isn't enough.
Create a free Azure account and spend some time exploring the Azure Portal. Even simple tasks like creating a Resource Group or viewing available services will help reinforce what you're learning.
Hands-on experience also makes exam questions easier to interpret because you'll recognize the services being discussed.
Step 3: Follow Microsoft Learn
Microsoft Learn provides free, self-paced learning modules specifically designed for the AZ-900 certification.
The lessons include interactive exercises, knowledge checks, and real Azure examples, making them one of the most reliable preparation resources available.
Step 4: Practice with Mock Exams
Once you've covered the syllabus, start taking practice tests.
Don't just check whether your answers are right or wrong—understand why the correct answer is correct. This approach helps you build confidence and improves your ability to answer scenario-based questions in the actual exam.
At this stage, you should have a solid understanding of what the AZ-900 certification covers, who it's designed for, and how to begin your preparation effectively. In the next section, we'll dive deeper into a practical 30-day study plan, sample practice questions, common mistakes to avoid, career opportunities, salary expectations, and expert tips to help you pass the AZ-900 exam on your first attempt.