AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Introduction
In the fast-paced world we live in, cloud computing is at the heart of today's businesses, and the Azure platform by Microsoft has grown into one of the top cloud platforms used by organisations worldwide. For beginners in the area of cloud computing and Azure services, the AZ-900 exam is the best starting point for establishing a solid foundational knowledge base. If you are an individual (student, IT professional, business analyst or someone contemplating a career change) who wants to pursue one of the more advanced Azure roles and/or a growing career in the area of cloud computing, then passing the AZ-900 exam will prove your comprehension of cloud concepts and Azure services without having to possess extensive or advanced levels of technical experience.
What is the AZ-900 Certification?
The AZ-900 certification is a Microsoft certified entry-level examination referred to as Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. It tests the basic understanding of cloud computing as it relates to using cloud computing offered by the Azure platform. It is different from other Azure certification examinations; there are no prerequisites or prior technical experience required.
Who should take the AZ-900 exam?
The AZ-900 certification is a good fit for many different types of people. Here are a few examples:
IT professionals who want to certify their knowledge of the cloud and transition to roles that require knowledge of Azure
Students and recent graduates who would like to start working in the cloud computing field
Business analysts/managers working on projects that utilize the Azure cloud
Sales/marketing professionals selling or promoting the Azure cloud
Non-technical people working in businesses that are adopting Microsoft Azure
Developers who wish to gain knowledge of the Azure ecosystem prior to pursuing any of the more advanced certificates (AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-305).
Topics and syllabus on the AZ-900 exam
The AZ-900 exam consists of several key domain areas: 1) Cloud Concepts (25-30%)
Explain cloud computing and what it is.
Describe the benefits of using cloud services: availability (high), scale (many), elasticity (flexible), agility (fast), etc.
Explain what types of cloud services exist: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.
Explain how different types of clouds exist: public, private, hybrid.
Explain how the shared responsibility model works within a cloud environment.
Azure Architecture & Services (35%-40%)
Azure Regions, Availability Zones, & Geographies
Azure Resource Groups, Subscriptions, & Management Groups
Azure Compute Services (Virtual Machines, App Services, Azure Functions, Containers)
Azure Networking Services (Virtual Networks, VPN Gateway, Express Route, Load Balancer)
Azure Storage Solutions (Blob, Disk, File, Queue)
Azure Databases (Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Azure Database for MySQL/PostgreSQL)
Azure AI/ML Services (Azure Cognitive Services, Azure Machine Learning)
DevOps, Monitoring, & Management Tools (Azure DevOps, Azure Monitor, Azure Advisor)
Azure Governance & Management (30%-35%)
Cost Management (Pricing Calculator, TCO Calculator, Azure Cost Management)
Azure Governance Tools (Azure Policy, Role-Based Access Control, Locks)
Compliance & Privacy (Trust Center, Compliance Manager) Security Features (Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Azure Sentinel, Azure Firewall)
Identity and Access Management (Azure Active Directory, Multi Factor Authentication, Conditional Access)
Azure Service Level Agreements & Service Lifecycle
AZ 900 Azure Fundamentals Certification's Benefits
The AZ-900 Fundamentals certification will help you advance both professionally and personally in many ways:
Worldwide Validation According to recent estimates, over 95% of Fortune 500 organizations utilize Microsoft Azure. Therefore, holding an Azure certification provides global credibility for those working with cloud computing technologies.
Career Growth The AZ-900 certification acts as a catalyst to acquire advanced certifications (e.g., AZ-104: Azure Administrator, AZ-204: Azure Developer, AZ-500: Azure Security, and AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect).
Higher Earning Potential Industry analysis shows that Azure-certified professionals earn more than their non-certified counterparts. In fact, it is estimated that Azure-certified professionals earn anywhere from 20-35% [1] more than their similarly-qualified non-certified peers.
No Technical Experience Required Individuals without a technical background can pursue and successfully complete the Azure Fundamentals certification.
Cloud Computing Foundations By completing the Azure Fundamentals certification, you will develop a foundation of knowledge relevant to many types of roles associated with cloud computing technologies, as well as help you participate in the discussions and decisions made in the cloud.
Resume is Unique With an AZ-900 certification documented on your resume, you will enhance your opportunity to differentiate yourself from other potential candidates in an increasingly competitive job market.
Free Access to Learning Resources Microsoft offers a multitude of free learning paths and resources within the Microsoft Learn platform enabling you to prepare for the Azure Fundamentals certification more easily than any other certification path available on the market.
How to Prepare for AZ-900
These steps will increase your chances of passing the AZ-900 exam on your first attempt, as they are tried-and-true!
Sign up with a training company that offers professional instructors trained to teach AZ-900 (for example through companies like Traincape Technology).
Use Microsoft Learn's free AZ-900 Learning Path to study.
Watch video lectures and participate in Azure labs.
Practice taking mock tests and sample exam questions regularly.
Create an Azure account to use the Azure Portal to gain real-world experience in using it hands-on.
Review the objectives required for the exam and work on any areas of weakness you identify with your mock exam scores.
Participate in groups or communities and forums where you can network with others who are preparing for AZ-900.
Only take the exam once you continually score over 80% on your practice exams.
How to Prepare for AZ-900 Certification Exam in the Best Way Possible
You need to have a firm understanding of cloud concepts to not only memorize, but to understand the “why”.
You should concentrate on Azure core services because they hold the most weight in the exam.
Use the free tier of Azure on Microsoft to work with services first-hand.
Attempt 3–5 full-length practice exams before your exam date.
Review every question that you miss and understand why it was missed.
Watch your time during the exam, and if a question is hard, flag it for review later.
Stay current on any changes related to Azure services and on the current objectives for the exam.
Get a good nights sleep before the exam, and stay calm – with good preparation, passing AZ-900 is not too hard.
Conclusion
The AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification is an essential requirement not only for everyone wishing to start working in a cloud environment, but also to successfully build your career. In addition, as companies worldwide continue to move to the Azure cloud, there is an increasing demand for professionals who have obtained their AZ-900 certification. It does not appear that the need for certified Azure professionals will be decreasing any time soon.
If you want to enter the cloud for the very first time or have already begun your journey, this certification can help guide you along the way toward achieving your goal. You will be able to confidently complete the AZ-900 certification exam and advance in your career with continued support and training from Traincape Technology.
Start your Azure journey today, as the cloud is only a stepping stone to your ultimate success in a career in technology!
