NotJustExamAbout the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) validates foundational knowledge of cloud computing concepts and how those concepts map onto Microsoft Azure specifically. It carries no prerequisites and is intentionally written to be accessible to people who are new to cloud technology, including candidates outside of a pure IT track.
The target candidate is a technology professional early in their Azure journey, or someone in an adjacent IT discipline such as infrastructure, database, or software development who wants a grounding in Azure architecture, services, and governance before going deeper into role-based certifications like AZ-104 (Administrator) or AZ-204 (Developer).
AZ-900 matters because it is the common on-ramp into the entire Microsoft Azure certification track. It establishes vocabulary and mental models — regions, resource groups, IaaS/PaaS/SaaS, the shared responsibility model — that every subsequent Azure exam assumes you already know.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam format at a glance
| Attribute | Detail (as of 2026, verify on the official page) |
|---|---|
| Exam code | AZ-900 |
| Question time | Approximately 45 minutes of exam questions within the scheduled appointment (the full appointment also includes time for sign-in and instructions) |
| Question types | Multiple choice, multiple answer, drag-and-drop, and other Microsoft interactive item formats |
| Passing score | 700 on a scaled range of 100–1,000 |
| Cost | List price is commonly around 99 USD for Fundamentals-level exams; the exact amount shown at registration varies by country, so confirm it on the official page before booking |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Spanish, German, French, Indonesian, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (individual candidates) or Certiport (students and educators) |
| Validity | Fundamentals certifications such as Azure Fundamentals do not expire and need no renewal (unlike Microsoft's role-based Associate and Expert certifications, which are renewed yearly through a free online assessment); Microsoft may retire an exam version, so check your status on your Microsoft Learn profile |
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) domains & what they cover
The skills measured are organized into three areas. The weightings below reflect the published AZ-900 study guide ranges; confirm current figures on the official page.
- Describe cloud concepts (25–30%) — Cloud computing fundamentals, the shared responsibility model, public/private/hybrid deployment models, consumption-based pricing, and the differences between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
- Describe Azure architecture and services (35–40%) — The largest domain. Core building blocks like regions and resource groups, Azure compute and networking services, Azure storage options, and Azure identity, access, and security tooling such as Microsoft Entra ID and role-based access control.
- Describe Azure management and governance (30–35%) — Cost management and the pricing calculator, governance tools like Azure Policy and resource locks, tools for managing and deploying resources such as the Azure portal and Azure Resource Manager, and monitoring tools like Azure Monitor.
How hard is Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)?
AZ-900 is genuinely entry-level and is widely considered one of the more approachable vendor certification exams available. That said, "easy" is relative: if you have never touched a cloud console before, the sheer number of Azure service names and what each one does can still feel overwhelming on a first pass.
The most common friction points are Azure architecture and services, simply because it is the largest domain and packs in compute, networking, storage, and identity together, and governance concepts like management groups and Azure Policy, which are unfamiliar to candidates without any operations background.
Someone with general IT exposure can often be ready in one to two weeks of focused study. Complete newcomers to cloud computing should plan for three to four weeks, with extra time spent clicking around a free-tier Azure account to make the terminology concrete.
How to prepare for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): a study plan
Because the exam rewards recognition over deep hands-on skill, a short, layered plan is usually enough.
- Days 1–3: Cloud concepts first. Nail down the shared responsibility model, deployment models, and the IaaS/PaaS/SaaS distinction. These ideas are referenced constantly in the other two domains.
- Days 4–9: Tour Azure architecture and services. Work through regions and resource groups, then compute, networking, storage, and identity/security one at a time. Log into a free Azure account and look at the portal for each service you study — seeing the actual configuration screen makes the vocabulary stick.
- Days 10–13: Cover management and governance. Study the cost management tools, Azure Policy, resource locks, and the monitoring stack (Azure Monitor, Azure Advisor, Service Health).
- Final days: Drill with practice questions. Take timed practice sets across all three domains, read every explanation, and revisit any Azure service you are still unsure about.
Use practice questions to surface which service category is weakest, not as a way to memorize specific wording — Microsoft rewrites and reorders questions frequently, so understanding beats recall here.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) FAQ
How much does the AZ-900 exam cost?
Fundamentals-level Microsoft exams are commonly priced around 99 USD, but the exact figure depends on your country and is shown when you register. Always confirm it on the official Microsoft exam page before booking.
Do I need any prior experience to take AZ-900?
No. There are no prerequisites, and Microsoft designs this exam to be approachable for candidates who are new to cloud computing, including people moving into IT from adjacent fields.
What is the retake policy if I fail?
You can retake the exam 24 hours after a failed first attempt. The wait time increases for subsequent retakes, so check the official Microsoft exam retake policy for the current schedule before your next attempt.
Is the exam proctored?
Yes. AZ-900 is a proctored exam delivered through Pearson VUE, either at a physical test center or online with remote proctoring, or through Certiport for eligible students and educators.
What certification should I pursue after AZ-900?
Most candidates move into a role-based associate certification next, such as AZ-104 (Azure Administrator), AZ-204 (Azure Developer), or SC-900/AI-900 if their interests lean toward security or AI, depending on their career direction.
Is AZ-900 worth it if I am not planning a technical Azure role?
Generally yes. It gives non-technical roles like project managers, sales engineers, and business analysts enough shared vocabulary to work effectively with Azure technical teams, and it may qualify for ACE college credit depending on your institution.