Who Is AZ-900 For?
✓ This certification is a good fit if you…
- Are completely new to cloud computing and want a structured introduction
- Work in a non-technical role (sales, marketing, management) at a company using Azure
- Want a quick win before pursuing deeper Azure certs (AZ-104, AZ-204, etc.)
- Are a student looking to build your resume with a recognized credential
- Need to understand cloud concepts for your job but won't be hands-on
- Work at a Microsoft partner and need certification for partnership requirements
✗ You might consider alternatives if you…
- Already understand basic cloud concepts—skip to AZ-104 (Admin) or AZ-204 (Developer)
- Want hands-on technical skills—AZ-900 is conceptual, not practical
- Your company uses AWS, not Azure—get AWS Cloud Practitioner instead
- Need a certification that directly qualifies you for jobs—AZ-900 alone rarely does
- Are an experienced IT professional—this may feel too basic
Prerequisites (In Plain English)
Official requirement: None. AZ-900 is explicitly designed for people with no prior cloud or Azure experience.
What actually helps:
- Basic IT awareness: Know what a server is, what a database does, what "the cloud" means in general terms
- Comfort with technology: You don't need to code or configure anything, but basic tech literacy helps
- Business context: Understanding why companies use cloud (cost, scale, flexibility) makes concepts stick
You do NOT need:
- Programming experience
- Prior Azure experience
- Networking knowledge
- Any previous certifications
If you can explain what "cloud storage" means to a friend, you have enough background to start studying.
What You'll Learn
AZ-900 covers three main areas:
- Cloud Concepts (25–30%):
- Benefits of cloud computing (high availability, scalability, elasticity, agility)
- Cloud service types: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
- Cloud deployment models: public, private, hybrid
- Shared responsibility model
- Azure Architecture and Services (35–40%):
- Azure regions, availability zones, resource groups
- Core services: compute (VMs, App Service, Functions), networking (VNet, Load Balancer), storage (Blob, Files, Queues)
- Database services: Azure SQL, Cosmos DB
- Azure Marketplace and solutions
- Azure Management and Governance (30–35%):
- Cost management and pricing tools
- Azure governance: policies, blueprints, resource locks
- Azure identity and access: Azure AD, RBAC
- Monitoring tools: Azure Monitor, Service Health
Key point: This is conceptual knowledge, not hands-on skills. You'll learn what services exist and when to use them, not how to configure them.
Exam Format & Scoring
Exam code: AZ-900
Question format: 40–60 questions. Mix of multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and scenario-based questions. No hands-on labs.
Time limit: 45–60 minutes (plus additional time for non-native English speakers if requested).
Passing score: 700 out of 1000.
Testing options: Pearson VUE testing centers or online proctored from home.
Results: Pass/fail shown immediately after completing the exam.
Cost: $99 USD. Microsoft occasionally offers free vouchers through Virtual Training Days—check their events page.
Renewal: Fundamentals certifications don't expire. Once you pass, you're certified for life (though the cert may become outdated as Azure evolves).
Recommended Study Plan
Quick Track
1–2 weeksFor those with some IT/tech background:
- Days 1–3: Complete Microsoft Learn's free AZ-900 learning path. It's comprehensive and directly aligned to exam objectives.
- Days 4–5: Watch a video course at 1.5x speed to reinforce concepts and catch anything you missed.
- Days 6–7: Practice exams. Score 80%+ before booking. Focus on areas where you're weak.
- Days 8–10: Review weak areas, take one more practice exam, then schedule and take the real exam.
Thorough Track
3–4 weeksFor complete beginners to cloud:
- Week 1: Complete Microsoft Learn's AZ-900 learning path. Take notes. Don't rush—understand the concepts.
- Week 2: Watch a full video course (John Savill's or Adam Marczak's free courses are excellent). Sign up for Azure free account and explore the portal.
- Week 3: Start practice questions. 20–30 per day. Review every wrong answer thoroughly.
- Week 4: Full practice exams. Identify weak domains and review. Schedule exam when consistently scoring 85%+.
Prep Resources
Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Microsoft Learn: AZ-900 Learning Path
Official, free, and comprehensive. Directly aligned to exam objectives. Includes knowledge checks. This alone can prepare you to pass.
Free
Start LearningJohn Savill's AZ-900 Course (YouTube)
Free, thorough, and well-structured. Savill is a Microsoft veteran with deep Azure knowledge. Excellent visual explanations.
Free
Watch FreeAdam Marczak's AZ-900 Course (YouTube)
Another excellent free option. Clear explanations with good visuals. Slightly shorter than Savill's course.
Free
Watch FreeWhizlabs AZ-900 Practice Tests
Large question bank with detailed explanations. Good for drilling concepts before the exam.
~$15–20
View on Whizlabs (affiliate)Free Exam Voucher Opportunity
Microsoft offers free AZ-900 exam vouchers to attendees of their Azure Virtual Training Days. These are free, instructor-led online events. Check the Microsoft Events page for upcoming sessions. Attending a 2-day virtual event can save you $99.
Official Information
Verify current exam details, pricing, and objectives with Microsoft:
Visit Microsoft Learn Official Page →External link to Microsoft Learn.
Alternative Certifications to Consider
AWS Cloud Practitioner
If your company uses AWS instead of Azure. Similar foundational level, different platform.
Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
If you want hands-on Azure skills. Skip AZ-900 if you already understand cloud basics and want technical depth.
Google Cloud Digital Leader
GCP's equivalent foundational cert. Choose based on which cloud platform your target employers use.
CompTIA Cloud+
Vendor-neutral cloud cert. Covers multiple platforms. Good if you work with mixed cloud environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a job with just AZ-900?
AZ-900 alone rarely qualifies you for technical roles—it's a foundational cert that proves you understand concepts, not that you can do the work. However, it's valuable for non-technical roles (sales, support, project management) at companies using Azure, and it's a great first step toward role-based certs like AZ-104.
How hard is AZ-900?
One of the easier IT certifications. Most people with basic tech awareness pass with 1–2 weeks of focused study. The challenge is breadth (many services to know) rather than depth. If you use the free Microsoft Learn path and take practice tests, you should be well-prepared.
Should I skip AZ-900 and go straight to AZ-104?
If you already understand cloud concepts (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS, shared responsibility, basic Azure navigation), yes—you can skip to AZ-104. AZ-900 is explicitly for beginners. However, if cloud is genuinely new to you, AZ-900 provides a gentler learning curve and a quick confidence boost.
AZ-900 vs AWS Cloud Practitioner—which should I get?
Choose based on which cloud platform your target employers use. Check job postings in your area. If it's a mix or you're unsure, AWS has larger market share overall, but Azure dominates in enterprises with existing Microsoft infrastructure. Both certs are similar in difficulty and scope.
How do I get a free exam voucher?
Attend a Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Day. These are free 2-day online events that cover AZ-900 content and include a free exam voucher for attendees. Check Microsoft's events page for upcoming sessions—they run frequently throughout the year.
Does AZ-900 expire?
No. Microsoft Fundamentals certifications don't expire. Once you pass, you're certified permanently. However, Azure evolves constantly, so the practical value of an old cert diminishes over time. Role-based certs (like AZ-104) do require annual renewal.
Is AZ-900 worth it for developers?
If you're a developer new to Azure, AZ-900 provides useful context about Azure's service landscape. However, if you want Azure development skills, you might skip to AZ-204 (Developer Associate) which is more relevant to your work. AZ-900 is broader and less technical than what most developers need.