Microsoft AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals Study Guide
AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) is Microsoft's foundational cloud certification. The exam is roughly 40 to 60 questions in 45 minutes, scored out of 1000 with 700 to pass, and costs $99 USD. It covers cloud concepts, Azure architecture and core services, and — unusually for a fundamentals exam — a full section on management and governance: cost tools, service-level agreements, policy, role-based access control and resource locks. It asks what a service is for and when you would reach for it, not how to configure one.
Overview
Level
Foundation
Vendor
Microsoft
Audience
Beginners and career changers entering cloud, and non-technical people — sales, finance, procurement, project management — who sit in meetings where Azure services and billing get discussed. It also suits IT professionals who want a cheap, fast first credential before the role-based exams. There are no prerequisites and no assumed experience; general technology familiarity is enough.
Why get AZ-900
AZ-900 is the easiest way to get 'Azure certified' and prove cloud literacy in Microsoft environments. Azure is the dominant cloud in enterprise and government, so demonstrating you understand its services, pricing, and governance carries real weight—even in non-technical roles. For beginners it's a confidence-building first win and the foundation for the higher-value role-based certs (AZ-104, AZ-305, security and data tracks). Microsoft's free annual renewal model also means it costs little to maintain over time.
Salary expectations
Typical salary range
$50,000 – $85,000
AZ-900 is a foundational credential, not a salary driver on its own—it typically adds a few thousand dollars to an existing IT salary and helps open the door to entry cloud roles ($50K–$70K). Its real value is as a stepping stone: pairing it with AZ-104 and hands-on Azure experience moves you toward the $75K–$110K administrator range and beyond.
When to get AZ-900
Take AZ-900 if you are new to cloud and want an approachable first Azure certification, or if your job touches Azure without being deeply technical. Most people study one to three weeks using the free Microsoft Learn path. If you already have IT experience and a technical target, you can go straight to AZ-104 — AZ-900 is not a prerequisite for anything, and on its own it rarely moves a hiring decision. It earns its place as a low-cost way to build vocabulary and confidence, as proof of cloud literacy in a non-technical role, or because a training programme or employer asks for it. Watch for Microsoft Learn challenges and virtual training days, which regularly hand out free or discounted exam vouchers.
Exam details
Exam Quick Reference
- Exam Code
- AZ-900
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Level
- Foundation
- Duration
- 45 minutes
- Format
- Roughly 40–60 questions: multiple choice, multiple response, and other interactive formats. Passing score: 700 (on a scale of 100–1000).
- Questions
- ~40–60 questions
Renewal: AZ-900 does not expire — Microsoft Fundamentals certifications have no renewal requirement. Role-based certifications such as AZ-104 are different: they last one year and renew free through a short Microsoft Learn assessment.
Facts on this page last verified September 24, 2026 against official Microsoft sources.
Skills covered
Cloud Concepts (25–30%)
- The benefits and considerations of cloud computing
- Infrastructure-, platform-, and software-as-a-service (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
- Public, private, and hybrid cloud models
- Capital vs operational expenditure and the consumption model
- High availability, scalability, elasticity, and disaster recovery
Azure Architecture and Services (35–40%)
- Core architectural components: Regions, Availability Zones, resource groups
- Compute services: virtual machines, App Service, containers, functions
- Networking: virtual networks, VPN/ExpressRoute, DNS
- Storage services and storage tiers
- Identity: Microsoft Entra ID and authentication concepts
Azure Management and Governance (30–35%)
- Cost management: pricing calculator, TCO, and cost controls
- Governance: tags, policies, resource locks, and Azure Policy
- Tools for managing and deploying resources (portal, CLI, ARM/Bicep)
- Monitoring tools: Azure Monitor, Service Health, and advisories
- Service-level agreements and service lifecycle
Step-by-step study path
This sequence reflects what consistently works. Follow it in order—don't skip ahead.
- 1
Read the official AZ-900 study guide
Microsoft publishes a free AZ-900 study guide listing every skill measured and the latest exam updates. Start here so you study exactly what's tested—the objectives change periodically.
- 2
Work through the free Microsoft Learn path
Microsoft Learn has a free, structured AZ-900 learning path that covers 100% of the objectives with hands-on exercises. It's the single best free resource and uses the exact terminology the exam uses.
- 3
Add a paid video course for structure
A paid course (Scott Duffy's on Udemy is the most popular) adds a clear narrative and demos on top of Microsoft Learn. Helpful if you prefer video and want everything in one place. See the paid resources section.
- 4
Create a free Azure account and explore
Sign up for a free Azure account and click through the portal: create a resource group, deploy a VM, open Cost Management. A little hands-on time makes the services and governance topics concrete.
- 5
Use the official free practice assessment
Microsoft provides a free official AZ-900 practice assessment. It mirrors the real question style closely—use it to find weak areas before booking.
- 6
Take additional practice exams
Work through more full-length AZ-900 practice tests. Aim to score consistently above 85% before booking. Review every miss until the concept is clear.
- 7
Schedule and sit the exam
Register through Pearson VUE (test center or online proctored). The exam is short—about 45 minutes. Check for Microsoft's free voucher promotions (Learn challenges) before paying full price.
Ready for a structured course?
A top-rated course covers every AZ-900 exam domain in order. See the paid resources section below for options and pricing.
View course options →Free resources
Microsoft's official list of skills measured plus the latest exam-update notes. Your study roadmap—start here.
A free, structured, hands-on learning path covering 100% of the AZ-900 objectives. The best free resource and the closest match to exam terminology.
A free Azure account for hands-on practice. Clicking through the portal makes the services, governance, and cost topics concrete.
John Savill's free AZ-900 'study cram' is a community favorite—a thorough single-video review that pairs well with Microsoft Learn.
Microsoft's free official practice assessment. The question style closely matches the real exam—use it to gauge readiness.
Paid resources
The resources below are the most commonly recommended for the AZ-900 exam. Prices reflect typical pricing—discounts run frequently.
| Provider | Type | Price | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Udemy – Scott Duffy AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals Course | Video Course | ~$15–$20 (on sale) | Most candidates – the most popular AZ-900 course, updated for current exam objectives with demos | |
| Udemy – AZ-900 Original Practice Tests | Practice Exams | ~$15–$20 (on sale) | Final exam preparation with realistic, full-length AZ-900 practice tests | |
| Exam Ref AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (Microsoft Press, Jim Cheshire) | Book | ~$25–$40 | Candidates who want the official written reference organized by exam objective |
Udemy – Scott Duffy AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals Course
Video Course · ~$15–$20 (on sale)
Most candidates – the most popular AZ-900 course, updated for current exam objectives with demos
Scott Duffy's AZ-900 course has 590K+ students and is kept current with exam updates. Frequently on sale.
Udemy – AZ-900 Original Practice Tests
Practice Exams · ~$15–$20 (on sale)
Final exam preparation with realistic, full-length AZ-900 practice tests
Original (not brain-dump) AZ-900 practice questions with explanations. Use alongside the free official assessment.
Exam Ref AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (Microsoft Press, Jim Cheshire)
Book · ~$25–$40
Candidates who want the official written reference organized by exam objective
The official Microsoft Press Exam Ref (3rd edition). A concise reference best used alongside the free Microsoft Learn path.
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Vouchers & exam cost
AZ-900 is $99 USD at standard pricing. Microsoft periodically offers free exam vouchers through Microsoft Learn challenges—check for current promotions before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
Is AZ-900 worth it?
For beginners and non-technical roles, yes. It's the easiest way to get Azure-certified and prove cloud literacy, and it's a foundation for the higher-value role-based certs. Experienced IT pros with a technical goal sometimes skip straight to AZ-104.
How hard is the AZ-900 exam?
It's the easiest Azure exam—foundational and broad. Most candidates pass with a couple of weeks of study using the free Microsoft Learn path plus practice questions. No hands-on technical depth is required.
Does AZ-900 expire?
No. Microsoft Fundamentals certifications, including AZ-900, do not expire and have no renewal requirement. (Role-based certs like AZ-104 renew annually for free.)
Do I need experience before AZ-900?
No. There are no prerequisites, and it's designed for beginners and non-technical professionals. A free Azure account for hands-on clicking is the only 'experience' you need.
AZ-900 or AZ-104 — which should I take?
AZ-900 is foundational and non-technical; AZ-104 is the role-based administrator cert and far more in-demand for jobs. If you have IT experience, you can often skip to AZ-104. If you're new, AZ-900 builds a foundation first.
How long does it take to study for AZ-900?
Most candidates spend 1 to 3 weeks part-time. The free Microsoft Learn path plus the official practice assessment is enough for many people. Those with IT backgrounds may be ready in a few days.
What comes after AZ-900?
The role-based certs: AZ-104 (Administrator) is the usual next step, with AZ-305 (Architect), AZ-500 (Security), and others beyond. SC-900 and AI-900 are sibling fundamentals if you want broader Microsoft coverage.
Jobs where AZ-900 shows up
One role in our Career Navigator list AZ-900 as worth having. Each page covers what the job involves day to day, its honest downside, and the typical pay.
Not sure which of these fits you? Take the free Navigator assessment →
More Microsoft certifications
- MS-900Foundation
- SC-900Foundation
- MD-102Associate
- Microsoft AZ-104 Azure AdministratorAssociate
- PL-300Associate
Ready to study?
Start with the free resources above, then add a top-rated course and practice exams when you're ready to test yourself.