thinQmaster Virtual testing partner Adaptive practice exams that find your weak spots and drill them. Every answer explained. From $69
Enroll

thinQmaster

Find your exam

Five questions free, before you decide.

Step 1 · choose a vendor

In one of our camps? Your practice exams come with the tuition — they are on your study page already.

Microsoft · Cloud · Entry

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam guide

Exam AZ-900

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) validates foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance. It is a low-pressure first Azure certification for technical and non-technical staff and the usual starting point before role-based Azure exams.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limit45 minutes
Passing score700 (1-1000 scale)
Exam feeSee official page
Valid forSee official page
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored

Format: Multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop and other interactive items. Fee note: Price varies by country or region; students and educators can test through Certiport.

Who it's for

Beginners, students, sales and business staff, and IT professionals new to Azure who want a recognized cloud foundation.

What the exam covers

Describe cloud concepts28%
Describe Azure architecture and services38%
Describe Azure management and governance33%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: No experience required; familiarity with general IT concepts helps.

Keeping it active

Microsoft Fundamentals certifications do not expire and require no renewal.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Cloud models, shared responsibility and pricing
  • Azure regions, availability zones and resource hierarchy
  • Azure compute, networking and storage services
  • Microsoft Entra ID, RBAC and Zero Trust basics
  • Cost management and governance with Azure Policy and Purview
  • Azure management tools and monitoring

Job roles

Cloud Support AssociateJunior Cloud AdministratorIT Support SpecialistTechnical Sales SpecialistBusiness Analyst (cloud)

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Complete the Microsoft Learn AZ-900 learning path for cloud concepts and Azure architecture.
  2. Week 2: Management and governance: cost tools, Azure Policy, locks, Purview, ARM and monitoring; create a free Azure account and explore the portal.
  3. Week 3: Identity, access and security topics (Entra ID, RBAC, Conditional Access, Defender for Cloud) plus storage redundancy and migration tools.
  4. Week 4: Take Microsoft's free Practice Assessment until you score above 80% consistently, then book the exam.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Weights are published as ranges (25-30%, 35-40%, 30-35%); midpoints are shown here. Architecture and services is the largest area.
  • Know the differences between availability sets, availability zones and region pairs.
  • Memorize which storage redundancy options (LRS, ZRS, GRS, GZRS) protect against which failures.
  • Know what Azure Policy, resource locks, tags and RBAC each control.
  • 45 minutes is short; answer quickly and do not overthink fundamentals questions.

Key terms for this exam

All 103 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does AZ-900 cost?

Price depends on the country where you test. Microsoft lists the local price when you schedule; students may get discounts through Certiport.

Does AZ-900 expire?

No. Microsoft Fundamentals certifications do not expire.

Is AZ-900 required for AZ-104?

No, but it is a helpful foundation.

How hard is AZ-900?

It is entry level. Most candidates prepare in 1-3 weeks with Microsoft Learn and the free practice assessment.

AZ-900 vs AWS Cloud Practitioner?

Both are cloud fundamentals exams. Choose based on which cloud your employer or target jobs use.

Official page: learn.microsoft.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.