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Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Exam Overview

The Azure Fundamentals certification is designed for candidates who want to demonstrate foundational level knowledge of cloud services and how those services are provided with Microsoft Azure. This exam is intended for candidates with non-technical backgrounds, such as those involved in selling or purchasing cloud based solutions and services or who have some involvement with cloud based solutions and services, as well as those with a technical background who have a need to validate their foundational level knowledge around cloud services.

Exam Details: - Exam Code: AZ-900 - Duration: 60 minutes - Number of Questions: 40-60 questions - Passing Score: 700 out of 1000 - Question Types: Multiple choice, multiple select, drag and drop, hot area, case studies - Cost: $99 USD - Prerequisites: None

Exam Domains

1. Describe Cloud Concepts (25-30%)

  • Cloud Computing Benefits
  • High availability, scalability, elasticity, agility, fault tolerance, disaster recovery
  • Capital expenditure (CapEx) vs operational expenditure (OpEx)
  • Consumption-based model
  • Cloud Service Types
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS)
  • Software as a Service (SaaS)
  • Cloud Deployment Models
  • Public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud
  • Multi-cloud scenarios

2. Describe Azure Architecture and Services (35-40%)

  • Core Azure Architectural Components
  • Azure regions and availability zones
  • Resource groups and Azure Resource Manager
  • Azure subscriptions and management groups
  • Azure Compute Services
  • Virtual machines, container instances, Azure Kubernetes Service
  • Azure App Service, Azure Functions
  • Azure Networking Services
  • Virtual networks, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute
  • Azure DNS, Traffic Manager, Load Balancer
  • Azure Storage Services
  • Storage accounts, blob storage, file storage, queue storage, table storage
  • Storage tiers, redundancy options
  • Azure Identity Services
  • Azure Active Directory, authentication vs authorization
  • Conditional access, MFA, SSO

3. Describe Azure Management and Governance (30-35%)

  • Cost Management
  • Azure pricing calculator, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator
  • Azure Cost Management + Billing
  • Resource tagging
  • Features and Tools for Governance
  • Azure Blueprints, Azure Policy, resource locks
  • Cloud Adoption Framework
  • Features and Tools for Managing and Deploying Resources
  • Azure portal, Azure PowerShell, Azure CLI
  • Azure Cloud Shell, Azure Resource Manager templates
  • Monitoring Tools
  • Azure Advisor, Azure Monitor, Azure Service Health

Study Tips

  1. Week 1-2: Cloud concepts and terminology
  2. Week 3-4: Azure services and architecture
  3. Week 5-6: Management, governance, and practice exams

Key Study Resources

  • Microsoft Learn Learning Paths:
  • Azure Fundamentals part 1: Describe core Azure concepts
  • Azure Fundamentals part 2: Describe core Azure services
  • Azure Fundamentals part 3: Describe core solutions and management tools
  • Azure Fundamentals part 4: Describe general security and network security features
  • Azure Fundamentals part 5: Describe identity, governance, privacy, and compliance features
  • Azure Fundamentals part 6: Describe Azure cost management and service level agreements

Hands-on Practice

  • Create a free Azure account
  • Practice with Azure portal navigation
  • Deploy basic resources (VMs, storage accounts, web apps)
  • Explore Azure CLI and PowerShell commands
  • Use Azure calculators for pricing scenarios

Exam Strategy

  • Read questions carefully - look for keywords
  • Eliminate obviously wrong answers first
  • For scenario-based questions, identify the key requirements
  • Manage your time - don't spend too long on any single question
  • Review flagged questions if time permits

Common Gotchas

  • Understand the difference between Azure regions and availability zones
  • Know when to use different storage types and tiers
  • Understand CapEx vs OpEx in cloud context
  • Be familiar with Azure pricing models and cost optimization
  • Know the difference between authentication and authorization

Comprehensive Study Resources

👉 Complete Azure Study Resources Guide

For detailed information on courses, practice tests, hands-on labs, communities, and more, see our comprehensive Azure study resources guide which includes: - Official Microsoft Learn paths (FREE) - Top-rated video courses with specific instructors - Practice test platforms with pricing and comparisons - Hands-on lab environments and free tier details - Community forums and study groups - Essential tools and Azure CLI resources - Pro tips and budget-friendly study strategies

Remember: This is a foundational exam focusing on breadth rather than depth. Focus on understanding concepts and when to use different services rather than deep technical implementation details.