Cloud computing is not the future anymore—it’s the present. Whether you are in IT, business, or just curious about tech, understanding the cloud is now a vital skill. That’s where the AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification comes in. Offered by Microsoft, this entry-level exam is your gateway into the vast world of Azure. In order to make your journey smoother, an AZ-900 Study Guide can be incredibly helpful. It brings together all the key topics, tips, and resources you need to focus your efforts and study smarter, not harder. With the right guide and mindset, clearing the AZ-900 becomes an achievable and rewarding first step into cloud technology.
The tech world is shifting fast. Whether you’re in marketing, sales, HR, or starting your first IT job, understanding cloud computing is no longer optional. But let’s be honest: getting into cloud tech can feel overwhelming at first.
That’s where AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals comes in. It’s not a technical deep dive. Instead, it’s the perfect starting point for beginners, decision-makers, and non-technical professionals who want to understand how the cloud works and what Microsoft Azure brings to the table.
Who should take the AZ-900 Exam?
This certification is built for:
- Non-technical professionals working in roles like project management, sales, finance, and HR
- Students or freshers looking to enter the cloud space
- Tech-curious professionals with zero or little Azure experience
- Engineers switching to the cloud from other IT domains
No coding, no prior cloud knowledge needed.
What’s Covered in the AZ-900 Exam?
Microsoft revamped the AZ-900 exam into three clearly defined domains. Here’s not just what they are, but what each topic means, and why it matters.
Domain 1 – Learning Cloud Concepts (25–30%)
This section sets the foundation. Think of it as “Cloud 101.”
🔹 Core Benefits of Cloud Computing
- Understand why businesses move to the cloud: cost savings, agility, global reach, and business continuity.
- Learn key terms: high availability, scalability, fault tolerance, and elasticity.
🔹 Cloud Models
- Public Cloud: Shared resources (like Azure, AWS)
- Private Cloud: Used by a single organization
- Hybrid Cloud: A combination of both
🔹 Types of Cloud Services
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): VMs, networking
- PaaS (Platform as a Service): App hosting, web services
- SaaS (Software as a Service): Office 365, Teams
🔹 Shared Responsibility Model
Understand what Microsoft manages vs. what you are responsible for—this changes depending on the service type.
Learn it here: Cloud Concepts
Domain 2 – Understanding Azure Architecture and Services (35–40%)
This is where you get introduced to the core building blocks of Azure—services, regions, and real-world use cases.
🔹 Azure’s Global Infrastructure
- Azure Regions, Availability Zones, Region Pairs
- Why geographic placement matters (latency, compliance)
🔹 Core Services
- Compute: Virtual Machines, App Services, Container Instances, Azure Kubernetes Service
- Storage: Blob Storage (for unstructured data), File Storage, Disk Storage
- Databases: Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB
- Networking: Virtual Networks, VPN Gateway, Azure DNS, ExpressRoute
🔹 Core Solutions and Management Tools
- IoT, AI/ML, DevOps, and Serverless Computing
- Tools like Azure Portal, PowerShell, Azure CLI
🔹 Azure Marketplace
A curated store for third-party tools, services, and solutions that integrate with Azure.
Explore it here: Azure Architecture and Services
Domain 3 – Describe Azure Management and Governance (30–35%)
Here, you’ll learn how to manage Azure securely, monitor it effectively, and estimate and optimize costs.
🔹 Azure Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Azure Active Directory (Azure AD): Single sign-on, identity protection
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assign roles at subscription/resource level
- Conditional Access: Enforce rules like multi-factor authentication
🔹 Governance and Compliance
- Management Groups, Subscriptions, Resource Groups
- Azure Policy and Blueprints for standardizing deployments
- Understand Tags for organizing resources
🔹 Monitoring and Reporting
- Tools like Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Azure Service Health
🔹 Security Tools
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Detect threats and weaknesses
- Network Security Groups (NSGs), Azure Firewall, DDoS Protection
🔹 Cost Management
- Learn to use the Azure Pricing Calculator
- Understand Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and SLA comparisons
- Best practices for budgeting and cost alerts
Learn it here: Azure Management and Governance
AZ-900 Exam Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | AZ-900 |
| Duration | Approx 60 minutes |
| Total Question | 40–60 |
| Exam Format | Multiple Choice, Drag & Drop, Hotspot |
| Passing Score | 700/1000 |
| Exam Language | English, Spanish, German, Japanese |
AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Comprehensive Certification Guide
The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification serves as the gateway to the world of cloud computing, offering professionals and beginners alike a solid foundation in Azure’s core services and concepts. As organizations increasingly migrate to the cloud, understanding these fundamentals has become essential—not just for IT teams, but for decision-makers across business functions.
This comprehensive guide breaks down every critical aspect of the AZ-900 exam into clear, actionable sections. Whether you’re preparing for your first Microsoft certification or looking to validate your cloud knowledge, our step-by-step approach will help you:
- Master key cloud concepts and Azure services
- Navigate pricing models and security frameworks
- Develop hands-on skills through practical learning paths
- Confidently tackle exam questions with proven strategies
Let’s begin by exploring the core concepts that form the backbone of Microsoft Azure.
AZ-900 Exam Study Guide: Step-by-Step Preparation
Learning Guide 1 – Grasp the Fundamentals of Cloud Computing
Start by building a strong foundation in core cloud concepts:
- Public Cloud: Services are delivered over the internet by a third-party provider and shared among multiple users.
- Private Cloud: Resources are dedicated to a single organization and can be hosted on-premises or by a provider.
- Hybrid Cloud: Combines both public and private clouds, offering more flexibility and optimized data handling.
Advantages: Easy scalability, cost efficiency, improved collaboration, reliable backup options, and better accessibility.
Challenges: Security vulnerabilities, reliance on internet access, and risk of vendor lock-in.
Common Applications: Hosting websites and mobile apps, analyzing big data, data storage and backup, and delivering SaaS solutions.
These concepts form the backbone of cloud services in Azure and are essential for understanding topics covered in the AZ-900 exam.
Learning Guide 2 – Get Acquainted with Core Azure Services
Azure offers a wide range of services that you should become familiar with:
- Compute: Includes Azure Virtual Machines, Azure App Service, Azure Functions, and Azure Container Instances.
- Storage: Services such as Azure Blob Storage, Azure Files, Azure Queue, and Azure Table Storage.
- Networking: Tools like Azure Virtual Network, Load Balancer, Traffic Manager, and ExpressRoute.
- Security: Features such as Azure Active Directory, Key Vault, Security Center, and Azure Monitor.
- Additional Services: Azure DevOps, Azure IoT Hub, Azure Cognitive Services, and Azure Databases.
Understanding these services is essential as they make up the core elements used to design, develop, and manage cloud-based applications on Azure.
Learning Guide 3 – Explore Azure Pricing and Support Options
Azure provides flexible pricing models and support tiers tailored to different needs:
- Pricing: Azure uses a pay-as-you-go model with options like reserved instances and volume-based discounts. Pricing depends on usage, services selected, and duration.
- Support Plans: Choices include Developer, Standard, and Premier plans, each offering different levels of support, including 24/7 access, technical guidance, and credits.
Comprehending Azure’s cost structure and support offerings is vital for managing budgets and choosing suitable service plans—knowledge that is also tested in the AZ-900 exam.
Learning Guide 4 – Learn About Azure Security, Privacy, and Compliance
Azure emphasizes robust protection for customer data and infrastructure:
- Security: Includes measures like identity and access management, network security, and threat protection.
- Privacy: Azure complies with privacy regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA to ensure user data is handled responsibly.
- Compliance: The platform aligns with global standards, including ISO 27001, SOC 1/2, and FedRAMP.
This section is crucial for the AZ-900 exam as it covers how Azure safeguards its platform and meets regulatory standards.
Learning Guide 5 – Understand Azure Resource Management and Administrative Tools
Efficient management of resources is key when working with Azure:
- Resource Management: Involves organizing and deploying services using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates and the Azure Portal.
- Administration: Covers tasks such as managing user access, monitoring system performance, and handling billing.
These skills are fundamental not only for passing the AZ-900 but also for effectively operating within the Azure ecosystem.
Learning Guide 6 – Review Azure Virtual Machines, Networks, and Storage
These are core infrastructure services you should be comfortable with:
- Azure Virtual Machines (VMs): Offer on-demand, scalable computing resources.
- Azure Virtual Networks (VNets): Enable secure communication between Azure resources.
- Azure Storage: Provides durable, scalable, and cost-efficient storage options including blobs, files, tables, and queues.
Knowing these basics is essential for understanding how to run and maintain cloud environments using Azure.
Learning Guide 7 – Dive Into Azure Databases and DevOps Tools
Azure supports both data storage and modern software development practices:
- Azure Database Services: Includes managed options such as Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and Azure Database for MySQL.
- Azure DevOps: A platform for CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) offering tools like Azure Boards, Pipelines, Repos, and Test Plans.
Both database management and DevOps tools are key components in deploying, managing, and evolving cloud solutions, and are part of the AZ-900 exam syllabus.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) – Latest Study Resources
If you’re planning to take the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification, this step-by-step study guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started and succeed.
Step 1. Understand the Exam Objectives
One of the most important steps in your preparation is reviewing the official exam outline. This will give you a clear idea of the topics covered and their weightage in the exam. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key domains along with relevant Microsoft documentation for deeper understanding.
Microsoft AZ-900 Study Guide 2025
Microsoft Learn – The Official Learning Platform
Start your preparation on Microsoft Learn, where you’ll find an entire learning path for AZ-900. It’s free, structured, and directly from Microsoft—perfect for building a solid foundation.
Microsoft Documentation
Don’t skip the official Microsoft Docs for in-depth technical explanations. These will help you understand real-world applications and service limits or capabilities.
Instructor-Led Training
Microsoft offers flexible, instructor-led courses for the AZ-900 exam. These expert-led sessions are perfect if you prefer guided learning or have a busy schedule.
Books to Supplement Your Learning
Books still play a valuable role. Pick up a highly rated AZ-900 certification guide to reinforce concepts and tackle practice questions. A good book can answer doubts and build your confidence as you move closer to exam day.
Practice Exams Are a Must
One of the most effective ways to ensure you’re truly ready for the AZ-900 exam is to take practice exams. They not only help you assess your current knowledge but also familiarize you with the format and time constraints of the actual test. Regularly attempting practice questions can highlight weak areas, boost your confidence, and improve your speed. Make it a habit to review the explanations—this can turn mistakes into powerful learning moments. Think of practice tests as your final rehearsals before the big day.
Expert Corner
Preparing for the AZ-900 exam doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following a structured path—starting with the exam objectives, exploring Microsoft Learn, diving into the official docs, attending instructor-led classes, and using a good book—you’ll set yourself up for success.
Stay consistent, keep practicing, and you’ll be AZ-900 certified in no time!
