The Azure Fundamentals certification (AZ-900) is an entry-level credential offered by Microsoft to validate foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and Azure services. This certification demonstrates understanding of:
- Cloud concepts like public, private, and hybrid cloud models, infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and software-as-a-service (SaaS)
- Core Azure services for compute, storage, networking, databases, and security
- Azure pricing and support options
- Security, privacy, compliance, and trust on Azure
Who Should Get the Azure Fundamentals Certification?
The AZ-900 certification is ideal for:
- Beginners just getting started with cloud computing and Azure
- Anyone looking to validate basic Azure knowledge
- A good first step before taking more advanced Azure certifications
It’s useful for roles like:
- Cloud administrators
- IT support staff
- Developers
- Students
Preparing for the Azure Fundamentals Certification
To earn the Azure Fundamentals certification, you need to pass the AZ-900 exam which covers all the key topics mentioned above. Here are some tips for exam preparation:
- Take Microsoft’s AZ-900 e-learning course to get an overview of concepts
- Study technical documentation and blogs about Azure services
- Use practice tests to identify knowledge gaps
- Get hands-on experience with Azure through trial subscriptions
- Review exam tips and frequently missed questions
With thorough preparation using approved study materials, passing the 90 minute AZ-900 exam is very achievable.
Benefits of Earning the Microsoft AZ-900 Certification
Once certified, you can enjoy several benefits:
- Demonstrate foundational Azure knowledge to employers
- Qualify for new cloud computing roles
- Earn Microsoft Certified badges to showcase your skills
- Get access to Microsoft events and networking opportunities
- Pave the way to earn more advanced certifications
Overall, the Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 certification validates cloud fluency that is invaluable early in your technology career.
The Azure Foundations Certification
The Azure Fundamentals certification is an entry-level certification from Microsoft that validates foundational knowledge of cloud services and the Azure platform. It demonstrates a basic understanding of cloud concepts, Azure services, Azure workloads, security, privacy, pricing, and support.
This certification is ideal for those new to the cloud or those looking to familiarize themselves with Microsoft Azure. It can serve as a stepping stone to associate or expert-level Azure certifications.
Some key details about the Azure Fundamentals certification:
- Exam Details: The certification exam is AZ-900. It is a one-hour exam with 40-60 questions on cloud concepts (15-20%), core Azure services (30-35%), security, privacy, compliance, and trust (25-30%), and Azure pricing and support (25-30%).
- Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites. Basic IT literacy and general technology awareness is sufficient.
- Certification Validity: Certifications expire after 2 years. You need to re-certify to stay current.
- Exam Cost: The exam costs $99 USD. Free online learning options are available.
- Career Advancement: The AZ-900 certification validates cloud fluency. It can help further Azure-related career opportunities and salary prospects.
The Azure Fundamentals certification provides essential, foundational knowledge of Microsoft’s cloud platform. By earning this certification, professionals demonstrate fundamental readiness to use cloud services. It serves as a springboard to further Azure certifications and career growth.
How do you get the azure fundamentals certification
Getting the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification requires passing the AZ-900 exam. Here is a step-by-step guide to earning the certification:
Review the Exam Objectives Thoroughly
The first critical step is to carefully review the skills measured and content covered in the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification exam. You can find the detailed exam objectives on the official AZ-900 exam webpage on Microsoft Learn.
The exam tests your foundational knowledge across three key domains:
- Azure Core Services (30-35% of exam) – Familiarity with core Azure architectural components and services: Azure Portal, Azure PowerShell, Azure CLI, virtual machines, App Services, Azure Functions, storage accounts, Cosmos DB, Azure Active Directory, etc.
- Security, Privacy, Compliance and Trust (25-30% of exam) – Knowledge of security, identity, governance, privacy and compliance features in Azure like RBAC, Azure Policy, Azure Blueprints, Azure Security Center, MFA, and Azure AD.
Go through each section and topic listed in the skills outline to identify gaps in your knowledge. Being intimately familiar with all the objectives gives you the highest chance of passing the certification test. Use Microsoft Learn modules and training courses to strengthen any weak areas.
Microsoft Learn AZ-900 training
Microsoft Learn provides free, online, self-paced training tailored specifically to the AZ-900 exam objectives. The AZ-900T00 course on Microsoft Learn includes video lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on labs to build Azure skills. This is the official training from Microsoft and closely matches what you will see on the actual exam.
LinkedIn Learning AZ-900 courses
LinkedIn Learning has several video course options for AZ-900 preparation, such as AZ-900 Cert Prep: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. These courses are led by industry experts and break down AZ-900 concepts through video tutorials. LinkedIn Learning offers a one month free trial to sample their training materials.
Third-party online courses and tutorials
There are many online training websites, like Udemy and Coursera, that offer AZ-900 prep courses. These are paid courses led by independent Azure experts. The courses include practice tests to gauge exam readiness. Using third-party training is a great way to get additional perspectives on the AZ-900 content beyond the official Microsoft Learn training.
Hands-on practice with Azure
Hands-on experience using Azure through training labs and your own test projects is invaluable preparation for the exam. This allows you to directly apply the concepts you study. Options for hands-on practice include Microsoft Learn labs, LinkedIn Learning labs, Microsoft Azure free account trials, and third-party cloud sandboxes.
Spending time thoroughly covering the AZ-900 content through training courses, and reinforcing those learnings with hands-on Azure practice, are the best ways to prepare for the exam. Using multiple learning channels gives you different insights into the material for better overall mastery.
Study additional resources
It is highly recommended to supplement your AZ-900 exam preparation with additional study materials beyond just taking training courses. There are several excellent additional resources available:
The official AZ-900 study guide – Microsoft publishes an official study guide for the AZ-900 exam. This comprehensive 100+ page guide covers all the skills measured on the exam with detailed explanations and examples. It’s an invaluable resource for ensuring you fully understand each exam objective.
AZ-900 practice tests – Practice tests are crucial exam prep. They help assess your knowledge and reveal areas needing more review. Microsoft offers an official paid practice test. There are also free AZ-900 practice exams available from third parties. Taking several practice tests until scoring 85%+ is a great way to ensure exam readiness.
AZ-900 exam prep books – Various publishers offer AZ-900 focused exam prep books. These books condense all the knowledge needed for the test into a single volume with learning modules, concise visual aids, practice questions, and more. They can provide efficient targeted review of all exam content. Some popular options include books from Sybex, APress, and Packt.
Online exam simulators – Online AZ-900 exam simulators mimic the actual testing environment allowing you to get comfortable with the format. They provide hundreds of unique practice questions with focused remediation to help master every subject. Exam simulators like the one from Whizlabs offer very realistic practice.
Reviewing a combination of additional study resources is the best approach. It provides well-rounded preparation and ensures no stone is left unturned when working towards earning the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification.
Schedule the AZ-900 exam through Pearson VUE
Once you feel prepared to take the certification exam, you can schedule it through the Pearson VUE website. Pearson VUE is Microsoft’s official exam provider.
To schedule your AZ-900 exam appointment:
- Go to Pearson VUE’s website and select your country/region. You may need to create an account if you don’t already have one.
- Search and select the AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam. Then choose the “Schedule this Exam” button.
- Select your preferred exam date and time. You can view seat availability at nearby test centers and choose your location.
- The AZ-900 exam lasts 85 minutes and contains 40-60 multiple choice and multi-select questions. The exam fee is $99 USD paid during scheduling.
- After payment, you will receive an exam confirmation email from Pearson VUE with details on the test location, exam day policies, what to bring, etc.
Be sure to verify if your chosen test center has any specific COVID-19 safety requirements in place. Some locations may require masks, social distancing, or health screenings.
On exam day, arrive early at the test center so you have time to check-in and get settled before starting your AZ-900 exam. Valid ID is mandatory to take the test. Good luck!
Pass the AZ-900 exam
To pass the AZ-900 certification exam, you need to achieve a scaled score of 700 out of 1000 points. The passing score actually equates to approximately 70% raw score based on the number of questions answered correctly.
After completing all exam questions and submitting your test, the score report is available immediately. You can view your final score, including a score breakdown by exam objective domain.
If you do not achieve the 700 passing score on your first attempt, you can retake the AZ-900 exam after waiting 24 hours from your last attempt. There are no limits on the number of times you can retry the test.
When registering to retake the exam, the same policies and fees apply. The AZ-900 exam costs $99 USD per attempt.
It’s important not to get discouraged if you fail on your first try. Use the domain score breakdown to understand your weaker areas of knowledge. Then you can spend more time studying those specific topics before your next exam date. With focussed preparation, candidates often pass on their second attempt.
Stay determined in working towards passing the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification! The credential validates your skills to potential employers.
Earning Azure Fundamentals Certification
Upon successfully passing the AZ-900 certification exam with a score of 700 or higher, you will officially gain the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals credential. This validates that you have demonstrated foundational knowledge of cloud services and how these services work in Azure.
Specifically, by passing the exam you have shown understanding of cloud computing concepts, Azure services, Azure workloads and security, as well as general Azure pricing and support. This certification is proof of your abilities in these key areas.
Certification Validity
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification is valid for one year from the date you pass the exam.
After one year passes, you will need to take the exam again to renew the certification and keep it active. Renewing ensures your skills are up-to-date with the latest Azure services and features.
Certification Benefits
Earning the Azure Fundamentals certification can help open new job opportunities and advance your cloud computing career. It shows employers you grasp the basics of Azure that underpin intermediate and advanced Azure certifications.
While an entry-level credential, it still demonstrates valuable cloud knowledge and skills. Some specific benefits include standing out to hiring managers, qualifying for certain Azure-related roles, and building a foundation for higher certifications.
Overall the certification validates cloud computing expertise on your resume and brings more value to your professional profile.
Can I simply watch the course and pass the exam?
The Azure Fundamentals certification (AZ-900) exam tests your knowledge and skills related to cloud concepts, Azure services, Azure workloads and security, privacy, pricing and support. Simply watching a preparation course may not be enough to pass the exam.
- You need to actively study and practice the concepts to fully understand them. Just passively watching videos is usually not as effective.
- Hands-on practice with Azure services can help reinforce what you learn. Try using some Azure services yourself.
- Use practice tests to identify gaps in your knowledge. Review learning materials to strengthen weak areas.
- Read exam guides and objectives to understand the topics tested on the exam. Ensure you have covered all the areas.
- Leverage online learning communities to clarify doubts and discuss concepts with peers.
- Schedule your exam only when you are confident about your preparation through consistent practice.
Conclusion
In summary, a certification exam tests depth of knowledge. Supplement course learning with active practice, hands-on work, mock tests and peer learning for the best chance of clearing the AZ-900 exam. The key is going beyond passive video watching to actively cement your learning.