How to pass AZ-900 in 2025

If you’re new to cloud computing and wanting to know how to pass AZ-900 with a strong entry point into the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, the AZ-900 certification is where you should start. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the AZ-900 exam, including what it is, why it matters, how to prepare, and tips to pass on your first attempt.

What Is the AZ-900 Certification?

The AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification is designed for absolute beginners to cloud computing. It’s a foundational certification that covers core cloud principles, Microsoft Azure services, pricing structures, governance, compliance, and basic architecture.

It’s ideal for:

• Non-technical roles: sales, marketing, finance, project managers
• Technical professionals new to Azure
• Students or recent graduates
• Career switchers entering the IT/cloud world

Key Facts:

• No prior cloud experience required
• Exam format: Multiple-choice, around 45–60 questions
• Time limit: 60 minutes
• Passing score: 700 out of 1000
• Cost: ~$99 USD (price may vary by region)
• Languages: English and several others

You can take the exam either online from the comfort of your home or at a certified testing center. It’s available year-round and has no official prerequisites.

Why You Should Get AZ-900 Certified in 2025

With cloud computing continuing to dominate IT strategies in 2025, having a basic understanding of Azure is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, finance, or tech, this foundational certification adds real, practical value to your resume and career.

Companies across industries are adopting cloud solutions, and Azure holds a significant share of the global cloud market. Employers are actively seeking professionals who can understand cloud terminology, navigate the Azure portal, and align cloud capabilities with business objectives.

Benefits of Getting AZ-900 Certified:

• 📈 Boost your resume with a globally recognized Microsoft certification
• 💼 Increase your job prospects in cloud-adopting companies
• 🧠 Understand Azure basics without needing deep technical knowledge
• 🔓 Open doors to more advanced certifications like AZ-104, AZ-204, or AZ-305
• 🧩 Build cross-departmental knowledge—know how cloud affects business units
• 📚 Learn essential cloud concepts like high availability, scalability, pricing models, compliance, and more

Employers use AZ-900 as a baseline credential for onboarding new hires or transitioning non-technical staff into cloud-literate contributors. If you’re a freelancer or entrepreneur, understanding Azure gives you a significant edge in digital strategy and infrastructure planning.

Who Should Take the AZ-900 Exam?

The AZ-900 exam isn’t just for aspiring IT professionals—it’s for anyone who wants to better understand the cloud. More and more non-technical roles require cloud fluency. Digital marketing specialists, data analysts, sales professionals, and even HR and operations managers benefit from knowing the basics of Azure.

You should consider the AZ-900 if:

• You’re exploring a new career path in tech or IT
• You work with teams that rely on Azure infrastructure
• You’re part of a digital transformation initiative at your company
• You’re looking to complement your business or management background with technical literacy

It’s also a great way to test whether a deeper technical track like Azure Administration or Development is right for you before committing to a heavier certification.

What Topics Are Covered in the AZ-900 Exam?

The AZ-900 exam is structured around four major domains, and understanding their breakdown helps you allocate study time strategically.

1. Describe Cloud Concepts (25–30%)

This section covers the general benefits and types of cloud computing, including:

• Public, private, and hybrid cloud models
• Cloud service types: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
• Concepts like scalability, elasticity, fault tolerance, and high availability

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

This section dives into the structure of Microsoft Azure, including:

• Core components: subscriptions, management groups, regions, availability zones
• Resources and Resource Groups
• Azure compute options: VMs, App Services, Containers
• Storage types: Blob, File, Queue, Disk
• Azure networking: VNets, Load Balancer, Application Gateway, DNS

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

This final section focuses on managing Azure accounts and ensuring governance:

• Cost management, Azure Pricing Calculator, and TCO Calculator
• RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) and identity management with Azure AD
• Monitoring tools like Azure Monitor and Azure Service Health
• Compliance, privacy, and trust in Azure

How to Prepare for the AZ-900 Exam in 2025

1. Understand the Exam Objectives

Start with the official Microsoft AZ-900 skills outline. Print it out or save it, and treat it as your personal checklist. Each objective has sub-points that you should know in detail.

2. Use Practice Exams (Like FetchExam)

Practice exams are invaluable for:

• Testing your knowledge under timed conditions
• Identifying weak areas
• Getting used to Microsoft’s question style (tricky wording, multiple correct answers)

FetchExam provides up-to-date questions and explanations aligned with current exam objectives.

3. Use Microsoft Learn’s Free Learning Path

Microsoft’s free AZ-900 learning path is comprehensive and written in plain language. It includes interactive modules and short quizzes.

4. Watch Free and Paid Video Courses

Visual learners may prefer platforms like:

• YouTube (free crash courses)
• Udemy (affordable, with lifetime access)
• LinkedIn Learning (great for professionals)

5. Join Communities and Discussion Forums

Join spaces like:

• Reddit: r/Azure
• LinkedIn groups focused on Microsoft Certifications
• Discord servers for cloud learners

Asking questions and discussing confusing topics with peers can make a huge difference in retention.

6. Make Flashcards or Notes

Create flashcards for key definitions and Azure service names. There are also many public Anki decks available for AZ-900.

Real-World Applications of AZ-900 Knowledge

Understanding Azure fundamentals goes beyond passing an exam. You’ll gain insight into how global enterprises use cloud platforms to scale, reduce costs, and build secure environments.

Practical skills you’ll develop:

• Navigating the Azure Portal and locating services
• Understanding how to price and budget cloud solutions
• Applying governance policies and security principles
• Recognizing when to choose IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS

This kind of knowledge translates well to project planning, vendor evaluation, procurement decisions, and cross-team communication. Even if you’re not deploying servers, understanding how they work in the cloud adds real strategic value to your team.

Tips for Studying Smarter, Not Harder

• 🔁 Study in sprints – 25-minute focus blocks (Pomodoro technique)
• 🧠 Use active recall – quiz yourself rather than re-reading
• ✍️ Summarize topics in your own words
• 🎯 Focus more on areas that carry higher weight in the exam breakdown

Pro Tips for Passing the AZ-900

🔸 Don’t rely solely on video courses — pair them with reading and practice tests.

🔸 Use the Azure free tier to play around with real services — hands-on experience helps understanding.

🔸 Memorize common SLA numbers — Microsoft loves asking tricky percentage-based questions.

🔸 Learn the pricing tools — TCO calculator and Pricing Calculator frequently show up in the exam.

🔸 Be aware of the exam interface — Learn how to flag questions and review them later.

AZ-900 vs. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

If you’re debating whether to take Microsoft’s AZ-900 or Amazon’s AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02), here’s a comparison to help:

Verdict: If you plan to work in a Microsoft-focused environment or with Microsoft 365/Power Platform integrations, go for AZ-900. If your organization or clients use AWS, consider CLF-C02 instead.

What to Expect on Exam Day

You can take the exam online or at a test center. Both formats are proctored.

If Online:

• Clean desk, no papers, no devices
• Room scan with webcam
• Valid photo ID required
• Stay visible the entire time

If In Person:

• Arrive early
• Bring 2 forms of ID if required
• Lock away all belongings

You’ll have 60 minutes to answer the questions, but expect an additional 15–30 minutes for check-in procedures.

Best Study Timeline for Busy People

If you’re balancing work, school, or family responsibilities, a study plan can help you stay on track. Here’s a sample timeline:

One-Week Sprint (Intensive)

• Day 1–2: Microsoft Learn modules
• Day 3: YouTube crash course
• Day 4–5: Practice exams + notes
• Day 6: Review weak areas
• Day 7: Final mock exam + test day

Two-Week Moderate Plan

• Week 1: Study 1 hour/day (cloud concepts, Azure services)
• Week 2: Study 1 hour/day (governance, pricing, practice exams)

One-Month Easy Pace

• Study 30 mins, 4x/week
• Use weekends for longer sessions and review

What Recruiters and Hiring Managers Say About AZ-900

According to several LinkedIn polls and recruiter feedback:

• AZ-900 is often listed as a preferred qualification for entry-level and mid-level roles
• It signals that a candidate is motivated and self-driven
• Recruiters say AZ-900 adds credibility even in non-technical roles
• Employers see it as a cost-effective way to assess cloud awareness in new hires

Including AZ-900 on your resume can help your application stand out from the crowd, especially in hybrid roles that combine tech with operations or business strategy.

🌍 Global Recognition of the AZ-900 Certification

One of the reasons the AZ-900 has become so popular is its global recognition. Microsoft is a trusted cloud provider worldwide, and their certifications—especially foundational ones like AZ-900—are accepted in job markets across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Why global recognition matters:

• Many companies operate internationally and value standardized cloud knowledge
• Remote work opportunities often demand verified cloud skills
• Microsoft Learn and certification exams are available in multiple languages
• Employers trust Microsoft credentials because they are regularly updated and maintained

If you’re applying for jobs abroad or planning to freelance globally, the AZ-900 gives you instant credibility, even with clients or recruiters who have never worked with you before.

🏥 Industries That Value AZ-900 the Most

Cloud computing is no longer limited to the tech industry. Here’s where AZ-900 is especially valuable:

1. Healthcare

• Hospitals and clinics increasingly use Azure for storing patient data
• Cloud compliance (HIPAA, GDPR) is critical
• Knowledge of Azure helps bridge communication between IT and care teams

2. Financial Services

• Banks and fintechs use Azure for scalability, analytics, and secure data handling
• Governance and compliance modules in AZ-900 directly apply to this sector

3. Government and Public Sector

• Public cloud is a key part of modernization strategies
• AZ-900 provides foundational knowledge needed for bidding on cloud-enabled projects

4. Retail & E-commerce

• Azure supports data lakes, customer analytics, and AI personalization
• Even non-technical marketing teams can benefit from cloud literacy

5. Education

• Universities use Azure to host LMS platforms, research databases, and virtual labs
• Professors and students alike benefit from certifications like AZ-900

🔗 AZ-900 and Integration with Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Dynamics 365

Azure is not a standalone product—it connects deeply with the broader Microsoft ecosystem.

Microsoft 365

• Tools like Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook rely on Azure infrastructure
• Knowing Azure helps non-technical users understand data flow and permissions

Power Platform

• Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents are built on Azure
• AZ-900 introduces key concepts like data connectors and security models

Dynamics 365

• Azure enables AI-powered insights, predictive sales tools, and secure CRM management
• Business analysts working with Dynamics 365 will find AZ-900 foundational

For professionals who already use these platforms, AZ-900 fills in the technical gaps and helps you understand how everything connects under the hood.

🧪 What the AZ-900 Exam Interface Looks Like

If you’ve never taken a Microsoft exam before, here’s what to expect:

Exam Format

• 45–60 multiple-choice and drag-and-drop questions
• You may encounter scenario-based questions (mini case studies)
• Expect to see radio buttons (single answer) and checkboxes (multi-answer)

Key Features

• Flag questions to review later
• Submit your exam early if finished
• No backtracking allowed in some sections—read instructions carefully

Tips:

• Don’t rush—there’s enough time to read every question twice
• Use the elimination method on tough questions
• Watch for tricky language like best, most, least, or not

💬 Interview Questions You May Get After AZ-900

Once you pass, you may be asked to demonstrate your understanding in interviews. Here are sample questions:

General:

• What’s the difference between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS?
• Can you explain how Azure regions and availability zones work?

Business/Non-Technical Roles:

• How does Azure help us reduce operational costs?
• What tools does Azure offer for compliance and governance?

Entry-level Tech Roles:

• What is the Azure Resource Manager and why is it useful?
• What’s the difference between Azure Policy and Azure Blueprints?

Being able to confidently answer these shows that you didn’t just memorize answers—you truly understand the platform.

📄 How to Share Your AZ-900 Certification on LinkedIn and Your Resume

After passing, you’ll receive a Microsoft-verified badge through Credly. Here’s how to make it work for you:

On LinkedIn:

• Go to your profile → “Licenses & Certifications” section
• Add:
  • Name: Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
  • Issuing Organization: Microsoft
  • Credential URL: Use the Credly link
  • Expiration: None (AZ-900 doesn’t expire)

You can also share the badge as a post, tagging @Microsoft and using hashtags like #AzureCertified and #AZ900.

On Your Resume:

Add it under “Certifications” or “Professional Development”:

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Microsoft, 2025

If you’re applying through a job portal like Indeed, Workday, or Greenhouse, include the badge in your cover letter or in the resume’s top summary section for extra visibility.

🎓 How AZ-900 Helps You Choose the Right Learning Path

AZ-900 is more than just a single certification—it helps you figure out where to go next:

• Like infrastructure and system admin? → Go for AZ-104
• Interested in coding or app development? → AZ-204 is your next step
• Love architecture and design? → Aim for AZ-305
• Want to focus on cloud security? → Consider SC-900, then SC-200 or SC-300
• Want a non-technical track? → PL-900 (Power Platform Fundamentals) is a great side-step

By starting with AZ-900, you’re opening doors to multiple learning pathways, many of which are high-paying and high-demand in today’s market.

🧭 Azure Fundamentals vs. Cloud Certifications from Other Vendors

It’s helpful to see how AZ-900 stacks up against other entry-level certifications:

If you’re in a Microsoft-heavy environment, AZ-900 is the most directly applicable and recognizable.

Top Free and Paid Study Resources for AZ-900 in 2025

Free Resources:

• Microsoft Learn AZ-900 Path
• YouTube channels: John Savill, FreeCodeCamp
• Reddit threads in r/Azure
• Discord study communities

Paid Resources:

• FetchExam Practice Tests ✅
• Udemy courses (Alan Rodrigues, Scott Duffy)
• Whizlabs AZ-900 Practice Questions
• LinkedIn Learning modules

Stay consistent, practice smart, and believe in your ability to learn—AZ-900 is absolutely within reach.

After the Exam: What’s Next?

Once you pass:

• You get a digital badge via Credly
• You can share it on LinkedIn
• You can download a printable certificate

Next Steps:

• AZ-104: For IT admins and those who manage Azure infrastructure
• AZ-204: For developers working on Azure apps and APIs
• AZ-305: For architects designing full solutions on Azure
• SC-900: For those focused on security and compliance fundamentals

You’ll also be eligible to join Microsoft Learn’s certification community and get special access to offers, events, and resources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is AZ-900 hard to pass?
No, but you still need to study. It’s an entry-level exam, but not a giveaway. Most people can pass with 1–2 weeks of focused preparation.

Can I take AZ-900 without technical experience?
Yes! It’s designed for beginners and even non-technical professionals.

How long is the AZ-900 certification valid?
As of now, Microsoft fundamentals certifications do not expire.

What score do I need to pass?
700 out of 1000.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re starting out in IT, working in business or marketing, or planning a full transition to cloud tech, the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification is the smartest place to begin. With a relatively low barrier to entry and a high ROI in knowledge and credibility, it’s a no-brainer in 2025.

Use the free resources, take realistic practice tests, study the exam guide, and you’ll be ready to crush the exam — even on your first try.

🚀 Ready to pass AZ-900?
Check out our AZ-900 Practice Tests and free study resources to help you prepare smarter, not harder.