Chapter 01 — AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals Overview

What is AZ-900?

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is an entry-level certification exam that validates foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and Microsoft Azure services. It is the starting point for anyone beginning their Azure cloud journey — no prior technical experience required.

Exam at a Glance

Exam Level

Foundational — This is the lowest tier in the Microsoft certification path.

Microsoft organizes certifications into 3 tiers:

Foundational  →  Associate  →  Expert
    AZ-900          AZ-104       AZ-305
  (Start here)    (Sys Admin)  (Architect)

AZ-900 sits at the Foundational level. It does not require completing any other exam before attempting it.

Target Audience

AZ-900 is designed for a wide range of people — both technical and non-technical:

Technical Roles

• IT beginners starting their cloud career

• Developers new to Azure

• System administrators exploring cloud migration

• DevOps/Cloud engineers building foundational knowledge

Non-Technical Roles

• Business analysts and project managers

• Sales and marketing professionals working with Azure products

• Finance/procurement teams evaluating cloud costs

• Executives needing cloud literacy

Key point: You do NOT need to be a developer or IT pro to pass AZ-900. It is designed for anyone who wants to understand what Azure is and how it works at a conceptual level.

Prerequisites / Skills Required

Formal Prerequisites

• None — Microsoft does not require any prior certification or experience.

Recommended Background Knowledge

• Basic understanding of what a computer and the internet are

• General awareness of IT concepts (servers, storage, networking) is helpful but not mandatory

• No prior Azure or cloud experience needed

• No coding or programming skills required

If you know how to use a computer and browse the internet, you have enough background to start preparing for AZ-900.

Skills Measured (Exam Domains)

The exam tests knowledge across 3 core domains:

Domain 1 — Describe Cloud Concepts

Weight: 25 – 30%

Domain 2 — Describe Azure Architecture and Services

Weight: 35 – 40%

Domain 3 — Describe Azure Management and Governance

Weight: 30 – 35%

Domain Weightage Summary

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┬──────────────┐
│ Domain                                         │ Weight       │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────┼──────────────┤
│ 1. Cloud Concepts                              │ 25 – 30%     │
│ 2. Azure Architecture and Services             │ 35 – 40%     │
│ 3. Azure Management and Governance             │ 30 – 35%     │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┴──────────────┘
                                        Total →  100%

You can get more details on official microosft website:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-in/credentials/certifications/resources/study-guides/az-900#skills-measured-as-of-january-14-2026

How to Register & Apply

Step 1 — Create a Microsoft Account

• Go to microsoft.com and sign up for a free account if you don't have one.

Step 2 — Visit the Official Exam Page

• Navigate to: Microsoft Learn → Certifications → AZ-900

• Direct path: learn.microsoft.com → search "AZ-900"

Step 3 — Schedule the Exam

Choose your preferred testing provider:

Step 4 — Choose Exam Format

• Online Proctored — Take the exam from home with a webcam and ID verification

• Test Center — Visit a physical Pearson VUE testing center near you

Step 5 — Pay and Confirm

• Pay the exam fee (~$165 USD or local equivalent)

• You'll receive a confirmation email with your exam date and time

Step 6 — Prepare and Appear

• Review the official Microsoft Learn free study path for AZ-900

• Use practice tests from trusted providers (MeasureUp, Whizlabs, ExamTopics)

• Appear 15 minutes before your scheduled time (for online exams, set up your environment early)

Step 7 — Get Your Results

• Results are shown immediately after the exam

• Official certificate and badge delivered within 24–48 hours via Credly

• Share your badge on LinkedIn directly from Credly

Free Study Resources

Quick Summary

There are no prerequisites required to take the exam. With about 2 to 4 weeks of study, you can prepare effectively. To pass, you need a score of 700 or higher. The certification is valid for a lifetime. The exam costs approximately $165. It covers three main domains and takes around 45 to 60 minutes to complete. Once you pass, you’ll receive a certificate from Microsoft.

Next Chapter → Chapter 02: Cloud Concepts Deep Dive