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Your complete reference for the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification — exam cost, format, question types, who should take it, and everything in between.
This is a 5-page guide — not just this page. Each domain page shows you exactly what the exam tests on each sub-topic, so you know precisely what to prepare for.
The AZ-900 is Microsoft’s entry-level certification for Azure. Passing it earns you the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals credential — a widely recognised proof of foundational cloud and Azure knowledge.
The AZ-900 exam validates that you understand cloud concepts, core Azure services, and basic Azure management and governance features. It covers how Azure is structured — regions, availability zones, resource groups, subscriptions — and introduces core services across compute, networking, storage, and identity.
Unlike the intermediate AZ-104 (Azure Administrator), the AZ-900 is a conceptual exam — it does not test hands-on configuration or troubleshooting skills. It is designed for anyone who wants to demonstrate a solid understanding of cloud computing and Microsoft Azure, regardless of technical background.
The AZ-900 certification does not expire. Unlike role-based and specialty Azure certifications, Azure Fundamentals is a foundational certification that Microsoft considers valid for life — no renewal assessment, no expiry date, and no annual requirement to maintain it.
The AZ-900 sits at the Fundamentals level — the entry point of Microsoft’s Azure certification hierarchy. It is not a prerequisite for any other exam, but it provides the conceptual grounding that makes Associate and Specialist-level exams significantly easier to approach. From AZ-900, three common paths open up depending on your career direction.
Fundamentals
AZ-900 · Azure Fundamentals
Entry-level certification covering cloud concepts, core Azure services, and basic governance. No hands-on experience required.
Associate
AZ-104 · Azure Administrator
Hands-on administration of identities, storage, compute, networking, and monitoring in Azure.
Expert
AZ-305 · Solutions Architect
Designs cloud solutions on Azure. Requires AZ-104 as a prerequisite.
Associate
AI-200 · Azure AI Engineer
Builds and deploys AI solutions using Azure AI services. AZ-900 is useful background but not a formal prerequisite.
Expert
SC-500 · Cybersecurity Architect
Designs cybersecurity strategies across Azure and hybrid environments. AZ-900 is useful background but not a formal prerequisite.
No. AZ-900 is not a formal prerequisite for AZ-104, AI-200, SC-500, or any other Microsoft certification. If you already have IT or cloud experience, you can go straight to whichever path matches your role. AZ-900 is recommended only if you are completely new to cloud computing.
The AZ-900 has no formal eligibility requirement — anyone can sit it. It is designed for candidates who want to validate foundational cloud and Azure knowledge, whether from a technical or non-technical background. It is particularly well-suited for three groups:
Business analysts, project managers, sales and pre-sales professionals, and decision-makers who work alongside technical teams and need a credible understanding of what Azure is, how it is structured, and how cloud costs and governance work.
IT professionals transitioning into cloud roles who want to build a formal foundation before pursuing Associate-level certifications like AZ-104. AZ-900 provides the conceptual grounding that makes technical study significantly easier.
Students studying IT, computing, or related fields, and professionals from other industries looking to enter the cloud sector. AZ-900 is one of the most accessible Microsoft certifications and acts as a verifiable first step into a cloud career.
Microsoft has no enforced prerequisites for AZ-900. You can register and sit the exam without any prior certification, IT experience, or formal background. It is designed to be accessible to non-technical candidates. That said, the following will help you prepare more efficiently:
AZ-900 is one of the more accessible certifications in the Microsoft ecosystem, but candidates who walk in without preparation still fail it. The most effective approach combines understanding what the exam tests, working through structured learning content, and practising under timed conditions.
AZ-900 covers 3 domains. The largest — Azure Architecture and Services — accounts for 35–40% of the exam on its own. Knowing the domain weightings before you study means you can prioritise your time correctly rather than treating all topics equally.
Our domain pages map the sub-topics in each domain to the kind of question the exam tests on each one, helping you understand what to focus on within each topic rather than studying everything at the same depth.
Microsoft Learn offers free, official learning paths for AZ-900 that align directly with the exam objectives. These are a solid starting point and sufficient for many candidates.
As you study, create a free Azure account and explore the services you are reading about — navigating the portal, seeing how resource groups and subscriptions are structured, and browsing the pricing calculator all reinforce conceptual understanding far more effectively than reading alone.
Pay particular attention to the difference between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS; the shared responsibility model; and how Azure pricing and cost management work — these concepts appear frequently and in multiple question formats.
Taking full-length timed practice tests before the real exam is one of the highest-value preparation activities, even for a fundamentals-level exam.
Practice tests do several things at once: they surface knowledge gaps you didn’t know you had, train you to maintain pace within the 45-minute window, and familiarise you with how Microsoft phrases questions — which often test your ability to distinguish between similar services or identify the correct service for a given scenario.
Review every wrong answer with its explanation. Understand why the correct answer is correct and why the others are not — this is more valuable than simply noting your score.
💡 Yes — particularly if you are new to cloud or Azure. The AZ-900 has strengthened in relevance as cloud adoption has broadened beyond purely technical roles. Organizations increasingly want business-facing staff, project managers, and analysts to have a working understanding of cloud fundamentals.
For technical professionals already working with Azure, AZ-900 is a quick credential to earn rather than a significant career milestone on its own. Its real value is as a launchpad — the conceptual clarity it builds makes the jump to AZ-104, AI-200, or other Associate-level exams considerably smoother.
Microsoft updated the AZ-900 objectives in January 2026, with minor changes to the Azure identity, access, and security section, and to features and tools for managing and deploying Azure resources. The core structure and domain weightings remain unchanged.
The AZ-900 is a short, focused exam — 45 minutes, 32–36 questions, and a 700 passing score. Understanding the format before you sit it means you can pace yourself correctly and avoid being surprised by how different question types work.
AZ-900 uses the below question formats. Complex formats like case studies and drag-and-drop ordering are rare or absent in most AZ-900 sessions. Understanding each format before exam day prevents time lost to confusion.
Four options labelled A, B, C, D. Exactly one is correct. This is the most common question type in AZ-900 and accounts for the majority of questions in most sessions. Questions typically ask you to identify the correct Azure service, feature, or concept for a given scenario or definition.
The question specifies how many answers to select (e.g. “Select two”). Each correct selection earns one point independently.
Each statement is scored independently. This format often tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model, service capabilities, or governance rule scope.
| Statement | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Availability zones are unique physical locations within an Azure region. | ||
| Every Azure region contains at least five availability zones. | ||
| Availability zones protect against datacenter-level failures. |
A sentence or paragraph contains one or more blanks. Each blank has a dropdown with 3–5 options. You select the correct value for each blank independently. This format is common in AZ-900 for testing service definitions and feature capabilities.
is used to enforce organisational standards and assess compliance at scale, while prevent accidental deletion or modification of Azure resources.
A list of items appears on the left side of the screen. An "Answer Area" with empty target boxes appears on the right. You drag each item from the left and drop it into the correct box on the right. Items may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
Everything candidates commonly ask — from exam cost and format to difficulty, study time, and how AZ-900 fits into the broader Azure certification path.
Cost, duration, passing score, retake policy, and what the exam looks like.
The AZ-900, officially called the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, tests foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and core Azure services. Passing it earns the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals credential — an entry-level certification that validates cloud literacy rather than hands-on administration skills.
The AZ-900 exam costs $99 USD per attempt. The price varies by country and region. In India it is approximately ₹3,691 INR plus taxes. Each retake requires a separate payment at the same price. Check your region’s exact fee on the Microsoft certification page before registering.
The minimum passing score for AZ-900 is 700 out of 1000. Microsoft uses a scaled scoring model — a score of 700 does not mean 70% of questions answered correctly. You will see your result immediately on screen after completing the exam.
The AZ-900 exam has a duration of 45 minutes. This is the active exam time — the timer starts when you click “Start Exam” and cannot be paused. With 32–36 questions in 45 minutes, aim for roughly 65–75 seconds per question.
The AZ-900 exam typically contains 32 to 36 questions. The exact count varies per session. Most questions are single-answer multiple choice. Drag-and-drop and case study questions are rare or absent in most AZ-900 sessions.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you must wait 24 hours before retaking. From the second retake onwards, a 14-day waiting period applies between each attempt. Microsoft allows a maximum of 5 attempts per exam within a 12-month period from the date of your first attempt. Each retake requires paying the full exam fee. You cannot retake an exam you have already passed.
The AZ-900 certification does not expire. Unlike role-based and specialty Azure certifications, Azure Fundamentals is a foundational certification that Microsoft considers valid for life.
AZ-900 covers three domains: Describe Cloud Concepts (25–30%), Describe Azure Architecture and Services (35–40%), and Describe Azure Management and Governance (30–35%). The Azure Architecture and Services domain is the largest and most heavily tested.
No. AZ-900 tests conceptual and foundational knowledge — not hands-on configuration or troubleshooting skills. You do not need practical Azure experience. However, exploring the Azure portal and services using a free trial account during your study period significantly helps concepts stick.
AZ-900 is an entry-level exam and is considered one of the more accessible Microsoft certifications. Questions test service descriptions, cloud concepts, and governance principles — not real-world troubleshooting or configuration. Most candidates with 1–2 weeks of focused study pass on their first attempt.
Most candidates prepare in 1 to 3 weeks, studying 1–2 hours per day. Candidates already familiar with IT concepts may be ready in under a week. Candidates completely new to IT or cloud may need 3–4 weeks. Microsoft Learn’s free AZ-900 learning paths cover the full exam syllabus.
No. AZ-900 is not a required prerequisite for AZ-104 or any other Microsoft certification. Microsoft does not enforce any prerequisite for AZ-104 — you can register and sit it without holding AZ-900. AZ-900 is recommended only if you are new to cloud computing.
AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) is an entry-level exam testing conceptual cloud and Azure knowledge — no hands-on experience required. AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) is an Associate-level exam testing real administrative skills through scenario-based questions requiring practical Azure experience. AZ-104 is significantly more difficult and technical. AZ-900 is a useful foundation, but experienced Azure professionals can go straight to AZ-104, AI-200, or SC-500 depending on their career direction.
Yes. AZ-900 can be taken via online remote proctoring through Pearson VUE OnVUE, or in person at a Pearson VUE test centre. The online option requires a webcam, microphone, and a private room. Run Pearson VUE’s system compatibility test beforehand to confirm your device qualifies.
Yes — particularly for non-technical professionals and those new to cloud. Azure adoption continues to grow across organizations of every size, and AZ-900 is increasingly listed as a preferred credential for cloud-adjacent roles. For experienced IT professionals, it is a quick credential to add rather than a major career milestone — its primary value is as a launchpad toward Associate-level certifications.
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