The AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification is an entry-level exam that provides a strong foundation in Microsoft Azure, cloud computing concepts, and Azure services. It’s designed for individuals starting their journey into Azure, cloud computing, or tech in general. If you're preparing for this certification, here’s an updated guide based on real experiences to help you pass the exam efficiently—without overstudying.

Overview of the Exam

  • Number of questions: 35
  • Exam duration: 45 minutes
  • Difficulty level: Beginner-friendly, minimal technical depth
  • Passing time: With focused study, you can pass with 8-16 hours of prep.

Even if you're completely new to cloud concepts, this guide will help you prepare in just a few days.

1. Understand the Skills Measured

The first step in preparing for AZ-900 is understanding the skills measured. You can find the official skills outline on Microsoft’s website here. Copy these topics into a notebook or digital document to use as a checklist. Here’s a breakdown of the areas covered:

  • Cloud Concepts: Understanding the basics of cloud computing, types of cloud models (public, private, hybrid), and types of cloud services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
  • Core Azure Services: Familiarize yourself with services such as Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Blob Storage, Azure Functions, and others at a high level.
  • Azure Pricing and Support: How Azure pricing works (pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, etc.), and the available support plans.
  • Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust: Understand concepts such as the shared responsibility model, defense-in-depth strategy, and Azure compliance offerings.

2. Use Microsoft Learn for Focused Study

The Microsoft Learn platform provides free learning paths designed specifically for the AZ-900 exam. It’s a great resource for getting a clear understanding of Azure services and cloud concepts without overwhelming yourself. The learning path for the exam can be found here.

How to use Microsoft Learn effectively:

  • Take Notes: As you go through each module, take notes on key concepts. Focus on understanding what each Azure service does and its practical application.
  • Daily Review: After completing your study for the day, review your notes to reinforce key points. This will help with retention.
  • Note Compression: After a day or two, go back and compress your notes into bite-sized summaries of the most important concepts. This makes it easier to review before the exam.

3. Practice with Microsoft Learn’s Free Tests

After you’ve gone through the learning path, start taking practice tests on Microsoft Learn to gauge your understanding. These tests are designed to mimic the actual exam and help you identify any weak areas. If you score low, review your notes or rewatch videos covering the challenging topics.

Additional Practice Resource:

If you’re looking for a bit more challenge, check out this practice test on YouTube: Free AZ-900 Practice Test. It simulates the real exam and can help you evaluate your readiness.

4. Use Cram Videos for Quick Revision

In the final stretch before your exam, exam cram videos are great for quick, high-level reviews. One of the best options is John Savill’s Azure Fundamentals Exam Prep video, though it’s a bit outdated. A more current alternative is the video linked above, which covers most of the key topics in an easy-to-understand format.

Cram videos:

  • John Savill’s Exam Prep: Excellent but slightly outdated.
  • Adam Marczak’s AZ-900 Playlist: Another great free resource that goes deep into important concepts.
  • Recommended YouTube Cram Video: Covers updated content and terminology, along with a free practice test.

5. Test Yourself with Key Azure Concepts

Understanding Azure services at a high level is critical. To reinforce this, try the following method:

  • Shuffle Key Terms: Make a list of all key Azure services and features from your notes.
  • Self-Explain: Without looking at your notes, explain what each service does in your own words. This will solidify your understanding.

Alternatively, you can use tools like Quizlet to create flashcards for quick review, although this might be overkill for AZ-900.

6. Avoid Overlearning and Misinformation

One of the biggest traps candidates fall into is overlearning. AZ-900 is an introductory exam and sticks closely to Microsoft Learn content, so there’s no need to study third-party sites with outdated or unnecessary information. Stick to the official learning path and official practice exams.

Common Mistakes:

  • Relying too much on third-party practice sites: These often contain outdated questions or concepts that are no longer relevant to the current AZ-900 exam.
  • Studying advanced Azure concepts: AZ-900 doesn’t require deep technical knowledge. Stick to a high-level understanding of cloud concepts and Azure services.

7. Final Review Before the Exam

The night before the exam, do a final review of your compressed notes. Watch a quick exam cram video if you feel like you need an additional refresher. If you’ve consistently performed well on practice tests, there’s no need to worry—don’t overdo it right before the exam.

Key Takeaways

  • Focus on Microsoft Learn: Use the official learning paths and avoid studying unnecessary material.
  • Take Notes and Compress: Writing down and condensing notes helps with retention.
  • Use Practice Tests: The free tests on Microsoft Learn, along with the recommended YouTube practice test, should be enough.
  • Keep It Simple: AZ-900 is not overly technical. Focus on understanding Azure services at a high level and cloud computing fundamentals.

Conclusion

The AZ-900 exam is a great starting point for your journey into cloud computing, and with the right preparation, passing the exam is achievable with just a few days of focused study. By following this guide—leveraging Microsoft Learn, practicing with tests, and avoiding unnecessary materials—you'll be well-prepared for the exam. Keep your focus narrow, review efficiently, and good luck!