The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam is the most popular entry-level cloud certification in the world. According to Microsoft's 2025 certification report, it's the most taken Azure exam with hundreds of thousands of candidates each year. Here's everything you need to know to pass it in 2026.
What Is the AZ-900 Exam?
The AZ-900 validates your foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and Azure services. According to the official Microsoft exam page, it covers:
- Cloud concepts (25-30%) — Benefits of cloud, service types (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), cloud models
- Azure architecture and services (35-40%) — Core Azure resources, compute, networking, storage
- Azure management and governance (30-35%) — Cost management, governance tools, monitoring
AZ-900 Exam Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Exam code | AZ-900 |
| Number of questions | 40-60 |
| Time limit | 85 minutes |
| Passing score | 700 / 1000 |
| Exam cost | $99 USD |
| Certification earned | Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals |
| Prerequisites | None |
5-Step Study Plan
Step 1: Start with Microsoft Learn (Free)
Microsoft provides a comprehensive, free AZ-900 learning path on Microsoft Learn. This covers all exam objectives and includes hands-on labs. According to Microsoft, candidates who complete the official learning path have a significantly higher pass rate.
Step 2: Practice with Real Exam Questions
After studying the theory, practice with real exam-style questions. Our AZ-900 exam dumps contain hundreds of practice questions sourced from recent exams, each with expert-verified answers and detailed explanations.
Step 3: Hands-On Labs
Create a free Azure account and experiment with the core services. Microsoft offers $200 in free credits for new accounts — more than enough to explore the services covered on the exam.
Step 4: Review Weak Areas
After your first practice exam attempt, identify your weakest domains and focus your remaining study time there. The AZ-900 covers three domains with different weights — prioritize the highest-weighted areas first.
Step 5: Take the Exam
Schedule your exam through Pearson VUE. You can take it at a testing center or from home with online proctoring. Industry data suggests that most well-prepared candidates pass on their first attempt.
How Long to Study for AZ-900?
Most candidates need 2-4 weeks of focused study to pass the AZ-900. If you already have IT experience or cloud exposure, you might need even less time. A survey of certification forums shows the median study time is approximately 20-30 hours total.
AZ-900 vs Other Entry-Level Cloud Certifications
| Certification | Vendor | Difficulty | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AZ-900 | Microsoft | Beginner | $99 |
| CLF-C02 | AWS | Beginner | $100 |
| Cloud Digital Leader | Beginner | $99 |
All three are excellent choices. The AZ-900 is the most popular choice for organizations that use Microsoft 365 and Azure, which represents the largest enterprise cloud market share according to Gartner.
Key Takeaways
- The AZ-900 is the best starting point for a cloud certification journey
- Study 2-4 weeks using Microsoft Learn + practice questions
- The passing score is 700/1000 — you don't need to get everything right
- Certified Azure professionals earn 15-25% more than non-certified peers
- The certification never expires