How to pass Microsoft Azure AZ-900

If you do not have experience with Azure and you would like to learn more about the Azure cloud concept, the best way would be to start with Microsoft Fundamentals, known as AZ-900. AZ-900 exam is an opportunity to prove knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, Azure pricing, SLA, and lifecycle, and the fundamentals of cloud security, privacy, compliance, and trust.

I got a few questions about prepping for Microsoft Azure AZ-900. Here is my personal overview, for which I can confirm it worked for many other IT Pros that are already experienced or not experienced with on-premise infrastructure.

AZ-900 has four modules:

• Describe cloud concepts (15-20%)
• Describe core Azure services (30-35%)
• Describe security, privacy, compliance, and trust (25-30%)
• Describe Azure pricing Service Level Agreements, and Lifecycles (20-25%)

An exam skill outline can be downloaded on this link. The costs for the exam are 99 € / USD + VAT and it can be taken online or in the certified testing center.

How to prepare for AZ-900?

There are a bunch of different sources that can help you to learn and prepare for AZ-900. I'll list a few of them that I think are very useful and that can help you on the Azure journey. 

The first and most important is to create an Azure account. You will get 12 months of popular free services, 200 USD credits to explore Azure of 30 days, and 25 services that are always free. You can register on this link. If you don't know the procedure, you will learn it once you start with your training.

Here is the list of sources I would recommend to anyone interested to learn more about Azure. I would recommend combining at least two sources.

• Microsoft Learn - free material that covers all modules, it includes 2-3 hands-on labs
• K21Academy - 6 hours training, live interaction with MCT, 1-year access to training material (video, docs), 24/7 support
• CloudSkills.io - it provides great podcasts about Azure, but also Azure training. I recommend subscribing to the YouTube channel.

What about the exam?

According to Microsoft, AZ-900 has 40-60 questions and you have 60 minutes. When I did AZ-900, I only got 32 questions and 60 minutes. If you go through the sources I mentioned above, you will be able to finish and pass the exam within 30 minutes. The passing score is 700/1000.

There are different types of questions, single answer, multiple answers, drag and drop, and performance questions. For some questions, you cannot go back or you cannot review them at the end of the exam.

How to take an exam?

The first step would be to schedule and pay the exam via Pearson VUE. Navigate to this website and click Schedule with Pearson VUE >. You will be redirected to the exam registration page where you need to fill in personal details, choose the date and time when you would like to take an exam, chose if you want to take an online exam or from the testing center, choose a language (English or Japanese).

There are some rules you need to follow while doing an online exam:

• Install the Pearson VUE app that will be used to access the exam
• Close all apps and documents. If you don't do that, you will not be able to start the exam.
• Your registration will be done by using your machine and smartphone. You will need to take photos of yourself, driver's license or passport, and workspace verification.
• Clean your workspace (no pens, papers, food, snacks, water, etc..)

Breaking any of these rules will result in exam being terminated:

• No one is permitted in your work area for any reason
• You must not leave your workspace for any reason
• You must not speak or cover your mouth
• You must not record or photograph any part of your test
• Mobile devices must remain our of arm's reach unless Pearson VUE contact you

...and don't stop with AZ-900. Continue your journey.

Any doubts? Please feel free to ping me.