About the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Exam

Quick Answer: The AZ-900 exam has 40-60 questions, a 45-minute time limit, and requires 700/1000 to pass. It covers Cloud Concepts (25-30%), Azure Architecture and Services (35-40%), and Azure Management and Governance (30-35%). The exam costs $99 USD with no prerequisites.

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification validates your foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, Azure management and governance features, and Azure pricing and support. It is the entry-level certification in Microsoft's Azure certification path and serves as a stepping stone toward role-based certifications like Azure Administrator (AZ-104) and Azure Developer (AZ-204).

As of January 14, 2026, Microsoft updated the AZ-900 exam with refreshed content covering the latest Azure services and features. Microsoft has also rebranded this exam as Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure, though it retains the AZ-900 designation.

Exam Format at a Glance

Domain Breakdown

On the Exam: Azure Architecture and Services (35-40%) is the heaviest domain. Combined with Azure Management and Governance (30-35%), they make up roughly 65-75% of the exam. Focus your study time accordingly.

Question Types Explained

Multiple-Choice (Single Select)

You are presented with a question and four answer options (A, B, C, D). One answer is correct. These make up the majority of questions on the AZ-900.

Multiple-Answer (Multi-Select)

You are given a question with five or more options and asked to select two or three correct answers. The question specifies how many to choose (e.g., "Select TWO").

Drag-and-Drop (Ordering/Matching)

You may need to arrange steps in the correct order or match terms to definitions by dragging items to the correct positions.

Yes/No Statement Sets

You are given a scenario followed by 3-5 statements. For each statement, you select Yes or No to indicate whether the statement is correct in the given context.

Tip: On multi-select and Yes/No questions, partial credit is NOT given on the AZ-900. You must get all selections correct to earn the point.

Who Should Take This Exam?

The AZ-900 is ideal for:

• Cloud beginners with no prior Azure experience
• Business professionals (managers, sales, marketing, procurement) who interact with cloud teams
• IT professionals transitioning from on-premises to cloud infrastructure
• Students and career changers entering the technology field
• Non-technical roles who need to understand cloud terminology and Azure capabilities
• Anyone who wants to validate foundational Azure knowledge before pursuing role-based certifications

Prerequisites

Microsoft states there are no formal prerequisites for the AZ-900. However, they recommend:

• A basic understanding of general technology concepts (networking, storage, compute, application development)
• Familiarity with the concepts of cloud computing (even at a high level)
• Experience with the Azure portal is helpful but not required

On the Exam: The AZ-900 does NOT test hands-on configuration skills, CLI commands, or scripting. It tests your understanding of what Azure services do and when to use them.

How to Register

1. Visit Microsoft Learn Certifications
2. Search for AZ-900 or navigate to Azure Fundamentals
3. Click Schedule exam and sign in with your Microsoft account
4. Select Pearson VUE as the exam delivery provider
5. Choose a test center near you or select online proctoring
6. Pick your preferred date and time
7. Pay $99 USD (or equivalent in your currency)

Discounts and Free Vouchers

• Microsoft Virtual Training Days: Attend a free Microsoft Virtual Training Day for Azure Fundamentals and receive a free exam voucher
• Microsoft Imagine Academy: Students at participating institutions may get discounted or free exams
• Employer reimbursement: Many employers reimburse certification costs

What to Expect on Exam Day

At a Pearson VUE test center:

• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Bring two forms of valid identification (one must be government-issued photo ID with matching name)
• All personal items are stored in a locker
• No notes, phones, or smartwatches allowed in the testing room
• A simple on-screen calculator is provided if needed

For online proctoring:

• Government-issued photo ID required
• A quiet, private room with a clear desk
• Webcam and microphone are mandatory (built-in or external)
• Stable internet connection
• No secondary monitors, phones, or reference materials
• A proctor monitors you via webcam throughout the exam

Scoring

The exam uses a scaled scoring model ranging from 100 to 1,000. The passing score is 700. The scaled score does not translate directly to a percentage — Microsoft adjusts the difficulty of each exam version, so different exam forms may have slightly different raw-score-to-scaled-score mappings. As a general guideline, aim for approximately 70% or higher accuracy.

After completing the exam, you receive a pass/fail notification on screen immediately. Your detailed score report (showing performance by domain) is available in your Microsoft Learn profile within minutes. If you fail, Microsoft shows which domains need improvement so you can focus your restudy efforts.

Certification Validity

Unlike many certifications that expire after 2-3 years, the AZ-900 certification does not expire. It is a lifetime fundamentals certification. However, Microsoft may retire the exam and replace it with an updated version — your existing certification remains valid even after the exam is retired.

Next Steps After AZ-900

After passing AZ-900, you can pursue role-based certifications: