About the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Exam

Quick Answer: AZ-900 allows 45 minutes for exam questions within a roughly 65-minute appointment. Microsoft doesn't publish the AZ-900 question count (most Microsoft exams have 40–60 questions), and the passing score is 700 on a scaled 1–1,000 scale. The current July 20, 2026 skills outline weights Cloud Concepts 25–30%, Azure Architecture and Services 35–40%, and Azure Management and Governance 30–35%. The U.S. exam price is $99, subject to local pricing; there are no prerequisites, and the fundamentals credential does not require renewal.

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification validates foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, and Azure management and governance features, including cost management. Microsoft calls it a common starting point in a journey towards a career in Azure, and it is a stepping stone toward role-based credentials such as Azure Administrator (AZ-104) and Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305). Check current Microsoft Learn listings before choosing a later credential.

Microsoft’s official study guide lists skills measured as of July 20, 2026. Its three domains cover cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and management and governance. Use that dated skills outline when deciding what to study: it does not list a new AI, Copilot, or Responsible AI domain. Related technologies may appear as context, but this guide does not treat them as added AZ-900 objectives.

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%) it makes up roughly 65-75% of scored content, so weight your study time toward services, governance, and cost management rather than abstract cloud theory.

Question Types Explained

Single-Select Multiple-Choice

A stem asks for one best answer from the displayed options. The number of options can vary. Microsoft writes plausible distractors that are real Azure services used in the wrong context, so read the requirement keyword carefully.

Multiple-Answer (Multi-Select)

Some items require more than one selection; read the requested number carefully. Microsoft says most multi-part questions award credit for each correctly answered component, although scoring varies by item. Do not assume either all-or-nothing or partial credit for every item.

Drag-and-Drop (Ordering and Matching)

You place items into ordered slots or match terms to definitions, for example matching IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS to who manages the operating system.

Yes/No Statement Sets

A scenario followed by 3-5 statements; you mark each Yes or No. Read each statement and on-screen navigation instruction carefully; some item sets restrict returning to earlier parts.

Scoring and Results

The exam reports a scaled score from 1 to 1,000 and requires 700 to pass. This is not a requirement to answer exactly 70% of items correctly. Follow the exam provider’s results and score-report instructions; delivery timing can vary. The report’s skill-area feedback helps target later review.

Registration and Vouchers

1. Sign in at Microsoft Learn with your Microsoft account and open the AZ-900 certification page.
2. Click Schedule exam, which hands off to Pearson VUE.
3. Choose a test center or online proctoring, pick a date and time, and pay $99 USD.

On the Exam: AZ-900 emphasizes the purpose of Azure services and tools, including the purpose of Azure CLI and Cloud Shell; it does not require performing a hands-on deployment during the exam. Use service-purpose comparisons and the shared responsibility model to answer scenario questions; optional portal practice can make the concepts more concrete.

Who Should Take the AZ-900

The exam is deliberately accessible and serves several audiences:

• Cloud beginners with zero Azure experience who want a credential to anchor a learning path.
• Business professionals in sales, procurement, finance, and management who must speak the language of cloud teams and read Azure invoices.
• On-premises IT staff transitioning to cloud infrastructure who need the vocabulary before role-based study.
• Students and career changers building a resume signal in the technology field.
• Decision makers evaluating whether to migrate workloads to Azure.

Microsoft lists no formal prerequisites, but its audience profile says candidates should have skills and experience in an area of IT, such as infrastructure management, database management, or software development. Hands-on portal time is helpful but optional.

What to Expect on Exam Day

At a Pearson VUE test center: check the current appointment and ID requirements in your confirmation, arrive by the specified check-in time, and follow the center’s rules for personal items. Do not assume a particular calculator or ID combination without checking the provider’s current policy.

For online proctoring (OnVUE): you need a government photo ID, a quiet private room with a clear desk, a working webcam and microphone, and a stable internet connection. Run the system test before exam day. A proctor watches throughout; secondary monitors, phones, paper, and other people are prohibited, and the room scan must be clean before the timer starts.

Certification Validity and Next Steps

Unlike renewable role-based certifications, Azure Fundamentals does not require annual renewal. Microsoft may retire a credential or alter how retired credentials are displayed, so “never expires” should not be read as a promise that the program or badge remains active forever. After passing, common next steps are: