About the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Exam

Quick Answer: The AZ-900 exam has 40-60 questions, a 45-minute answering window (about 65 minutes of total seat time), and requires 700/1000 to pass. It covers Describe Cloud Concepts (25-30%), Describe Azure Architecture and Services (35-40%), and Describe Azure Management and Governance (30-35%). The exam costs $99 USD with no prerequisites and never expires.

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification validates foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, Azure management and governance features, and Azure pricing and support. It is the entry point of Microsoft's Azure certification path and a stepping stone toward role-based credentials such as Azure Administrator (AZ-104), Azure Developer (AZ-204), and Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).

On January 14, 2026 Microsoft refreshed the exam objectives, expanding coverage of Azure AI services, Microsoft Copilot, and Responsible AI principles across all three domains. The exam code is still AZ-900 and the credential you earn is still Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals — only the study-guide objectives and a slice of AI topics changed. Study material published before January 2026 omits the new AI content.

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 followed by four options (A-D) with exactly one correct answer. These dominate the AZ-900. Microsoft writes plausible distractors that are real Azure services used in the wrong context, so read the requirement keyword carefully.

Multiple-Answer (Multi-Select)

Five or more options where you must select TWO or THREE correct answers; the stem states the number. No partial credit — selecting two of three correct answers scores zero on that 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. The scenario often repeats across consecutive screens with one statement changed — re-read each version because you cannot navigate back after confirming.

Scoring and Results

The exam uses scaled scoring from 1 to 1,000 with a fixed pass mark of 700. Because items are weighted, 700 does not equal 70% raw-correct — harder forms map raw scores differently. You receive a pass/fail result on screen immediately, and a domain-level score report appears in your Microsoft Learn profile within minutes so you know which domains to restudy if you fail.

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: The AZ-900 does NOT test hands-on configuration, CLI commands, or scripting. It tests what each service does and when to use it. A candidate who memorizes service purposes and the shared responsibility model usually passes without ever touching the portal — though a free account makes the concepts stick faster.

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 recommends a basic grasp of general technology concepts (networking, storage, compute) and the high-level idea of cloud computing. Hands-on portal time is helpful but optional.

What to Expect on Exam Day

At a Pearson VUE test center: arrive 15 minutes early, bring two valid IDs (one government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration), store all personal items in a locker, and leave phones and smartwatches outside the testing room. An on-screen calculator is available.

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 role-based Azure certifications that expire and require annual renewal, the AZ-900 does not expire — it is a lifetime fundamentals credential. Microsoft may retire and replace the exam, but a credential you already hold stays valid. After passing, common next steps are: