Azure AZ-900 certification, Microsoft's cloud computing service, continues to gain ground in the market. In fact, it’s one of the few tools capable of threatening the hegemony of AWS in this area.

AZ-900 is the first Azure certification, which ensures that you have the basic knowledge of cloud computing and the platform to get the most out of it.

If you’re a computer professional and want to validate your cloud computing skills, this certification will work well for you. 

And if you want to know what this exam consists of, how much time you need to prepare for it, and what kind of questions you will face, this article is for you. Here we will tell you everything you need to know for the preparation of the exam and you’ll multiply your chances of passing it.

What does the AZ-900 exam consist of?

• This exam by itself lasts 45 minutes, 65 minutes in total taking into account the seat time.

• The exam consists of 40-60 questions in total. 

• To pass, you have to obtain 700 points out of the 1000 points available on the exam. In other words, you must pass 70% of the exam.

As for the skills evaluated, the scoring works as follows:

The exam is not only available in English. If you prefer to take it in another language, these are the options available:

• Chinese (simplified).

• Chinese (traditional).

• Japanese.

• Korean.

• Spanish.

• German.

• French.

• Indonesian.

• Arabic (Saudi).

• Portuguese.

• Italian.

Please note that Microsoft will always prioritize the exam in English. Therefore, if Microsoft updates the exam questions, you will have to wait about 8 weeks for any of the other language versions.

On the other hand, the safest bet will always be to submit the exam in English to avoid translation problems -especially if we’re talking about technical IT and cloud computing concepts that could generate confusion-.

How much does it cost to take the AZ-900 exam?

$99. Keep in mind that if you get 70%, you will not have to take the exam again or renew your certification. So it can be considered a good investment, as long as you have the necessary preparation to pass on the first try. 

However, Microsoft Azure has many other certificates, but the price varies depending on each test.

Who is the AZ-900 for?

This exam is designed for candidates in their first steps into the world of cloud computing as well as its services. It’s also for professionals who are new to Azure.

This certification is perfect for demonstrating your basic knowledge in both cloud computing and Microsoft Azure.

You can take this exam from scratch, but ideally, you should already have skills and experience in IT, Data Science, and Software Development.

How long does the Azure certification take?

Forever.

Unlike other Microsoft certifications, AZ-900 has no expiration date. You will not have to renew it on an annual basis like most of their certifications. 

However, you can retake the exam in case you passed it and want to improve your score.

What if I don't pass?

Results are delivered 46 to 48 hours after you have submitted the exam. If you did not pass, you can always reschedule your exam and start the process from scratch again.

However, this means that you will have to pay another $99, and so on until you get the 700 points needed to pass the exam.

However, Microsoft offers some alternatives to take the exam for free.

How to do it for free?

Very simple:

• Sign up for Azure Virtual Training Days training (they are free).

If you complete the training program, the Microsoft Certification Center will assign an exam to your email completely free of charge. With the voucher you will receive, you will have a free pass to take the exam of the training you chose -in this case, Azure-.

Please note that this voucher cannot be used for other training exams, only the AZ-900.

How to prepare for the AZ-900?

Let's take a look at some of the best Microsoft resources to prepare you for the exam and polish your knowledge and skills:

1. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.

You can find this course on Microsoft Learn. This is the learning platform offered by Microsoft, and here you will find a wide variety of free resources to prepare for your exam.

Their Microsoft Azure Fundamentals course will be a great help to get you started. The course is structured as follows:

• Introduction to Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.

• Introduction to cloud computing.

• What is cloud computing.

• Description of the shared responsibility model.

• Definition of cloud models.

• Description of the consumption-based model.

• Knowledge check.

• Summary.

In total, the course has 50 minutes of video and you can finish it in about 4-6 hours.

2. Microsoft Learn

Right on the platform where you will find the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals course, you will find other courses related to both Azure and cloud computing and Information Technology in general.

Here we recommend you get all the juice you can out of Microsoft's materials and spend as much time as you need.

But how much exactly?

Let's take a look below: 

How long do I need to study to get the certification?

That will depend on several factors, such as your prior knowledge, your cloud computing experience, and your knowledge of tools like Microsoft Azure.

If you are taking your first steps in cloud computing: 1 month or so.

This will be enough time to thoroughly research, solidify your knowledge and put it into practice within Microsoft Azure. 

The exam is easier than most would assume. However, we recommend you prepare as well as possible to improve your chances of success.

This test seeks to validate your basic knowledge, as well as your good command of Azure. Therefore, while the test may be comprehensive, its questions will not be that difficult, but they can become challenging without the right preparation.

Advantages of AZ-900 Certification

Hesitant about taking this exam? Then let's take a look at the benefits that the exam and its certificate can offer you.

1. Azure and cloud computing knowledge

Azure is a versatile and quite comprehensive tool, but it can also be complex and challenging without good preparation.

The exam will not only give you a lifetime certificate, but it will also help you lay the foundation you need to exploit the full potential of the platform. It will also help you dabble in other cloud computing tools, such as AWS and Google Cloud, among others.

It’s also a first step towards becoming a high-octane cloud developer, administrator, or architect. 

2. Exclusive access to Azure material

The AZ-900 certificate is focused on basic cloud computing skills, so it won't automatically multiply your job opportunities. However, it WILL give you access to more advanced certificates, materials, and resources.

In other words, this exam will be the first step towards advanced and exclusive material that will help you boost your professional profile.

3. A Power Up to your profile

Professionals specialized in Azure are very, very much in demand in today's job market. And as this is the first step to certifying your knowledge within the platform, it’s also the first step towards better job opportunities.

To give you an idea, according to Glassdoor, an Azure specialist can earn on average around $104k per year. And according to ZipRecruiter, this role can average around $116k annually.

Tips and tricks to pass the exam

Before we finish, we'll give you some tips that will help you pass your exam. But they will also help you continue to grow as a cloud computing specialist. 

1. Take advantage of Microsoft resources

And we must emphasize, Microsoft already has a wide range of resources to prepare for your exam. Therefore, the best way to start polishing your skills is to take advantage of Microsoft's resources.

We suggest you start with Microsoft Learn, specifically Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. However, these are not the only Microsoft resources you can take advantage of.

And we certainly recommend you explore Azure and its wide variety of options. It will be very helpful to prepare for your exam directly on the platform and put everything you learn into practice.

You can also explore what does not appear in the lessons. For example functions, combinations, or advanced functionalities. You can also check the platform's help resources.

2. Explore other training, materials, and resources

Although Azure has a lot of material, it’s best to complement your resources with other materials. To do so, you can take a look at our tools section.

To make it simple, the better your cloud computing knowledge, the more likely you are to pass. Not to mention that Microsoft resources will be much easier to understand.

And if you plan to continue training as an Azure and cloud specialist, check out our boot camps and specialized training. 

But be warned: you'll learn a lot more than just the basics of cloud computing.

3. Join IT communities

The best way to get direct help, besides training, is to find the right communities.

As one of the most in-demand tools on the market today, Azure has a huge community with specialists of all kinds, not just in cloud computing. And in the technology world, active communities are a real gold mine.

They will not only help you solve questions, they will also help you build and expand your network of contacts. And they may even lead to career opportunities.

Related certifications according to each profile

The AZ-900 is just the first of many certifications you can earn as an Azure specialist and cloud computing professional.

If you want to go beyond this certification and become a full-fledged Azure expert, you can opt for the following certifications according to the area of specialization you choose.

If you are a student:

• Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900).

• Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900).

• Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900).

If you are or are looking to become an administrator:

• AZ-900.

For Specialty certification:

• Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty (AZ-120).

• Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140).

If you have a Business User profile:

• Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900).

If you are a developer:

For Fundamentals certification:

• Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900).

• Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900).

For Specialty certification:

• Azure IoT Developer Specialty (AZ-220).

• Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420).

For Technology Manager

For Fundamentals:

• Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900).

For Associate certification:

• Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (AZ-800, A801).

Ready to go for your AZ-900 certification?

AZ-900 is the first step to becoming a heavyweight in Azure and cloud computing. 

This certification will help you lay the foundation you need to dive into the world of cloud computing. It will also familiarize you with all kinds of cloud-related development and architecture tools.

And if you want to go further, you can opt for the more advanced Azure certificates. But don't forget that you can also complement Microsoft certifications with additional training. 

Don't forget to share any insights about the course or ask us questions, feel free to leave us your comment. Also, you can share it in your networks for your friends and colleagues interested in specializing in cloud computing.