AZ-900 Study Guide 2026: Azure Fundamentals Exam Preparation
A current AZ-900 study guide aligned to Microsoft’s July 2026 skills update and the three official exam areas.
What changed for AZ-900 on 20 July 2026?
Microsoft's revised skills measured for Exam AZ-900 take effect on 20 July 2026. The three top-level areas and their weight ranges remain:
- Describe cloud concepts: 25–30%;
- Describe Azure architecture and services: 35–40%; and
- Describe Azure management and governance: 30–35%.
Microsoft's change log identifies minor updates within Azure compute and networking, resource management and deployment, and monitoring tools. Candidates searching for an AZ-900 study guide in 2026 should therefore use the current Microsoft Learn outline rather than a saved checklist from an older course.
Microsoft lists 45 minutes for the assessment and requires a score of 700 or greater. The number and type of questions shown during an exam can vary, so use the official exam page for the current delivery details.
What does AZ-900 test?
AZ-900 validates foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and Microsoft Azure. It is not an administrator configuration exam. You should be able to explain a service or governance feature, recognize its purpose, and choose it in a straightforward scenario.
Cloud concepts
Study public, private, and hybrid cloud; shared responsibility; consumption-based pricing; serverless computing; high availability; scalability; reliability; predictability; security; governance; and IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
Azure architecture and services
Cover regions, availability zones, datacenters, resources, resource groups, subscriptions, and management groups. Compare compute, networking, storage, identity, access, and security services at a foundational level.
Azure management and governance
Learn cost factors, the pricing calculator, tags, Azure Policy, resource locks, the Azure portal, Cloud Shell, Azure Arc, infrastructure as code, ARM templates, Azure Advisor, Service Health, and Azure Monitor.
A three-week AZ-900 preparation plan
Week 1: cloud foundations and architecture
Complete the official Microsoft Learn modules for cloud concepts. Draw the hierarchy from management groups to subscriptions, resource groups, and resources. Explain availability regions and zones without notes.
Week 2: services, security, and governance
Compare hosting, storage, networking, and identity choices. Use the Azure portal or official sandbox where available to recognize navigation and terminology. Avoid creating paid resources unless you understand billing and cleanup.
Week 3: practice and correction
Take Microsoft's free Practice Assessment, then use a separate timed mock to evaluate recall and pacing. Record every weak objective and return to the relevant Microsoft Learn module. Finish with mixed questions rather than repeatedly drilling one section.
How to compare similar Azure concepts
Create short comparison tables for:
- availability sets versus availability zones;
- regions versus region pairs;
- resource groups versus subscriptions and management groups;
- Azure Policy versus resource locks;
- Entra ID authentication versus Azure role-based access control;
- Azure Advisor, Service Health, and Azure Monitor; and
- IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS responsibilities.
For each pair, include purpose, scope, and one realistic use case. This is more durable than memorising a definition in isolation.
AZ-900 practice exam strategy
Use short practice sets after each learning module to check understanding. Use a full timed mock only when all three exam areas have been studied.
During review, label each error as terminology, service selection, hierarchy/scope, governance, or reading. For every uncertain correct answer, state why the alternatives do not meet the requirement. A high score based on familiar wording is weaker evidence than a slightly lower score with explainable decisions.
What can AZ-900 lead to?
Azure Fundamentals can support conversations in cloud support, sales, project delivery, administration, development, data, and governance. It can also help a learner choose a more specialized Microsoft path. The credential does not guarantee employment or replace hands-on experience.
Try the CertGuru AZ-900 mock exam after reviewing the updated outline. If you need a structured calendar, adapt the 30-day certification study plan and use the results-review guide after each full attempt.
CertGuru is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.
Authoritative references
- Microsoft Learn AZ-900 study guide
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
- Microsoft certification practice assessments
Microsoft updates certification exams periodically. Check the official study guide before final review and scheduling.