AZ-900 · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Study cloud concepts, Azure architecture and core services, and Azure management and governance through focused lessons mapped directly to the AZ-900 skills-measured outline.
- Questions
- 40-60
- Time limit
- 85 minutes
- Passing score
- 700
- Cost
- $99 USD
- Format
- Multiple choice
- Delivery
- In-person at a test center or online proctored via Pearson VUE or Certiport
- Prep time
- ~25 hours
Exam overview
The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam is designed for technology professionals aiming to validate their foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and Microsoft Azure services. As an entry-level certification, it serves as the perfect launchpad for individuals looking to build a career in cloud architecture, administration, or development, requiring no prior deep technical expertise in cloud platforms. This comprehensive syllabus breaks down the three core skill areas assessed on the exam: general cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance. Whether you have a background in software development, database administration, or infrastructure management, understanding these broad objectives is crucial for foundational success. To help you prepare efficiently, Only Ever maps every domain to 15-minute study topics, allowing you to absorb complex cloud paradigms in manageable, bite-sized sessions. By following this structured outline, you can optimize your preparation timeline, eliminate guesswork, and walk into your test center or online proctored environment with total confidence.
Exam domains & weighting
Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.
How to study this domain
Focus on grasping the high-level benefits of cloud computing, such as scalability, elasticity, and high availability. Be able to contrast IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, as well as clearly differentiate between public, private, and hybrid cloud models.
Key objectives
- Cloud Computing and Shared Responsibility Model
- Cloud Deployment Models and Use Cases
- Cloud Pricing and Consumption Models
- Benefits of Cloud Services: Availability and Scalability
- Benefits of Cloud Services: Security and Manageability
- Cloud Service Types: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
Readiness self-check
Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.
Quick reference
Essential Azure Acronyms
Common acronyms and abbreviations frequently tested on the AZ-900 exam.
- IaaS
- Infrastructure as a ServiceCloud model offering basic computing, network, and storage.
- PaaS
- Platform as a ServiceCloud model providing an environment for building, testing, and deploying apps.
- SaaS
- Software as a ServiceCloud model delivering centrally hosted applications to end users.
- MFA
- Multifactor AuthenticationSecurity requirement that needs multiple forms of verification.
- SSO
- Single Sign-OnAuthentication method allowing one set of credentials to access multiple apps.
- RBAC
- Role-Based Access ControlSystem for restricting access based on a user's role within an organization.
- ARM
- Azure Resource ManagerThe deployment and management service for Azure.
- CLI
- Command-Line InterfaceA text-based administrative interface for managing Azure resources.
- IaC
- Infrastructure as CodeManaging and provisioning infrastructure through machine-readable definition files.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
- Most exam questions cover features that are in General Availability (GA). However, commonly used Preview features may also be tested.
- Microsoft updates the English language version of their exams first. Localized versions (other languages) are typically updated about eight weeks later.
- If the exam isn't available in your preferred language, you may be eligible to request an additional 30 minutes of testing time.
Reading isn’t remembering.
The AZ-900 spans cloud concepts, dozens of Azure services, identity and security, and cost and governance tooling, which makes it easy to memorize Azure product names without understanding what each one does or when to use it.
Only Ever turns the official AZ-900 skills-measured outline into focused 15-minute study sessions so you build a durable mental model of Microsoft Azure across concepts, architecture, security, and governance without drifting off-spec.