How to Pass in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ 900?
Cloud computing has been redefining business processes to the next level. Almost all industries are witnessing digital transformation, and cloud computing is at the center of it. Cloud computing provides essential IT infrastructure for businesses to expand and maintain flexibility, thereby increasing profit.
This is just the beginning when we see overall cloud computing penetration globally. This is why the cloud computing market is projected to be valued at 1.7 trillion USD by the end of this decade from the current 480 billion USD; that means almost four times growth in 8 years. This shows how much room cloud computing has for growth.
Microsoft Azure is one of the biggest and fast-growing cloud service providers in the world. Microsoft Azure has been rapidly transforming businesses with cloud computing technology for over a decade and provides many job opportunities for IT and Non-IT professionals across the globe. As the cloud market grows, the demand for cloud service professionals will increase.
So, if you are the one looking forward to making the most out of the growth in cloud computing, this is the right time to start a career with Microsoft Azure. Microsoft Azure offers certification exams to maintain the quality of professionals providing Azure cloud services.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ 900 is the entry point certification for all aspirants who wish to make a career in cloud computing. So, your first goal should be clearing the Microsoft Azure fundamentals exam.
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Before taking this exam, ensure that you have at least 6 months to 1 year of working experience with Microsoft Azure. So, if you are a fresher, your priority should be finding a Microsoft Azure internship to get hands-on experience and become familiar with basic functions.
If you have 6 months to 1 year of work experience, then keep reading because this post is for you. We will discuss Microsoft Azure fundamentals AZ 900 exams, topics covered in the exams, an overview of the exam, preparation strategy, and tips to pass the exam.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ 900 Exam OverviewHere's the exam format,
- There will be 50 multiple-choice questions in the exam
- You will be allotted 60 minutes to clear all the questions.
- The exam fee for taking this exam is 99 USD.
- You will have to secure a minimum of 70% to clear the exam.
- The exam fee for this exam is 99 USD.
As you are now aware of the exam format, we will have a detailed discussion on the topics covered in the exam.
Topics Covered in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ 900
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is a basic-level exam. So you are not required to have any specific expertise. This certification is useful to everyone who is looking for tech or non-tech roles like finance, marketing, and purchasing manager in Microsoft Azure. And it is reflected in the exam syllabus.
Let's explore the syllabus of Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ 900 with the weightage given to each section of concepts.
Describe Cloud Concepts (20-25%)
- Define cloud computing Exam AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Describe the shared responsibility model
- Define cloud models, including public, private, and hybrid
- Identify appropriate use cases for each cloud model
- Describe the consumption-based model
- Compare cloud pricing models
Describe the benefits of using cloud services
- Describe the benefits of high availability and scalability in the cloud
- Describe the benefits of reliability and predictability in the cloud
- Describe the benefits of security and governance in the cloud
- Describe the benefits of manageability in the cloud
- Describe cloud service types
- Describe infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
- Describe platform as a service (PaaS)
- Describe software as a service (SaaS)
- Identify appropriate use cases for each cloud service (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
Azure architecture and services (35–40%)
Describe the core architectural components of Azure
- Describe Azure regional, regional pairs, and sovereign regions
- Describe availability zones
- Describe Azure datacenters
- Describe Azure resources and resource groups
- Describe subscriptions
- Describe management groups
- Describe the hierarchy of resource groups, subscriptions, and management groups
Describe Azure compute and networking services
- Compare compute types, including container instances, virtual machines (VMs), and functions.
- Describe VM options, including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets, availability sets, and Azure Virtual Desktop
- Describe resources required for virtual machines
- Describe application hosting options, including the Web Apps feature of Azure App Service, containers, and virtual machines
- Describe virtual networking, including the purpose of Azure Virtual Networks, Azure virtual subnets, peering, Azure DNS, Azure VPN Gateway, and Azure ExpressRoute
- Define public and private endpoints
Describe Azure storage services
- Compare Azure storage services Exam AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals 4
- Describe storage tiers
- Describe redundancy options
- Describe storage account options and storage types
- Identify options for moving files, including AzCopy, Azure Storage Explorer, and Azure File Sync.
- Describe migration options, including Azure Migrate and Azure Data Box
Describe Azure identity, access, and security
- Describe directory services in Azure, including Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and Azure Active Directory Domain Services (Azure AD DS)
- Describe authentication methods in Azure, including single sign-on (SSO), multi factor authentication, and passwordless
- Describe external identities and guest access in Azure
- Describe Azure AD Conditional Access
- Describe Azure role-based access control (RBAC)
- Describe the concept of Zero Trust
- Describe the purpose of the defense in-depth model
- Describe the purpose of Microsoft Defender for the Cloud
Describe Azure management and governance (30–35%)
Describe cost management in Azure
- Describe factors that can affect costs in Azure
- Compare the Pricing calculator and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator.
- Describe the Azure Cost Management and Billing tool
- Describe the purpose of tags
Describe features and tools in Azure for governance and compliance
- Describe the purpose of Azure Blueprints
- Describe the purpose of Azure Policy
- Describe the purpose of resource locks
- Describe the purpose of the Service Trust Portal
Describe features and tools for managing and deploying Azure resources
- Describe the Azure portal
- Describe Azure Cloud Shell, including Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell
- Describe the purpose of Azure Arc
- Describe Azure Resource Manager and Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates)
Describe monitoring tools in Azure
- Describe the purpose of Azure Advisor
- Describe Azure Service Health
- Describe Azure Monitor, including Log Analytics, Azure Monitor alerts, and Application Insights
Tips to Prepare and Pass the Exam
- Start your preparation by learning about the fundamentals of cloud and cloud services offered by Microsoft Azure. Even though so many free sources are available on the internet for this topic, we recommend you join an excellent online learning platform. So that you can get a single authentic study resource, many free sources will overwhelm you and create confusion.
- When preparing, do not forget to create your free account in Microsoft Azure. If you already have one, then kindly ignore it. Creating this account is to practice whatever you learn in theory. Be sure to complete your practical exercises. Apply each theoretical concept in practice just after you learn it. It will reinforce your theoretical knowledge.
- As we mentioned above, the best way to learn Microsoft azure concepts is by doing it. Keep a practical mindset while reading theory. Always think about use cases and the applicability of the concepts while reading.
- Unlike Salesforce and AWS, in Microsoft Azure fundamental exam, typically, you are not asked scenario-based questions. Questions on Azure core services and concepts are pretty simple and straight to the point. So, make sure your understanding of the core concept is strong. You can make flashcards or notes to remember the concepts. Flashcards are useful for revising concepts. So, make notes while preparing for the exam.
- Take mock tests along with preparation. In Microsoft Azure fundamental exam, time is a significant factor. The exam does not only check your basic concepts but also your time management skills. Take as many mock tests as possible so that you can finish the questions within the allotted time. Mock tests also help you identify areas of improvement. So, analyze your results after mock tests.
- You can find free mock tests and question dumps on the internet, but they are unreliable and sometimes erroneous. So avoid them as much as possible. Invest in an authentic online Azure learning platform for mock tests as they are designed by subject experts. You can get their feedback after mock tests. It will undoubtedly help you improve your performance and pass the exam.
- Lastly, this basic-level exam checks your understanding of core concepts. So, do not stress much. All you need is practice and time management to pass the exam. So, prepare with discipline, and you are good to go.
Summing Up
So, that's all about how to pass the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ900 exam. This is a comparatively easy exam you can clear with a disciplined schedule and practice. So, keep practicing theoretical concepts and take multiple rounds of mock tests to pass this exam successfully.
Why wait? Now is the perfect time to start preparing for the exam. Good Luck!