The Azure Fundamentals certification is the recommended first step learning about Microsoft Azure. The certification provides a great introduction to Cloud Computing too! To help you pass this exam, Microsoft provides a full course via Microsoft Learn - their online Learning Platform. On top of this, there are amazing content creators on YouTube too! The article goes into some of the details about what’s available and some tips I used to pass this exam.
Pre-requisites
Create a Microsoft Learn account. Head over to Microsoft Learn and click on ‘Sign in’. This ideally would be your existing Microsoft Account. The Microsoft Learn account has two aspects to it: 1 - A public user profile (this doesn’t have to be your real name), 2 - Your real details used if and when you obtain a Microsoft Certification. Microsoft Certifications can be associated to you as an individual or you can associate these certifications with the Microsoft Partner you may work for.
Step 1 - Recommended steps to obtain the Azure Fundamentals certification
Complete the Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 course work on Microsoft Learn
- Part 1: Describe core Azure concepts
- Part 2: Describe core Azure services
- Part 3: Describe core solutions and management tools on Azure
- Part 4: Describe general security and network security features
- Part 5: Describe identity, governance, privacy, and compliance features
- Part 6: Describe Microsoft Cost Management and service level agreements
Step 2 - Review Additional content
AZ-900 Study Cram from John Savill
A complete 9-hour + course by John Savill. John Savill provides a deep dive into the AZ-900 material through utilizing whiteboards and one-on-one style teaching.
AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals Certification Course playlist
Step 3 - Review manuals, and books
No recommendations when it comes to purchasing a book for this certification. The content at Microsoft Learn covers it well. Review docs.microsoft.com which is now rebranded as Microsoft Learn. If you are looking for more content, there is the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam Ref AZ-900 - Microsoft Press version available online/ to purchase, however for this certification I didn’t use it.
Step 4 - Practice!
Throughout your study I would highly recommend utilizing Official Practice Exams for the certification via Measureup on a regular basis.
Step 5 - Book the Exam
Head over to Microsoft Learn and click ‘Certifications’. Or alternatively use the search feature and search for AZ-900. Or simply click here. Scroll down to ‘Schedule exam’ and follow the instructions. After getting to the ‘Select exam options’ page you will have a the choice to select a real exam centre or take the exam at home or your office.
Sitting the exam - Proctored Experience Tips
If you select the Proctored option ‘Online at my home or office’ you need to review the full terms and conditions and agree before continuing to book the exam. When sitting the exam at home, ideally make sure you have the space to yourself with zero distractions, a clean space and the experience is generally straight forward. A tip if you have wifi, try and use a Laptop/ Desktop that has a wired connection. This will rule out any temporary connectivity issues you might face during the exam. Other than that, good luck!
Support us
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash