Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources that can be accessed by industries, instead of buying, owning, and maintaining physical data centers and servers. This technology offers storage, databases, and computing power on public cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure.
Microsoft Azure is one of the greatest technological revolutions in cloud business solutions. According to a recent report: Microsoft Azure generated about $75.3 billion in revenue in 2022, the number of Azure users globally is approaching the 1 billion mark, and 85% of Fortune 500 companies use Microsoft Azure Cloud.
Considering the above facts, it is clear that the future scope of professional enhancement in the Azure cloud is expansive. Thus, Az 900 certification is imperative if you are considering a career in Cloud Computing, especially on the Microsoft Azure side.
What is Microsoft Fundamental Azure Certification?
The Microsoft Fundamental Azure Certification Course or fundamentals is a 6-part learning process that includes Azure certification preparation and a certification exam. It acquaints you with Azure’s 200 products and services and equips you with the relevant Cloud computing concepts, hybrid cloud models, and cloud-based solutions. With this certification, you can grasp the core Azure architectural components, networking services, Azure management tools, Microsoft service-level agreements, and cost management.
You can learn about the same from several online resources and applications. You can also refer to the study guide that is prescribed by Microsoft to prepare for the exam.
Once you are thorough with the basic concepts, you can apply for the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam, an entry-level certification offered by Microsoft on the Azure cloud services platform. It validates your fundamental understanding of Microsoft Azure cloud services which is ideal for understanding the technicalities of cloud services in day-to-day work. By signing up for the Azure fundamentals preparation, you can upskill in the following areas:
- Working with and understanding cloud solutions such as Azure
- Learning about various cloud models and Core Azure services
- Comprehending the security, compliance, and trust across Azure solutions
- An overview of Azure service lifecycle
- Azure pricing and subscriptions
- Service level agreements (SLAs)
How to Prepare for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Cloud Certification Exam?
AZ-900 certification exam requires you to follow a prescribed Azure fundamentals preparation procedure. You can take online courses (available on various digital platforms) to prepare for Azure fundamentals certification AZ 900. These courses help you devise and implement a plan to succeed in this prestigious exam.
Here is a comprehensive AZ 900 preparation guide that can help you get your certification:
1. Requirements of Microsoft Fundamental Azure AZ-900 Exam
You don’t have to be an experienced cloud professional for AZ 900 Microsoft Azure fundamentals exam prep. You can prepare for the exam even if you come from a non-technical background, and if you have general computer knowledge. However, you must study Infrastructure management, database management, and software development in detail before you appear for the exam.
2. Basic Information of Microsoft Azure-900
Before you apply for the AZ-900 exam, you should be well-versed in some of Microsoft Azure's basics. While preparing for the AZ-900 exam, you can also consider the DP 900 exam which is an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of core data concepts and related Microsoft Azure data services.
If you are new to cloud computing, the AZ-900 certification is a good starting point, while the DP-900 certification is for those with some technical knowledge or experience in data services.
Whether AZ 900 preparation or DP 900 preparation, both are designed to demonstrate foundational-level knowledge of cloud services and how those concepts are exemplified by Microsoft Azure. You should know about the basic technological Cloud principles, such as networking, storage, computing, application development, and application support.
3. Structure of Exam
You should be thorough with the Cloud Computing syllabus, based on which you will have to attempt 40 to 60 questions in 85 minutes to clear the AZ 900 exam. The questions are based on case studies, MCQs, short-answer-type questions, hotspots, etc. Wrong answers will not be negatively marked.
Scribd4. Exam Registration Fee
The registration fee for the AZ-900 exam depends on your geographical location. For example, the exam registration fee will cost you approximately $99 if you are in the USA. In India, the fee is Rs. 3696 plus tax. In the UK, the exam costs £69 plus tax (about £82). However, you can be eligible for a fee reduction if you are a Microsoft Certified Trainer, a member of the Microsoft Partner Network program, or a Microsoft Imagine Academy program member.
5. Passing Score of Exam
You shall receive your result within minutes of appearing for the exam. The minimum passing score is 700/1000 marks of 70%. Any score below this won’t be accepted. A detailed dashboard of your attempts in the exam shall be sent out to you after a few days.
6. Exam Retake Policy
You are allowed to attempt 5 times for the exam. If you fail at your first attempt, you can reapply after 24 hours. If you still fail, you can reapply for the exam after 14 days. You can follow the same cycle till you reach 5 maximum attempts of appearing for the exam in one year.
7. Policies for Cancelling the Exam
You will be eligible for a full refund if you cancel or reschedule your AZ 900 exam at least 6 working days before your exam. You shall be charged a cancellation fee if you cancel or reschedule your exam within 5 days of your exam date. However, if you fail to appear for the appear or attempt to cancel it within 24 hours of the exam, no amount shall be refunded in such cases.
Azure Fundamentals Certification Exam Prerequisites
As a part of your exam preparation, remember to familiarise yourself with basic cloud services and the Azure platform. You should be a technology professional who is well-versed in cloud concepts and Microsoft Azure in particular.
Although there are no specified prerequisites for the AZ 900 exam or the DP exam preparation, it is recommended to have knowledge about these platforms before you appear for the exam
Also, it is important to have adequate know-how in Infrastructure management, Database management, and Software development. It is recommended that you learn about Azure Portal, Power Shell, Azure CLI, and ARM Templates. Having hands-on experience administering Azure for the Microsoft Azure Fundamental (AZ-900) exam is another advantage.
Benefits of Microsoft Fundamental Azure Certification
Microsoft Cloud has propagated Azure, which has grown substantially because of its hybrid compatibility. Simply put, with Azure, you have the advantages of data portability and seamless access to on-premises and cloud data services. With this, you have insights into your data with unified development plus DevOps across the cloud and your on-premises data centers.
Several top-notch organizations demand to employ IT professionals with a Microsoft Azure certification because of its several benefits. AZ 900 Microsoft Azure fundamentals exam prep 2023 is a roadmap to guide you to successfully completing the AZ 900 certification. Besides, this certification has several personal and professional benefits. Lets dive in!
1. Advancing Career and Attractive Pay Packages
AZ 900 exam certification helps you grab advantages of the widest range of career options and lucrative salary packages. You can become a cloud architect, a developer, or a solution architect in various industries at different locations.
Moreover, Azure certification preparation and eventually getting certified in the field can also get you different roles in industries like finance, education, healthcare, real estate, retails, e-commerce, and entertainment.
Moreover, countries like the UK, USA, Singapore, and France offer job roles in various segments and sectors. It is an amalgamation of technical, soft, and generic skills, and AZ 900 certification can get you better recognition than other technology fields.
- In the United States of America, the average Azure developer salary is $118,618/year and can range between $77-$184k/yr.
- The average salary for a Software Engineer (Azure) is $109410 annually in the US.
- The average salary for an Azure Specialist is ₹79362 per year in the United States.
- The typical Microsoft Azure Cloud Engineer salary is $1,30,345 per year
- The average salary for an Azure Sales Specialist is ₹92269 per year in the United States
- The average Azure DevOps engineer salary in the USA is $130,000 per year or $62.50 per hour.$130,000 per year
2. Time and Cost Savings
After you become an Azure professional, you can effectively scale and manage hosted assets and mitigate IT costs, power utilization costs, expenses regarding new software redesign, and maintenance of information security systems in your company. You will have the expertise to work on various Azure tools like Hadoop, Xcode, etc., and easily use Azure services, thus saving time, effort, inconvenience, and money.
3. Strong Commitment and Security Standards
The Azure certification helps you stand out in job interviews and ensures better annual increments. A Microsoft Azure certification can also open your door to better incentives, bonuses, and privileges like better job security. It also provides the necessary knowledge to help you protect your data.
4. Advantages of an Agreement with Microsoft
Microsoft generally offers 15% to 45% on all its tools and services, especially to large organizations with 500 new users or devices. After you complete your Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, you can be a vital part of companies that offer such low prices for Microsoft tools and services.
5. Professional Development with Improved DevOp and Artificial Intelligence Skills
Azure services are in high demand even in the public sector, as over six million government organizations use Azure cloud services. As a next step, you can apply for Azure DevOps engineer expert certification after completing your Microsoft Azure fundamentals AZ 900 exam prep specialization.
The AZ 900 certification is also ideally suited for experienced AI engineers who want to develop knowledge in Machine learning, Data science, and AI Solutions. The certification tests you in various arenas like natural language processing, speech recognition, computer vision, and bots.
Conclusion
If you want to progress your career in the field of cloud and keep up with its fast pace, you can start with Azure fundamentals preparation, and be adept at various cloud roles. Microsoft Azure offers various courses on cloud computing, out of which Microsoft Azure certifications are one of the most critical ones.
Given that a career in cloud computing is in demand, several technological professionals are diverting toward Azure Certifications for career growth and skill enhancement. You can rely on KnowledgeHut's AZ 900 certifications to advance your career, knowledge, skill, and expertise in this respective space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What topics are covered in the Azure Fundamentals exam?
The Azure Fundamentals exam is for candidates who have studied infrastructure management, database management, or software development. The topics covered in Azure fundamentals preparation are: Cloud concepts (25–30%), Azure architecture and services (35–40%), and Azure management and governance (30–35%).
2. How long does the Azure Fundamentals exam take, and what is the passing score?
For the AZ-900 exam, the duration is 45 minutes, and the seat duration is 65 minutes. The passing score is 700 out of 1000 points or roughly 70 percent.
3. Are there any recommended study materials for the Azure Fundamentals exam preparation?
Some highly recommended study materials for Azure exam preparation are AZ-900 Study Guide: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals and AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals - Practice Exams. For hands-on learning, you can refer to the plethora of study materials at Microsoft Learning Path, video training on YouTube.
