Azure Certification
Azure Fundamentals
(AZ-900)
How I passed the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification on my first attempt. Below I will outline why I took the certification, my approach and the knowledge gained.
Why I Pursued This Certification
In my current role, we primarily work with Microsoft Azure. As this was my first corporate role, I lacked any in-depth understanding of cloud and how it functions. Hence, the AZ-900 Azure certification was a natural starting point. It covers a broad range of topics such as compute, storage, networking and identity management. It builds a solid foundation in Azure which I could then apply in my role.
Key Topics Covered
Cloud Concepts
Public, private and hybrid cloud models. Cloud benefits and uses.
Azure Compute
Virtual Machines, App Services, Containers and serverless computing.
Azure Storage
Blob Storage, Files, Disks and storage redundancy options.
Networking
Virtual Networks, VPNs, Load Balancers, DNS and connectivity fundamentals.
Identity & Security
Microsoft Entra ID, authentication, RBAC and security principles.
Governance & Pricing
Cost management, subscriptions, resource groups, policies and compliance.
How I Studied & Passed
Microsoft Learn Modules
Microsoft Learn was my primary study resource. I completed the learning paths and took handwritten notes as I progressed. It briefly touched on all areas of Azure.
Microsoft Learn Practice Exams
The Microsoft Learn practice exams helped me identify weaker areas and get used to the question style. Once I was consistently scoring above 80%, I felt confident booking the exam.
ChatGPT for Clarification
I used ChatGPT to simplify topics I found confusing and to generate Microsoft-style questions on my weaker areas. This improved my understanding and I'd say I completed around 20-30 questions on each area of weakness.
In short: The Microsoft Learn exams alone are more than enough to pass AZ-900 exam confidently. I'd keep taking them until I achieve over 85%+ in numerous attempts With this approach, I achieved a score of 863/1000.
Exam Score
863/1000
Practice Exam Average
83%
Attempts
1
Mock Exams Visualised
The Power BI line graph maps my practice exam results. By recording results over time, I was able to monitor my progress and determine when I was consistently scoring well above the pass mark before booking the exam.
Practice exam performance compared against the 70% passing threshold.
What I struggled with
As this was my first Azure certification, one of the biggest challenges was understanding how the different Azure services fit together and what each service was actually used for.
I also found cloud computing difficult to visualise at first. Because many services are abstract and intangible, it took some time before the concepts started to click and the different aspects started to make sense.
Closing Remarks
AZ-900 was a great introduction to cloud and Microsoft Azure. As it was my first Azure certification, it provided a better understanding of the tech used in my day-to-day role.
For anyone starting their Azure journey, Microsoft Learn and the official practice exams are more than enough to pass. Building on from this, I aim to pursue the AZ-104 certification to apply knowledge in greater depth in my job.