How I Prepared for Microsoft's AZ-900 Certification
Mastering Azure Fundamentals and Conquering the AZ-900 Exam
Introduction:
I recently cleared the AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam! It was an incredible journey that helped me establish a strong foundation in Azure fundamentals. Microsoft Azure, a renowned cloud computing platform, has been gaining immense popularity in recent years. In this blog, I want to take you through my experience, providing valuable insights into the AZ-900 exam. I'll cover who should consider taking this exam, the question patterns you can expect, the resources I relied on during my preparation, and wrap it up with a conclusive summary.
Overview of the Exam:
The AZ-900 exam, also known as the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, serves as an entry point into the world of Azure and cloud computing. It is designed to assess your understanding of basic cloud concepts and fundamental Azure services. By clearing this exam, you demonstrate your proficiency in foundational Azure knowledge, enabling you to pursue further certifications and career opportunities within the Azure ecosystem.
Who Should Take the AZ-900 Exam
The AZ-900 exam is ideal for individuals who are new to cloud computing and want to familiarize themselves with Azure. It is suitable for:
IT professionals who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of Azure fundamentals.
Non-technical professionals who want to gain a high-level understanding of Azure to better collaborate with technical teams.
Students or enthusiasts interested in pursuing a career in cloud computing.
Question Patterns and Formats
The AZ-900 exam primarily consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). While the majority of the questions are in the MCQ format, it's important to note that Microsoft occasionally introduces new question formats to enhance the exam experience and better assess candidates' knowledge. Therefore, it is possible to encounter variations in question types, such as:
Multiple Correct Answers: In some instances, you may come across questions that require selecting multiple correct answers from the given options. These questions typically indicate the number of correct choices to be selected.
Match the Following: Microsoft may include "Match the Following" questions, where you are presented with two columns containing items or statements. Your task is to match the items/statements from one column to the corresponding items/statements in the other column.
While these alternative question formats are not as prevalent as the standard MCQs, it's essential to be prepared for potential variations during the exam.
Navigating the AZ-900 Exam Syllabus
The AZ-900 exam covers a wide range of topics related to Azure fundamentals. The syllabus can be divided into five main domains:
Cloud Concepts (20-25%): Understand cloud computing principles, benefits, models, and core cloud services.
Core Azure Services (15-20%): Familiarity with key Azure services like virtual machines, storage, networking, and Azure App Service.
Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust (25-30%): Knowledge of Azure security features, identity management, data security, and compliance standards.
Azure Pricing and Support (20-25%): Understanding Azure subscriptions, pricing models, cost management, and Azure support options.
Service Level Agreements and Service Lifecycles (10-15%): Awareness of Azure service-level agreements (SLAs), service updates, and Azure service lifecycles.
How to register for the exam:
To register for the AZ-900 exam, you can visit the official Microsoft Certification website and create or sign in to your Microsoft Certification account. Once you have completed the registration process and scheduled your exam.
It's worth exploring the Microsoft Azure for Students program. This program offers free access to the AZ-900 exam for eligible students. The Azure for Students program provides students with resources, tools, and free credits to explore and learn about Microsoft Azure. By leveraging this program, students can gain hands-on experience with Azure services, enhance their skills, and prepare for the AZ-900 exam at no cost. Taking advantage of the Azure for Students program can be a great way for students to kickstart their Azure journey and achieve Azure certification without the financial burden.
Resources I Used for Preparation:
During my journey to clear the AZ-900 exam, I relied on a variety of resources that helped me gain a solid understanding of Azure fundamentals. Here are the resources I found invaluable:
Free Resources:
Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Learn is an exceptional platform that offers a wealth of resources for Azure certifications. The AZ-900 learning path on Microsoft Learn provided me with comprehensive modules, hands-on labs, and interactive exercises to enhance my knowledge.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Prep Specialization: This specialization by Microsoft itself, is available on Coursera, and offers a structured approach to studying for the AZ-900 exam. The video lectures, quizzes, and hands-on exercises helped me reinforce my understanding of key concepts.
YouTube Playlist: The YouTube playlist titled "Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Full Course" is an excellent resource for beginners seeking to learn the basics of Microsoft Azure. It's created by the YouTube channel "Adam Marczak - Azure for Everyone," this comprehensive playlist consists of 30+ videos that cover various aspects of Azure. The playlist begins with an overview of cloud computing and then goes on to discuss the different services that are available on Microsoft Azure. The videos also cover topics such as security, compliance, and pricing, clearly and concisely.
Paid Resources:
Pass AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals in a WEEKEND on Udemy: This paid course on Udemy was a game-changer for my exam preparation. It offered concise and focused lessons that aligned perfectly with the exam objectives. The course's practice quizzes allowed me to assess my knowledge and identify areas that needed further review.
Practice Questions from the Internet: One additional resource I found immensely valuable during my AZ-900 exam preparation was the availability of practice questions from various online sources. These practice questions allowed me to assess my knowledge, identify areas of improvement, and familiarize myself with the question formats commonly encountered in the exam. By actively engaging with practice questions, I gained confidence in my abilities and honed my exam-taking skills.
By utilizing a combination of free and paid resources, I had access to a comprehensive range of study materials. The official Microsoft resources, specialized courses, and supplementary video content provided me with a well-rounded understanding of Azure fundamentals. I highly recommend exploring these resources to enhance your preparation for the AZ-900 exam.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my journey to clearing the AZ-900 exam was a fulfilling experience that equipped me with a solid understanding of Azure fundamentals. Through a combination of free resources like Microsoft Learn and the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Prep Specialization, as well as a paid course on Udemy, I was able to comprehensively cover the exam syllabus.
These resources provided me with valuable insights into cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, pricing, and service level agreements. I found the interactive exercises, hands-on labs, and practice quizzes particularly helpful in reinforcing my knowledge and preparing me for the exam.
I encourage anyone considering taking the AZ-900 exam to explore these resources and tailor their preparation to their own learning style and preferences. Remember, the exam is designed to test your knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, pricing, and service level agreements. Best of luck in your AZ-900 exam preparation, and may your journey be as rewarding as mine!
Thank you for reading!