AZ-900 Practice Test Overview: Your Path to Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Target Audience: Aspiring cloud administrators, IT professionals seeking cloud knowledge, and anyone interested in foundational Azure skills. This test is perfect if you’re just starting your cloud journey!
Language: English
Total Questions: The exam typically contains around 40-60 questions (the exact number varies slightly from test to test). Think of it less like a grueling exam and more like a comprehensive check-in on your understanding.
Test Structure & Key Coverage Areas:
The AZ-900 exam isn't about memorizing technical specs; it’s about grasping core concepts. Think of it as building a strong foundation. Here's a breakdown:
I. Cloud Concepts: (Expect roughly 15-20% of the questions here)
- What is the Cloud? – We're not talking about fluffy white stuff! This section explores different cloud models (public, private, hybrid), deployment models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS – think of it like renting a whole building, an apartment, or just a room), and the benefits of cloud adoption. Think of it this way: Would you rather own and maintain a server in your office, or rent space in a massive, secure data center?
- Cloud Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust – This is crucial! You'll explore key security concepts, data governance, and compliance regulations. It's not just about the what, but also the why.
- Cost Management and Governance – Budgeting for cloud services is important. This part covers strategies for monitoring and controlling costs. Ever tried to manage a personal budget? It’s similar, but with more cloud-based tools!
II. Azure Core Services: (Expect roughly 25-30% of the questions here)
- Compute: Virtual Machines (VMs), App Services, and containers. Imagine VMs as your personal workspaces in the cloud.
- Example: Understanding the difference between a VM and an App Service.
- Storage: Blob storage, file storage, queues, and databases. Think of this as the cloud equivalent of your computer's hard drive.
- Example: Knowing when to use each type of storage based on your needs.
- Networking: Virtual Networks (VNets), load balancers, and DNS. This is the backbone of your cloud infrastructure.
- Example: Understanding how VNets help to isolate and secure your cloud resources.
- Databases: SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and other database services. Data is king! This section covers different database options and their use cases.
III. Azure Management and Governance: (Expect roughly 15-20% of the questions here)
- Management tools and portals: Azure portal, Azure CLI, and PowerShell. These are your tools for managing your cloud resources.
- Personal Insight: I found the Azure portal very intuitive, even as a beginner.
- Security, Identity, and Compliance: Active Directory, Azure RBAC. Think of this as controlling access to your cloud resources – who can see what, and do what?
- Governance and Management tools: Azure Monitor, Azure Advisor, and cost management tools. Keeping an eye on things is key!
IV. Azure Pricing and Support: (Expect roughly 10-15% of the questions here)
- Pricing models: Pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, and Azure Hybrid Benefit. Understanding how you are billed is vital.
- Support plans: Knowing when and how to get help is essential.
Preparation Tips:
- Use official Microsoft learning resources.
- Hands-on practice is crucial! Start with free accounts.
- Use practice exams to simulate the test environment.
This outline gives you a high-level view of the AZ-900 exam. Remember, understanding the why behind the what is key to success! Good luck!
