AZ-900 Study Guide 2026: 30-Day Plan + Domain Breakdown
Updated April 23, 2026 | 10 min read
This guide is for anyone planning to take the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam in 2026 and wants a structured day-by-day study plan.
Exam Overview
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is a 40-60 question, 65-minute exam with a passing score of 700/1000. It costs $99 USD. There are no prerequisites. The exam tests three domains: Describe Cloud Concepts (25-30%), Describe Azure Architecture and Services (35-40%), and Describe Azure Management and Governance (30-35%).
Free Study Materials You Actually Need
- Microsoft Learn AZ-900 Path (free) — Official 8-module learning path. This is your primary textbook.
- Azure Free Account — $200 credit for 30 days. Create a VM, storage account, and VNet. No coding required.
- Our free practice tests — 6 full mocks + domain drills. Start by day 10 and retake weak domains.
- Azure Architecture Center — Free reference architectures and best practices.
- Flashcards — Make your own for 40 core services. Anki or Quizlet work well.
Week 1: Cloud Concepts (Days 1-7)
| Day | Task | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Microsoft Learn Module 1: Cloud Concepts | 60 min |
| Day 2 | Module 2: Azure Architecture & Services (Compute) | 60 min |
| Day 3 | Module 2: Azure Architecture & Services (Networking) | 60 min |
| Day 4 | Module 2: Azure Architecture & Services (Storage) | 60 min |
| Day 5 | Free Azure: Create a VM and storage account | 60 min |
| Day 6 | Review notes + flashcards for Domains 1 & 2 | 45 min |
| Day 7 | First practice test — Domain 1 & 2 only | 45 min |
Week 2: Architecture & Services Deep Dive (Days 8-14)
| Day | Task | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 8 | Module 2: Databases, Analytics, and AI | 60 min |
| Day 9 | Module 2: DevOps, Monitoring, and Serverless | 60 min |
| Day 10 | Free Azure: Explore VNet, NSG, and Azure AD | 60 min |
| Day 11 | Module 3: Azure Management and Governance | 60 min |
| Day 12 | Module 3: Cost Management, SLAs, and Compliance | 60 min |
| Day 13 | Review all flashcards + weak areas | 45 min |
| Day 14 | Practice test — all domains | 45 min |
Week 3: Consolidated Review (Days 15-21)
| Day | Task | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 15 | Review Microsoft Learn summary docs | 45 min |
| Day 16 | Drill weakest domain with flashcards | 45 min |
| Day 17 | Full Mock Exam 1 — timed, 65 minutes | 65 min |
| Day 18 | Review Mock 1 wrong answers | 45 min |
| Day 19 | Full Mock Exam 2 | 65 min |
| Day 20 | Review Mock 2 + domain drill | 45 min |
| Day 21 | Light review: Azure AD + Governance | 30 min |
Week 4: Final Practice (Days 22-30)
| Day | Task | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 22 | Mock Exam 3 | 65 min |
| Day 23 | Review Mock 3 + flashcard weak spots | 45 min |
| Day 24 | Mock Exam 4 | 65 min |
| Day 25 | Domain-wise drill on lowest-scoring area | 45 min |
| Day 26 | Mock Exam 5 | 65 min |
| Day 27 | Light review: SLAs and compliance | 30 min |
| Day 28 | Mock Exam 6 (final full-length) | 65 min |
| Day 29 | Review only wrong answers from all mocks | 45 min |
| Day 30 | Rest. Light flashcards only. Schedule exam. | 20 min |
Domain Breakdown
For a quick one-page review of everything below, see our AZ-900 cheat sheet. Curious how difficult the exam really is? Read our breakdown of how hard AZ-900 is with real pass rate data.
| Domain | % | Must-Know Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Concepts | 25-30% | IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, public/private/hybrid cloud, capex vs opex |
| Azure Architecture & Services | 35-40% | Compute, networking, storage, databases, Azure AD, containers |
| Management & Governance | 30-35% | Cost management, monitoring, resource groups, policies, SLAs |
Ready to start your 30-day plan?
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Start Free AZ-900 MockFrequently Asked Questions
How long should I study for AZ-900?
Plan for 30-50 hours over 4-6 weeks. Our 30-day plan breaks this into 60-90 minutes per day.
What is the best free resource?
The official Microsoft Learn AZ-900 learning path is completely free and directly aligned to the exam.
When should I start practice tests?
Start by day 10. Early practice tests reveal weak domains so you can focus remaining study time efficiently.
Is the exam multiple choice?
Yes. The exam contains 40-60 multiple-choice questions. You have 65 minutes. The passing score is 700 out of 1000.
Do I need an Azure subscription?
No, but it helps. You can sign up for a free Azure account with $200 credit for 30 days. Exploring the portal for 5-10 hours dramatically improves retention.
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