Back in 2019, I laid out an ambitious roadmap for my IT certification goals. While plans often evolve due to time constraints or shifting priorities, I didn’t deviate from my course, instead, I seized a golden opportunity that came my way to earn a new Microsoft certification.
I was fortunate enough to attend a Microsoft-delivered, two-day Introduction to Azure training session. Despite the course being tailored to beginners, the instructor’s deep knowledge and passion made it one of the most engaging technical training sessions I’ve ever taken. We frequently ventured beyond the fundamentals into more advanced discussions, thanks to the interactive and focused class environment.
Discovering the Revamped Microsoft Certification Path
One of the key takeaways from the training session was learning that Microsoft had recently revamped its certification structure. They moved away from the traditional, sometimes rigid hierarchy of MCSA, MCSE, and MCSD, and instead embraced role-based certifications. This new structure felt more relevant to the modern IT world, with credentials tailored to actual job functions like Azure Administrator, Security Engineer, and Data Analyst.
This change also meant that there were new foundational paths for individuals just starting out or for experienced professionals looking to validate their knowledge of cloud concepts. That’s how I came across the AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam.
Weighing the Value of Azure Certification
I’ve always been comfortable in the Microsoft ecosystem. My workplace is a Microsoft shop, and most of my experience has been centered around Windows Server, Exchange, and other Microsoft platforms. However, cloud adoption was accelerating, and Azure was becoming a key player in enterprise environments. The question was no longer if I should pivot to cloud – when and how quickly.
The AZ-900 certification appeared to be the ideal entry point. It wasn’t too technical but provided a broad overview of Azure services, pricing models, governance, security, and compliance. It was also clear that having a foundational understanding of Azure could only improve my career prospects.
Leveraging Microsoft Learn and Azure Practice Tests
Before committing fully, I took some time to explore Microsoft’s official Learn platform. What I found exceeded expectations. Microsoft Learn had been completely redesigned, offering structured learning paths, interactive modules, knowledge checks, and even hands-on labs through the Azure sandbox environment.
The Azure Fundamentals learning path was broken into manageable segments, covering:
- Cloud concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
- Core Azure services (VMs, Storage, App Services)
- Azure pricing and support plans
- Identity and access management (Azure AD)
- Compliance and security basics
The real-world scenarios helped bridge the gap between theory and application, and the platform didn’t just give you walls of text, it invited you to think, click, configure, and apply.
To gauge my progress, I also purchased a Microsoft practice test that mimicked the actual AZ-900 exam format. The simulation helped me get a feel for the types of questions I’d face, such as:
- Choosing the best Azure service for a given business scenario
- Comparing pricing tiers
- Explaining shared responsibility in cloud security
Practice tests were instrumental in identifying weak spots—areas where I thought I knew enough but didn’t. After each attempt, I reviewed every question, even the ones I got right, to understand the “why” behind each answer.
Avoiding Microsoft Dumps and Staying Ethical
I’ll be honest: during my research phase, I stumbled upon several websites offering Microsoft dumps—unauthorized collections of actual exam questions. While it might be tempting to use these to “guarantee” a pass, I made a conscious decision to avoid them.
Why? Because I wasn’t pursuing this certification just for a resume boost. I genuinely wanted to learn. Using dumps might help you pass, but it doesn’t make you competent. Worse, Microsoft actively tracks and bans individuals who use brain dumps, which can void your certification.
Instead, I leaned on legitimate Microsoft practice tests, study guides, and the Learn portal. It was slower, sure, but it gave me confidence that I was building real-world knowledge.
Booking the Exam and Final Preparation
Feeling mostly prepared, and a little overconfident, I scheduled the exam for two weeks out. With limited time, I ramped up my efforts and treated study like a mini bootcamp. I set daily goals: two modules a day on Microsoft Learn, one practice test every two days, and constant note-taking.
The week before the exam, I reviewed:
- Azure’s global infrastructure: regions, availability zones, and datacenters
- Cost calculators and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) estimator
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and pricing models
- Azure Resource Manager (ARM) and resource groups
- Azure Advisor, Monitor, and Service Health
I also created a one-page cheat sheet of key definitions, acronyms, and common comparisons (like IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS). This helped me with last-minute revisions and reinforced essential concepts.
The Exam Experience: Remote Proctoring
This was my first time taking a Microsoft exam remotely. I opted for the online proctored experience, which meant I could take the test from the comfort of my home. It sounded convenient, until I realized the level of scrutiny involved.
Before the exam, I had to:
- Install a secure testing browser
- Verify my identity with a government-issued ID
- Use my webcam to show my entire testing area: desk, walls, ceiling, and floor
- Remove all distractions and ensure I was alone in the room
Once the test began, the interface was clean and easy to navigate. I had about 60 minutes to answer roughly 40-50 questions. The difficulty level was moderate, but Microsoft throws in a few tricky wording and “select all that apply” questions to keep you on your toes.
I passed the exam and received confirmation within minutes.
Reflections and What’s Next
Passing the Microsoft AZ-900 certification exam was more than just another line on my resume, it was a confidence booster and a stepping stone into the broader world of cloud computing. Having that “pass” confirmation pop up on my screen validated the hours of studying, the hands-on labs, and the commitment I made to upskill.
What stood out to me the most about AZ-900 was how foundational knowledge of cloud concepts could empower so many different career paths. Whether you’re a business analyst, a technical consultant, a system admin, or even someone in sales or project management, the Azure Fundamentals certification equips you with terminology, architecture awareness, and a sense of how services are interconnected in the cloud. It removes the fog from conversations involving pricing tiers, service level agreements (SLAs), regions vs availability zones, or identity management.
Why AZ-900 Is a Smart First Step
I often recommend AZ-900 to peers and colleagues who are either skeptical about certifications or unsure where to start. It’s a low-risk, high-reward entry point. The exam doesn’t require a deep technical background, but it’s still meaningful enough to impress recruiters and managers, especially when paired with practical experience. And thanks to Microsoft Learn, free practice tests, and accessible study materials, the cost-to-benefit ratio is extremely favorable.
Moreover, in a world where hybrid and multi-cloud architectures are becoming the norm, having Azure knowledge, even if your company primarily uses AWS or GCP, still adds value to your profile. Every cloud has similar building blocks, and AZ-900 gives you a solid grasp of the core concepts, from Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) to Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and from shared responsibility models to compliance frameworks like GDPR and ISO 27001.
Looking Ahead: AZ-104 and AZ-500
With the foundational AZ-900 under my belt, I’m naturally progressing toward more technical Microsoft certifications to enhance my expertise in the Azure ecosystem. The next logical step for me is tackling the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate exam. This certification is a core credential for IT professionals who manage Azure services such as computing, networking, storage, identity, and governance.
What sets AZ-104 apart from AZ-900 is the hands-on nature of the skills tested. Rather than focusing on theoretical cloud concepts, AZ-104 dives deep into real-world administrative tasks. These include deploying and configuring virtual machines (VMs), setting up and managing virtual networks (VNets), provisioning Azure storage accounts, configuring load balancers, and implementing robust identity solutions using Azure Active Directory (AD) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
As someone working in a Microsoft-centric environment, I find that these tasks mirror my day-to-day responsibilities closely. By preparing for and achieving the AZ-104 certification, I aim to formalize my existing knowledge while deepening my command of Azure best practices, automation through tools like Azure CLI and ARM templates, and monitoring solutions such as Azure Monitor and Log Analytics.
I’ve already started exploring resources on Microsoft Learn, which again proves to be an invaluable asset. Their modular content breaks down the AZ-104 objectives in an approachable manner. I’m also investing time in building a practice lab environment, which allows me to simulate deployments, experiment with network configurations, and troubleshoot common admin challenges in a safe sandbox setting. Tools like Microsoft practice tests will play a critical role as I move forward, helping me benchmark my readiness and identify areas for improvement.
Once I’ve completed AZ-104, my next goal is to advance toward AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies – a certification that is rapidly growing in demand. With cyberattacks becoming more frequent and sophisticated, there’s a huge push across industries to bolster cloud security. Organizations now recognize that it’s not enough to simply deploy workloads to Azure, they must secure those resources with the same level of attention as their on-prem infrastructure, if not more.
The AZ-500 certification zeroes in on the skills needed to secure Azure environments. It covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Identity and access management using Azure AD, Privileged Identity Management (PIM), and Conditional Access
- Platform protection via Azure Firewall, NSGs (Network Security Groups), DDoS Protection, and Application Gateway WAF
- Data and application security, including encryption, Key Vault, and secure app development practices
- Security monitoring and governance using Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Azure Policy, and Azure Blueprints
While AZ-104 focuses on managing resources, AZ-500 is all about securing them. As such, the two certifications complement each other perfectly. Studying for AZ-500 will give me the confidence to design cloud environments that are not only functional but also compliant with regulatory standards and secure against real-world threats.
To prepare for AZ-500, I’m exploring both Microsoft Learn modules and third-party training platforms that specialize in security-focused labs. I also plan to work through scenario-based practice questions that reflect real-world incidents, such as detecting a compromised identity or preventing unauthorized access to critical workloads.
Importantly, I’m staying away from Microsoft dumps, which may offer shortcuts but undermine the learning process and violate exam integrity policies. Instead, I’m relying on verified Microsoft practice tests, hands-on labs, and documentation to build the deep, practical knowledge needed to pass the exam and apply it in my work.
In an era where cloud security is no longer optional but essential, earning the AZ-500 will not only validate my expertise but also demonstrate my commitment to helping organizations build and maintain secure, scalable Azure infrastructures.
Whether it’s optimizing virtual networks in AZ-104 or protecting sensitive data in AZ-500, my goal is to evolve into a well-rounded Azure professional with both the operational and security skills needed to thrive in the cloud-first world. These certifications are more than just credentials, they’re investments in my career, my confidence, and my ability to deliver value through Microsoft technologies.
To prepare for these, I’m planning a more structured learning approach, pairing official Microsoft Learn content with lab environments, Microsoft practice tests, and community-driven resources. I’ll likely avoid Microsoft dumps, which may seem like a shortcut but rarely result in lasting understanding and may even violate exam policies. Instead, my plan is to get hands-on experience and really dig into services like Azure Monitor, Key Vault, and Defender for Cloud.
Expanding My Skills with Linux and Open Source
In parallel, I’m returning to my studies for the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS). Cloud doesn’t just live in Azure or Windows-based environments, Linux powers the backbone of many cloud-native workloads, from Kubernetes clusters to Docker containers and web hosting platforms.
By diversifying my skills between Microsoft and Linux ecosystems, I’ll be better equipped for DevOps, platform engineering, or hybrid infrastructure roles. It’s one thing to manage VMs through Azure Portal, but it’s another level to SSH into a Linux server and troubleshoot a broken NGINX configuration or automate tasks with shell scripts and cron jobs.
During this experience, I made two valuable discoveries:
- Microsoft has restructured and streamlined their certification paths, making them more role-based and relevant to real-world job roles.
- Many providers were offering discounted Azure training, likely in alignment with Microsoft’s revamped certification strategy.
Although I had often debated whether to pursue Microsoft Azure certifications, the decision became easier considering my work environment heavily revolves around Microsoft technologies. I wondered if staying in my comfort zone would limit my growth, but in hindsight, it was the right move to deepen my expertise.
After completing the two-day course, I discussed next steps with colleagues and was introduced to the redesigned Microsoft Learn platform. This portal has been overhauled to support Microsoft’s new role-based certifications, offering guided learning paths filled with interactive modules, hands-on labs, and “check your knowledge” sections. It’s clear Microsoft put serious effort into creating high-quality, practical content.
Initially, I chose to supplement my studies with heavily discounted Azure learning materials I had previously purchased through a third-party training provider. The content was solid and covered a broad range of Azure fundamentals, but what caught my attention was that the course was actively being updated. It had recently been refreshed to include coverage for the now-retired AZ-102 exam – a transitional certification designed for IT professionals who held earlier Microsoft certifications and wanted to update their credentials to the new role-based paths Microsoft introduced in 2018–2019.
While exploring the updated material, I stumbled upon AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, which seemed tailor-made for someone like me, familiar with IT concepts but relatively new to the Azure cloud platform. The AZ-900 certification is positioned as an entry-level exam, perfect for those starting out in cloud computing or pivoting toward Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem. It doesn’t delve deeply into technical configurations or scripting, but it offers a broad overview of Azure’s core offerings, pricing models, support structures, governance frameworks, and security principles.
Feeling confident, perhaps even a bit overconfident, I decided to schedule the Microsoft AZ-900 exam just two weeks ahead. I figured that with a solid technical background and the supplemental course I had been working through, I could fill in any knowledge gaps fairly quickly. It was only after scheduling the exam that I turned back to Microsoft Learn, Microsoft’s official learning platform, and discovered the dedicated Azure Fundamentals learning path.
This learning path turned out to be an excellent resource. Microsoft Learn is well-structured, interactive, and completely free, which makes it one of the best places to prepare for any Microsoft certification. The AZ-900 modules were broken into bite-sized lessons that included both theoretical knowledge and practical exercises. Even more helpful were the knowledge check quizzes at the end of each section. These allowed me to self-assess my understanding before moving forward.
The platform also offered sandbox-style labs that let me test concepts in a live Azure environment without requiring a paid subscription. I configured virtual networks, deployed basic virtual machines, and explored Azure Resource Manager templates, all within a guided, no-risk environment. These hands-on experiences made it much easier to connect theoretical concepts with actual services and use cases.
Although my preparation was slightly rushed, I dedicated at least a few hours each evening to go through Microsoft Learn modules, take notes, and reinforce new concepts through lab practice. I also created a personal study sheet summarizing key points, such as:
- Azure global infrastructure (Regions, Availability Zones)
- Azure pricing calculators and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) estimators
- Core Azure services: compute, storage, networking, and databases
- Identity and access solutions like Azure Active Directory
- Security services, compliance offerings, and governance tools
To reinforce my preparation, I also used a Microsoft practice test that mimicked the real exam format. These practice exams provided valuable insight into the types of questions I would encounter, some of which required not just recalling facts but applying concepts in real-world scenarios. For instance, understanding when to recommend Azure Blob Storage over File Storage, or how to reduce cloud expenditure using reserved instances.
These practice sessions were instrumental in building confidence. They also revealed areas where I needed more review, such as specific details on Azure SLAs, hybrid cloud models, or regional compliance requirements. I found myself going back into Microsoft Learn and re-reading those sections, which helped cement my understanding.
One decision I consciously made was to avoid Microsoft dumps. Although I came across many forums and websites advertising “real AZ-900 questions,” I steered clear. While dumps might promise an easy pass, they offer no real learning or growth, and they pose serious ethical and legal concerns. Microsoft’s exam policies clearly prohibit the use of such materials, and the last thing I wanted was to jeopardize my professional integrity or certification status.
Instead, I stayed committed to using legitimate resources: Microsoft Learn, official Microsoft practice tests, hands-on labs, and community discussion boards. These not only helped me prepare in the right way but also aligned with my goal of gaining actual cloud skills, not just passing a test.
When exam day arrived, I took the test remotely for the first time. Microsoft’s online proctored exams are convenient but come with their own set of requirements. I had to ensure a quiet, well-lit room with no unauthorized materials nearby. Before the exam began, I was asked to use my webcam to show my surroundings, including my desk, floor, walls, and even the ceiling. It felt a bit surreal, but the process was smooth, and the proctor remained professional and helpful throughout.
Once the exam began, I found the questions to be a fair mix, some required direct recall, while others presented real-world scenarios that tested my grasp of Azure’s service portfolio and pricing strategy. Thanks to the practice tests and solid preparation, I was able to navigate the questions with confidence.
Ultimately, I passed the AZ-900 exam, and more importantly, I walked away with a deeper understanding of the Azure cloud ecosystem. It was a rewarding experience, and a powerful reminder that proper study techniques, the right mindset, and ethical learning practices go a long way in building both knowledge and credibility.
While my main focus remains on studying for the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam, I’m considering alternating my study schedule with additional Azure learning, particularly since the AZ-103 certification (which replaced AZ-100 and AZ-101) is also on my radar.
The journey toward Microsoft certification is ever-evolving, and the resources available today, from Microsoft Learn to official practice tests, make preparation both accessible and effective. Whether you’re new to Azure or exploring more advanced paths, starting with the AZ-900 can give you a solid foundation and the confidence to pursue more specialized Microsoft exams down the road.
