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Published by Christopher Porter on March 26, 2025
The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification is a popular starting point for IT professionals looking to demonstrate their foundational understanding of cloud concepts and core Azure services. Priced at $99 USD in the United States, earning the AZ-900 certification can boost your credibility, enhance your skill set, and open new opportunities in your IT career.
In this article, we’ll explain what the Azure Fundamentals certification is, why it’s worth pursuing, and discuss the best methods to get a free AZ-900 voucher and other Azure Fundamentals certification voucher promotions. We’ll also cover how to best prepare for the AZ-900 exam to help you confidently earn your certification.
An Azure certification validates your cloud skills, but since Azure is a vast and complex platform with multiple certifications available, it’s important to choose one that best aligns with your current experience and career goals. Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is Microsoft’s entry-level certification for Azure, meant to validate your foundational knowledge of cloud services and how Azure provides them. It’s an ideal starting point for anyone new to cloud computing or Azure.
The AZ 900 certification has no prerequisites and is intended for both technical and non-technical beginners, who want to demonstrate a basic understanding of Azure concepts. It’s beneficial for IT professionals looking to grasp cloud basics, sales or marketing staff who work with cloud solutions, project managers overseeing Azure implementations, and students or career changers aiming to enter the cloud computing field.
The AZ-900 exam tests your understanding of core Azure concepts, services, pricing, and security. The exam consists of about 40–60 questions to be completed in 85 minutes, and you need a score of 700 out of 1000 to pass. Question formats range from multiple choice to drag-and-drop and case studies.
Exam Structure: The content is divided into three main domains.
The basics of cloud computing, its benefits, and different service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
Core Azure services and solutions across compute, storage, networking, and databases
Azure identity, security, compliance, cost management, and support options
Each domain’s percentage indicates its weight on the exam. About a third of the exam focuses on Azure’s architecture and services, which helps you allocate study time appropriately.
You don’t need practical experience in Azure to take AZ-900 – however, familiarity with areas of IT like infrastructure management, database administration, or software development can give you an advantage. By mastering AZ-900 content, you not only earn a globally-recognized credential but also set yourself up for success in more advanced Azure certifications down the line.
Here are some major benefits for those looking to earn the AZ-900 certification:
97% of IT decision-makers say certified staff add value to their organizations. Employers even estimate certified employees contribute over $30,000 or more in added value annually to the company, so they’re willing to invest in such talent. Azure skills are in demand, and proving you have them with an AZ-900 badge might translate into better compensation or help you land a job in a cloud-focused role.
AZ-900 is a recommended (though not mandatory) first step before tackling associate-level Azure certifications like Azure Administrator or Azure Developer. The certification gives you a solid grounding in cloud concepts and Azure services, which makes it easier to dive into advanced topics later.
The Azure Fundamentals certification is an official endorsement from Microsoft that you understand Azure’s core principles. This can help boost your confidence and credibility when working on cloud projects or speaking to technical colleagues and clients.
With the growing emphasis on artificial intelligence and machine learning, consider expanding your Azure certification portfolio to include Microsoft’s latest AI-focused certifications, such as Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) or Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102). To accelerate your understanding and practical use of AI, Training Camp now offers dedicated AI productivity workshops that can fast-track your skills and boost your career potential.
Microsoft Virtual Training Days are free, instructor-led online training sessions covering a range of Microsoft technologies. Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Day: Fundamentals is an event specifically designed to teach Azure basics (spanning two half-day webinars).
Participants who attended the recent training session on March 27–28, 2025, are eligible to take the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification exam at 50% off the exam price. To claim such discounts for future events, make sure to register using the email associated with your Microsoft Learn account.
Microsoft’s virtual training sessions are open to the public but spots fill quickly. Keep an eye on Microsoft’s event page to secure your spot in the next available session to get a discounted AZ-900 voucher.
If you’re a student at an accredited academic institution, you have some excellent avenues to get a free or discounted AZ-900 voucher:
Microsoft offers academic pricing on Microsoft Certification exams in most countries (except India and China). For fundamental exams like AZ-900, many have reported taking the exam for free or at least at a heavily reduced cost. To do this, log in to your Microsoft Certification profile on Microsoft Learn and make sure to set your role as “Student” and verify your academic email.
The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program is application-based and selective. Student Ambassadors often receive free exam vouchers as they progress in the program or run events for their communities. If you’re a student who is passionate about Microsoft technologies and are willing to share knowledge with others, applying to the Student Ambassadors program could be worth it.
Being a student is one of the best positions to get an AZ-900 voucher at minimal cost. Academic programs and university IT departments also often have bulk vouchers for students.
Aside from the above programs, Microsoft occasionally runs special promotions, contests, or event-based offers that offer free or discounted Azure Fundamentals vouchers. These tend to be time-sensitive and not always recurring, but they’re worth mentioning.
In past years, Microsoft Ignite (the annual tech conference) featured a Cloud Skills Challenge where completing certain learning modules entered participants into sweepstakes or earned them free exam vouchers. Microsoft has now shifted to offering 50% off vouchers for in-person event attendees only.
There have been Azure Hero badge challenges, Microsoft Learn contests, or user group events that give out AZ-900 exam vouchers (free or 50% off) to winners. Keep an eye on the Microsoft Tech Community blog for any such opportunities.
“Microsoft Certification Week” occasionally allows participants in some regions to sign up for discounted exams, including the Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 certification. To stay ahead, follow Microsoft’s official Learning Blog, Twitter accounts (@MicrosoftLearn, @Azure) and sign up for the Azure newsletter.
Once you have your voucher, the next step is preparing to pass the AZ-900 exam. Here are some expert preparation tips:
Use Microsoft Learn
The official AZ-900 learning path on Microsoft Learn is free and comprehensive. It covers all the exam objectives through interactive modules. This should be your primary study resource.
Review the Exam Skills Outline
Microsoft provides a skills measured outline that lists every topic that can appear on the test. Review this list and make sure you’ve touched on each item.
Take Practice Tests
Practice tests help you get used to the question style and identify areas you need to brush up on. Aim to consistently score above 80% on practice exams before scheduling the real one.
Gain Practical Experience
Sign up for a free Azure account with $200 credit. Try creating a resource group, launching a virtual machine, or exploring Azure Portal settings.
Consider Structured Programs
Training Camp’s Azure Fundamentals boot camp offers an intensive, instructor-led experience with an Exam Pass Guarantee.
Finally, schedule the exam when you feel ready. With a free or discounted AZ-900 voucher in hand, having an exam date on the calendar can further motivate you to finish up your prep. You can take the exam online from home or in-person at a test center.
The AZ-900 exam is designed to test your understanding of concepts. So if you’ve studied the core areas – like what SaaS vs PaaS is, what Azure service corresponds to which need, how Azure billing works, and basic security/privacy principles – you’ll do well. Don’t overthink the questions. Often your first instinct, based on your learning, will be correct.
There are multiple ways to obtain an AZ-900 free voucher or discount, from Microsoft’s Virtual Training Days to academic programs offering free vouchers to students. These opportunities make the Azure Fundamentals certification journey affordable while enriching your learning experience.
At the end of the day, what matters most is building the practical skills with the right certification needed for professional success. Azure is a dominant force in the cloud computing industry, and having the AZ-900 certification demonstrates to employers that you’re proactive and knowledgeable. With cloud adoption growing in 2025, being AZ-900 certified can serve as a stepping stone toward more advanced Azure certifications and exciting career opportunities in cloud computing.
Whether you use a free AZ-900 voucher or pay for a training program, the goal is to confidently pass the exam and earn your Azure Fundamentals badge. Start your Azure journey today with the method that suits you best. Training Camp offers a comprehensive Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification bootcamp with expert instruction, hands-on labs, full exam prep, and an Exam Pass Guarantee.
We at Training Camp offer accelerated training programs to help you pass IT Certification exams quickly and efficiently. Our expert instructors, hands-on labs, and exam pass guarantee provide the support you need to succeed in your certification journey. Take the first step today and start your Azure certification journey – your future in cloud computing awaits.
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