CertPath
Browse Certs
MicrosoftAZ-900

Azure Fundamentals in Riyadh

Microsoft's entry-level Azure certification covering cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, privacy, and pricing.

Salary uplift
+$6k
Exam cost
$165
Duration
65 min
Passing score
700
Difficulty
beginner
View recommended courses
◆ 01 / About

What is Azure Fundamentals?

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification (AZ-900) is the entry point into Microsoft's cloud ecosystem, validating your understanding of core cloud concepts, Azure services, pricing, and governance. In Riyadh, where Vision 2030 is accelerating digital transformation across government, finance, and energy sectors, foundational cloud knowledge is no longer optional — it's expected. Organizations across the city are migrating infrastructure to Azure, creating a steady stream of roles that require at least basic cloud fluency. Whether you're an IT professional looking to pivot or a recent graduate entering the workforce, AZ-900 gives you a credible, vendor-recognized credential that opens doors in one of the Middle East's fastest-growing tech markets.

At $165 for the exam, AZ-900 is one of the lowest-cost investments in IT certification — and the return in Riyadh is measurable. With the average IT salary sitting around $60,000 per year, a $6,000 annual uplift represents a 10% salary increase from a single beginner-level exam. Riyadh's tech sector is expanding rapidly under Vision 2030 initiatives, with major cloud contracts being awarded to Microsoft Azure across public and private sectors. Employers are actively filtering candidates by cloud familiarity, and AZ-900 signals you're ready to work in hybrid and cloud-first environments. Factor in the two-year renewal cycle and the cert pays for itself many times over within the first month of a new role.

◆ 02 / Exam details

Exam details

Exam cost
$165 USD
Duration
65 min
Passing score
700
Renewal
Every 2 yrs

Prerequisites: None required

◆ 03 / Study plan

12-week study plan

1
Cloud Concepts and Azure Core ServicesWeeks 1–4
Study cloud computing models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and the shared responsibility model using Microsoft Learn's free AZ-900 learning pathExplore core Azure services including Azure Compute, Storage, and Networking through hands-on sandbox labsTake notes on Azure regions, availability zones, and resource groups — these appear heavily in the exam
2
Azure Management, Governance, and SecurityWeeks 5–8
Study Azure Identity services including Azure Active Directory, MFA, and role-based access control (RBAC)Learn Azure governance tools: Azure Policy, Management Groups, Resource Locks, and Azure BlueprintsReview Azure Security Center, Defender for Cloud, and compliance offerings such as Trust Center and Azure compliance documentation
3
Pricing, SLAs, and Exam PracticeWeeks 9–12
Master the Azure pricing calculator, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator, and cost management toolsReview Azure SLAs, service lifecycle stages (preview vs. general availability), and support plan tiersComplete at least three full practice exams using MeasureUp or Whizlabs, targeting weak areas identified in earlier attempts
◆ 04 / Exam tips

Exam tips

Know the difference between CapEx and OpEx in cloud contexts — this concept appears in multiple question formats across the AZ-900 exam.

Memorize which Azure services fall under Compute, Networking, Storage, and Databases — the exam frequently asks you to match services to categories.

Understand Azure's geographic hierarchy: geographies, regions, availability zones, and data centers — know how each relates to redundancy and compliance.

Don't confuse Azure AD (identity) with on-premises Active Directory — AZ-900 tests whether you understand cloud identity as a distinct service model.

Use the official Microsoft Learn AZ-900 learning path as your primary study resource — exam questions are closely aligned with the language and framing used in that content.

◆ 05 / FAQ

Frequently asked questions

AZ-900 is rated beginner difficulty and requires no prerequisites. Most candidates with basic IT familiarity pass within 4–8 weeks of self-study. The exam covers concepts rather than deep technical implementation, so focus on understanding cloud terminology, Azure service categories, and pricing models. Consistent study using Microsoft Learn's free path is usually sufficient for first-time takers.
◆ 06 / Other certifications in Riyadh