If you’re preparing for the AZ-900 exam 2026, there’s something important you need to know—before you invest another hour into studying.

Microsoft has officially announced that the AZ-900 (Microsoft Azure Fundamentals) exam will be updated on January 14, 2026.

That one sentence changes everything.

Right now, thousands of candidates are still studying materials built for the previous version of the exam. On the surface, those resources look fine. But underneath, they miss the subtle shifts Microsoft is about to introduce—especially in how questions are framed.

Over the years, I’ve trained thousands of students as a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). I’ve seen this exact situation play out again and again. People don’t fail because the exam is too hard. They fail because they prepare for the wrong version.

This guide exists to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.

Whether you’re:

• A complete beginner with zero cloud experience
• A busy professional trying to squeeze study time into evenings
• Or someone who wants to pass AZ-900 in one week without drowning in documentation

You’re in the right place.

I’ll walk you through what’s changing, what’s not, and how to prepare confidently—without wasting time on outdated content.

The January 2026 Update – What Will Change (and Why It Won’t Derail You)

Let’s clear the anxiety first.

Microsoft is not turning AZ-900 into a technical or advanced exam. The update scheduled for January 14, 2026, is about clarity and realism, not difficulty.

You can always verify the official scope here:
👉 Official AZ-900 Study Guide

Expected Exam Weighting After the January 2026 Update

Key takeaway:
👉 You’ll see fewer definition-only questions and more “Which option fits this situation?” scenarios.

If you understand why services exist—not just what they’re called—you’re already ahead.

Everything You Need to Know Before You Book the Exam

Exam Format

• 40–60 questions
• Multiple choice, multiple select, and scenario-based
• 60 minutes total
• Passing score: 700 out of 1000

Exam Cost

• USD $99 (pricing may vary by region)

Languages

• Available in multiple languages
• This article focuses on the English version, which will be updated on January 14, 2026

Do You Need Technical Experience?

No coding. No command line. No scripting.

But you do need:

• Basic IT awareness
• Willingness to understand concepts, not just memorize buzzwords

Who Should Take AZ-900?

• Career switchers entering cloud or IT
• Students and recent graduates
• Sales, consultants, and PMs working with Azure
• Anyone starting the Microsoft certification path

Let’s Walk Through the New Exam Topics Together

This section matters more than any practice test.

Instead of dumping definitions, I’ll explain each area the way I do in live training—simple, practical, and exam-focused.

Why Cloud Concepts Are Still Your Foundation

I tell every class the same thing:

Cloud concepts are the easiest points on the exam—if you truly understand them.

What Cloud Computing Actually Means

Forget textbook definitions for a moment.

Imagine running your own business:

• Buying servers upfront costs a fortune
• Guessing future traffic is risky
• Maintaining hardware drains time and energy

Cloud computing solves this by offering:

• Elasticity – scale up or down instantly
• Pay-as-you-go – only pay for what you use
• High availability – built-in redundancy

If a question asks why companies move to the cloud, these are your answers.

Public, Private, and Hybrid Cloud (A Classic Exam Trap)

• Public cloud → Azure
• Private cloud → On-premises data center
• Hybrid cloud → Both working together

Quick rule for the exam:

If a question mentions on-premises resources connected to Azure, the answer is almost always Hybrid Cloud.

IaaS, PaaS, SaaS – Understand the Responsibility Shift

Here’s the simplest analogy I know:

• IaaS → Renting an empty apartment
• PaaS → Fully furnished apartment
• SaaS → Hotel room

Exam logic:

• Less management → PaaS or SaaS
• Full control → IaaS

Getting Comfortable with Azure’s Core Services

You don’t need to deploy anything. You just need clarity.

Compute Services

• Virtual Machines (VMs)
  • Traditional servers
  • You manage the OS
• App Service
  • Platform for web apps
  • Microsoft manages the OS

Exam shortcut:

Want less maintenance? Choose App Service.
Want full control? Choose VM.

Storage Services (Easy Points if You Don’t Mix Them Up)

• Blob Storage – Images, videos, backups
• Disk Storage – VM operating system disks
• File Storage – Shared file systems

Common question:

“Store large amounts of unstructured data.”

Correct answer: Blob Storage

Networking Basics

You only need to know the purpose:

• VNet – Private network in Azure
• VPN Gateway – Connect on-premises to Azure
• Load Balancer – Distribute traffic

No configuration knowledge required.

Mastering Management and Governance (More Important Than Ever)

This area gains weight in the AZ-900 changes 2026, and many candidates underestimate it.

Azure Resource Manager (ARM)

Think of ARM as:

The control plane behind every Azure resource.

All deployments, permissions, and policies flow through it.

Management Groups, Subscriptions, Resource Groups

Hierarchy matters:

Management Group
 └─ Subscription
     └─ Resource Group
         └─ Resources

Exam favorite:

Resource groups manage the lifecycle of resources.

Cost Management and Governance Tools

You must understand:

• Cost Management – Monitor spending
• Budgets – Set alerts
• Tags – Track costs by department or project

Scenario question:

“You want to analyze Azure costs by team.”

Correct answer: Tags

Your Realistic 7-Day Plan to Pass AZ-900

This plan works before or immediately after the January 2026 update.

7-Day Study Plan

Official learning path (must-use):
👉 Microsoft Learn – Azure Fundamentals

The Best Resources I Recommend to My Students

1. Free Official Resources (Top Priority)

• Microsoft Learn
• Official practice assessment

2. Community Learning

• Microsoft Learn Q&A
• Official Azure YouTube channels

3. Optional Practice Tests

I always tell my students to master Microsoft’s free materials first—they’re the gold standard.

If you want extra realistic practice questions after that, some students use Leads4Pass AZ-900 practice exams as a final confidence check:
👉 https://www.leads4pass.com/az-900.html

Not required—but helpful if you learn best through mock exams.

⚠️ Avoid outdated materials at all costs.

What to Do on Exam Day – Advice From Experience

• Don’t overthink questions
• Flag difficult ones and move on
• Focus on the goal of scenario questions
• Trust your preparation

Most failures come from stress—not lack of knowledge.

Your Most Common Questions, Answered Honestly

Is AZ-900 hard in 2026?

No. It’s conceptual, not technical.

Can I really pass AZ-900 in one week?

Yes—with focused study.

Do I need IT experience?

Helpful, but not required.

Will the January update make it harder?

No—just more practical.

What if I fail?

Review weak areas and retake. Most pass on the second try.

You’re More Ready Than You Think

The AZ-900 exam 2026 isn’t about proving you’re a cloud expert.

It’s about showing that you understand how Azure fits real-world needs.

The update scheduled for January 14, 2026, doesn’t raise the bar—it clarifies expectations. If you study with intention, use current resources, and follow a structured plan, passing in one week is completely realistic.

You’ve got this.

FAQs

Q1: Is AZ-900 still valuable in 2026?
Yes—it’s the foundation of the Azure certification path.

Q2: Will I need to write commands?
No.

Q3: Do I need to memorize SKUs?
Absolutely not.

Q4: Can I skip sections?
Not recommended.

Q5: What should I take after AZ-900?
AZ-104 or AZ-204, depending on your role.