Free Azure AZ-900 Practice Test 2026: 200+ Questions & Answers to Pass First Try
Practice with real-format questions covering all four AZ-900 domains. Free. No signup required.
The AZ-900 Is Microsoft's Most Popular Exam — And Most People Prep Wrong
Here's a stat that surprised me: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) has been taken by over 2 million people since its launch. It's the gateway cert for the entire Azure ecosystem. And yet, a shocking number of candidates walk in underprepared because they relied on reading documentation instead of actually testing themselves.
I've watched colleagues spend three weeks reading Microsoft Learn modules cover-to-cover, then panic during the real exam because they'd never practiced under timed conditions. Don't be that person.
The fix is simple: practice tests. Specifically, free ones that mirror the actual exam format. That's exactly what we've built at ExamCert — and in this post, I'll walk you through what to expect, how to use practice questions effectively, and give you a taste of the real thing.
What the AZ-900 Exam Actually Tests
Before you jump into practice questions, you need to understand what Microsoft is really asking. The AZ-900 isn't a deep technical exam. It's a concepts exam. You won't be asked to write ARM templates or configure virtual networks from scratch. But you DO need to understand why you'd use certain services and when they apply.
The Four Exam Domains (2026 Weights)
| Domain | Weight | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Describe cloud concepts | 25-30% | IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, shared responsibility, cloud models |
| Describe Azure architecture and services | 35-40% | Regions, availability zones, compute, storage, networking |
| Describe Azure management and governance | 30-35% | Cost management, governance tools, monitoring, compliance |
Notice something? Microsoft actually dropped it from four to three domains in the latest update. The security domain got folded into governance. A lot of outdated practice tests still use the old four-domain structure. Make sure yours is current.
Question Types You'll See
The AZ-900 uses several question formats:
- Multiple choice — pick one correct answer from four options
- Multiple select — pick two or three correct answers (they'll tell you how many)
- Drag and drop — match services to descriptions
- Yes/No statements — determine if a series of statements is correct
- Hot area — click the correct area on a diagram
Most free practice tests only give you multiple choice. That's a problem. You need to practice ALL the formats. ExamCert's AZ-900 practice test includes all question types so nothing surprises you on exam day.
Sample AZ-900 Practice Questions
Here are 10 free AZ-900 practice questions to help you prepare for the exam. Select your answer, then click "Check Answer" to see if you're correct and read the detailed explanation.
Question 1
Which Azure service provides serverless compute for running event-driven code without managing infrastructure?
Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that runs code in response to events (HTTP requests, queue messages, timers) without provisioning servers. You pay only for execution time. VMs and App Service require infrastructure management; Container Instances are not fully serverless.
Question 2
A company needs to store 500 TB of archival data that is rarely accessed. Which Azure storage option is MOST cost-effective?
Azure Archive tier offers the lowest storage cost for data that is rarely accessed and can tolerate several hours of retrieval latency. It's optimized for long-term retention. Hot tier is expensive for archival; Cool is for data accessed less than monthly; Archive is for data accessed less than yearly.
Question 3
Which Azure service provides a managed platform for running Docker containers without managing orchestrators?
Azure Container Instances (ACI) runs containers without requiring you to manage orchestration. AKS is a managed Kubernetes service but you still manage cluster configuration. ACI is simpler - just deploy a container and run it. It's ideal for simple applications, task automation, and build jobs.
Question 4
What does the principle of least privilege mean in Azure identity and access management?
Least privilege means granting users the minimum level of access required to complete their tasks - no more, no less. This reduces the risk of accidental or malicious damage. Azure RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) implements this through granular roles and scopes.
Question 5
Which Azure service provides a managed relational database compatible with MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB?
Azure Database for MySQL/PostgreSQL/MariaDB provides fully managed versions of these open-source databases. Azure SQL is Microsoft SQL Server. Cosmos DB is a NoSQL multi-model database. Synapse is for analytics. Each Azure Database service is optimized for its specific engine.
Question 6
A company wants to ensure their Azure resources comply with corporate standards. Which service should they use?
Azure Policy enforces organizational standards and compliance by defining rules that resources must follow (e.g., allowed locations, required tags, allowed VM sizes). It can audit non-compliance or automatically remediate. Monitor tracks metrics, Security Center provides security recommendations, Advisor provides optimization tips.
Question 7
What is the purpose of Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates?
ARM templates are JSON files that define infrastructure as code (IaC). They enable declarative deployment - you describe what resources you want, and Azure handles the deployment. This ensures consistency, repeatability, and version control for infrastructure. It's the foundation of DevOps practices in Azure.
Question 8
Which Azure service provides a global content delivery network (CDN) to accelerate delivery of web content?
Azure CDN caches static content at edge locations worldwide, reducing latency for global users. Traffic Manager is DNS-based load balancing. Front Door combines CDN with application acceleration and WAF. Application Gateway is a regional load balancer with WAF. For pure CDN functionality, Azure CDN is the answer.
Question 9
A company needs to protect their Azure VMs from Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Which service provides this protection?
Azure DDoS Protection provides dedicated DDoS mitigation for Azure resources. The Basic tier is free and automatic; the Standard tier provides enhanced features and cost protection. Azure Firewall is for network traffic filtering, Security Center is for security posture, NSGs are for access control - none specifically mitigate DDoS.
Question 10
What is the difference between horizontal and vertical scaling in Azure?
Horizontal scaling (scale-out) adds more instances of a resource (e.g., adding more VMs to a scale set). Vertical scaling (scale-up) increases the size/power of existing instances (e.g., changing from 2 to 4 vCPUs). Horizontal scaling provides better redundancy; vertical has limits. Both can be automated.
How to Actually Use Practice Tests (Most People Get This Wrong)
Here's my biggest frustration with how people use practice tests: they treat them like a score machine. Take a test, see 72%, feel bad, take another test, see 78%, feel slightly better. Repeat until exam day.
That's not studying. That's score-watching.
Here's what you should actually do:
The Review-First Method
- Take a practice test — 30-40 questions, timed
- Review EVERY question — not just the ones you got wrong. Even correct answers deserve a "do I really understand why?"
- Write down weak areas — "I keep confusing Azure AD vs traditional AD" or "I don't understand reserved instances pricing"
- Study those weak areas specifically — go back to the study guide for just those topics
- Take another test 2-3 days later — this is spaced repetition working for you
This loop is how you go from 65% to 90%+ in two weeks. Not by cramming, but by systematically killing weak spots.
Best Free AZ-900 Practice Test Resources in 2026
I've tried basically every free AZ-900 practice test out there. Here's my honest ranking:
1. ExamCert (Recommended)
ExamCert's Azure AZ-900 practice test is what I recommend to everyone. It's completely free to start, questions are updated for 2026, and the explanations are actually helpful — not just "the answer is B because B is correct" (you know what I mean). The mobile app lets you practice during commutes too.
2. Microsoft Learn Practice Assessment
Microsoft offers a free practice assessment directly on their Learn platform. It's 50 questions and gives you a rough idea of readiness. Downside: no detailed explanations and you can't retake it with different questions easily.
3. YouTube Question Walkthroughs
Several YouTubers post AZ-900 question walkthroughs. Good for visual learners, but you can't simulate timed exam conditions this way. Use these as supplements, not your main prep.
My 2-Week AZ-900 Study Plan
If you're starting from scratch, here's exactly what I'd do. This assumes about 1-2 hours per day.
Week 1: Learn the Concepts
- Days 1-2: Cloud concepts — IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS, public/private/hybrid, shared responsibility model
- Days 3-4: Azure architecture — regions, availability zones, resource groups, subscriptions
- Days 5-6: Core services — VMs, App Service, ACI, Storage, Azure SQL, Cosmos DB
- Day 7: First practice test (expect 55-65% — that's normal)
Week 2: Test and Fill Gaps
- Days 8-9: Governance — Azure Policy, RBAC, resource locks, Management Groups, Azure blueprints
- Days 10-11: Cost management — TCO calculator, pricing calculator, Cost Management tool
- Day 12: Review weak areas from first practice test + take second practice test
- Day 13: Final weak spots + third practice test (target 85%+)
- Day 14: Light review only. Exam day tips and rest
Ready to Start Practicing?
ExamCert has 500+ free AZ-900 practice questions updated for 2026. Mobile app available for iOS and Android.
Start Free Practice Test →Common AZ-900 Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
After helping hundreds of people prep for AZ-900, I see the same mistakes over and over:
Mistake 1: Ignoring the Pricing Questions
People think AZ-900 is all about services. It's not. A solid chunk of questions cover cost management and pricing models. Know the difference between the TCO Calculator and the Pricing Calculator. Understand how reserved instances save money. Know what Azure Cost Management does.
Mistake 2: Confusing Similar Services
Azure has a LOT of overlapping services. The exam loves testing whether you know the difference:
- Azure AD vs traditional Active Directory — cloud identity vs on-prem directory
- Azure Monitor vs Azure Advisor vs Azure Service Health — monitoring vs recommendations vs outage tracking
- NSGs vs Azure Firewall — basic filtering vs advanced firewall
- Blob Storage vs File Storage vs Disk Storage — unstructured data vs file shares vs VM disks
Mistake 3: Overthinking It
The AZ-900 is a fundamentals exam. If you find yourself deep in the weeds of subnet CIDR calculations or ARM template syntax, you've gone too far. Step back. Focus on the "what" and "why," not the "how."
After AZ-900: What's Next?
Once you pass, the natural next step depends on your career goals:
- Cloud Administration → Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cloud Development → Azure Developer (AZ-204)
- Cloud Architecture → Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305)
- Security → Azure Security (AZ-500)
- Want to compare paths? → AZ-104 vs AZ-900 comparison
Or if you want to go multi-cloud, check out how AZ-900 compares to AWS Cloud Practitioner.
More Azure Certification Resources
ExamCert offers comprehensive preparation materials for the entire Azure certification path. Whether you're just starting with AZ-900 or planning to advance to more specialized certifications, we've got you covered:
- Full AZ-900 Practice Exam — 500+ questions with detailed explanations in our app
- Complete AZ-900 Study Guide 2026 — Everything you need to know for Azure Fundamentals
- How to Pass AZ-900 in 2026 — Step-by-step study plan and tips
- Next Step: AZ-104 Azure Administrator — The natural progression after AZ-900
- Azure Certification Path for Beginners 2026 — Plan your entire Azure journey
- Best Azure Practice Exams 2026 — Comparison of top practice test platforms
- Free Cloud Certification Practice Tests — Azure, AWS, and GCP practice exams
AZ-900 Exam Domains & Free Practice Questions by Topic
The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam in 2026 tests knowledge across three core domains. Here's what each domain covers and how to prepare:
Cloud Concepts (25-30%)
This domain tests your understanding of cloud computing fundamentals — IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS, public/private/hybrid cloud models, and the benefits of cloud computing like high availability, scalability, and disaster recovery. These questions are concept-heavy, making them ideal for practice tests.
Azure Architecture & Services (35-40%)
The largest domain covers Azure compute (VMs, App Service, Functions), networking (VNets, Load Balancer), storage (Blob, Files, Queues), and databases. You'll need to know when to use which service. Our free AZ-900 practice exam includes scenario-based questions that test real decision-making skills.
Azure Management & Governance (30-35%)
Covers cost management (Azure Cost Management, pricing calculator), governance tools (Azure Policy, RBAC, resource locks), and monitoring (Azure Monitor, Service Health). Understanding Azure pricing is heavily tested — practice calculating costs for common scenarios.
AZ-900 vs Other Azure Certifications
AZ-900 is the entry point for Microsoft Azure certifications. After passing, most professionals move to role-based certifications:
- AZ-104 Azure Administrator — for IT admins managing Azure resources
- AZ-204 Azure Developer — for developers building cloud applications
- AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect — for designing Azure solutions
- AZ-500 Azure Security — for security engineers
- SC-900 Security Fundamentals — another fundamentals cert for security
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AZ-900 exam hard?
The AZ-900 is considered an entry-level exam. Most candidates with 2-4 weeks of focused study pass on their first attempt. The key is understanding cloud concepts rather than memorizing technical details.
How many questions are on the AZ-900 exam?
The AZ-900 typically has 40-60 questions. You have 85 minutes to complete the exam and need a score of 700 out of 1000 to pass.
Can I pass AZ-900 with just practice tests?
Practice tests alone aren't enough, but they're essential. Combine them with Microsoft Learn modules and hands-on Azure portal exploration for the best results.
How much does the AZ-900 exam cost?
The AZ-900 costs $99 USD. Microsoft occasionally offers free exam vouchers through Virtual Training Days events — definitely worth checking their events page before booking.
Is AZ-900 worth it in 2026?
Yes. AZ-900 validates foundational cloud knowledge and is often required before pursuing advanced Azure certifications. It's also increasingly requested by employers for non-technical cloud roles.