How to Pass Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

These days, you hear about AI everywhere—it’s part of our jobs and our lives. No matter which field you’re working in, AI is becoming part of every team. I heard something in an interview that really inspired me:
“Now AI is your teammate!”
That made me realize we all need to understand more about this powerful teammate.

Is It Worth Taking the Exam?

Definitely, yes!
AI-900 covers so many great topics that help you understand how AI works, the different models behind it, and practical examples of features in action. You’ll even get a glimpse into models like OpenAI, GPT, and more. I highly recommend this course.

In fact, Microsoft has recently introduced several new AI certifications, and I believe AI-900 is the best starting point for anyone interested in AI.

How Much Time Do You Need?

It depends on your background. If you’re already familiar with cloud and AI concepts, I’d suggest 20 hours over 10 days. If you’re new to the topics, give yourself more time to study and prepare.

My Experience Passing AI-900

I passed AI-900 last week and wanted to share my experience for those who want to earn this certificate quickly. Although it’s labeled as a “fundamentals” exam, to be honest, it wasn’t as easy as Azure Fundamentals or Data Fundamentals. AI is still new, and Microsoft keeps updating things. For example, at the time of writing, Microsoft announced:

“Azure AI Foundry is now Microsoft Foundry. We are in the process of updating the exam and all associated materials.”

So yes, it’s a fundamentals exam—but don’t underestimate it.

Where to Start?

Begin with the AI-900 official page and the “Prepare for the exam” section.

But here’s the key: that document alone won’t cover everything you’ll see in the exam. It’s a great starting point for basic concepts, but you’ll need additional resources to fill in the gaps.

Additional Resources

Here’s what helped me the most:

• Microsoft Learn – Prepare for the exam: Start here for the fundamentals. See the link
• MeasureUp practice tests: Available when you register for the exam. The mock tests are excellent for learning concepts and understanding the exam style.
• YouTube – Azure AI Fundamentals Certification 2024 (AI-900): A 4.5-hour video that covers the exam in detail. This one was my most resource!
• John Savill’s Technical Training videos: Great for summarizing and reinforcing what you’ve learned. Watch his videos

Final Tip Before the Exam

A couple of days before your exam, take the Microsoft-provided practice test (50 questions). It’s the best way to check if you’re truly ready.

I took lots of notes during my preparation, and I’ll be summarizing and sharing those in a future post. If you’re planning to take AI-900, I hope this helps you feel more confident and prepared.

Good luck—you’ve got this!