📍 Recommended Azure Hybrid Path
Fundamentals
Master the basics
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AZ-900Fundamentals
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Cloud concepts, Azure architecture, core services, management and governance.
Key Skills
IaaS/PaaS/SaaSCloud ModelsAzure RegionsComputeStorageNetworkingCost ManagementRBACAzure Policy
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AI-900Fundamentals
Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
Machine learning concepts, Azure AI services, computer vision, NLP, and generative AI.
Key Skills
Azure MLAzure AI ServicesComputer VisionNLPAzure OpenAIResponsible AIDocument Intelligence
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DP-900Fundamentals
Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
Core data concepts, relational, non-relational, and analytical workloads on Azure.
Key Skills
Azure SQLCosmos DBAzure StorageSynapse AnalyticsData FactoryPower BIRelational vs NoSQL
Azure Role-Based — Associate
Expand your technical Azure skill set
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AZ-104Associate
Microsoft Azure Administrator
Implement, manage, and monitor Azure identities, governance, storage, compute, and virtual networks.
Key Skills
Entra ID / RBACStorage AccountsVirtual MachinesVMSSVNet / NSGAzure FirewallAzure MonitorAzure BackupARM / BicepAzure CLI / PowerShell
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AZ-204Associate
Azure Developer Associate
Develop and implement Azure compute, storage, security, monitoring, and integration solutions.
Key Skills
Azure FunctionsApp ServiceBlob StorageCosmos DBAPI ManagementKey VaultEvent GridService BusContainer AppsAzure AD/MSAL
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AZ-500Associate
Azure Security Engineer Associate
Implement security controls, maintain security posture, manage identity, access, data, and network protection.
Key Skills
Microsoft Entra IDConditional AccessKey VaultDefender for CloudSentinelNSG / WAFJIT AccessStorage EncryptionContainer Security
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AZ-700Associate
Azure Network Engineer Associate
Design, implement, and manage Azure networking: VNets, DNS, load balancing, VPN, ExpressRoute, and security.
Key Skills
VNet / SubnetsVPN GatewayExpressRouteAzure FirewallApplication GatewayFront DoorPrivate LinkTraffic ManagerBGP / RoutingDNS
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AI-102Associate
Azure AI Engineer Associate
Build, manage, and deploy AI solutions using Azure AI Services, Azure OpenAI, and knowledge mining.
Key Skills
Azure OpenAIAzure AI SearchDocument IntelligenceCustom VisionLanguage ServiceBot FrameworkResponsible AIAzure AI Studio
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AI-300Associate
MLOps Engineer AssociateNEWBETA
Design and implement scalable ML operations, model monitoring, and deployment pipelines on Azure.
Key Skills
Azure ML PipelinesModel MonitoringMLflowFeature EngineeringResponsible AIData DriftCI/CD for MLModel Registry
Azure Role-Based — Expert
Advanced architecture, DevOps, and infrastructure solutions
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AZ-305★ Expert
Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Design and implement compute, network, storage, identity, governance, and monitoring architectures.
Key Skills
Landing ZonesHub & SpokeAvailability ZonesCost OptimizationGovernanceIdentity DesignDR / BCMMigration StrategiesWell-Architected Framework
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AZ-400★ Expert
DevOps Engineer Expert
Design and implement DevOps practices using Azure DevOps, GitHub, IaC, and CI/CD pipelines.
Key Skills
Azure DevOpsGitHub ActionsPipelines / YAMLBicep / TerraformContainer RegistryShift-Left SecurityFeature FlagsMonitoring DevOps
Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
Pairs AZ-800 + AZ-801 for the full certification
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AZ-800Associate
Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure
Configure and manage Windows Server on-premises, hybrid, and IaaS workloads in Azure.
Key Skills
Active Directory DSAzure AD ConnectWindows Admin CenterHyper-VAzure Arc for ServersDNS / DHCPStorage Spaces DirectAzure File SyncDFSRDS
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AZ-801Associate
Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services
Advanced Windows Server: high availability, disaster recovery, security hardening, and migration.
Key Skills
Failover ClusteringAzure Site RecoveryAzure MigrateAzure MonitorDefender for ServersSecured-core ServerBitLocker / WDACStorage ReplicaAzure Backup
Azure Specialty
Deepen technical skills in specific industry solutions
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AZ-120Specialty
Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty
Plan, implement, and integrate SAP solutions and infrastructure on Microsoft Azure.
Key Skills
SAP HANA on AzureSAP NetWeaverLarge InstancesHANA System ReplicationBackup SAPAzure Site Recovery SAPHigh Availability SAPSAP Migration
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AZ-140Specialty
Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty
Plan, deliver, and manage virtual desktop experiences using Azure Virtual Desktop.
Key Skills
Host PoolsSession HostsFSLogix ProfilesMSIX App AttachAVD NetworkingAzure AD JoinRDP ShortpathMonitoring AVDScaling Plans
Data & AI
Work with data, machine learning, and analytics on Azure
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DP-100Associate
Azure Data Scientist Associate
Design and implement data science solutions using Azure Machine Learning.
Key Skills
Azure ML StudioAutoMLMLflowFeature EngineeringResponsible AICompute ClustersPipelinesModel Deployment
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DP-300Associate
Azure Database Administrator Associate
Administer SQL Server and Azure SQL database environments on-premises and in cloud.
Key Skills
Azure SQL DBSQL Managed InstanceAlways On AGPerformance TuningBackup & RestoreSecurityHADRMigrationQuery Store
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DP-420Specialty
Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty
Design and implement data models and data distribution using Azure Cosmos DB.
Key Skills
Cosmos DB APIsPartition KeysConsistency LevelsChange FeedSDK / QueryIntegrated CacheGlobal DistributionIndexing Policy
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DP-600Associate
Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate
Design, build, and deploy analytics solutions using Microsoft Fabric.
Key Skills
Fabric LakehousesOneLakeData PipelinesSpark NotebooksPower BI in FabricDelta TablesMedallion ArchitectureData Activator
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DP-700Associate
Fabric Data Engineer AssociateNEW
Implement and manage data engineering workloads using Microsoft Fabric.
Key Skills
Fabric PipelinesLakehouse EngineeringDelta LakeEventstreamData WarehouseSpark OptimizationSecurity & GovernanceCI/CD Fabric
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DP-750Associate
Azure Databricks Data Engineer AssociateBETA
Implement data engineering solutions using Azure Databricks and the Lakehouse pattern.
Key Skills
Databricks ClustersDelta Live TablesUnity CatalogSpark SQLWorkflowsAutoloaderMedallion ArchitectureMLflow Integration
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DP-800Associate
SQL AI Developer AssociateNEW
Develop AI-powered applications using Azure SQL and generative AI capabilities.
Key Skills
Azure SQL AIVector SearchAzure OpenAI + SQLSemantic KernelAI FunctionsIntelligent QueryRAG with SQLT-SQL AI Extensions
🎯 Exam Preparation Tips
Proven strategies from a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) with 16+ years of experience
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Read the Study Guide First
Download the official Microsoft study guide PDF. Every measured skill is listed with its exact exam weighting — use it as your personal checklist.
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Hands-On Labs Daily
Microsoft exams test real skills. Use the free Azure sandbox in MS Learn modules daily. Associate-level exams include live lab tasks you must perform for real.
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Free Practice Assessments
Microsoft Learn practice assessments are built by the same team that writes the exams. Aim for 85%+ consistently before you book your exam date.
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Watch the Video Playlists
The official Microsoft Learn YouTube playlists map directly to exam domains. The Exam Readiness Zone videos are especially useful for targeted revision.
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Exams Update Every 6 Months
Always check the "Skills measured as of [date]" notice on the exam page. Old prep materials can mislead you if Microsoft has changed the domain weights.
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Time Your Lab Tasks Carefully
Live lab tasks at associate level cannot be revisited once submitted. Complete them carefully in order — there are no second chances on the lab section.
ℹ️ Note: Exam details and domain weightings are subject to change. Always verify on the
official Microsoft Learn Certifications page.
Based on the Microsoft Certifications Poster — March 2026.