AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals - 3-Week Study Plan

This detailed 3-week learning plan is designed for beginners to cover all essential AZ-900 exam topics effectively using a structured daily approach. It incorporates:

1. Focused Learning: Using the Pomodoro Technique (25-minute study + 5-minute breaks).
2. Regular Reviews: Utilizing the Forgetting Curve principle (reviews on Days 3, 7, 14, and 21) to reinforce long-term retention.
3. Hands-on Practice: Practicing concepts using the Azure Portal and online tools.

The plan is organized into 3 weeks with specific daily tasks and learning objectives.

Week 1: Understanding Cloud Concepts

Goal

• Build foundational knowledge of cloud computing.
• Understand cloud concepts, benefits, deployment models, and service models.

Day 1: Introduction to Cloud Computing

Learning Objective: Understand what cloud computing is and its core principles.

Tasks:

1. Learn the Definition and Principles:
   • Study the five characteristics of cloud computing:
     • On-demand self-service
     • Broad network access
     • Resource pooling
     • Rapid elasticity
     • Measured service
   • Resource: Microsoft Learn module: "Describe Cloud Concepts".
2. Take Notes: Write definitions and examples for each principle.
   • Example: Resource pooling enables multi-tenancy (sharing computing resources).
3. Watch a Video:
   • Watch Microsoft’s introductory video on Cloud Concepts.
4. Create a Diagram: Draw a mind map or chart summarizing the five principles.
5. Self-Assessment: Test yourself:
   • Write down definitions from memory and compare with notes.

Study Method:

• 4 Pomodoro sessions:
  • 25 minutes study → 5 minutes break (x4)
  • Long break (15-20 minutes) after completing tasks.

Day 2: Benefits of Cloud Computing

Learning Objective: Understand the benefits of adopting cloud computing.

Tasks:

1. Learn the Key Benefits:
   • Study the seven benefits:
     • Cost savings, scalability, agility, high availability, global reach, security, and performance.
2. Real-World Examples:
   • Write real-world examples for each benefit.
   • Example: A business uses Azure for disaster recovery, benefiting from high availability.
3. Compare Cloud vs On-Premises:
   • Create a comparison table showing advantages of cloud over on-premises infrastructure.
4. Watch a Video:
   • Watch a case study explaining how businesses save costs with Azure.
5. Reflect and Quiz:
   • Take a self-quiz: Write down benefits and examples from memory.

Study Method:

• 4 Pomodoro sessions, alternating study and practical application.

Day 3: Cloud Deployment Models

Learning Objective: Learn about Public Cloud, Private Cloud, and Hybrid Cloud models.

Tasks:

1. Study Deployment Models:
   • Understand the definition, advantages, and disadvantages of:
     • Public Cloud (e.g., Azure, AWS, Google Cloud)
     • Private Cloud (on-premises, controlled by one organization)
     • Hybrid Cloud (combines public and private).
2. Use Cases:
   • Write examples of when each model is used:
     • Example: Hybrid Cloud is ideal for sensitive data and cloud scalability.
3. Create a Comparison Chart:
   • Compare models based on cost, security, and flexibility.
4. Write a Summary:
   • Summarize the key differences between the three models in one paragraph.
5. Review Day 1 and Day 2 Content:
   • Quickly go through notes and test your recall.

Study Method:

• 3 Pomodoro sessions for study and 1 for review.

Day 4: Cloud Service Models

Learning Objective: Learn about IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models, and their respective use cases.

Tasks:

1. Understand the Models:
   • Study the definition and use of each service model:
     • IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service (Azure VMs).
     • PaaS: Platform as a Service (Azure App Service).
     • SaaS: Software as a Service (Microsoft 365).
2. Responsibility Model:
   • Draw a diagram showing who manages what in each model (e.g., infrastructure, OS, applications).
3. Real-World Examples:
   • Write 2 use cases for each model.
4. Practice Exercise:
   • Identify which Azure service falls into IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS.
5. Quick Quiz:
   • Test your understanding by writing the differences from memory.

Study Method:

• 4 Pomodoro sessions: mix of reading, note-taking, and diagram creation.

Day 5: Week 1 Review and Practice

Learning Objective: Consolidate knowledge of cloud concepts, benefits, deployment, and service models.

Tasks:

1. Review Notes: Go through notes, diagrams, and examples from Days 1–4.
2. Create a Summary Sheet:
   • Summarize cloud concepts, benefits, deployment models, and service models on one page.
3. Take a Practice Test:
   • Complete a quiz on cloud concepts (Microsoft Learn quiz or third-party resources).
4. Reflect on Weak Areas:
   • Identify topics you struggled with and revisit those sections.

Study Method:

• 2 Pomodoro sessions for reviewing, 1 for practice tests, and 1 for revisiting weak areas.

Day 6: Reinforcement and Mock Quiz

Learning Objective: Ensure understanding of all cloud concepts and prepare for retention.

Tasks:

1. Self-Test:
   • Answer 15-20 practice questions on cloud concepts.
2. Explain to Yourself:
   • Verbally explain cloud concepts as if teaching someone else.
3. Review Diagrams:
   • Revisit mind maps and comparison charts created earlier in the week.

Day 7: Weekly Review and Rest

Tasks:

1. Weekly Summary: Spend time creating a final summary sheet for Week 1 content.
2. Reattempt Practice Test: Redo the questions you got wrong.
3. Light Review: Skim through all notes and diagrams.
4. Rest and Reflect: Take a longer break today to prepare for Week 2.

Week 2: Understanding Azure Architecture and Core Services

Goal:

• Understand Azure's global infrastructure.
• Learn Azure’s core services: Compute, Storage, Networking, and Databases.
• Practice applying services in real-world scenarios.

Day 8: Azure Global Infrastructure

Learning Objective: Understand how Azure ensures high availability and scalability using its global infrastructure.

Tasks:

1. Learn about Azure Regions and Availability Zones:
   • Study the concepts of Regions, Availability Zones, and Region Pairing.
   • Key Focus: How these concepts ensure redundancy and fault tolerance.
2. Draw a Diagram:
   • Create a visual representation of Azure's global infrastructure, showing Regions, Availability Zones, and paired regions.
3. Read Real-World Use Cases:
   • Example: How businesses deploy applications across multiple regions for disaster recovery.
4. Practice:
   • Log in to the Azure Portal and explore regions. Note down data centers closest to your location.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 2 sessions for theory and notes
• 1 session for diagram creation
• 1 session for hands-on Portal exploration

Day 9: Azure Compute Services

Learning Objective: Learn about Azure Compute options and when to use each.

Tasks:

1. Study Core Compute Services:
   • Azure Virtual Machines (VMs): Learn configuration, scalability, and pricing models.
   • Azure App Service: Understand how it simplifies hosting web applications.
   • Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): Basics of container orchestration.
   • Azure Functions: Study serverless computing and event-driven triggers.
2. Write Use Cases:
   • Example: Use Azure VMs for full infrastructure control, and App Service for simplified web hosting.
3. Hands-On Activity:
   • Log in to the Azure Portal and simulate the creation of a Virtual Machine (choose free-tier options).
4. Quiz Yourself:
   • Match scenarios to the appropriate compute service.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 3 sessions for study and note-taking
• 1 session for hands-on Portal work

Day 10: Azure Storage Services

Learning Objective: Learn the different types of Azure Storage and their use cases.

Tasks:

1. Study Core Storage Options:
   • Blob Storage: For unstructured data (images, videos, etc.).
   • File Storage: For shared files across resources.
   • Table Storage: For NoSQL key-value data.
   • Disk Storage: Persistent storage for VMs.
2. Compare Storage Types:
   • Write down key differences (e.g., use Blob Storage for backups, Table Storage for NoSQL apps).
3. Hands-On Practice:
   • Create a Storage Account in the Azure Portal and upload a file to Blob Storage.
4. Summarize: Create a table comparing all storage options.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 2 sessions for study
• 1 session for practical exercises in the Azure Portal
• 1 session to create a comparison table

Day 11: Azure Networking Services

Learning Objective: Learn how Azure networking connects and secures resources.

Tasks:

1. Study Core Networking Services:
   • Azure Virtual Network (VNet): Private networking in Azure.
   • Azure Load Balancer: Distribute traffic across servers.
   • VPN Gateway: Securely connect on-premises networks to Azure.
   • Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN): Low-latency content delivery.
2. Create an Architecture Diagram:
   • Design a simple network architecture with VNet, Load Balancer, and VPN Gateway.
3. Watch a Case Study:
   • Learn how a business uses Azure VNet to secure traffic.
4. Practice in Azure Portal:
   • Explore creating a Virtual Network.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 3 sessions for learning and notes
• 1 session for diagram and Portal exploration

Day 12: Azure Database Services

Learning Objective: Learn Azure database offerings and their use cases.

Tasks:

1. Study Core Database Services:
   • Azure SQL Database: Managed relational database.
   • Azure Cosmos DB: NoSQL database for global distribution.
   • Azure Database for MySQL/PostgreSQL: Open-source relational databases.
2. Compare Database Services:
   • Write down differences between SQL Database and Cosmos DB.
3. Real-World Examples:
   • Example: Cosmos DB for low-latency apps; SQL Database for transactional workloads.
4. Hands-On:
   • Log in to the Azure Portal and explore options to create an Azure SQL Database.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 3 sessions for study
• 1 session for hands-on practice

Day 13: Week 2 Review and Practice

Learning Objective: Consolidate knowledge of Azure architecture and core services.

Tasks:

1. Review Notes and Summaries:
   • Revisit diagrams, notes, and tables created during Days 8–12.
2. Practice Test:
   • Complete a 20-question quiz on Azure Compute, Storage, Networking, and Database services.
3. Identify Weak Areas:
   • Go back and re-study topics where you scored low.
4. Create a One-Page Summary:
   • Summarize Azure core services with key points and examples.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 2 sessions for review
• 1 session for the practice test
• 1 session for weak area reinforcement

Day 14: Reinforcement and Relaxation

Tasks:

1. Final Review of Week 2:
   • Skim through all notes and diagrams.
2. Quiz Yourself:
   • Recall definitions, use cases, and real-world examples aloud.
3. Rest and Reflect:
   • Take a lighter approach today: light review and relaxation.

Summary of Week 2

By the end of Week 2, you will have:

• Understood Azure's global infrastructure.
• Learned core Azure services: Compute, Storage, Networking, and Databases.
• Applied hands-on practice in the Azure Portal to reinforce learning.

Week 3: Azure Management, Governance, and Exam Preparation

Goal:

• Understand Azure management tools, governance tools, and cost management.
• Learn about Azure identity and security solutions.
• Reinforce knowledge through practice tests and reviews to ensure exam readiness.

Day 15: Azure Management Tools

Learning Objective: Understand the tools available to manage Azure resources and their use cases.

Tasks:

1. Study Azure Management Tools:

   • Azure Portal: Graphical interface for resource management.
   • Azure CLI: Command-line tool for managing Azure resources.
   • Azure PowerShell: Script-based tool for automating Azure tasks.
   • ARM Templates: Infrastructure as Code for consistent deployments.
   • Azure Mobile App: On-the-go resource monitoring and management.

2. Compare Tools:

   • Write down scenarios when each tool is most useful.
   • Example: Use Azure CLI for automation, Portal for visual management.

3. Hands-On Practice:

   • Use Azure CLI to create a Resource Group:

     az group create --name MyResourceGroup --location "East US"  
     

   • Explore how to deploy a resource using ARM Templates (focus on structure, not coding).

4. Summarize: Create a table comparing all tools and their use cases.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 3 sessions for studying and note-taking.
• 1 session for hands-on practice in the Azure Portal and CLI.

Day 16: Identity and Access Management

Learning Objective: Understand Azure’s identity and security mechanisms.

Tasks:

1. Study Azure Active Directory (Azure AD):
   • Authentication and authorization.
   • Features like Single Sign-On (SSO), Conditional Access, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
2. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
   • Understand roles: Owner, Contributor, Reader, and custom roles.
   • Learn how to assign roles to users or groups.
3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
   • Study how MFA enhances security.
   • Explore verification methods (SMS, Authenticator App).
4. Hands-On Practice:
   • Log into the Azure Portal:
     • Create a user in Azure AD.
     • Assign the user a Reader Role using RBAC.
   • Enable MFA for the user account.
5. Quiz Yourself: Summarize Azure AD and RBAC in a paragraph.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 2 sessions for learning and note-taking.
• 1 session for hands-on Portal activity.
• 1 session for reflection and review.

Day 17: Azure Governance and Compliance

Learning Objective: Learn how to enforce standards and manage resources effectively.

Tasks:

1. Study Governance Tools:
   • Azure Policy: Enforce compliance (e.g., only allow specific VM types).
   • Azure Blueprints: Automate resource deployment with templates, policies, and RBAC.
   • Resource Tags: Organize resources by adding tags like Project: Finance.
   • Management Groups: Organize subscriptions and apply governance at scale.
2. Real-World Scenarios:
   • Write examples of when to use each tool:
     • Example: Use Azure Policy to require encryption on storage accounts.
3. Hands-On Practice:
   • Create a simple Azure Policy to enforce resource tagging.
   • Explore Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate costs for resources.
4. Summarize Governance: Write a one-page document summarizing all governance tools.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 3 sessions for learning and note-taking.
• 1 session for hands-on practice.

Day 18: Azure Cost Management

Learning Objective: Understand cost management and optimization principles.

Tasks:

1. Study Cost Management Tools:
   • Azure Cost Management: Analyze spending, set budgets, and optimize costs.
   • Azure Pricing Calculator: Estimate costs before deploying resources.
   • TCO Calculator: Compare Azure costs to on-premises infrastructure.
2. Learn Pricing Models:
   • Pay-As-You-Go: Flexible usage with no upfront cost.
   • Reserved Instances (RIs): Pre-purchase resources for significant savings.
   • Spot VMs: Buy unused capacity for cost efficiency.
3. Practice:
   • Use Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate the cost of deploying a Virtual Machine for a month.
   • Create a budget alert in Azure Cost Management.
4. Summarize Cost Management: Write down 3 ways to optimize costs using Azure.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 2 sessions for study and note-taking.
• 1 session for Azure tool practice.
• 1 session for summary and quiz.

Day 19: Full-Length Practice Exam

Learning Objective: Assess exam readiness and identify weak areas.

Tasks:

1. Take a Full-Length Mock Exam:
   • Complete a 60-minute practice test (available on Microsoft Learn or third-party providers).
2. Review Results:
   • Analyze incorrect answers and revisit related topics in your notes.
3. Reinforce Weak Areas:
   • Spend extra time studying the topics you struggled with.
4. Create a Final Weak Area List:
   • List 5-6 areas that need further attention for review tomorrow.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 2 sessions for the practice test.
• 2 sessions for review and targeted study.

Day 20: Focused Review and Practice

Learning Objective: Address weak areas and solidify knowledge for the exam.

Tasks:

1. Review Weak Areas:
   • Go through the final weak area list from Day 19.
   • Read notes, watch videos, or revisit Microsoft Learn modules as needed.
2. Reattempt Key Practice Questions:
   • Re-solve questions you previously got wrong.
3. Summarize Key Concepts:
   • Write a one-page cheat sheet with the most important concepts and examples.

Pomodoro Plan:

• 3 sessions for focused review.
• 1 session for question practice.

Day 21: Final Review and Exam Day

Learning Objective: Prepare for the exam and ensure a relaxed mindset.

Tasks:

1. Light Review: Skim through your summary notes, diagrams, and cheat sheet.
2. Practice Relaxation: Avoid overstudying—take deep breaths and focus on confidence.
3. Review Exam Strategy:
   • Read questions carefully and eliminate incorrect options.
   • Allocate time wisely (e.g., 1 minute per question).
4. Positive Mindset: Remind yourself of your preparation and focus on doing your best!

Summary of Week 3

By the end of this week, you will have:

• Learned Azure’s management and governance tools.
• Understood cost optimization techniques and identity/security concepts.
• Completed practice exams and reinforced weak areas to ensure exam readiness.

Final Words

With consistent effort and focus, you are well-prepared to pass the AZ-900 exam. Trust your preparation, stay confident, and remember: Practice + Persistence = Success!