The Microsoft MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam is ideal for individuals seeking to validate their foundational understanding of cloud-based technologies, particularly those that enhance productivity, communication, and collaboration across diverse work environments—whether on-site, remote, or hybrid.
Who Should Take This Exam?
This certification is well-suited for:
- Individuals who are new to Microsoft 365 and cloud computing concepts.
- Professionals with a basic understanding of cloud-based solutions.
- Candidates looking to build a strong foundation before pursuing more advanced Microsoft certifications (although this exam is not a mandatory prerequisite for those).
What You Should Know as a Candidate
To succeed in this exam, you should be capable of recommending Microsoft 365 solutions tailored to address common organizational IT challenges. You are expected to understand how these services:
- Enhance productivity and efficiency
- Foster seamless collaboration across teams
- Support reliable and secure communication
- Strengthen data protection
- Enable regulatory compliance and governance
Solution Areas You Should Understand
Candidates should be able to identify and propose appropriate Microsoft 365 tools and services for:
- Managing endpoints and applications
- Implementing desktop virtualization solutions
- Automating operating system deployments
- Leveraging reporting and analytics for business insights
Licensing, Deployment & Support
Additionally, you should be familiar with:
- Microsoft 365 licensing models and subscription plans
- Tools and services available for deployment and migration
- Support offerings that help organizations optimize their investment in Microsoft 365 and cloud technologies
Exam Details
The MS-900 – Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals exam is a beginner-level certification assessment designed for individuals in administrative or foundational IT roles. Candidates are allotted 45 minutes to complete the exam, which is proctored and must be taken in a closed-book format. The exam may include interactive tasks that assess practical understanding of Microsoft 365 concepts. It is available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Spanish, German, Simplified Chinese, French, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Russian, Traditional Chinese, and Italian. To pass the exam, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 700. For individuals who use assistive technologies, need additional time, or require any modifications during the exam, accommodations are available upon request to ensure an inclusive testing experience.
Course Outline
The exam covers the following topics:
1. Basics of Cloud Concepts (5-10%)
Describe the different types of cloud services available
- Describe Microsoft software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS) concepts and use cases (Microsoft Documentation – What is Platform as a service (PaaS)? , What is Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)?)
- Describe differences between Office 365 and Microsoft 365
Describe the benefits of and considerations for using a cloud , hybrid, or,on-premises services
- describe public, private, and hybrid models (Microsoft Documentation – What are public, private, and hybrid clouds?)
- compare costs and advantages of cloud, hybrid, and on-premises services (Microsoft Documentation – (Cloud storage vs. on-premises servers and Comparison of cloud and on-premises features)
- Describe the concept of hybrid work and flexible work
2. Learn about Microsoft 365 Apps and Services (45-50%)
Describe productivity solutions of Microsoft 365
- Describe core Microsoft 365 Apps including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote (Microsoft Documentation – Office applications details, About Microsoft 365 Apps in the enterprise)
- Describe the productivity benefits and capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
- Describe work management capabilities of Microsoft 365 including Microsoft Project, Planner, Bookings, Forms, Lists, and To Do (Microsoft Documentation – Microsoft 365 suite features, Microsoft Project, Planner, To Do, or the Tasks app)
Describe collaboration solutions of Microsoft 365
- Describe the collaboration and content sharing capabilities of Microsoft SharePoint, OneDrive, and Stream (Microsoft Documentation – Describe collaboration solutions of Microsoft 365, Collaborating with Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive)
- Describe the email and calendaring capabilities of Microsoft Exchange and Outlook
- Describe the collaboration benefits and capabilities of Microsoft Teams and Teams Phone (Microsoft Documentation – Welcome to Microsoft Teams, Use Microsoft Teams for collaboration, Phone System features)
- Describe the collaboration benefits and capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
- Describe the Microsoft Viva apps (Microsoft Documentation – Microsoft Viva service description, Viva Insights app in Teams and on the web)
- Describe the ways that you can extend Microsoft Teams by using collaborative apps such as Whiteboard, Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Power Apps, and Power Automate
Describe endpoint modernization, management concepts, and deployment options in Microsoft 365
- Describe the endpoint management capabilities of Microsoft 365 including Microsoft Intune, co-management with Configuration Manager, Endpoint Analytics, Windows Autopilot, and Windows Autopatch
- Compare the differences between Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop
- Describe the deployment and release models for Windows-as-a-Service (WaaS) including deployment rings (Microsoft Documentation – Overview of Windows as a service, Manage Windows as a service using Configuration Manager)
- Identify deployment and update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps (Microsoft Documentation – Overview of update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps, Change the Microsoft 365 Apps update channel)
Describe Microsoft 365 administration capabilities
- Describe the capabilities of the Microsoft 365 Admin center and Microsoft 365 user portal (Microsoft Documentation – Overview of the Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 feature descriptions)
- Describe the capabilities of the Microsoft 365 user portal
- Describe the reports available in other admin centers such as SharePoint, Teams, and Exchange
- Describe the capabilities of the Microsoft Copilot dashboard
3. Understand Security, Compliance, Privacy, and Trust in Microsoft 365 (25-30%)
Describe identity and access management solutions of Microsoft 365
- Describe the identity and access management capabilities of Microsoft Entra ID
- Describe cloud identity, on-premises identity, and hybrid identity concepts (Microsoft Documentation – What is hybrid identity with Azure Active Directory?, Azure Active Directory Hybrid Identity Design Considerations)
- Describe how Microsoft uses methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), self-service password reset (SSPR), and conditional access, to keep identities, access, and data secure
Describe threat protection solutions of Microsoft 365
- Describe Microsoft Defender XDR, Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Office 365, Defender for Identity, Defender for Cloud Apps, and the Microsoft Defender Portal (Microsoft Documentation – What is Microsoft 365 Defender?, Microsoft 365 Defender portal, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Defender for Office 365)
- Describe Microsoft Secure Score benefits and capabilities (Microsoft Documentation – Microsoft Secure Score)
- Describe how Microsoft 365 addresses the most common threats against endpoints, applications, and identities (Microsoft Documentation – Protect against threats, Threat investigation and response)
Describe trust, privacy, risk, and compliance solutions of Microsoft 365
- Describe the Zero Trust Model
- Describe Microsoft Purview and compliance solutions such as insider risk, auditing, and eDiscovery (Microsoft Documentation – Describe the eDiscovery and audit capabilities of Microsoft Purview)
- Describe Microsoft Purview Information Protection features such as sensitivity labels and data loss prevention (Microsoft Documentation – Protect your sensitive data with Microsoft Purview)
- Describe how Microsoft supports data residency to ensure regulatory compliance
- Describe the capabilities and benefits of Microsoft Priva (Microsoft Documentation – Learn about Microsoft Priva)
4. Learn about Microsoft 365 Pricing, licensing, and Support (10-15%)
Identify Microsoft 365 pricing and billing management options
- Describe the pricing model for Microsoft cloud services including enterprise agreements, cloud solution providers, and direct billing (Microsoft Documentation – Cloud Solution Provider program, Cloud Solution Provider program guide, agreements, price lists, and offers)
- Describe available billing and bill management options including billing frequency and methods of payment (Microsoft Documentation – Understand your bill or invoice for Microsoft 365 for business)
Identify licensing options available in Microsoft 365
- Describe license management (Microsoft Documentation – Understand subscriptions and licenses in Microsoft 365 for business)
- Describe the differences between base licensing and add-on licensing (Microsoft Documentation – Microsoft 365 pricing, licensing, and billing options)
Identify support options for Microsoft 365 services
- Describe how to create a support request for Microsoft 365 services (Microsoft Documentation – Describe support offerings for Microsoft 365 services)
- Describe support options for Microsoft 365 services
- Describe service level agreements (SLAs) including service credits (Microsoft Documentation – Service Level Agreements (SLA) for Online Services)
- Determine service health status by using the Microsoft 365 admin portal or the Microsoft Entra Admin portal (Microsoft Documentation – check Microsoft 365 service health, Service health and continuity)
Microsoft MS-900 Exam FAQs
Exam Policy Overview
Microsoft has established a robust set of exam policies to ensure that all certification candidates have a fair, consistent, and secure testing experience—regardless of whether they take the exam online or at an authorized testing center. These policies are designed to preserve the integrity, reliability, and global recognition of Microsoft’s certification program.
Retake Policy
If a candidate does not pass the exam on their first attempt, they must wait at least 24 hours before scheduling a retake. This brief interval allows time to access the Microsoft Certification Dashboard and choose a new exam date. For all subsequent attempts (from the second through the fifth), a mandatory 14-day waiting period applies between each try. Microsoft permits a maximum of five exam attempts within a rolling 12-month period, beginning from the date of the first exam.
Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy
Microsoft provides flexible options for candidates to manage their exam bookings. No fee is charged for rescheduling or canceling an exam if the request is made six or more business days before the scheduled appointment. However, if the request is made within five business days, a rescheduling or cancellation fee will apply. Candidates who miss their exam or cancel less than 24 hours in advance will forfeit the full exam fee. In cases involving emergencies or accessibility-related concerns, Microsoft may grant exceptions or waive penalties based on individual circumstances.
Microsoft MS-900 Exam Study Guide
1. Understand the Exam Objectives
To successfully prepare for the MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the core objectives covered in the assessment. This exam is designed to evaluate your foundational knowledge of Microsoft 365 services and concepts, with a strong emphasis on cloud computing, productivity solutions, and security features. Candidates are expected to demonstrate an understanding of Microsoft 365’s value proposition, including its capabilities for enhancing collaboration, supporting hybrid work environments, and driving organizational efficiency. Key focus areas include cloud concepts, Microsoft 365 pricing and licensing, core services and concepts, and the benefits of adopting cloud-based solutions. A thorough grasp of these topics ensures that candidates are well-equipped to recommend Microsoft 365 solutions that align with modern business needs and IT strategies.
2. Use the Microsoft Official Learning Path
Microsoft Official Learning Path is a strategic and effective way to prepare for the MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam. This curated learning path offers structured, self-paced modules that align directly with the exam objectives, ensuring comprehensive coverage of key topics. It provides foundational insights into cloud concepts, Microsoft 365 core services, pricing and support options, and security, compliance, and trust principles. Designed by Microsoft experts, these resources are regularly updated to reflect the latest features and best practices, helping learners stay current and confident in their preparation. By following the official learning path, candidates can build a solid understanding of Microsoft 365’s capabilities while gaining practical knowledge applicable to real-world business scenarios. The modules are:
- Cloud concepts
- Microsoft 365 apps and services
- Learn Microsoft 365 security and compliance capabilities
- Understand Microsoft 365 pricing, licensing, and support
3. Use Microsoft Documentation for Reference
Referring to Microsoft’s official documentation is a valuable part of preparing for the MS-900: Microsoft 365 Certified – Fundamentals exam. This extensive, authoritative resource offers in-depth explanations of Microsoft 365 services, features, and architecture—helping candidates deepen their understanding beyond what is covered in study guides or learning paths. T
The documentation includes detailed articles, how-to guides, best practices, and technical overviews that align closely with the exam content. It is especially useful for gaining clarity on complex topics such as security and compliance, identity management, and service integration. By regularly consulting Microsoft documentation, learners can stay up to date with platform updates and develop a practical, well-rounded perspective that supports both exam success and real-world application.
4. Join Study Groups and Online Communities
Participating in study groups and online communities can significantly enhance your preparation for the exam. Engaging with peers, professionals, and Microsoft-certified individuals allows you to share knowledge, clarify complex topics, and gain diverse perspectives on exam-related concepts. These communities often provide access to helpful resources such as study notes, tips, discussion threads, and real-world use cases. Being part of an active learning environment also offers motivation and support, making it easier to stay on track and confident throughout your certification journey.
5. Take MS-900 Exam Practice Tests
Using practice tests in your study plan is an effective way to assess your readiness for the MS-900 exam. These tests simulate the actual exam environment, helping you become familiar with the question format, time constraints, and areas where you may need further improvement. Practice exams also reinforce learning by encouraging you to apply your knowledge in a test-like setting. By reviewing your results and understanding your mistakes, you can focus your revision efforts more effectively and enter the official exam with greater confidence and clarity.
