Problem
Is there any exam to start in the Microsoft Azure AI world? There are a lot of technologies and sometimes it is hard to know what is the first step to start.
Solution
In this article, we will provide tips and tricks to pass the AI-901 Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals exam. This exam is oriented to use AI solutions in Azure.
What is the AI-901 exam?
The AI-901 exam is the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals. This is the Microsoft Exam for Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals using Azure.
This exam is oriented to learn solutions using AI like text analysis, keyword extraction, entity detection, speech synthesis, image-generation models and how to extract information from text images, bot services, Azure Machine Learning, audio and videos using Microsoft Foundry.
In which languages is this exam available?
The following languages are available for the exam:
- English
- Japanese
- Chinese (Simplified)
- Korean
- German
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Russian
- Indonesian (Indonesia)
- Arabic (Saudi Arabia)
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Italian
Is the exam difficult?
This is a basic foundational exam. It is an easy one. If you study all the links provided your chances to fail the exam are low.
What is the price to take the exam?
The prices depend on your country. if you live in USA the price is 99 USD. Most of the European countries like France, Germany and Italy will pay 99 EUR for the exam. People from South and Central America, Africa, or Asia pay 55 USD approximately.
What is the passing Score for this exam?
To pass you need at least a score of 700/1000 approximately.
How long does this exam take?
The exam takes 45 minutes approximately.
Is there a study guide for this exam?
Yes, the following study guide can be useful: Study guide for Exam AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
Which books are recommended to pass this exam?
The following books will help you for the exam.
- Microsoft AI-901 – Azure AI Fundamentals – Fast Track Study Guide
- Microsoft AI-901 – Azure AI Fundamentals – Practice Test Prep Guide
Which links would you recommend to study for the exam?
The following links will provide information per topic to pass the exam:
Recognize AI concepts and capabilities (40–45%)
Explain responsible AI principles
- Explain fairness considerations in an AI solution
- Explain reliability and safety considerations in an AI solution
- Explain privacy and security considerations in an AI solution
- Explain inclusiveness considerations in an AI solution
- Explain transparency considerations in an AI solution
- Explain accountability considerations in an AI solution
Recognize AI model components and settings
- Explain how generative AI models operate
- Select a suitable AI model based on its capabilities
- Select suitable model deployment choices and configuration settings
Recognize AI workloads
- Recognize scenarios for common AI workloads, including generative and agentic AI, text analysis, speech, computer vision, and information extraction
- Explain common text analysis methods, including keyword extraction, entity recognition, sentiment analysis, and summarization
- Recognize the features and capabilities of speech recognition and speech synthesis
- Recognize the features and capabilities of computer vision and image-generation models
- Recognize methods for extracting information from text, images, audio, and video
Implement AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry (55-60%)
Build generative AI applications and agents by using Foundry
- Develop effective system and user prompts for generative AI models
- Deploy a model and use it through the Foundry portal
- Build a lightweight chat client application by using the Foundry SDK
- Build and test a single-agent solution in the Foundry portal
- Build a lightweight client application for an agent
AI solutions for text and speech by using Foundry
- Create a lightweight application that includes text analysis
- Respond to spoken prompts by using a deployed multimodal model
- Create a lightweight application by using Azure Speech in Foundry Tools
Build AI solutions with computer vision and image-generation capabilities by using Foundry
- Interpret visual input in prompts by using a deployed multimodal model
- Generate new visual content by using generative models
- Create a lightweight application that includes vision capabilities
Build AI solutions for information extraction by using Foundry
- Get information from documents and forms by using Azure Content Understanding in Foundry Tools
- Extract information from images by using Content Understanding
- Extract information from audio and video by using Content Understanding
- Create a lightweight application with information extraction capabilities by using Content Understanding
Are there courses to prepare for this exam?
Yes. Here we have a list of courses available only:
- There is an official Microsoft Learn exam page for AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals.
- Also, Microsoft provides the official study guide for Exam AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals.
- There is a self-paced Microsoft Learn path called AI concepts for developers and technology professionals.
- In addition, Microsoft Learn offers the self-paced path Get started with AI applications and agents on Azure.
- The AI-901 Introduction to AI in Azure-Certification Prep course may be useful as well.
- Another course is the AI-900/AI-901 Azure AI Fundamentals Exam Prep In One Day. This course is a nice one as well.
- The AI-901: Azure AI Fundamentals Exam Prep is interesting as well.
- Finally, there is an instructor-led Microsoft course called AI-901T00-A: Introduction to AI in Azure.
Are there exam simulators available?
Yes, here you can get some:
- AI-901 Simulation Exam: Azure AI Fundamentals – QCM
- Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals: AI-901 Exam
- Prepare for the AI-901 Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals Exam
There is also a Sandbox exam. This exam can also help you. You can take the Sandbox exam here:
Are there videos for this exam?
The following videos can be useful for the exam.
- Introduction to AI in Azure: Official Microsoft AI-901 training course
- Exam AI-901: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals video playlist
- Course Intro: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals concepts
- Stop! Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals AI 901 Practice Questions AI 900 vs AI 901 Exam Comparison
- AI Introduction to AI in Azure
What happens if I fail the exam?
If you fail the exam, you can retake it. You can take a second chance in 24 hours. If you fail by a few points and you only failed because you were nervous, but now you feel confident about taking the exam, it is OK to take it in 24 hours. However, if you feel that you need to study more, take 1 month or even more according to your score and your time.
If you fail the second change, the third one can be taken after 14 days. If you tried 5 times without success, the 6th attempt can be taken after 1 year.
For more information about the Microsoft Certification retake policies, refer to this link: Microsoft Certification exam retake policy for role-based, specialty, and fundamentals exams
Next Steps
For more information about AI refer to these links:
- AI Image Generator with Azure OpenAI and SQL Server
- Creating a Chatbot with Azure AI Search and OpenAI Studio
- Introduction to Generative AI: Attention Mechanism
Daniel Calbimonte is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional, Microsoft Certified Trainer and Microsoft Certified IT Professional for SQL Server. He is an accomplished SSIS author, teacher at IT Academies and has over 10 years of experience as a QE and developer for SQL Server related software. He has worked for the government, oil companies, web sites, magazines and universities around the world. Daniel also regularly speaks at SQL Servers conferences and blogs.
- MSSQLTips Awards: Author of the Year Contender – 2015-2018, 2022, 2023 | Champion (100+ tips) – 2018
