Your Path to Becoming a Data Engineer Starts Here

As data continues to play a pivotal role in driving business decisions, validating foundational knowledge in data concepts has become increasingly valuable—especially when aligned with leading cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure. The Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) certification serves as a key entry point for individuals looking to demonstrate a solid grasp of core data principles, including data processing, storage, and analytics within the Azure ecosystem.

The DP-900 is not just an introductory credential; it reflects a candidate’s commitment to building a strong technical foundation in cloud-based data solutions. It’s designed for professionals who aim to leverage Azure’s powerful data services and prepare for more advanced certifications and roles in data engineering, data science, and database administration.

By earning the DP-900, professionals not only validate their technical proficiency but also position themselves for career advancement in today’s data-centric and cloud-driven job market. This certification helps bridge the gap between basic data literacy and the specialized skills required in modern enterprise environments.

If you’re thinking about getting the DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals certification, this article is here to help. This article will guide through what the certification covers and how to prepare for the exam.

The DP-900 certification exam test’s the skillsets of an individual based on 4 major study areas.

1. Understanding basic data concepts (25–30%)
2. Working with relational data in Azure (20–25%)
3. Working with non-relational data in Azure (15–20%)
4. Understanding data analytics in Azure (25–30%)

More details about each study are area are covered in the next section of this blog post-

1. Understanding basic data concepts-

The DP-900 exam begins with the basics of data. It covers different types of data—such as tables, lists, and images—as well as the roles of people who work with data, how data is stored, and how it’s used. It also explains the difference between processing data all at once or in real time. These foundational concepts are essential for understanding the rest of the exam and are useful for careers in data and cloud computing. To prepare, candidates can use free learning materials from Microsoft, watch instructional videos, and take practice quizzes.

2. Working with relational data in Azure

This section of DP-900 exam focuses on relational data, which is data stored in tables with rows and columns, similar to a spreadsheet. On Azure, services like Azure SQL Database help manage this type of data efficiently and securely. Candidates need to understand basic concepts such as how tables are connected using keys, the role of SQL, and the difference between transaction processing (OLTP) and data analysis (OLAP). Grasping these fundamentals prepares candidates for the exam and equips them to work with critical business data in cloud environments.

3. Working with non-relational data in Azure

This section covers non-relational data, which is different from traditional tables and includes types like key-value pairs and documents. Azure offers services like Cosmos DB and Table Storage to handle this flexible data, which is useful for big or changing data sets. Candidates should understand when to use non-relational data and how Azure supports it. Learning these basics helps with the exam and working with modern cloud data solutions.

4. Understanding data analytics in Azure

Here the learning is focused on analytics workloads in Azure, which involves turning data into useful insights. It covers how Azure processes data in batches or in real time, and introduces key services like Azure Synapse Analytics, HDInsight, Databricks, and Power BI for analysing and visualizing data. Understanding these tools helps candidates know how to choose the right service for different analytics needs. This knowledge is important for anyone working with data on Azure and prepares them for real-world data projects.

How to prepare for the exam-

Preparing for the DP-900 exam requires a well-rounded plan. Candidates usually start by signing up for a good online course that covers all the important topics in detail. These courses often include video lessons, hands-on practice labs, and extra materials that make it easier to understand Azure data services. It’s also important to carefully review the exam outline to know exactly what to study. But perhaps the most helpful part of getting ready is taking lots of practice exams. Get enrolled in a practice exam portal and write a few practices test to get comfortable with the exam pattern and scenarios.

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