Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals Exam Guide
At a glance
- Passing score
- 700/1000
- Governing body
- Microsoft
The Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901) certification validates your foundational knowledge of AI concepts and Azure AI services. Designed for professionals aligned to the AI Engineer job role, this entry-level credential demonstrates your understanding of AI workloads, machine learning principles, and how to implement AI solutions on the Azure platform.
The exam covers two core domains: identifying AI concepts and capabilities (40-45% of questions), including responsible AI principles; and implementing AI solutions using Microsoft Foundry (55-60%), spanning generative AI, text and speech analysis, computer vision, and image generation.
Exam cost varies by country or region where you take the test. The fee covers your single exam attempt scheduled through Pearson VUE, whether you choose online proctored delivery or a local test center.
You must achieve a passing score of 700 on a scale of 1 to 1,000. Test-takers receive 30 additional minutes if English is not your primary language. No points are deducted for incorrect answers, and you can retake the exam after 24 hours if needed.
Frequently asked questions
What score do I need to pass the Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901) exam?
You need a score of 700 or greater to pass AI-901. Like all Microsoft technical exams, it is scored on a scale of 1 to 1,000 — note that 700 is a scaled score, not 70% of questions correct. There is no penalty for guessing, so never leave a question blank: no points are deducted for incorrect answers. If you don't pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam 24 hours later.
What topics are on the AI-901 exam, and how are they weighted?
AI-901 assesses two skill areas: Identify AI concepts and capabilities (40-45%) and Implement AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry (55-60%). In the concepts domain, you must describe principles of responsible AI and identify AI workloads including generative and agentic AI, text analysis, speech, and computer vision. In the Foundry domain, you implement generative AI apps and agents, text and speech solutions, computer vision and image-generation capabilities, and information extraction. Since the Microsoft Foundry domain carries the majority of the weight, hands-on familiarity with Foundry should be the center of your study plan rather than an afterthought.
How do I schedule the AI-901 exam, and how much does it cost?
AI-901 is scheduled through Pearson VUE, Microsoft's exam delivery provider, from the exam or certification details page. You can take it online with online proctored (OnVUE) delivery or in person at a local test center. Two scheduling limits to know: exams can be booked no more than 90 days in advance, and you can have a maximum of two Microsoft Certification exams scheduled at a time through Pearson VUE. There is no single global price — the exam fee is based on the country or region where the exam is proctored, so check the exam page for the price in your location.
Who is the Azure AI Fundamentals certification for, and what does it take to earn it?
The certification requires passing one exam: AI-901. It is aligned to the AI Engineer job role and targets candidates at the beginning of their career in AI solution development, which makes it a natural first Microsoft credential for anyone moving toward AI engineering work. Candidates prove they can describe AI workloads and considerations, fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure, and the features of computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI workloads. The exam is offered in English; if your preferred language is unavailable, you can request an additional 30 minutes of exam time.