Sep 6, 2026
Azure Learning Path 2020: A Complete Guide for Beginners and IT Professionals
Azure Learning Path 2020: A Guide for Beginners and IT Professionals
In 2020, Microsoft Azure continued to grow as a leading cloud platform, creating opportunities for IT professionals to build skills in cloud administration, development, architecture, data, and security. Whether you were new to cloud computing or already working in IT, a structured Azure learning path could help you focus your studies and prepare for relevant Microsoft certifications.
This guide outlines a practical Azure learning path for 20
Because Microsoft updated its exams and certification program during the year, check Microsoft’s official certification pages for the exam requirements that apply to your chosen test date.
Step 1: Learn the Fundamentals of Azure
If you were new to Azure or cloud computing, start with the core concepts. Learn what cloud computing is and how Azure services support common business needs. Key topics include:
- Cloud concepts, including public, private, and hybrid cloud
- Azure regions, availability zones, and resource groups
- Compute, networking, and storage services
- Identity, governance, security, and compliance basics
- Pricing, subscriptions, and service-level agreements
The Azure Fundamentals certification, exam AZ-900, was a common starting point in 20
It was designed to validate foundational knowledge rather than advanced hands-on expertise. You could study for AZ-900 as an introduction to Azure or use it to organize your learning before choosing a technical specialty.
Step 2: Choose a Role-Based Learning Path
After learning the fundamentals, choose a path based on the work you want to do. Microsoft’s role-based certifications and learning resources covered several major areas.
Azure Administrator
Administration is a practical path for IT professionals responsible for managing Azure environments. Study identity and access management, virtual networks, virtual machines, storage, monitoring, backups, and governance. In 2020, the administrator exam transitioned from AZ-103 to AZ-1
AZ-104 became the relevant exam for new candidates after the transition, so verify the current exam details before scheduling.
Azure Developer
The developer path focuses on building and maintaining cloud applications. Topics include Azure compute services, storage, authentication, API management, application monitoring, and deployment. In 2020, Microsoft introduced AZ-204, which replaced the earlier AZ-203 exam. Developers could also practice creating and deploying applications using Azure services.
Azure Solutions Architect
The solutions architect path is intended for professionals who design cloud solutions. It covers infrastructure, networking, identity, business continuity, security, and application architecture. In 2020, Microsoft updated the architecture exams, moving from AZ-300 and AZ-301 to AZ-303 and AZ-3
Candidates should follow the requirements for the exam version available when they planned to test.
Azure Security
Security-focused learners can study identity protection, security controls, threat detection, and the protection of Azure resources. The AZ-500 exam was a relevant certification option in 20
A solid understanding of Azure administration and networking can make security topics easier to learn.
Azure Data
Data professionals could focus on designing and implementing cloud data solutions, including databases, data processing, and analytics. Microsoft’s data certifications and exams changed during 2020, so candidates needed to check the official exam pages for current objectives and transition dates. Useful preparation included practicing with Azure data services and learning the fundamentals of data storage and processing.
Step 3: Use Microsoft Learn and Practice in Azure
Microsoft Learn offered free, self-paced modules and learning paths for many Azure topics. A useful study routine combined reading and guided exercises with practical work in the Azure portal, command-line tools, or code. Hands-on practice can help turn terminology into skills you can apply in real situations.
When practicing, pay attention to the cost of Azure resources. Use free services or a free account where appropriate, and remove test resources when you finish to avoid unexpected charges.
Step 4: Prepare for the Exam
Once you have selected a certification, use the official exam skills outline to plan your preparation. A focused study plan might include:
- Reviewing the exam objectives and identifying unfamiliar topics
- Following relevant Microsoft Learn modules
- Completing hands-on exercises for key services
- Reviewing practice questions to find knowledge gaps
- Revisiting difficult topics before booking the exam
Practice tests can help you become familiar with question formats, but they should support—not replace—understanding the material. Exam objectives can change, so make sure your resources match the version of the exam you intend to take.
How Long Does an Azure Learning Path Take?
The time required depends on your experience, study schedule, and target role. Someone already familiar with networking, virtualization, or development may move faster than a complete beginner. Rather than rushing through a fixed timetable, set consistent weekly study goals and spend enough time practicing the tasks listed in the exam objectives.
Conclusion
An effective Azure learning path in 2020 started with cloud fundamentals, continued into a role-based specialty, and combined structured study with hands-on practice. Whether your goal was to become an administrator, developer, architect, security specialist, or data professional, choosing a clear direction made it easier to focus your learning. Since Azure exams and certification requirements evolve, always confirm the relevant details through Microsoft’s official resources before making a study or exam plan.
Azure Learning Path 2020: 8 Essential Tips for Beginners
- Start with Azure fundamentals and cloud concepts.
- Use the AZ-900 learning path for a structured introduction.
- Practice in the Azure portal with a free account.
- Learn core services
- Try guided labs to build hands-on skills.
- Study identity, security, and governance basics.
- Review 2020 exam objectives before choosing a certification.
- Check current Microsoft Learn content, as Azure services change often.
Start with Azure fundamentals and cloud concepts.
Start your Azure learning path with cloud concepts and Azure fundamentals. Understanding topics such as cloud service models, regions, resource groups, core compute and storage services, pricing, and shared responsibility will make more advanced Azure subjects easier to learn. In 2020, the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification offered a structured way to study these basics, even for learners who did not plan to take the exam.
Use the AZ-900 learning path for a structured introduction.
Use the AZ-900 learning path for a structured introduction to Azure and cloud computing. It covers foundational topics such as cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, governance, pricing, and support, helping beginners build a clear understanding before choosing a technical specialty. In 2020, these fundamentals provided a useful starting point for learners preparing to explore role-based Azure paths or the AZ-900 certification exam.
Practice in the Azure portal with a free account.
Practice in the Azure portal with a free account to turn Azure concepts into practical skills. You can explore services, follow guided tutorials, and try common tasks such as creating a virtual machine or configuring storage. Check the free account’s current terms and monitor your usage, since some services may incur charges after promotional limits are reached. Delete test resources when you’re done to help avoid unexpected costs.
Learn core services
Start your Azure learning path by getting familiar with its core services. Learn how Azure provides compute through virtual machines and app services, storage for files and data, and networking to connect cloud resources securely. Also explore resource groups, regions, identity, and access management so you understand how Azure environments are organized and protected. These fundamentals make it easier to study a specialized path—such as administration, development, or architecture—and apply what you learn in hands-on exercises.
Try guided labs to build hands-on skills.
Try guided labs to build practical Azure skills as you follow your 2020 learning path. Step-by-step exercises can help you explore services, configure resources, and practice real-world tasks in a structured environment. Hands-on practice also makes technical concepts easier to understand and can help you prepare for role-based certification exams. Before starting, check whether a lab uses paid Azure resources, and delete any resources you no longer need to avoid unexpected charges.
Study identity, security, and governance basics.
As part of an Azure learning path in 2020, studying identity, security, and governance basics helped build a strong foundation for working with cloud resources. Learn how Azure Active Directory manages users and access, how security tools help protect workloads and data, and how governance features such as role-based access control, policies, and resource organization support compliance and consistent management. These concepts apply across Azure roles and provide useful preparation for more advanced administration, development, and architecture topics.
Review 2020 exam objectives before choosing a certification.
Before choosing an Azure certification in 2020, review the exam objectives to understand the skills each certification tested and how they matched your experience and career goals. Comparing the objectives could help you choose a relevant learning path, identify knowledge gaps, and focus your study on the right topics. Because Microsoft updated some exams and certification requirements during the year, check the objectives and exam version that applied to your planned test date.
Check current Microsoft Learn content, as Azure services change often.
Because Azure services and features change frequently, use Microsoft Learn to verify that your study materials reflect the latest guidance. Check module content, service names, and certification objectives regularly, especially if you’re following an Azure learning path from 2020, so your knowledge stays relevant and aligned with current exam requirements.
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