Are you ready to become a skilled Azure DevOps engineer? This guide is your key to success in the AZ-400 (Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert) Test. It covers the essential concepts, best practices, and exam strategies to help you pass. The AZ-400 exam shows your skill in Azure DevOps. It tests your knowledge in areas like Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery (CD), and Azure Pipelines. By learning from this guide, you’ll become a valuable team member. You’ll be able to make Azure DevOps work smoothly in your company.
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Key Takeaways
- Learn the basics of Azure DevOps, including Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery.
- Get to know Azure Pipelines and use it for better deployments.
- Plan for the AZ-400 (Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert) Test to ensure you pass.
- Discover how to use Azure Boards and Azure Repos for managing projects.
- Follow DevOps best practices to improve your Azure skills and help your company succeed.
Mastering the Fundamentals of Azure DevOps
Using Azure DevOps is key for today’s software teams. It combines continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) smoothly. This helps teams work better and deploy apps reliably and quickly.
Understanding Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery
Continuous integration means code changes are automatically built, tested, and added to a shared spot. It finds bugs early and keeps code quality high. Continuous delivery lets teams deploy changes to live sites easily, saving time and effort.
| What is AZ-400 certification? | AZ-400 is Microsoft’s Azure DevOps Engineer Expert exam that validates skills in designing DevOps processes, implementing CI/CD, managing source control, securing pipelines, and improving delivery with Azure DevOps and GitHub across the full software lifecycle. |
| What does AZ-400 stand for? | AZ-400 is the exam code for Microsoft’s Azure DevOps Engineer Expert credential. It’s commonly referred to as the “Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions” exam and focuses on end-to-end DevOps practices on Azure. |
| What are the AZ-400 prerequisites? | Microsoft recommends strong knowledge of Azure administration and development, plus hands-on experience with Azure DevOps or GitHub. Many candidates first earn an Azure administrator or developer certification and then use that foundation for AZ-400. |
| What is "Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions" (AZ-400)? | It’s the official AZ-400 exam title. The exam measures your ability to design DevOps strategies, implement development workflows, build and release pipelines, manage infrastructure as code, and apply security/compliance practices in Azure DevOps or GitHub. |
| What is the AZ-400 exam format? | AZ-400 is a proctored Microsoft certification exam delivered on computer. It typically includes multiple-choice and scenario-based items that test real-world DevOps decisions, not just definitions, across planning, development, delivery, and operations. |
| How many questions are in the AZ-400 exam? | Microsoft does not publish a fixed question count for AZ-400 because forms vary. Many candidates report roughly 40–60 scored questions plus possible unscored items, so plan your pacing for a full session rather than a set number. |
| How long is the AZ-400 exam duration? | Exam time can vary by delivery language and accommodations, but most candidates should plan for about 150 minutes of exam time, plus additional time for check-in, instructions, and review screens at the testing center or online. |
| What is the AZ-400 exam pattern? | AZ-400 follows Microsoft’s skills-based pattern: a mix of direct questions and longer scenarios that require selecting best actions or configurations. Expect items that connect multiple topics, such as repos + pipelines + security, in one case. |
| How do you schedule the AZ-400 exam? | You schedule AZ-400 through Microsoft’s certification portal by selecting the exam, choosing an authorized test provider, and picking either an online proctored slot or a nearby testing center appointment, then completing payment and identity details. |
| What is the AZ-400 exam cost? | AZ-400 pricing varies by country/region and can change over time. You’ll see the exact fee during checkout in the Microsoft certification portal, and discounts may apply through employers, learning programs, or Microsoft offers. |
| How do you prepare your ID and profile for AZ-400 exam check-in? | Use the same legal name on your Microsoft profile as on your government-issued ID, verify your email, and check your photo/ID requirements early. For online proctoring, also confirm your webcam, room setup rules, and system compatibility. |
| Can you reschedule the AZ-400 exam after booking? | Yes, most bookings can be rescheduled through your test provider’s portal, subject to their policies and deadlines. If you move the appointment late, fees may apply, so review the reschedule window when you book. |
| What is the AZ-400 passing score? | Microsoft certification exams typically use a scaled score, and passing standards are set per exam. For AZ-400, you’ll receive a score report after the exam that indicates pass/fail and shows strengths and gaps by skill area. |
| How is the AZ-400 exam scored? | AZ-400 uses scaled scoring, and question weights can vary. Some items may be unscored for statistical testing. Your report focuses on how you performed across skill domains so you can target the areas that need improvement. |
| How soon do you get AZ-400 results after the exam? | For most Microsoft exams, you usually see a preliminary pass/fail right after finishing. The detailed score report and certification status may take a little longer to fully sync to your Microsoft Learn profile. |
| Does AZ-400 certification expire or need renewal? | Role-based Microsoft certifications generally require periodic renewal to stay current. Renewal is typically completed online through Microsoft Learn, and it focuses on updated skills rather than repeating the full proctored exam. |
| What AZ-400 training options are best for exam prep? | A strong plan combines Microsoft Learn modules, hands-on labs in Azure DevOps/GitHub, and targeted practice questions. If you prefer structured guidance, add an instructor-led course or a curated AZ-400 course that maps directly to exam skills. |
| What is the AZ-400 learning path on Microsoft Learn? | Microsoft Learn provides an AZ-400-aligned learning path with modules that cover DevOps strategy, source control, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and security. It’s best used alongside hands-on tasks to reinforce each concept. |
| How hard is AZ-400 compared to other Azure exams? | Many candidates find AZ-400 challenging because it combines multiple disciplines: development practices, Azure DevOps/GitHub tooling, and operational governance. Difficulty depends on your real project experience; hands-on pipeline work usually makes it far easier. |
| Are AZ-400 dumps reliable or allowed? | Using exam “dumps” violates certification policies and can lead to score cancellation or credential revocation. Instead, use official learning paths, reputable practice tests, and labs that build the skills the exam is designed to measure. |
Navigating Azure Pipelines for Efficient Deployments
Azure Pipelines is a big part of Azure DevOps. It makes it easy for teams to manage their build and deployment steps. It also supports infrastructure as code (IaC), making Azure resources easier to manage.
Teams can set up continuous deployment (CD) pipelines in Azure Pipelines. These pipelines automatically move apps to different stages, like testing and live sites. This makes software delivery faster, cuts down on mistakes, and keeps DevOps practices strong.
AZ-400 (Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert) Test: Preparing for Success
Aspiring Azure DevOps engineers need to pass the AZ-400 test to show they’re experts. This test covers many topics, like mastering DevOps practices and implementing efficient testing automation. To do well, it’s important to know what the test is about and how to prepare.
The AZ-400 test focuses a lot on Azure Pipelines. This tool helps with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD). Test-takers must show they can set up Azure Pipelines, manage build and release, and deploy to Azure services.
The exam also looks at Azure Boards, a tool for agile project management. Candidates need to show they can use Azure Boards for project management, tracking, and teamwork.
Understanding testing automation is key. Test-takers must show they can design and implement automated tests, add them to the CI/CD pipeline, and make sure apps are reliable.
To pass the AZ-400 (Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert) test, focus on these strategies:
- Know the exam objectives and DevOps practices well
- Get hands-on with Azure Pipelines, Azure Boards, and other tools
- Learn about testing automation and how to integrate it with CI/CD
- Practice with sample questions and simulate the exam to find and fix knowledge gaps
- Keep up with Azure DevOps updates and industry best practices
By mastering these strategies and preparing well for the AZ-400 test, aspiring Azure DevOps engineers can show their skills. This is a big step towards their career goals.
Streamlining Development with Azure Boards and Repos
As an Azure DevOps Engineer, you know how key smooth project management and strong source control are. Azure Boards and Azure Repos are top tools for making your agile development smoother and keeping your source control solid.
Leveraging Azure Boards for Agile Project Management
Azure Boards is a full agile project management tool. It lets you plan, track, and work together on projects easily. With Azure Boards, you can:
- See your project’s progress on Kanban boards, backlogs, and sprint plans
- Manage your team’s tasks and work items well, keeping everyone on track
- Work together with your team through comments, @mentions, and file sharing
- Get insights into your project’s performance with built-in reports and analytics
Azure Boards works well with other Azure DevOps services, like Azure Repos. This makes your development workflow smoother. Using these tools, you can improve your agile practices and make sure your projects are done on time and within budget.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Kanban Boards | See your team’s work and progress on Kanban boards with customizable columns and lanes. |
| Backlogs | Manage your team’s product and sprint backlogs, setting priorities and planning future work. |
| Sprint Planning | Plan your team’s work for upcoming sprints easily, keeping everyone on track. |
| Reporting | Get insights into your project’s performance with built-in reports and analytics tools. |
By using Azure Boards and Azure Repos, you can make your development smoother, improve teamwork, and keep a strong source control system. All this happens within the Azure DevOps ecosystem.
Conclusion: Embracing DevOps Practices for Azure Excellence
This guide on the AZ-400: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification shows the way to Azure excellence. It’s all about embracing DevOps practices. By learning Azure DevOps basics, you’re ready to become a skilled Azure DevOps engineer.
Azure Boards and Azure Repos help you manage your projects better. They make your team work together smoothly. These tools are key for cloud-based software development and deployment.
Keep learning and practicing with Azure DevOps. Use online resources and join communities. Stay current with new trends and best practices in Azure devops and azure devops. With a DevOps mindset and Azure’s power, you’ll be a top Azure DevOps Engineer Expert.
AZ-400 Questions and Answers
If your role involves CI/CD pipelines, source control, release management, and improving delivery reliability, AZ-400 can be worth it. It signals verified DevOps skills to employers and helps structure what to learn. The value is highest when you already work with Azure DevOps or GitHub and can apply the practices on real projects.
AZ-400 supports roles like Azure DevOps Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Release/Build Engineer, Platform Engineer, or Cloud Engineer with a strong delivery focus. Hiring teams often look for proof you can design pipelines, secure workflows, and improve deployment performance—skills that align closely with the AZ-400 blueprint.
Start with a baseline practice test to find weak areas, then study those skills using Microsoft Learn and hands-on labs. Rotate between topic drills (pipelines, repos, security, IaC) and full-length timed sets. Track mistakes, write short “fix notes,” and retest until you consistently score above your target.
Microsoft exam formats can change, but AZ-400 is commonly delivered as a proctored computer-based exam with scenario-driven questions. Some candidates see interactive or case-study style items rather than traditional “lab” tasks. Either way, doing labs in Azure DevOps/GitHub is still one of the best ways to prepare.
GitHub labs give you hands-on practice with workflows, branching, pull requests, and automation concepts that map to DevOps objectives. Use labs to build muscle memory: create repos, set policies, wire up CI/CD, and review logs and security checks. The goal is to practice decision-making, not memorizing steps.
Expect a mix of short questions and longer scenarios that describe an environment and ask for the best DevOps solution. Many items test practical judgment—choosing secure defaults, improving pipeline reliability, reducing lead time, or fixing broken releases. You’ll often need to connect multiple services in one answer.
AZ-204 focuses on developing Azure solutions, while AZ-400 focuses on DevOps practices that deliver those solutions reliably. If you’re primarily a developer, AZ-204 often comes first. If you already have strong development/admin fundamentals and want a DevOps specialization, AZ-400 can be the next step.
Yes—self-study works well if you combine tutorials with hands-on tasks. Follow a structured AZ-400 sequence, then replicate each concept in a real repo: branching, policies, pipeline YAML, secrets handling, and deployments. Tutorials explain the “what,” but building and troubleshooting your own pipelines teaches the “how” that the exam rewards.
The safest path is to use Microsoft’s official exam page, skills outline, and Microsoft Learn modules that align to AZ-400. Pair that with documented best practices for Azure DevOps/GitHub and your own lab environment. Official guidance helps ensure you study current objectives and avoid outdated third-party material.
AZ-900 is an entry-level fundamentals exam covering basic cloud and Azure concepts. AZ-400 is an advanced role-based DevOps exam that assumes real experience and tests how you design and operate delivery workflows. If you’re new to Azure, AZ-900 is a starting point; AZ-400 is for experienced practitioners.