I’ve been working with Microsoft systems for years, but this year I finally decided to take the Microsoft certification pathway seriously. Everywhere I looked, job ads, cyber roles, cloud positions, Microsoft certifications were becoming a baseline expectation. They’re affordable, the learning material is free, and they map directly to real‑world work. It just made sense to commit and start building the credentials that match the skills I already use every day.
I started with the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals SC‑900 because it’s the perfect entry point: foundational, approachable, and a great way to get comfortable with Microsoft’s exam format before moving into the heavier certifications.
How I Studied (The 4 Free Tools That Carried Me)
I didn’t follow a complicated study plan, I built a simple system and stuck to it. Four free tools formed the backbone of my preparation:
1. Microsoft Learn + Free Microsoft Practice Exams (Free)
This was my primary study base. I worked through the entire SC‑900 learning path on Microsoft Learn, then reinforced each module using the official free Microsoft practice exams. They’re excellent for checking your understanding and getting used to Microsoft’s question style.
2. Microsoft’s Free YouTube Course
A full SC‑900 video series straight from Microsoft. Clear, structured, and surprisingly thorough.
3. John Savill’s SC‑900 Cram Video (Free)
Two days before the exam, I watched John Savill’s SC‑900 Cram video in full on my TV and used my phone to look up topics on Microsoft Learn and through AI. It’s dense, fast, and brilliant for reinforcing the big concepts. Anything I didn’t know, I paused and looked up on the spot. That combination of quick‑fire video plus immediate clarification made the final revision phase feel sharp, efficient, and focused.
4. AI as a Study Hub (Free)
I turned AI into a personalised study companion. I kept a dedicated chat window where I added every topic, mistake, explanation, and revision note. Over time it became a scrollable, self‑building study hub I could revisit anytime. I also used AI voice mode to listen to explanations while cooking dinner, mowing the lawn, or doing the school run. It’s amazing how much study time appears when you get creative.
The Paid Extras (Optional, but Helpful)
Alongside the free tools, I added two paid resources that helped reinforce everything:
- MeasureUp practice exams
- Scott Duffy’s SC‑900 Udemy course (I grabbed it for $9.99 AUD during a sale)
When I booked my exam, I set a rule: for the two weeks leading up to the exam, do at least one practice exam each day and review anything I got wrong immediately.
MeasureUp was excellent, it really sharpens your pattern recognition but it can be pricey. It also has far more questions than the free Microsoft Learn practice exam. If you decide to subscribe, wait for a deal. I got mine at 60% off, and Udemy runs similar discounts all the time.
The day before my exam, I pushed myself a bit harder and did six practice exams in a row just to cement everything. Not cramming just reinforcing the patterns.
Exam Day
To clear my mind, I kept my morning simple. I took the dog for a walk to get into the zone, had one coffee, and stayed relaxed since my exam wasn’t until 10:30 a.m. At around 9 a.m., I did one more practice exam just to get my brain locked onto the topic.
Pearson VUE are strict, so to avoid any issues with the online proctor, I cleared everything out of my office. They don’t like anything on your desk, so I even removed my monitor and just used my MacBook Pro screen and webcam. I wanted zero technical surprises on the day, and a clean setup kept everything simple and stress‑free.
You’re required to log in 30 minutes early. I got through the pre‑checks in about 20 minutes, so I actually started the exam ahead of schedule. The process is simple:
- Scan a QR code
- Take photos of your room
- Take photos of your ID
- Take a selfie
- Run a system test
The exam software worked perfectly on my MacBook Pro. No glitches, no lag, no issues, everything ran smoothly from start to finish.
My family went out for lunch so I had the house to myself, just me and George the dog guarding the place. He was very disappointed he wasn’t allowed in the exam room. Once the checks were done, I clicked Start Exam, and within two minutes a proctor appeared.
I’d heard all the horror stories about people getting kicked out of online exams for going off‑camera, turning their head the wrong way, scratching their face, or even fidgeting, so I sat really still the entire time. I didn’t read anything out loud, kept my eyes locked on the screen, and took things slower than I normally would.
In my practice exams, rushing made me miss easy details, so this time I made a point to read every question fully, breathe, and take my time. Even with that slower pace, I still finished with nine minutes to spare. I only went back to one question to change my answer, everything else felt solid on the first pass.
Well… except the first five questions. Those rattled me. I had that moment of “oh no… maybe I don’t have this.”
But once the Sentinel and Purview questions appeared, everything clicked. Those were the areas I’d drilled the most, and the confidence came back quickly.
When the score popped up 822 the relief was instant. Five minutes later, the certificate appeared in my Microsoft profile and the congratulations emails rolled in.
Is the SC‑900 Worth It?
Absolutely.
Even after many years of working with Microsoft systems, I still had multiple “wow, I didn’t know that” moments. The exam forces you to learn the correct terminology, understand the modern Microsoft ecosystem, and stay current with features that evolve constantly. It’s affordable, accessible, and genuinely useful, the kind of certification where you can study something today and apply it at work tomorrow. And if you continue to the next‑level certifications (SC‑200, SC‑300, SC‑100), the yearly renewals are free, self‑directed, and unproctored. Open book. No stress.
For me, this exam rebuilt my confidence. Now that I’ve taken one, I know exactly what these exams are like, and I trust myself more because I showed up, stayed calm, and passed. Getting through SC‑900 didn’t just give me a certification, it gave me belief in my ability to take on the next ones.
Deals, Discounts, and Extra Credentials
Microsoft regularly runs promotions, Microsoft Virtual Training Days that offer 50% off exam vouchers, seasonal discounts, and occasional free exam events. These change throughout the year, so it’s worth checking Microsoft’s official pages for whatever’s current when you’re reading this.
They also offer Microsoft Applied Skills, which are free, unproctored, hands‑on VM assessments. If you fail, it resets every few days. I’ll be taking advantage of these too.
Final Thoughts
The SC‑900 is a fantastic starting point for anyone entering cyber security or wanting to strengthen their Microsoft fundamentals. It’s practical, beginner‑friendly, and supported by a huge amount of free learning material. If you’re looking for a certification that builds confidence and opens doors, this is a great place to start.
If you’re on your own certification journey, good luck and let me know what you’re working on next.
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