Microsoft AI-200 Certification
The free study guide for Azure AI Cloud Developers
Nine modules of concise notes, code examples, cheatsheets, and exam tips — mapped to Course AI-200T00-A. No login, no paywall.
Exam structure
Four skill domains
Microsoft weights each domain differently. Allocate study time in proportion to the weight rather than to personal interest — Domain 2 carries the most marks and contains the material least likely to be covered by prior Azure experience.
- Domain 1
Develop Containerized Solutions on Azure
20–25% - Domain 2 Highest weight
Develop AI Solutions by Using Azure Data Management Services
25–30% - 20–25%
- Domain 4
Secure, Monitor, and Troubleshoot Azure Solutions
20–25%
Course content
Nine study modules
Each module maps to Course AI-200T00-A and includes concise notes, diagrams, code examples, and exam tips.
Implement Container Application Hosting on Azure
Build, store, version, and manage container images using Azure Container Registry. Build and run images with ACR Tasks. Deploy containers to Azure App Service with environment variables and secrets.
Deploy and Manage Apps on Azure Container Apps
Deploy applications to Azure Container Apps with environment configuration and revision management. Implement event-driven scaling with KEDA. Deploy and manage apps on AKS using manifest files.
Deploy and Monitor Applications on Azure Kubernetes Service
Deploy and manage workloads on AKS using kubectl and manifest files. Configure node pools, networking with Azure CNI, and monitor with Container Insights and KQL.
Develop AI Solutions with Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL
Connect to Cosmos DB using the SDK and run queries. Optimize RU consumption with indexing policies and consistency levels. Store embeddings and execute vector similarity search. Implement change feed processor.
Develop AI Solutions with Azure Database for PostgreSQL
Connect and query PostgreSQL Flexible Server with SDKs. Model schemas and implement indexing strategies. Configure resources for vector workloads. Run vector similarity search and implement RAG patterns.
Enhance AI Solutions with Azure Managed Redis
Implement Azure Managed Redis data operations including caching, expiration, and invalidation. Implement vector indexing to enable similarity search for semantic caching and RAG.
Integrate Backend Services for AI Solutions
Queue and process back-end operations with Azure Service Bus including dead-letter queue handling. Implement event-driven workflows with Event Grid. Build serverless APIs with Azure Functions triggers and bindings.
Manage Application Secrets and Configuration for AI Solutions
Secure secrets by using Azure Key Vault, including rotation and retrieval. Store and retrieve app configuration using Azure App Configuration. Use Key Vault references and feature flags.
Observe and Troubleshoot Apps on Azure
Trace distributed systems by using OpenTelemetry SDKs. Write KQL queries to analyze logs and metrics. Configure Application Insights, set up alerts, and build observability pipelines.
Practice
Test yourself
Untimed practice, a timed mock exam, and the full question bank — all on one page.
Free practice
Untimed scenario questions across all four domains, with a written explanation after every answer.
Start practising →Timed mock exam
A timed exam weighted to the real domain distribution, with a score breakdown and full answer review.
Take the mock →Question bank
400 questions across 13 modules. Free preview per module; full access with the Question Pack.
Browse the bank →Start with Module 1
Begin with Azure Container Registry, work through all nine modules, then use the exam preparation page for final review the night before your exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AI-200 exam? +
The AI-200 (Developing AI Cloud Solutions on Azure) is a Microsoft certification exam that validates your ability to design, build, and deploy AI-powered applications on Azure. It replaces the AZ-204 exam (retiring July 31, 2026) and focuses on containers, AI data services, event-driven architectures, and observability.
Is the AI-200 harder than AZ-204? +
The AI-200 covers similar compute and messaging topics as AZ-204, but adds AI-specific data services (Cosmos DB vector search, pgvector, Redis vector search) and modern observability (OpenTelemetry, KQL). If you're already familiar with AZ-204, the new AI data services are the main areas to focus on.
How should I prepare for the AI-200? +
Use this free study guide to cover all 9 learning paths. Each module includes concise notes, code examples, animated diagrams, and exam tips. Supplement with hands-on Azure practice and the official Microsoft Learn training course (AI-200T00-A).
What score do I need to pass the AI-200? +
You need a minimum score of 700 out of 1000 to pass. The exam has approximately 40-60 questions and you have 100 minutes to complete it. Question types include multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop, and case studies.
Frequently asked questions
Is this study guide really free? +
Yes. All 9 modules, cheatsheets, exam tips, and the revision page are free with no account required. We offer an optional paid Question Pack (400 practice questions) and Mock Exam Pack (700 questions).
What is the AI-200 exam? +
Microsoft AI-200 (Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate) is the replacement for the retiring AZ-204 exam. It tests your ability to design and implement containerized AI solutions, AI data services, event-driven pipelines, and secure, monitored Azure deployments.
How long does it take to prepare for AI-200? +
Most candidates with an Azure background (AZ-204 or equivalent experience) need 3–5 weeks studying 1–2 hours per day. Candidates new to Azure containers and databases should plan for 6–8 weeks.
What topics does AI-200 cover? +
Four domains: (1) Containerized solutions — ACR, AKS, Container Apps. (2) AI data solutions — Cosmos DB vector search, PostgreSQL/pgvector, Redis. (3) Event-driven solutions — Service Bus, Event Grid, Event Hubs, Functions. (4) Security and monitoring — Key Vault, RBAC, Azure Monitor, KQL.
How is this guide different from Microsoft Learn? +
Microsoft Learn is comprehensive but dense. This guide is exam-focused — each module is distilled to what actually appears in the exam, with clear explanations of why answers are correct, not just what the answer is.
Do I need to code to pass AI-200? +
The exam is scenario-based multiple choice, not a coding test. However, understanding code patterns (ARM/Bicep, Kubernetes YAML, Python SDK calls) helps you reason through scenario questions faster.