About AZ-120 Exam
Overview of Microsoft AZ-120 Exam in 2025
Professionals in cloud infrastructure and enterprise applications are showing increased interest in Microsoft’s AZ-120 certification in 2025, and this trend is directly tied to the way businesses are evolving. As more companies shift mission-critical operations to the cloud, they require skilled individuals who understand both the architecture of Azure and the unique demands of SAP workloads. The AZ-120 certification responds to this demand by validating a candidate’s ability to plan, manage, and optimize SAP systems within Azure.
This certification is not just gaining traction due to marketing or hype; it’s being driven by clear business needs. Organizations managing SAP solutions need specialists who can ensure uptime, scalability, and cost control. As a result, IT pros looking to stay competitive are pursuing AZ-120 to future-proof their careers and align with enterprise requirements. Unlike general cloud certifications, AZ-120 focuses specifically on the intersection of two major technologies, making it highly specialized and increasingly relevant across sectors like finance, manufacturing, and logistics.
Microsoft’s push to position Azure as the ideal environment for hosting SAP has also contributed to the rise in AZ-120 adoption. As a result, professionals who obtain this certification can demonstrate a nuanced understanding of SAP’s operational intricacies and how to integrate them into scalable, secure Azure environments. The certification is now seen as more than just an achievement it’s a strategic move for professionals in a competitive market.
Is AZ-120 Right for You? Let’s Keep it Real
Professionals considering AZ-120 should assess their current role, experience level, and familiarity with both Azure and SAP landscapes. This certification is not designed for individuals who are just entering the IT industry or for those with minimal exposure to enterprise software systems. It is most relevant for professionals who are already managing infrastructure, working within SAP environments, or overseeing cloud migrations in enterprise settings.
Those currently working as cloud administrators, SAP Basis specialists, or infrastructure consultants will find AZ-120 directly aligned with their day-to-day responsibilities. The certification expects candidates to possess foundational experience in both cloud operations and SAP configurations. While it doesn’t demand mastery of every SAP module or Azure service, a balanced understanding of both platforms is essential for success.
Consultants involved in SAP-to-Azure migration projects or hybrid deployment strategies will especially benefit from pursuing AZ-120. The exam’s content reflects real-world challenges such as provisioning, network integration, high availability, and disaster recovery planning. If your role involves maintaining critical SAP workloads or advising clients on cloud transformation, AZ-120 is a logical and career-enhancing next step.
What You Actually Learn by Prepping for AZ-120
Preparing for the AZ-120 exam offers a comprehensive and hands-on understanding of how SAP workloads operate within Microsoft Azure. Candidates gain practical skills related to planning infrastructure, estimating resources, and implementing effective solutions that meet both performance and budgetary requirements. The certification focuses on actionable knowledge, giving candidates the tools they need to execute tasks in live environments.
Key areas of learning include high availability architecture, backup strategies, and system recovery. These are critical for minimizing downtime and protecting data integrity in enterprise environments. Candidates will also explore governance frameworks, security models, and automation tools that help control costs and maintain service-level agreements (SLAs).
A major benefit of studying for this certification is the exposure to Microsoft’s preferred deployment patterns and reference architectures. These resources are directly applicable to real-life job scenarios. Candidates also become familiar with Azure services specific to SAP deployments, such as Azure NetApp Files, HANA Large Instances, and ExpressRoute. This knowledge allows certified professionals to speak the language of both SAP administrators and cloud architects, positioning them as hybrid solution experts.
How Much You Can Actually Make With AZ-120
In 2025, salary trends for professionals holding AZ-120 reflect the certification’s growing recognition and technical depth. Across North America and Europe, certified individuals can expect to earn between $110,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on experience, geographic region, and the complexity of the organization’s SAP infrastructure.
In contract and freelance work, the rates are notably higher due to the temporary but critical nature of SAP migration and modernization projects. Daily rates for contractors can range from $600 to $1,000, particularly for short-term assignments that require immediate expertise.
The long-term financial advantage of holding AZ-120 also extends to career progression. Professionals often report being fast-tracked into leadership roles or offered opportunities to oversee high-visibility projects. The certification not only increases earning potential but also improves access to strategic roles within large enterprises, managed service providers, and consulting firms.
What’s Inside the AZ-120 Exam and How It’s Structured
The structure of the AZ-120 exam is designed to assess practical understanding and decision-making capabilities rather than theoretical knowledge. Microsoft uses a variety of question formats to evaluate the candidate’s readiness, including multiple-choice, case studies, and drag-and-drop scenarios that simulate real-world problems.
The exam typically includes 40 to 60 questions, with a total time limit of 150 minutes. Candidates are expected to score 700 or higher out of 1000 to pass. The registration fee is approximately $165 USD, though this may vary based on location and applicable taxes.
AZ-120 is delivered through Microsoft’s testing partners and is available both in-person at testing centers and online via proctored exams. Microsoft updates the exam content periodically to reflect Azure service changes and emerging best practices, which means candidates need to use current study materials to prepare effectively.
The Content Areas That Make Up AZ-120
Microsoft organizes the AZ-120 exam content into several weighted categories that reflect job responsibilities. These domains ensure that certified individuals possess both strategic and operational competencies for managing SAP on Azure.
- Planning and Designing SAP Workloads on Azure (10–15%)
This section evaluates the ability to select appropriate VM types, plan network architecture, and choose storage options for performance and reliability. - Deploying and Migrating SAP Workloads (20–25%)
Candidates must demonstrate how to perform migrations, configure hybrid connections, and validate deployed environments. - Operations and Management (35–40%)
The heaviest weight falls on daily operations, including monitoring, backup, security implementation, and system updates. - Monitoring and Optimization (20–25%)
This segment includes cost control, performance tuning, scaling options, and the use of native tools like Azure Monitor and Log Analytics.
Each area combines technical configuration knowledge with decision-making aligned to business outcomes, reflecting the demands of real enterprise IT environments.
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