About AZ-700 Exam
Why AZ-700 Is Gaining More Attention in 2025
The cloud isn’t just some side project anymore. It’s the main platform. And Microsoft Azure is right up there competing for top spot in every major organization’s tech stack. In 2025, Azure’s networking services aren’t just popular they’ve become foundational. With more companies shifting workloads to the cloud and linking on-prem data centers to Azure environments, solid networking skills aren’t optional. They’re expected.
That’s where Microsoft AZ-700 Certification comes in. This isn’t a general-purpose exam trying to cover every little bit of Azure. It focuses hard on what matters in network design: getting data from one end to another securely, efficiently, and with as little headache as possible. If you’re working with VPNs, VNet peering, private endpoints, or ExpressRoute, this exam hits right in your wheelhouse.
And here’s the key thing: hybrid cloud setups are now standard practice. Very few companies are 100% in the cloud. Everyone’s connecting Azure to on-prem gear, legacy networks, third-party services, and even other clouds. That means engineers who understand how Azure networking really works are in a prime spot. That’s the exact skillset AZ-700 helps you sharpen.
This is why the buzz around AZ-700 hasn’t slowed down. People aren’t chasing this cert just for the badge. They’re doing it because it builds a career-relevant skill set with strong industry demand.
Who Should Actually Think About Taking AZ-700
This cert isn’t aimed at beginners, and that’s a good thing. It’s for folks who’ve already touched Azure and want to go deeper into network design and implementation. If you’ve built VNets before, set up peering or configured basic routing, you’ll find a lot of value in AZ-700.
It fits nicely for network engineers shifting into cloud, sysadmins who’ve taken on Azure projects, or even DevOps pros managing hybrid pipelines. If your job already has you touching networking gear, traffic flows, or security groups or if you want a job that does then this cert is worth adding to your path.
It’s also a strong choice if you’ve already taken AZ-104 or AZ-305 and want to niche down into networking. While those certs give you a wide look at Azure services, AZ-700 zooms in on networking with way more technical focus.
And you don’t have to be a Microsoft-only engineer to get value out of it. People coming from AWS or GCP often pick up AZ-700 to round out their multi-cloud skill set. Cloud architects working across platforms need to understand how each one handles networking and this exam lays that out clearly for Azure.
Microsoft’s Backing Makes This Cert Count
There are a lot of cloud certs floating around. Some carry weight, others not so much. But Microsoft still has that serious clout in the hiring world. When you list a Microsoft certification on your profile, recruiters and hiring managers know what it means.
AZ-700 isn’t one of those certs you do just to tick a checkbox. It’s part of Microsoft’s role-based certification track, which is built around what people actually do on the job. So instead of just answering questions about definitions or product limits, you’ll get tested on actual design and implementation scenarios.
That alignment makes a difference. The skills you learn while prepping for AZ-700 match the expectations real employers have. It’s not fluff. If you pass it, people know you can do more than spin up a VM or open ports you can plan networks, connect hybrid systems, secure the flow, and troubleshoot when stuff breaks.
Microsoft’s role-based model gives the AZ-700 a ton of value. It shows you’re not just certified you’re cloud-ready.
What You’ll Actually Learn and Use
AZ-700 isn’t loaded with theory for the sake of it. What you study actually matches what you’ll run into at work, especially if you’re building or maintaining networked Azure environments.
Here’s what you’ll get good at:
- Creating secure connections between on-prem networks and Azure using VPNs and ExpressRoute
- Designing private DNS zones and integrating them with your virtual networks
- Choosing the right load balancer for the right scenario internal vs. public, global vs. regional
- Deploying Azure Firewall and setting up rule collections that fit actual traffic needs
- Locking down services with private endpoints for better control and security
- Stitching together hybrid environments that involve Azure, on-prem datacenters, or even other cloud vendors
- Using Azure-native tools like NSG flow logs and Traffic Analytics to monitor and resolve issues
Every one of those tasks comes up in real Azure projects. Whether you’re working in an enterprise setup or a smaller cloud-native environment, these are the skills that help you build cleaner, faster, safer networks.
And this cert isn’t just about reading config steps. You’re expected to understand what each tool does, when to use it, how to combine them, and how to spot when something’s off. That level of thinking carries over into actual job responsibilities, which is why AZ-700 gets respect in hiring circles.
What the Difficulty Level Looks Like
AZ-700 is no breeze, but it’s also not impossible. Think of it as a mid-tier challenge. It’s not going to crush you if you’ve been working in Azure and doing networking for a while. But if you walk in cold, it’s not going to go well.
Microsoft’s exams lean heavily on real-world situations. You’re not going to get away with just memorizing a bunch of terms or watching quick recap videos. You’ll be reading scenarios where things are partially broken, missing, or unclear. Your job is to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.
The tricky parts? DNS and hybrid routing tend to throw people off. Also, ExpressRoute questions often come with long descriptions and multiple options that sound almost right. You’ve got to read carefully and know what’s supported under which condition.
Having AZ-104 helps a lot, since you already know the basics. But don’t think that AZ-700 is just a repeat. It builds on that foundation and goes deeper into stuff you may not have touched yet.
Bottom line: the exam is tough if you haven’t put your hands on real configs. But if you’ve practiced in the Azure portal and understand how the services tie together, it’s manageable.
What Jobs You Can Land After Passing AZ-700
Certifications don’t guarantee jobs, but AZ-700 definitely boosts your chances. It’s one of those niche certs that gives you a specific skill edge and employers are absolutely looking for people who understand Azure networking.
These are the kinds of job titles where AZ-700 shows up a lot:
- Azure Network Engineer
- Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
- Cloud Solutions Architect (especially for network-heavy projects)
- Hybrid Connectivity Engineer
- Network Security Engineer (Azure-focused)
- Cloud Ops or Site Reliability Engineer in a Microsoft environment
The salary numbers look good too. In 2025, people with AZ-700 are pulling in between $95K and $135K in the US, depending on experience, region, and what other certs they’re stacking it with. Pairing it with AZ-104, AZ-305, or even SC-300 makes you stand out even more.
And if you’re already employed in a cloud role, passing AZ-700 gives you some leverage. It’s a solid push for that raise or promotion especially if your team handles connectivity or hybrid networking issues.
What to Expect on the Real Exam
Microsoft doesn’t hide how they structure their exams, and AZ-700 follows the usual format with a few twists. Here’s what it looks like:
- Around 40 to 60 questions
- Question types include multiple choice, case studies, drag-and-drop, matching, and visual diagrams
- Time limit is 120 minutes
- Language support includes English and a few other major options
- Passing score is 700 out of 1000
The real difference is in how the questions are written. You won’t just see “what is ExpressRoute.” You’ll be dropped into a scenario where a company needs to connect multiple regions securely, has compliance rules to follow, and already uses VPN tunnels. Then you’ll have to pick which design makes sense sometimes with more than one seemingly valid option.
That kind of depth makes the exam a lot more engaging, but also more demanding. You’ve got to pay attention to keywords in the question and apply real design logic. Microsoft wants to know if you can make the right call in a live project, not just answer trivia.
What AZ-700 Actually Covers
The content areas for this exam are structured, but they’re tied to actual skills, not just theory. You’ll spend time in four main zones:
- Core infrastructure
That’s your VNets, subnetting, custom DNS, peering, and address planning. You’ll learn to build scalable, organized networks that don’t break when traffic spikes. - Secure connectivity
This covers VPN gateways, ExpressRoute circuits, and private endpoints. You’ll design secure paths between Azure and other networks, whether that’s your office, data center, or another cloud. - Load balancing
You’ll work with Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Front Door, and Traffic Manager. Each tool fits different needs, and knowing which one to pick matters. - Monitoring and troubleshooting
This is about keeping your network healthy. You’ll use Network Watcher, diagnostic logs, flow logs, and alerts to keep tabs on traffic and performance.
All of it ties back to real-world Azure work. You’re expected to understand not just how to build, but how to fix and improve networks over time.
Where Most People Slip Up While Studying
There’s a pattern here, and it’s easy to fall into. People treat AZ-700 like a memorization test. They go through a few slides, take a few notes, and think they’re set. But Microsoft doesn’t test that way anymore.
The biggest trap is skipping hands-on work. Reading about VNet peering is one thing. Setting it up in a live environment is another. If you’ve never opened Azure Firewall or configured a load balancer, you’ll hit roadblocks during the exam.
Another mistake? Studying with outdated material. Azure updates often, and AZ-700 reflects that. A study guide from 2022 might be missing features, layout changes, or updated best practices. That’s risky. Always use current material that matches what the portal looks like today.
Also, people tend to underestimate how long it takes to get comfortable with routing scenarios. Just because you’ve worked with on-prem networks doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get Azure’s flow. Give yourself time to understand how traffic moves between subnets, VNets, and external locations.
Victoria (verified owner) –
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