Study Guide of Microsoft AZ-900 Exam

17.2. Reading and Understanding Questions

Reading and understanding questions accurately and efficiently is crucial when taking any standardized test, including the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam. The ability to dissect and comprehend the question quickly allows you to identify the most relevant information, discard distractors, and apply your knowledge to select the correct answer. This section will guide you through techniques and strategies to enhance your reading comprehension and question interpretation skills, tailored specifically for the format and challenges of the AZ-900 exam.

Developing Effective Reading Habits

Before diving into the specifics of the exam, let’s discuss general reading habits that can enhance your comprehension:

1. Active Reading: Engage with the text actively by highlighting keywords and asking questions as you read. This practice can help you focus on essential details and improve retention.
2. Reading for Context: Understand the broader context of a paragraph or a section before focusing on specific details. This approach can often help you make sense of more complex questions.
3. Paraphrasing: Practice rewording complex sentences or concepts in simpler terms. This can clarify meanings and ensure that you’ve grasped the essence of the text.
4. Regular Practice: Incorporate reading into your daily routine. The more you read, particularly technical and instructional material similar to that found in certification exams, the more proficient you will become at quickly understanding complex information.

Understanding the Structure of AZ-900 Questions

The questions on the AZ-900 exam often follow specific patterns or structures. Recognizing these can help you dissect questions more effectively:

1. Scenario-based Questions: These questions present a situation and ask you to apply your knowledge to solve a specific problem. Focus on the ultimate goal of the scenario rather than getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
2. Multiple-choice Questions: These require you to choose the best answer from several options. Keywords in the question stem often indicate what to focus on in the choices provided.
3. Drag-and-Drop and Other Interactive Formats: For these questions, a thorough understanding of processes, sequences, and relationships is critical. Pay attention to the action words that indicate what needs to be done.

Strategies for Reading Exam Questions

Here are some targeted strategies to apply when you’re reading exam questions, especially under time pressure:

1. Skim for Keywords: Quickly skim the question to identify keywords or phrases. These often include technical terms, Azure services, or action words like “implement,” “configure,” or “deploy,” which hint at what the question is targeting.
2. Understand the Question Type: Is it asking for a definition, a comparison, an application of knowledge, or problem-solving? Identifying the type of question can guide your approach to finding the answer.
3. Break Down the Question: Longer questions can be broken down into parts. Determine what each part is asking, and consider them individually before synthesizing your answer.
4. Watch for Absolutes: Words like “always,” “never,” “all,” or “none” can signal a potentially incorrect answer, as they leave no room for exceptions. Be cautious with these options.
5. Identify Distractors: Exam questions often include incorrect options designed to mislead you. By identifying commonalities in some answers, you can often eliminate outliers that are likely to be distractors.

6. Restate the Question: In your own words, rephrase the question. This can often reveal the essence of what is being asked and can clear up misunderstandings.